Slippery Slope of Dicouragement

Candy Christmas Singing "Peace Be Still"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVqZJaiREVA 

"For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'" Jeremiah 29:11-13

"Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you.  And you shall have plenty to eat and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; then My people will never be put to shame." Joel 2:25-26

"'Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

"'This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." Joshua 1:7-8

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way.  When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." Psalm 37:23-24

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

Accidents, missteps and mistakes happen.  Without hope the slippery slope of inevitable discouragement, even depression can grow until you forget to look up at the Master Who died for you rather than live without you!  Give Him your hand, friend. 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene (Please note the prayer updates, in red and if you have some updates, I need them!)

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 - Fred I – recovering now.  Surgery was successful.  He will be in ICU a couple of days.
• ·        Adrian - Please do not grow weary of praying for this man.  He needs social services to help him.  Remember his little companion dog, Toby, he is very important to Adrian's mental well-being and a clear gift from the Lord during this time of pain and loneliness. 

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Carla and Paul - are finishing up their move to their new house.  Pray for patience and safety of the family during this time.
• ·        Marcus' neighbour - lost both her parents in the last three weeks and is reeling with grief.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Elina - has been given some good news that will give her some important options and new strength.  Thank you Father for watching over her at this time.  Keep her heart calm and her thinking clear, give her strength and the needed wisdom to consider new challenges.
• ·        Han's Mom - home from hospital after her heart attack and surgery.  She will be going to rehab for awhile to strengthen.  Please pray for her doctors and carers and for her family as she recovers. 
• ·        David R - Heidi, his daughter, found him a sweet companion dog and David is quite happy.  The Service Dog will not be available till June. 
• ·        Careena S - with MS and Lyme's Disease.  She is a beautiful battler with a quiet and gentle heart for the Lord.  She thanks you for praying for her and reports she is still feeling steady on her feet the past weeks!
• ·        Mel - (Meldapilu) had a hip and knee replacement and is surprising the doctors with her progress.  Pray for her healing and that there are family and friends available to care for her during her long recovery time and that she is sensibly patient.
• ·        Steve/ Fion -  is back at Uni and already the work has filled ten hours a day!  Pray for his wisdom, creativity, strength, more funding for his university.
• ·        Doris - Just celebrated her 98th birthday on 22 Dec. and she looks great and seems to be strengthening more every day.  
• ·        Fin/Spencer - hip surgery scheduled for 17 January and is anticipated to be less complicated than his back 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 continues through March 2017.  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, reports she is able to enjoy every moment the Lord is giving her.  Pray she will be found cancer-free.
• ·        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

• ·        My brother, Tim - The weather is growing difficult for him.  Pray for sufficient strength, wisdom and health and pray also for Barb, Tim's wife, who supports and cares for him.  
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) just had her birthday and has recently been diagnosed with asthma and is slowly improving.
• ·        BG - headaches continue to compromise him.  They now believe these are a type of mini-strokes).  He needs our prayers to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        No update yet about Edna Losbanes, wife of Staff Evangelist Isachar Losbanes of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines (see prayer requests below).  She suffered a mild stroke on 29 December and was in hospital.  They have two children and were on the road teaching youth the day before the stroke occurred.  Please pray for a full recovery.
• ·        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 and brother CK (78 years old)  both suffered strokes. Both now doing well with stroke recovery, but they get discouraged with memory recall challenges.  Please pray for more patience and grace. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.

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 recently about the Lord, that in her confusion and the chaos of her job, she will search for His peace.
• ·        JR's wife, Jenny - Please pray for Jenny and his family as they recover from his death that this time of vulnerability will be filled with His love. 
• ·        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 - is on a waiting list to have a surgical procedure to repair an injury he sustained while volunteering at Vinnies.  Pray for his heart to be touched through the experience.  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 - still urgently needs psychiatric care.  Still not communicating with family members, but God is starting to work in His mysterious ways in her life.  Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation and that she will find someone to trust to help her. 
• ·        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. 
• ·        Me - As it turns out neither of the projects I put off my trip home have come through.  So will be looking again.  In the meantime, I am deeply grateful for the many prayers helping to carry me over this very hard place. 

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.
• ·        Pray for the growing number of displaced people from wars and famine.  These refugees need compassion.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation.  They recently received word 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, Pat O'Keeffe (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, wisdom 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.