Avoid every tendency away from the simplicity of relationship with God in Christ Jesus,
and then prayer will be as the breath of the lungs in a healthy body. O. Chambers
“Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD” Psalm 150:6
There has been just a nip in the morning air these past few days. Once again we are sliding into a new fall season. Our children are back in school. (Personally, I think the first day of school qualifies as a religious holiday - considering all the parents who are thanking God on that day.) Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. I praise God for the changing seasons and for the rhythms of life. Life is so good - particularly when lived within the loving care of Father.
We have a praise report on Jim Hildman - his infection is gone and they will be able to start his radiation treatments. Please continue to keep Jim in prayer for healing of his cancer.
Connie’s baby, Marisela, continues to improve. Although the baby did have to have a blood transfusion last week she did not have many of the complications that the doctor’s were worried about. The doctors were able to take her off the respirator for a day, but have since put her back on. Please keep this family in prayer.
Bill Clem was in the hospital this past weekend for a blood clot in his leg. He was admitted on Saturday, they operated on him that same night and released him on Sonday. I ran into Bill at the church on Tuesday, once again working on the church landscaping. I am beginning to wonder if there is a big red “S” on his chest. (Superman) Please pray for Bill’s continued recovery from both of his surgeries!
Fran Reiger’s sister, Mary Sample, went home to be with Jesus last week. Please keep Fran, Ed and the whole family in prayer as they grieve Mary’s passing.
Please continue to pray for Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Chantel’s recovery from her operation, Anna Gossen’s mother as she fights depression, Chuck Johnson for his cancer treatments, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Julie & her mother with their broken bones, Evelyn Hayhurst with her cancer, 16 month old Brandon Johnson who has leukemia, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, John Robert’s need to be in relationship with Jesus and for his cancer, Cheryl Balestra as she continues her cancer treatments, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea.
Please continue to hold up Karl & Shelly Roth and the church plant in the Rio Mesa Development and Horatio & Cheryl Aleman and the LifeHouse church in Reedley in your prayers.
Pray for our missionaries: Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, The Reaching Hand Society in India, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Praise God for our membership in His Church and for the privilege and opportunity to serve Him. Please continue to hold up her pastors and leadership through our prayers. Please continue to pray for the ministries and finances of our local congregations as we do the work of His Church..
Pray for our country, her leaders and our military.
God Almighty,
Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You - Majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Ex 15:11). There is none like You, LORD God. You alone are uncreated and You alone deserve the praise of Your creation. We praise You, God, for Your faithfulness to us that is shown in the changing seasons of the years and in the rhythms of our lives. To live life within the glory of Your love is to be truly alive.
Father, we lift Your name high in praise as we thank you for the wonderful reports on Jim, Marisela and Bill. We ask, Holy One, that You continue to move in each of these lives. Continue to heal and strengthen them.
Jesus, we thank You that Mary has come home to You. We can only imagine her joy at being in Your presence - finally free from the cancer and pain that invaded her body. We ask that You comfort Fran, Ed and the family as they grieve.
We lift high before You Lillian, Chantel, Anna Gossen’s mother, Chuck Johnson, Ray, Jr, Julie & her mother, Evelyn, Brandon, Peggy, Lois & Dan, John Robert, Cheryl, and Robert. We ask that You be sovereign in all of these situations.
Father, thank You for Your hand upon us. Thank You that You guide our every step. Sometimes we do not understand the way that You lead us, and we cannot see what is before us, but even when we cannot see - we still believe.
Holy Spirit, fill Karl, Shelly, Horacio and Cheryl with Your presence, Your strength and Your wisdom as they work to bring new congregations into service to You. We pray for those new families and new people who will fill these congregation and join their voices and lives together in worship of You.
Abba, we ask Your mercy and grace be poured on those who serve You in places far away from us. LORD of All, this week we have seen Your power work in the release of Your servants who had been taken for ransom in India. Once again we are reminded of how great You are! We ask that You continue to protect and provide for Your missionaries.
God of Wonders beyond what we can comprehend, we call out the names of our pastors and leaders of FFBC and all the congregations around the world. Bless them spiritually and physically. We pray that You protect them and that You bind satan away from them. We pray for all of us who are part of Your beloved Church. We ask that You lead us into a closer and ever closer relationship with You. To know You is our heart’s desire. Provide for each congregation, help us to keep outwardly focused to bring Your message to the world.
King of kings and LORD of lords, we lift our country up before You and ask that You forgive her for the way that she has forsaken You - the very One who made her strong. Use us, Father God to bring her back to You. Let our words, our actions and our lives be a strong testimony of You. Bless and guide those who lead our country. Holy Spirit, grant them wisdom in their decisions. Protect those who serve our country by putting their lives on the line. Father, grant them rest when they are weary.
For all of our earthly days we will lift our hands to You in praise and thanksgiving. We will lift our hearts in love for You. We will live our lives for You because You are our life. We love You, LORD God. We dream of the day when we will be in Your presence - when we will see You face-to-face - and when we will never have to leave You. Amen
Posted by Valerie at September 15, 2004 05:16 PM