Helpless -- Alone -- Again!

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.  They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 

"The poor man cried and the lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord emcamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. 

"O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!  O fear the Lord, you His saints; for to those who fear Him, there is no want.  The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing."  Psalm 34:4-10

In the prologue to the book, The God Who Won't Let Go[1], Mr. Merril writes a poem called Restoration.  In the course I teach I ask each participant to circle the three most significant thoughts for them as they read it.  My three were:

1.   "He cannot rise; he cannot reverse the steps that brought him to this dreadful place."

2.   "He is alone."

3.   "....this time."

The first one is about how helpless I feel when I've fallen into the dark hole of sin.  The second is pretty self-explanatory and the third is about grace again, that no matter how often I fall off a cliff because of my own foolishness and choices, it is "only this time" for Him. 

And why is that?  Because God, unlike humans, does not keep a record of His children's sins to hold over them to try to make them do what He wants them to do.  He treats each failure one at a time and forgives -- as we ask -- one at a time.  It is the asking, the application of Spiritual Soap that makes this so.  (I John 1:8-10). 

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

• ·        Please pray for Edna Losbanes, wife of Staff Evangelist Isachar Losbanes of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines (see prayer requests below).  Edna suffered a mild stroke on 29 December and is confined to hospital in Tacurong City.  They have two children and were on the road teaching youth the day before the stroke occurred.  Please pray for a full recovery.
• ·        Adrian - Was feeling strong enough to go for a couple of walks with Toby over the holidays thanks to the doctors doubling his pain meds.  Please do not grow weary of praying for this man.  Pray God's mercy that someone in that hospital will sincerely and vigorously help him.  Perhaps being poor and expecting public service health care to be competent and compassionate is too much to ask...but not of our Lord!  Also remember his little companion dog, Toby, who 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 - have purchased a house in the States and will be moving in right after the New Year.  Pray for patience and safety during this time.
• ·        Elina - that the Lord watches over her in a special way, calms her heart and gives her needed wisdom to consider a new challenge.
• ·        Pray for travelling mercies for those travelling to meet family and friends over the holidays, that they are safe and have ample opportunities to share the greatest Present of all with at least one person during this time.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        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. 
• ·        Me - Have two potential projects.  First meetings with clients on 4th (for a two month project) and during week of 9 January (for a six-month project).  In the meantime, many things are unravelling, yet I am deeply grateful for the many prayers carrying me over this very hard place. 
• ·        Careena S - was diagnosed with MS.  They now suspect Lyme's Disease.  She is a beautiful battler with a quiet and gentle heart for the Lord.  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) is now home recovering from an accident where she had to have a hip and knee replacement.  She 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 -  has finally taken some time to refresh and recover from the many losses and heavy workload he has been under the last few years.  Pray for his strength, more funding for his university and wisdom for the organisation.
• ·        Doris - Just celebrated her 98th birthday on 22 Dec. and she looks great and seems to be strengthening more every day.  
• ·        Fin/Spencer - feeling better now from his surgery and is scheduled for hip surgery in January.  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 now extended till March 2017 - a full nine months.  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.  
• ·        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) just had her birthday and has recently been diagnosed with asthma and is slowly improving.
• ·        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 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. 

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 (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.

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[1] Copyright © 1981, 1998 by Dean Merrill, The God Who Won't Let Go, published by Zondervan Publishing House.  On Amazon you can purchase this book at:  https://www.amazon.com/God-Who-Wont-Let-Go/dp/0310218489/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483383847&sr=1-1&keywords=dean+merrill+The+God+Who+Won%27t+Let+Go