Not the Fruit to Force!

"But the Spirit gives love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  There is no law that says these things are wrong." Galatians 5:23-24 The Everyday Bible[1]

Patience, sometimes called "long-suffering" is about patiently enduring ill-treatment without anger or thought of retaliation or revenge. 

When we are irritable, vengeful, resentful and malicious, we are not being patient.  We have taken control of our lives rather than trusting the Holy Spirit.  Whether we like it or not, during these times, we must recognise and admit we are the source of our problems, not God. 

But it is wrong to "use" patience in a prideful way to avoid taking appropriate action or making a difficult decision.  (Jesus did drive the money changers out and called out hypocrisy when He found it.)  That too is rejecting the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

When you are tempted to pray for more patience, remember patience is tied to difficulties and hardship.  No fruit can be forced.  For patience to grow, it means giving up your schedule and trusting the Lord.

"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,

"bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.." Colossians 1:9-12

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene (who will be travelling to Dubai (see prayer request below) and postings here may be interrupted some)

• ·        Continue to pray for the special person you identified a few weeks ago in your assignment until they fall into His arms.  Then you can pick another to pray for!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        Doris - is now back in Ashland in the nursing facility of her retirement village.  It will take some days for things to settle for her and for the staff to get her meds and physical therapy in good order, but she is much happier to be amongst people she knows.  She is still is on pureed food and in a lot of pain. 
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) needs prayer for healing and refreshment.  She has many family responsibilities and has taken extra time for her Mom and is exhausted.  Freddy, her brother is scheduled to arrive soon for a week and that will help take some of the weight off Patti.  Please pray for them both.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Adrian - feeling some better now that his medications are settled once more.  He got his car working again.  Toby is even better.  Thank you for your diligent prayer for Adrian and Toby.  Toby may seem trivial to many, but he is very important to Adrian's mental well-being and a clear gift from the Lord during this time of pain and loneliness.  Please pray for God's mercy and a plan to give Adrian some dignity and comfort.
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation.  They just received word that Medicaid will no longer provide home care for her.  Pray for wisdom for Audley as he cares for his beloved.  Pray also that God continues to multiply the effectiveness of his radio ministry in Florida.
• ·        Fin - had a procedure on 4 October to relieve pain in his back and legs.  Pray for his doctors and therapists that Fin will recover easily and have friends with him during this time.
• ·        Me - Scheduled to travel to Dubai from 12 to 23 October, similar to last year.  Am working through an employment/ legal issue and looking for a new project.
• ·        Chris H - pray his heart is focused on the Lord and His will for his life and future.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        UPDATE - JR - is home.  Celebrating life and filling his days with pleasant memories.  Has more tests on 22 October.  Seems to be growing tired now.  His attitude remains good.  (He has rapidly advancing small cell carcinoma in his brain.)  Please pray for him and the quality of life and time he has, for his wife Jenny, his family, friends and the health carers as they deal with this serious situation.  Pray most of all that his heart opens to the love and grace of Jesus' gift of grace.
• ·        (My brother, Tim, who loves the Lord and is ministering to JR - Pray for his strength, wisdom, courage, health and patience during this difficult time.  And that God gives him the words to say to touch JR's heart.  Tim has shared his testimony with JR and cares about him very much.) 
• ·        Rachael asks us to please pray that Scott (in the USA) seeks the Lord for his sake and his Children.
• ·        UPDATE - Paul - continues to work two or more days a week at St. Vincent De Paul charity.  Has more job interviews this week.  I know the Lord is watching over him because of your prayers.  Most of all pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  He has not had work since 2011!
• ·        Bible study in Jo's home continues.  This week they look at Romans 4 and you can feel Jo's excitement as these women grow a step closer to understanding how loving the Lord Jesus is! Keep praying for  Angie and Liz.
• ·        Toron - (18-year-old) Pray for him to find direction and encouragement and most of all to come to the Lord. 
• ·        Lennie - PS ex-son-in-law.  Please pray for his salvation.  He is father to PS' 11 yr. old granddaughter's whom she spends half her time with because of shared custody.
• ·        Sarah - urgently needs psychiatric care.  Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation.  Pray for grace for her parents.
• ·        DB's father - (84 years) please keep praying his heart opens to Christ.  He is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist. 
• ·        Chester (Adrian's friend) with pancreatic cancer that someone will come share Christ with him soon.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Fred – procedure went well.  He will have surgery after the first of the year.  He thanks you for praying for him during his trip, it was memorable and safe.  Continue to keep him in your prayers.
• ·        Aunty Dot  has finally received her special wheelchair.  Here is her thank you to you:  " My chair has arrived and I am going to go out to enjoy the sun and read my book.  Thank everyone please!"
• ·        Sergio - has found some consulting projects to help him weather financial difficulties for the next six months.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare. 
• ·        Jo - seems to be finding support for her ideas and initiatives within her firm.  Please also pray for her wisdom as she considers setting up a charitable trust. 
• ·        Raven - The new cancer meds have given her life back.  She loves the Lord and is grateful for His compassions.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read these devotions.  That His mighty works will be worked out in each life for His purposes and glory in surprising and wonderful ways!
• ·        For Christ-centred, Bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians wherever they may be.
• ·        Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, US, Australia, UK, Poland, Germany, France, Portugal, American Samoa, Romania, Ukraine, Estonia, Singapore, China, India and Alaska who are regularly reading the WeakDay Devotion on-line.  The blog seems to be gathering an audience in unexpected and mysterious geographic locations.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study has multiple myelomas.  Please pray for him, his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone, in Lilburn Georgia.
• ·        Jo and Steve - Please pray their individual ministries in NZ and reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters. 
• ·        Stu and Jo and their grown children, Laura and Jason - a family serving in full-time ministry in New Zealand.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute. 
• ·        Isaias and Judith - in the Philippines - a land that is growing increasingly chaotic and dangerous.  Pray our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance.  They give so much to so many for so little.  Please, take a moment to learn more about their tireless ministry:  Go to:  http://www.afciworld.org  Look for "Nations" then click "Philippines".
• ·        Please pray for my good friend, JB, that our loving Father provides him ample opportunity to continue his ministry in Sydney.
• ·        Buddy and Susan Smith (in Queensland) and Kevin and Sandy Currell (in Melbourne) need your prayers for their ministries.
• ·        The Catholic Church and the Pope, who need our prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his decisions.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        BG - has had a series of tests and examinations and a few more to go, indicating the massive headaches he has been having were mini-strokes.  He needs our prayers at this time to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care.
• ·        David R - Feeling good but there is nothing they can do about the continuing deterioration of sight.  Also, his little companion dog, Chandler, now 16 years old, is growing weaker and having trouble walking.  It will be difficult for David to lose him.    
• ·        Joanne - sister to David, who is being overwhelmed by dementia and macular degeneration.  She is one of the most gracious Christian women I have ever known. 
• ·        John - having a sun melanoma removed from his arm soon.  Still having difficulty reading (after stroke 2 yrs. ago).  Please pray for complete healing and/or more patience and grace. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.
• ·        CK - (suffered a stroke in April) is back at home, having speech therapy for his inability to read, also. He is still not driving and his wife is taking him to the various appointments involved in his recovery.
• ·        Steven Parsons - recovering from cancer, living on the street in Sydney, trying to get enough money for additional surgery.

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS

• ·        Elaine and Jim -in Hong Kong have begun an online church with a special prayer room that is open 24/7.  A small army of dedicated prayer warriors is waiting to pray with you.  Please pray for them and go here to learn more:  Https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        Steve/ Fion - thanks you for your prayers for his Mother.  She is doing well.  He is still pacing himself through his heavy workload at his university post in Oklahoma.  Pray for his strength, more funding and wisdom for the organisation
• ·        Hans - (in West Germany) his therapy has been extended and may last up to six months more.  He is understanding his condition better and growing stronger.  Pray the Lord gives him peace in his new situation and guards his family while he is away.  Pray for those sharing this time with him that they truly care for him.  Most of all, pray he finds Christian companions and leaders wherever he is. 
• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him and give him more time with his young daughter.   
• ·        Trent and his 9-year-old daughter Sharika.  Finishing trade school classes and living on the streets as he saves for accommodation.  Pray for him and his daughter.
• ·        Shan needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry.  He and Gemma are now married and starting a new life.  Pray it will be steadfastly focused on the Lord.
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.
• ·        Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, PS, Reg, JD, Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over many years.

---

[1] The Everyday Bible, New Century Version, © 1987, Word Publishing.