e-Praise & Prayers - August 17, 2004
Prayer is a mighty force, an energy that moves heaven
and pours untold treasures of good on earth.
E.M. Bounds
I just flat out loved Sonday’s service! I was once again reminded of how blessed I am by Father that He brought me to this congregation! First to hear Laurie Bethall talk about the work being done among the women in prostitution in Prague and in Thailand. Laurie, like Larry Martin, who serves Jesus in Thailand, is from Fresno First Baptist. They answered the call of the Good Shepherd to serve far, far from home. We, as their home congregation, support them with our prayers and our finances. Because of our congregation’s support - lives around the world are being changed by Jesus. I am excited to be part of a congregation that fulfils the Great Commission by sending its people and its resources around the world. After Laurie we heard from Karl Roth. Karl has recently moved back to the valley to be the pastor of the church plant in the Rio Mesa development. I love people who are willing to get out of the boat and follow Jesus across the water - but Karl takes that to new levels. They haven’t even started the first bit of construction on that development and here Karl is already planning & working for the church that will be there. He didn’t just get out of the boat - he leapt out of it! I am excited to be part of a congregation that looks to the future of our community by being involved in local church plants. This coming Sonday, August 22, we will be joining with Clovis First Baptist, the LifeHouse church plant and Karl to celebrate the New Church Vision that God has given us. That celebration will be held at 6:00 pm in our worship center. Come and get your socks blessed right off!
I spoke to Ilene Luna today and she told me that her brother, Ray, is doing better. He is still on dialysis four times a day - but he has been able to go back to work part-time. Please continue to keep Ray Rahn, Jr in prayer.
We have a prayer request from Barbara for a family friend of theirs, Jim Hildman, who has had colon cancer surgery. Some suspect lymph glands were discovered and there is need for radiation treatment. In the hospital Jim contracted an infection and they can't start treatment until the infection is gone. He is currently fighting the infection. Please include in the prayer request for a financial blessing for Jim and his family as he has no medical insurance.
We have a prayer request from Julie, a sister of ours in Wisconsin. I met Julie I can’t even remember how many years ago when we were both at a job-related training in San Diego. Julie is requesting prayer for her mother who lives by St. Paul, Minnesota. Julie’s mother is almost 70, and lives alone. She recently took a fall and broke her foot. Please pray for a speedy recovery for Julie’s mom. Julie is also feeling the effects of a broken bone - she has broken a finger and is also in need of our prayers.
Please continue to keep the following in prayer: Khamla as she is finishing her chemo treatments, Mike Schwab as he recovers from his infection; Evelyn Hayhurst with pancreatic cancer; 16 month old Brandon Johnson who has been diagnosed with leukemia; Peggy Molander and her physical therapy; Kyle Speer’s and his family; Bill Clem and his recovery from surgery on his shoulder; Kerry Johnson, Kelli Hasting’s brother, with his breathing; Chuck Johnson (Kelli’s father) as he continues his chemo treatments, Chantel Kabambi as she prepares for her surgery at the end of this month; Walt Hemphill as he continues to recover; Ruth Rush’s recovery from knee replacement surgery; Lillian Seward’s continued recovery from her gall stone surgery, Lois & Dan Hansen as he searches for a new job opportunity; John Rogers, Annie Dennis’ father, as he is treated for cancer - but most of all - that he will find Jesus; Cheryl Baldera with her cancer; and Robert Kammer & his sleep apnea.
Please pray for our missionaries around the world. I would like us to include Laurie Bethall, Simon and all those who work with the women in prostitution in Prague. I would like for us to pray for Judy, Faye and Miisaw who work among the women in prostitution in Thailand at the New Life Center. Continue to pray for the Reaching Hand Society in India, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Dr. George Pe Myat in the Congo, and Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos.
Please pray for the Eternal Church, that she will fulfil the purpose that Jesus has called her to. Pray for our local congregations, our pastors and our leadership.
Pray for our country, her leadership and those who serve in the military.
Great Light of the World,
Every day You give us our daily bread. Every day You give us enough. Thank You for Your provision. By the world’s standards, we aren’t much at all, but everyday we live within the light of Your amazing love and we are rich beyond compare.
Holy LORD, I thank You for churches that are outwardly directed, whose prayers and resources are focused on getting Your message of eternal life to as many people around the world as possible. We ask that You bless them, provide for their needs and keep their congregations focused on You.
Jehovah Jirah, Great Provider, we thank You for the life testimony of Your servants, Laurie & Karl. We ask that You bless their efforts for Your kingdom - one in a place far away, the other just right next door. Grant them an abundance of Your presence in their lives. As they face this difficult work You have called them to, renew their vision, guide their steps, and protect them.
Father God, we thank You and praise You for answered prayers.
Thank You, LORD, that Ray Rahn, Jr is doing well enough to go back to work part time. We ask that You continue to bless him and strengthen him.
Our Solid Rock, we call out for Your mercy on Jim Hildman and his family as he recovers from the surgery. We ask that the infection will clear up quickly so that Jim can undergo the necessary treatments. Provide for their finances.
Abba, we lift up Julie and her mother and ask that You knit their bones together quickly and that they have a speedy recovery. Protect Julie’s mom as she lives alone.
LORD of all Creation, You know the names and situations of all those that we are praying for and we ask that Your hand of mercy continue to be upon them. We ask that Your will be done in each of their lives.
Father, we thank You for the promises You have made to us, but there is no promise sweeter - or more anticipated - than the promise of an eternity in Your presence. Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come. We bow before You in praise.
LORD Jesus, when You walked among us Your love and compassion for the women in prostitution was extraordinary. We thank You for those who continue to show Your love to these women today. We ask Your blessing and provision be on Laurie, Simon and all those who work with them in the streets of Prague. We ask Your blessings and provision be on Judy, Faye and Miisaw, as they work with the women in Thailand. We ask Your continued blessings and provision on The Reaching Hand Society, Jan & Larry Martin, Dr. George, and Bounkaham and Khamla. We pray a wall of protection around all of the missionaries who serve You worldwide.
Holy Spirit, we pray for the eternal, world-wide Church. Guide her as she takes the message of Jesus to all the hurting people around the world. Provide for her needs, give her strength and courage to stand against all who would come against her. We pray that You will bless the local congregations - bless their pastors and their leadership. Guide the local church in the direction that You would have us go. We thank You for those who are involved in the ministry of the church, regardless of where they serve. Bless them.
Mighty God, we pray Your blessings on our counrty and on her leadership. Guide them in the decisions that they make. May Your face be sought once again. Bless all those who serve in the military, protect them and comfort them.
Precious Jesus, how we love You. How we long for the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that You are LORD of all. We choose to bow our knees before You know. We not only confess that You are LORD of all - We confess that You are LORD of us. All I want is to be worthy of You. Help me. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Posted by Valerie at August 17, 2004 06:02 PM