Monday, February 13, 2023

Why Pray?

 


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pray if God is Sovereign over all things?’

by Djimi Django

 

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

 

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8

 

There are so many prayer requests now and many have not had an update for a long time.  As you know, those who have subscribed or read these daily devotions, we are all encouraged when we hear the many ways God is answering our prayers. 

 

So here is an opportunity for you to review any of your prayer requests and send me an update (dd.richard@bigpond.com) or add a new one.  And to those who take time to pray through this list, daily, weekly, monthly or randomly, thank you very much.

 

Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays for you daily)

 

PS:  Find my statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com  (where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). You can easily find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’.  (Also, there is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone.  Not sure about Apple.).  For the books, go to Amazon books.  

 

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)

                 Victims of the Earthquake in Turkey – at this point, just one day after the event that over 33,000 have been confirmed dead.  Please pray for those still awaiting rescue, families who have lost loved ones, the rescuers and those who will provide them with medical and practical support during the chaos.

                 Tim, my brother.  Passed into the arms of His Saviour Jesus Christ on 30 January 2023.  Please pray for Barb as she faces a life without him after nearly 60 years.

                 Jen – has just lost her only sister and needs your prayers to get through this difficult time and maintain her health. 

                 Demi and John – one evening he went out his backdoor to run an errand and was attacked by someone with a knife who stabbed him several times (one pierced his heart).  He is recovering, but please pray for him and his wife as they pull their lives together.

                 Denny as he is recovering from some health challenges and for his wife, Marci as she supports him.

                 Megan (for emotional healing) and Scott, her husband (for patience and wisdom) and wisdom for his sister, Clare, as she seeks to support them through troubled times.

                 Thanksgiving – A special answer to prayer – my wonderful sister-in-law’s sister (who we have prayed for previously) has a remarkable answer to prayer for her journey.  Thank God for His loving care of this determined woman. (Hold down the Ctrl key and click ‘Thanksgiving’ to read more)

                 Lyle – thank you for praying for his wrist.  It is finally strengthening, but keep praying for his complete healing and continued patience during this time.  Pray also for Annette, his lovely wife who supports him.  And thanksgiving for her father who has cancer as they celebrate realising that the cancer is responding well to treatment.  Pray for strength and sustained health for Annette’s Mom, who is by his side to support him through this.

                 Pray for peace and revival in America

                 Sarah and Andrew – he has left his job and she has gone to work in a new and exciting position.  Pray for this precious Christian couple that they focus on family balance to the glory of the Lord.

                 Sue and Rob need prayers for wisdom and resolute spirits as they deal with their adult nephew, Luke.  He is becoming increasingly disruptive and irresponsible.  They invited him to stay with them as he was struggling, but he has more than overstayed his welcome.  Pray for healing for Luke and that he accepts their request.

                 Iran - The country is in turmoil.  Many are in danger for seeking freedom. Many have been killed or thrown into prison.  Pray especially for Ryan's family and friends there.

                 Bettina – continue to pray for her as she grows into a new phase of her life in the Lord.  Pray each of her five married daughters, their spouses and 17 grandchildren grow to love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

                 Robin – lost her beloved mother (was 93 years old), please pray for strength and healing for her as she navigates through this time of mourning and for her daughter who comforts her during this time.

                 Christine – give her strength as she journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives his heart to the Lord.

                 Family of Eric – Eric died suddenly at 52 leaving his 47-year-old wife and three girls (ages 16, 19 and 23).  Pray the Lord brings strength to them as they regroup into a new life.  Pray for trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based friends to continue to support them. 

                 Peyton and Carter- Grandchildren of Jeff and Rachael.  Payton is their eldest granddaughter and is now in her third year at college.  Carter is a senior in high school.  Both are exceptional students and love the Lord.  Pray they are not distracted by worldly things, that they continue to do well in their studies and that their love of the Lord increases daily.

                 Callilah- a lost child.  Pray the Lord captures her heart.

 

Pray for those in full-time service

Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word and remain bold and courageous in the face of evil.  Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.

                 Scott and Carolyn Petty – who will be starting as our new pastor and wife 1 May 2023.  Pray they will know how welcome they are and give them wisdom, strength and patience during their time of settling in.

                 Talitha – has chosen to go into full-time ministry and is raising support.  Please pray to move the hearts of those around her so she does not have to be concerned with finances.

                 Jenny S– who has served the Lord as a Bible teacher at a local Bible school for 25 years has been called to a new ministry.  Pray for her courage and strength as she finds her way in this role.  Give her a hungry curiosity under change.  Help her identify the balance and value of her unique contribution.  Pray the Lord maintains her health and finances in this time of stress.

                 Simon, Tamara and their children – Simon (my pastor) will be entering a new phase of his work and leaving our congregation.  Pray the entire family is gracious and courageous under change and that their grace, devotion and love continue to reflect their love of the Word and lordship of Jesus Christ.  Strengthen the congregation to rejoice with them as they leave us.  And help us left behind welcome the new leader the Lord has prepared for us.

                 Andrew – a man devoted to his family and the responsibilities of leading a worldwide ministry to the deaf.  Pray for his continued strength and health and that through this time he discovers new insights.

                 Pat and Isobel –as they serve tirelessly in challenging times.  Pray the Lord refreshes and strengthens them with ‘streams in the desert’.

                 Patrick - a Bible scholar, who is presently part of an English Translation Review Committee, reviewing a new translation of the New Testament, ‘The Antioch Bible’ (translating from Syriac to English).  Pray for their hoped-for goal of finishing the entire NT this calendar year and that he has increasing skill in the complicated languages he is working with.

                 Elaine and Jim Pounder and their Little Church ministry have begun a new work.  Continue to pray for their safety, health, strength and time with family as their ministry continues to spread around the world in a model of home churches. Pray for the continued growth of their YouTube channel and website:  The Little Church World at https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld .

                 Audley M – In his 90s remarried this year (his wife passed away a few years ago).  Pray for their union in Christ and for their health and strength.  Pray for his wisdom and the effective growth of his wonderful radio ministry (Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Indianapolis) as America hunger for ‘True meat’!

 

Pray for those with ongoing health concerns

Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health.  Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.

                 David – growing stronger each day.  Pray for wisdom for his health carers and for Heidi, his daughter, who cares for him daily, to be strong and healthy through this time.

                 Sophie six-year-old daughter of a friend is chronically unwell and frail.  Please pray for her, her parents and health carers to find ways to manage her symptoms and heal her.

                 Hans– a dear friend in Germany, continues his battle lung cancer and financial difficulties.  Pray his new social worker will be able to help him through this time.  Pray for his patience and God’s mercy, for his healthcare providers and that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support him through this journey.  Pray for his Mom (age 84) -- that their time together is filled with extraordinarily good memories and lots of love.

                 Jake – A friend of my brother who is living with COPD (emphysema) and heart problems.  Please pray for his daughter, Tiffany and for other friends to help him through his health journey.

 

Pray for the World

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