“And one of the crowd answered Him, ‘Teacher, I brought
You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes
him, it dashes him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his
teeth, and stiffens out. And I told Your
disciples to cast it out and they could not do it.
“And He answered them and said, ‘O unbelieving
generation, how long shall I be with you?
How long shall I put up with you?
Bring him to Me!’ And they
brought the boy to Him. And when he saw
Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the
ground, he began rolling about and foaming at the mouth.
“And He asked his father, ‘How long has this been
happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From
childhood. And it has often thrown him
both into the fire and into the water to destroy him.
“’But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help
us!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘If You can!’ All things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the boys father cried out and
began saying, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.’” Mark 9:17-24
Richard struggled on in his search for God, year after year,
and one night he shared, how he had enough and began to pray as earnestly and
sincerely as he knew how. He prayed on his
knees, and stretched out, flat on the oak floor. He begged God for a sign that He was really listening. After four hours he got up, brushed himself
off and decided, he should just forget God and get on with his life.
I was typing the Master’s thesis of a friend who was
finishing his studies in Comparative Religion -- we had many conversations
about God -- one night in the middle of one of them he was standing in my
kitchen. The light from above the stove
backlighting him as he turned to face me.
Tears were in his eyes. His voice
broke as he shared with me how he longed to believe in God like I did but he
could not step across the line of faith without proof.
I’ve kept in touch with him for many years, praying one day
he slips over that line to believe the Truth.
Is anything holding you back? Do
you know others who just can’t believe without proof? Please, keep reading this series!
Take care, your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene (who
prays for you each morning).
PS: My statement of
faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (also you will find a series of beginner
Bible studies there.). Also, you can find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing
a Google search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’.
(Also, there is an android ‘Goggle Blogger’ app you can download to read
them on your phone.)
COVID-19
Please pray for all those involved in making critical
decisions during this time of pandemic.
Pray for those who have lost loved ones, those who contract the virus,
the healthcare workers, those on the front line and for all those feeling
afraid, lonely or confused. Pray all are
wise, patient and take precautions to contain the effects. For practical information, please visit https://newsaboutcovid19.blogspot.com/
Latest Statistics
·
Today in 215 countries
·
7,274,852 reported cases
·
53,196 in serious condition
·
411,862 reported deaths (some related to
pre-existing conditions)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
(NOTE: Words
underlined have a link embedded to provide more details)
·
USA –
Pray the Lord will demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting ways during
these times of unrest and confusion.
Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone. Let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome
the drive to destroy our founding, Bible-based values. For Christ-centre, Bible-based revival in the
USA and religious freedom for Christians wherever they may be.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, diagnosed with lung cancer that has metastasized, home
for the next three weeks before he resumes chemo. Pray for his healthcare providers, his
patience and wisdom. Pray he is
surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support him
through this journey. Pray for his Mom
(age 83) is unwell herself. Pray their
time together will be filled with extraordinary good memories and love.
·
Scott –
recently married. Pray he finds a job
soon so he can provide for his new wife and two children. Help him reach out for the hand of our loving
Heavenly Father so he recognises God is working in all this for the best
outcome for them all.
·
Penne –
recently widowed after 43 years, the last ten of which she was her husband’s
full-time caregiver. She suffers mental
problems from a childhood experience and has reached out to Patti (who asks for
wisdom and patience). Penne has
‘disowned’ all her family, and although a believer, does not attend fellowship
for support. Please pray for her peace
of mind and God’s guidance.
·
USA President
Donald Trump – As Christians it
is our responsibility to pray for our leaders and know that God has a plan for
the USA through this man. If you doubt
the importance of his appointment, just look at the baseless antagonism against
him. Surely Satan is NOT happy and means to thwart God’s plan. Pray someone helps President Trump and Melania to understand the true meaning of a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and that they will both have a
insatiable hunger to read God’s Word for themselves – and that God sends a Bible-Believing
Christian to regularly disciple them in the Truth – and that God shuts the
mouths of the false prophets who regularly circle around them.
·
Fred I – planning a move from California to Tennessee in
the Fall of 2020 (if possible). Pray for
his wise attention to detail, stamina and roaring good health, as he makes
these life changes.
·
Unnamed
– lost both her parents within six months after a lifetime of caring for
them. Her husband’s mother died in
January and his 94-year old father now lives with them. Pray they take time for each other and keep
their faith strong.
·
Ravi
Zacharias – is home with the
Lord, now. Pray for his family and
friends as they grieve his loss and for the continuation of his ministry.
·
Those who loved
Doris – pray for those of us who grieve the loss of a remarkable
woman who helped bring me to His Cross.
Pray for those in full-time service
During this time, when the entire world is struggling to
understand this new ‘plague’, it is critical for us to uphold our Christian
leaders. They will be needed
everywhere. Pray for their wisdom,
safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones who are
fragile health wise. It is important to
protect them in practical ways and most important we must pray even more for
them that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
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