Sunday, August 23, 2020

If MY people will ...


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If My People - Terry Blackwood and the Imperials

“Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s palace, and successfully completed all that he had planned on doing in the house of the Lord and in his palace.  Then the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, ‘I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 

“’If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to destroy your land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.. 

“’Now My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.  For now I have chosen and consecrated this house and  that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.’” II Chronicles 7:11-16

The Israelites reached the Promised Land, settled down, enjoyed the kingship of Saul, David and then Solomon, who eventually built the first Jerusalem and Temple.  “ … in one generation, Solomon took Israel from a fledging kingdom dependent on God for bare survival to a sight of the original vision God had called them to. 

“Ironically, by the time of Solomon’s death, Israel resembled the Egypt they had escaped from – an imperial state held in place by a bloated bureaucracy and slave labour.  It even had a state religion under the ruler’s command. 

“Success in the kingdom of this world had crowded out interest in the kingdom of God.  The brief shining vision of a covenant nation faded away, and God withdrew His sanction.  After Solomon’s death, Israel split in to and slid toward ruin.”[1]  I wonder if that could happen again?

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
·        22,749,457 reported cases
·        61,928 in serious condition
·        794,191 reported deaths (some related to pre-existing conditions)

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS & UPDATES

·        President Trump – just lost his younger brother and needs prayer that God would give he and his family private time to grieve without interruption or disrespect.
·        Peyton - eldest granddaughter of Jeff and Rachael.  Pray for this lovely woman of God as she goes off to college, that she remains safe and strong in her beliefs and convictions and continues to encourage many with her loving faithfulness to the Lord.
·        Tracey’s Mom – still hospitalised.  Pray for her health carers, her loved ones and that she will rest and be safe.
·        Kim’s Mom and Dad – have now been relocated to a nursing home to be cared for.  Pray for them both and for their family and the wisdom of their health carers. 
·        Ray’s Dad – (Ray Senior) doing better with the challenges of cancer treatment.  Pray the Lord will touch his heart so he reaches out for the only hand that can save him.
·        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, responding well to immunotherapy for lung cancer.  Thank you for continuing to 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, that their time together will be filled with extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
·        Scott – Pray for him.  He has found some temp work but with a family of four, he needs to find something stable to provide.  Pray for his wife Kristy, that she remains patient and prayerful.  Pray he soon reaches 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.  Pray they will both have an insatiable hunger to read God’s Word for themselves.  Pray God sends a Bible-Believing Christian to regularly disciple them in the Truth.  Pray God shuts the mouths of the false prophets who regularly circle around them.
·        Isaias and Judith (Ambassadors for Christ the Philippines) – carrying on their fruitful ministry in the Philippines, despite the many challenges they must daily work with, including the impending threat of China claiming their country.  Pray for those who lead, administer, work, teach and contribute to the ministry.  Pray our Father continues to keep these servants strong, in good health, safe and supported and that they keep a balance in their lives.  They need funds badly now.  Please go to this link o learn more or/ and contribute - email Isaias Catorce at icatorce@gmail.com

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.

Pray for the World



[1] Copyright © 1988 by Philip Yancey, Disappointment With God, published by Zondervan Publishing House.

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