Depression AND Hope

"But I  hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.  For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 

"For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.  But you know of his proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 

"Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust the Lord that I myself also shall be coming shortly." Philippians 2:19-24

It is foolish of us to imagine those who walked, listened to and shared meals with Jesus Christ and then saw Him crucified, resurrected and ascended to heaven, always had good days.

Typically, when we think of the book of Philippians it is about hope and optimism, but Paul was struggling and lonely and you have to imagine tired.  His resilience was nearly shot.

He has seen a dozen years of very hard ministry since his conversion and call on the road to Damascus.  This was at the end of three arduous missionary journeys.  His personal life was threatened many times.  He was abused and had sacrificed everything for His beloved Saviour.  

You can feel the sadness in the words above.  Although, he writes sincerely to encourage the Philippian church he founded during his first Missionary journey, the depression in his heart is clearly bared for us to feel and identify with. 

There is no sadder thought that your life of ministry will have come to little but dusty memories.  Paul wanted changed lives for Christ...he longed to, not just build, but drive others to live their lives for Christ long after he is gone. 

And that would be my prayer for these devotional offerings to you each morning...that they do encourage you and that they do embolden your ministry! 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene

PS:  My statement of faith is on the blog:  Especially His Love .  Either click the link or cut and paste this link in your Web browser (http://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        UPDATE - JR - has passed away.  His memorial service will be this coming Saturday.  Please pray for his wife Jenny, his family, friends at this time. 
• ·        My brother, Tim, who was close to JR - Pray for him in his loss that he has sufficient strength, wisdom and health during this difficult time.  Pray also for Barb, Tim's wife, to support him lovingly.  

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        UPDATE - Careena S - with MS and they suspect Lyme's Disease.  She is a beautiful battler with a quiet and gentle heart for the Lord.  And she shared her thanks for each of you praying for her and reports that she has been feeling steadier on her feet the past weeks!
• ·        Mel - (Meldapilu) broke her hip and shattered her kneecap, had a hip and knee replacement.  She is home now and surprising the doctors by her dramatic progress.  Pray for her healing and that there are family and friends available to care for her during her long recovery time.
• ·        Steve/ Fion -  has finally taken some time to refresh and take some time to recover fully from the many losses and heavy workload he has been under for the last few years.  Pray for his strength, more funding and wisdom for the organisation
• ·        Doris - is home in the nursing facility of her retirement village and continuing therapy to help her regain her abilities, especially swallowing.  She is much happier to be with people she knows. 
• ·        Fin/Spencer - feeling better now from his surgery.  Pray for his doctors and therapists that he will recover completely and have friends with him during this time, especially Deborah.
• ·        Hans - (in West Germany) his therapy has been extended until March 2017 - a full nine months.  He will begin working two half-days a week in a store.  He sounds quite happy.  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. 
• ·        Raven - who has been on her new cancer meds for over a year now and is enjoying every moment the Lord is giving her.  Pray she will be found cancer-free.
• ·        Me - I need a new project (have been looking since August!)  However, the possibility of returning home for a visit seems to be reviving.  Pray the Lord's will is to provide a way. 
• ·        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.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        UPDATE - Adrian - the weather in Australia is extremely hot at this time and he has no air conditioning.  This is exaggerating his misery.  With the change in his meds, he is in much pain.  The cancer markers are not lowering.  Please pray God's mercy and a plan to give Adrian some dignity and comfort in a new home; and continue to pray for his little companion dog, Toby.  Toby may seem trivial, 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. 
• ·        UPDATE - David R - having blood pressure challenges again without his companion dog.  Did meet a Service Dog and he is nearly convinced of the value.  In the meantime, he is also looking for another dog as the Service Dog will not be available until June with all the required training.   
• ·        Fred I – will have surgery 10th January.  He thanks you for praying for him.  Continue to keep him in your prayers.
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) needs prayer for healing and refreshment.  She has too many family, and other, responsibilities.  Pray the Lord gives her wisdom in this area.
• ·        BG - still having headaches (which they believe are mini-strokes).  He needs our prayers 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.
• ·        Joanne - sister to David R, who is being overwhelmed by dementia and macular degeneration.  She is one of the most gracious Christian women I have ever known. 
• ·        John - had a large sun melanoma removed from his arm and is recovering.  He lost some of his ability to read after his stroke 2 yrs. ago and doctors believe he has regained as much of that ability as possible.  Please pray for more patience and grace. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.
• ·        CK - brother of John above, who is 78 suffered a stroke in April and is increasingly recovering skills, including being able to drive again.  Pray for his continued recovery.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        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!
• ·        Bobby and George - that they will begin to consider Christ.
• ·        Karen - who I spoke with this week about the Lord, that in her confusion and the chaos of her job, she will search for His peace.
• ·        Adam - life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord cares for him.
• ·        Rachael asks please to pray that Scott (in the USA) seeks the Lord for his sake and his children.
• ·        Paul - continues to volunteer two or more days a week at St. Vincent De Paul charity.  Has more job interviews lined up.  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.  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.

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• ·        Sergio - his projects have ended and he is looking for work again.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare. 

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.
• ·        Donald Trump - the new president-elect in the USA.  If ever there was a time to pray for an individual, it is now.  No matter whom you voted for or wanted as president...it is our responsibility as Christians to remember God has a plan through this man.  Let us pray someone helps him understand the full meaning of giving his life in faith to our gracious Saviour and that he will have someone to disciple him.  So much depends on it.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        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.
• ·        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.
• ·        St Marks Anglican Church - Northbridge and the many who serve there:  especially the pastors: Simon Flinders, Adam Street (and their amazing wives and children).
• ·        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".
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many areas, for strength and protection.
• ·        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.

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

• ·        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.   
• ·        Chris H - pray his heart is focused on the Lord and His will for his life and future.
• ·        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.