Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God and he is instantly free...-A.W. Tozer
It is with a bit of sadness that I report to you that the doors have closed for Matthew and Lisa to go back to Nigeria. They were unable to qualify for the type of visa that they needed. They are a little bummed out - but are the first to recognize that God has something else in mind for them. God has already done a mighty work through them - it will be exciting to watch how they are used next.
Ron Dangaran had surgery this week and they found that he was riddled with cancer spores. Barring a miracle, Ron will be gong home within the next six months. So how do we pray? We all know that Father could grant this miracle with one hand tied behind His back. But what is best? I have known Ron for eleven years – he, his wife, Eve and the Myers’ were my first Sonday School teachers. I believe that Ron’s prayer is that Father’s purpose be fulfilled and that God is glorified in Ron’s earthly life and in his eternal life.
Larry Mead became disorientated in services on Sonday and when he was taken to the hospital they discovered a tumor in his brain. His prognosis is very good. They operated on him yesterday – but I do not know what the outcome was.
Diane Clapp is over at St. Agnes with stomach problems. She has been there a couple of weeks now. Last I heard she is being allowed soft foods – which isn’t quite the same as solid food – but it is at least an improvement over liquid food!
We continue to pray for: Jim Sullivan, the Gates family, Charles and his mission trip to India, Remo & Susan Paul, Nola Ambler, Bianca & Stephanie, Tony McDonald, Ellen Burton, Walt Couch, and Michael Ferris.
Pray for our missionaries – Judy, Faye & Miisaw with New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Yvonne Deel in Belize, Bounkham & Khamla in Laos, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Meghan Dineen in Mexico, Biana in Nigeria, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Don't forget your prayer challenge of two minutes a day praying for unity within the Body and that we all are given opportunities to witness for Christ.
All glory, praise and honor be unto the name of our God, for You, LORD, are worthy of our praise.
Father, we are disappointed that Matthew and Lisa will not be returning to Nigeria, but even in our disappointment we praise Your Name because we know that You will continue to use them and continue to work through them in powerful ways. We glorify Your name.
Abba, we both know the selfish prayer that I would say for Ron – give us a miracle. But my heart speaks the truth to me and so, Abba, I pray that You do in Ron’s life what brings You the most glory. Ron is a man after Your own heart, he has followed close beside You for his whole life and nothing can take Ron from Your hand.
We lift up Larry before Your throne of Grace and pray the same for him, work in his life in a way that brings You the most glory.
LORD Jesus, gather Evie and Ann close to Your mighty heart as they travel this road with their husbands. Grant them the peace that passes all understanding for their hope is in You – and You will not let them down.
Spirit of Life, we pray in agreement for our sister, Diane, and ask that You touch her and speed her recovery.
Holy Spirit, we lift up in prayer those who are on our prayer chain, many of them with long-term health challenges. We pray that Your comfort and power be upon them.
LORD Jesus, pour Your blessing down upon Your Church. Help us to truly be united in love and to be as one as You and Father are one. Help us to remember that we are one body serving one Holy Triune God. Holy Spirit, too many times we think that evangelism means that we bring our friends to church and the pastor takes it from there. Help us to know that the evangelism that You want from us is that we bring our friends to You and You take it from there. Help us to bring our friends to You in prayer first, and then give us the words to say that will bring them to You. Father, set our hearts on fire for the lost – break our hearts for them as Your heart breaks for them. Burn brightly in us so that we cannot wait for tomorrow to tell them about You, but we are compelled to tell them today. Let every thought of our heart, every word we speak and every action we take be directed at bringing the lost to You. Father God, help us to be a force to be reckoned with in our community – help us to be known for our love for each other, our love for our community but most of all – our love for You. We do not want to do social work – we want to do Kingdom work. Bless our fellowship with the Holy Spirit’s fire.
You are all we need. We love You today, we love You forever.
Posted by Valerie at May 24, 2007 07:59 PM