Not the Only One!

“Then he came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’  And he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars, and killed Thy prophets with the sword.  And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 

“So He said, ‘Go forth, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’  And behold, the Lord was passing by!  And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. 

“And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of gentle blowing.  And it came about when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.  And behold a voice came to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” I Kings 19:9-14

Remember when Jesus sent His disciples off to row to the middle of the Sea of Galilee (which is really a big body of water).  Remember the storm?  All the disciples saw Jesus walking to them and they were all afraid (go read it yourself (Matthew 14:22-33).  Remember that over-enthusiastic, show off, Peter, asks to walk to Jesus on the water?  He does UNTIL he takes his eyes off His Saviour and focuses on the chaos around him? 

Elijah was no different.  He took his eyes off God and ran to sulk in a cave imagining the Lord forgot him.  But then that happens to me far too often as the Lord continues the difficult work of growing me more into His image for my good and His glory.  What about you?

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

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 (https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        UPDATE - Elaine and Jim -sharing Christ in Hong Kong as difficult changes begin.  Their wonderful online church has a 24/7 prayer room where a small army of dedicated prayer warriors waits to pray for and with you.  They are searching for volunteers to help cover their Prayer Room during the holiday season.  If you are interested in helping, let me know and I will put you in touch with Elaine.  In the meantime, please take time to visit: https://tlcwhk.com/prayer-room/
• ·        BL –Important decisions delayed.  Pray for patience in the waiting.
• ·        Hans -returned to therapy for another 12 months.  Please pray for him as he seeks wisdom to make a decision between shortening therapy and taking a job apprenticeship he’s been offered.  Pray he is always surrounded by faithful Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• ·        CB – a friend for the last eleven years, with inoperable lung cancer and an estimated 12-13 months of life left.  He needs the Saviour before it is too late for him to think about it, but he is VERY resistant to even the thought, being fiercely self-sufficient.
• ·        My brother, Tim – Still no update on his wrist injuries.  Pray they diagnose the problem and find an effective treatment to manage the pain.  Pray the weather stabilises as it affects his COPD (cardio-obstructive pulmonary disease).  Please, pray he gets active support from the patient advocate (social services).  Pray for his strength, patience, wisdom and health.  Pray for Barb, his wife, for her strength and patience and thank you, Father, for growing stronger daily in their lives so they can share You with others.
• ·        David R - is growing increasingly stressed right now as a result of a difficult situation with his neighbours.  Pray for his wisdom and patience.  Surely the hand of the Lord is not short in any of our lives and still works in ways we cannot understand for our good and His glory! 
• ·        Two of Tim’s Friends – One man is in hospital now awaiting a life-saving liver transplant.  A second man, also in hospital, may lose his leg after two or three knee-replacement surgeries have become infected after an accident several years ago.
• ·        Ron Torgo – with IBS and an inflamed gallbladder, it has affected his spleen, he is miserable and having trouble eating.  Please pray for his doctors to find a way to moderate the symptoms and fix this for him.
• ·        Me - my project ended 18 October.  Very actively looking for a new one.  One of them would begin 20 January.  Please pray for God’s will for me and that He will heal my disappointment at again not being able to come home for the holidays.  I know the Lord has a plan in here somewhere. 

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        Doris (my "second mom") - 98-years young, growing weaker now.  New teeth do not fit well.  Yet, her focus on sharing Christ with others grows stronger!  She is unable to drink thin liquids but is managing to sip a little coffee and enjoy a few chocolates.  Pray and thank the Lord for Patti, her daughter, who faithfully and selflessly visits Doris twice a week.
• ·        Kathy Notley –had surgery on her ankle and is recovering slowly, pray for her patience as she continues to heal and that she paces herself in her pastoral responsibilities.
• ·        Jeannette – (friend of David R) has had multiple sclerosis for the last 30 years and now must move to a long-term care facility.  She doesn’t want to be separated from her only friend through many years, her companion dog, Daisy.
• ·        Claudio - battling liver cancer and the meds that are using to save him have weakened his heart.  Pray for him, his health carers to be compassionate and wise and for Elea, his wife, that she has the extra strength and hope to hold his hand through this.
• ·        Liriel - chronically ill and often in pain, but feeling a bit better lately.  Pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
• ·        John (stroke survivor) needs wisdom to continue the management of his big farm.  Pray God will help him with his reading challenges since the stroke.  He is enjoying cooking for others and is blessing many with this gift.
• ·        Adrian (6-year-old) serious behaviour problems continue.  Pray for his parents, teachers and doctors.
• ·        Julia - battling depression - needs to get proper rest and therapy.  Very difficult with full-time teaching job and five children (including Adrian above). She needs strength to rely on the Lord rather than being self-sufficient.
• ·        Aunt Donna - with dementia. Please pray for her daughters so they can care for her best.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        Scott (in the USA) a single father now caring for his children alone.  Pray that through all this sadness and difficulty his heart melt in awareness of the Lord's love for him.
• ·        Robin Hopcroft - her brother asks we pray for her safety, that she learns of and understands the saving grace of Jesus and that her life becomes filled with the life-changing love of the Lord.
• ·        Careena’s brother - to finally realise the deep affection Jesus has for him personally and that he will make a personal commitment to the Lord to save him!
• ·        Christine – that her husband will turn to the Lord and that they will have a Christ-honouring relationship.
• ·        Denny Scheffler (sp) -- an old friend of my brother just ran into while taking Barb for preliminary tests.  Denny was in a serious auto accident a few years ago.  His life is more than difficult and empty.  Pray Tim has opportunity to share the Gospel with him and wisdom to know how to help him.
• ·        Sarah -Will soon be moving into a family friend's trailer near her parents. But still no reconciliation with family or God at this point.
• ·        RS who I had the delightful privilege of sharing the Gospel with.  Please pray for her that she keeps considering what we discussed.
• ·        Bobby and George - that they will begin to consider Christ.
• ·        Karen - that in her confusion and the chaos of her job, she will search for His peace.
• ·        Jenny - Recently lost her husband and needs comfort, strength and true answers in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• ·        Adam - his life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord loves him.
• ·        Bible study in Jo's home.  Pray for wisdom of Jo and openness in the women who meet together, especially Angie and Liz.
• ·        Toron - (19-year-old) Pray for him to find direction and encouragement and most of all to come to the Lord.
• ·        Lennie - Needs to wake to the cross of Christ and how much He loves him.
• ·        Sarah - that God continues to work in His mysterious ways in her life and captures her heart.  No contact with parents or brother, yet.
• ·        DB's father - (84 years) pray 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

• ·        Careena – living with multiple sclerosis and Lyme’s disease.  Thank the Lord for her life and her family of five children and a loving and supportive husband (one of our pastors).  She is vulnerable to simple health challenges.  Thank you for praying for her, her patience, physical strength and stability.
• ·        UPDATE - Barb (my sweet sister-in-law) came through the special medical procedure well and is to have results from the two procedures on Monday.  Please pray for her as she waits and for the health carers; and that the results will be fine.
• ·        Thank our Father for Shane and Carol, his wife for their many sacrifices and devotion to being Jesus’ hands and heart to Adrian while he journeyed home to be with his Saviour. 
• ·        Jeff Westergren –is home from hospital after heart surgery and regaining strength every day.  Please pray for him and Rachael as she supports him during this time.
• ·        Uncle Dwight (92 and Doris only brother) recently recovering from a kidney infection and respiratory problems and is home now.  Please pray for the Lord's will in his life.  He is an ordained pastor and knows the Lord. He is also the Grandpa of Sarah who we have been praying for.
• ·        Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, US, Poland, UK, France, Australia, UAE (!), Germany, Portugal, Romania, American Samoa, 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

• ·        St Marks Anglican Church Northbridge - Please pray for God's will and that a hunger for God’s Word grows relentlessly within the hearts of all those in this neighbourhood and for all who attend.  Pray especially for those who serve there:  Simon Flinders, Adam Street, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley, Anne Penny and their families.
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) – they made it through the recent hurricanes in Florida and continue to serve the Lord with faithful gladness and grace and that his outreach radio program serves the Lord powerfully.  Please pray for a solution for her home care and for now pray for strength as Audley cares for his beloved wife.
• ·        Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study has multiple myelomas.  Please pray for him (he continues to teach), his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone, in Lilburn Georgia.
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many ways.  Give her strength, thriving health, balance, wisdom, protection and the right handling of God's Word.
• ·        Jo and Steve - for their NZ ministries and for reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters.
• ·        Stu and Jo and children, Laura and Jason - the entire family is involved in full-time ministry in NZ.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute.
• ·        Please pray for 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.

==== Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines

• ·        ISIS has established a growing beachhead in the Philippines.  Our friends and tireless servants of the Lord, Isaias and Judith, and their ministry there, URGENTLY need your prayers.  Their world is being turned upside down by ISIS terrorists.  Fighting breaking out in many places near them.  Their lives are in danger now because they serve the Lord!  Pray that our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance for their lives and health.  This ministry gives so much to so many for so little.  To learn more:  http://www.afciworld.org   Look for "Nations" then click:  "Philippines".

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• ·        Chris - That he will set aside time to pray and consider the many choices he has in front of him and that the Lord will guide him in the best use of his days.
• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him so he can have more time with his young daughter. 
• ·        Sergio - his projects have ended.  He is looking for work again and had an interview last week.  He is in Mexico City where people are still recovering from the earthquakes.  He is a brilliant graphic designer but work is difficult to find there.
• ·        Carla - for, good health, peace, focus and enduring trust in her Father's loving arms.  Pray for travelling mercies and most of all wisdom with her priorities and decision making.
• ·        Paul - Still can't find a job.  He has not had paying work since 2010.  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.  And pray for my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.
• ·        Marvin - eighteen and finding himself.  Pray he will stay close to the Lord and not turn aside from the truth of the Truth.  Please give his parents strength and wisdom.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        Donald Trump - the President of the USA is in Asia right now and needs the Lord’s hand of protection and travelling mercies.  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.  Pray someone helps him understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that he will have someone to regularly disciple him.  So much depends on it.
• ·        North Korea – Set off yet another and more threatening missile.  Pray for sound thinking and God’s will in this situation and wisdom and patience on all sides.
• ·        The World - Pray for God's will to prevail as unrest around the globe increases and that our Father will bring comfort and calm to His children, wherever they are – and that they will be ready to give an answer for the HOPE within them!
• ·        That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who 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.
• ·        Pray for the growing number of displaced people from wars and famine around the world.  These refugees need compassion.

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ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        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.