Prayers

Good morning all! I just have to say it does my heart good to see so many prayer warriors on the thread lately. I just lifted everyone on this thread and this thread itself up to King Jesus. You all have a blessed day and when this old world starts to try to drag you down remember that God is with us and Jesus has overcome the world!

Gary 

Lifting up all of you in prayer.  WT, thanks for the wonderful prayer for all of us and I add my Amen to yours!

Those here who know me know that I am an activist with Voice of the Martyrs, ChinaAid, and other organizations for the persecuted church worldwide.  Today, the American Center for Law and Justice released a letter from Pastor Youcef who has been given the death penalty in Iran for converting to Christianity and refusing to recant his faith (the authorities later made up rape charges against him, thinking that would stop the international outcry over his death sentence--it has not worked; Pastor Youcef's lawyer is now in Iranian prison as well).  I am sure the Iranian authorities reviewed the letter before allowing Pastor Youcef to send it out, but it is still an amazing testemony.  I wanted to share part of it with you; we think we have problems, and we do, but as yet we do not face death for our choice of Christianity.  Here is the beginning of the letter:

"Greetings from your servant and younger brother in Christ, Youcef Nadarkhani.
 
To: All those who are concerned and worried about my current situation.
 
First, I would like to inform all of my beloved brothers and sisters that I am in perfect health in the flesh and spirit. And I try to have a little different approach from others to these days, and consider it as the day of exam and trial of my faith. And in these days which are hard in order to prove your loyalty and sincerity to God, I am trying to do the best in my power to stay right with what I have learned from God's commandments.
 
I need to remind my beloveds, though my trial due has been so long, and as in the flesh I wish these days to end, yet I have surrendered myself to God's will."

The full letter and report can be read at http://aclj.org/iran/letter-pastor-
youcef-thanks-supporters-urges-pray
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Please keep Pastor Youcef in prayer, along with the blind Chinese lawyer who is under detention in a hospital now that the U.S. Embassy abandoned him (Chen Guangcheng) and his nephew who is in prison and his friends and family who are persecuted or arrested for helping him escape to the embassy ("Pearl" is the woman who drove him to meet the Americans who should have helped him; she is now missing).

Attorney Gao Zheshing is still alive in a prison in a remote area of China where friends and family cannot afford to travel but he spoke by phone to his brother and he is no longer being tortured; he will just never be released.

Many suffer for what we take for granted.  We are just beginning to see the attacks on religion here that others have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed over--to own a Bible, to hold a house church meeting, to defend the poor and needy, to protest forced abortions, to uphold free speech.  May God preserve them--free them if it is His will or take them home or spare them further abuse from their captors, giving them strength to stand.  May God give us the strength and awareness to befriend and support those brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their beliefs.

Be God's!
Sissy

HoponPop - We continue to give praise for his daughter's acceptance to UCLA

Indeed we do. UCLA is a terrific school. Praise His Holy Name night and day!

Hogfan I am going to try to stay off those Boise threads. It is doing me no good to argue with them.

Don't feel bad, brother, a lot of us have been there!  Praying things are getting better for you, my friend.

WT,

Thank you, brother!  It's been awesome having you here, along with the others who've started posting here recently.  Thank you Lord for continuing to watch over this thread and all here!

Father in heaven,

We lift up all of these in need in prayer to You. All of the people in this thread cry out for You alone, O Lord, because You are the One we look to for help. And we lift up those also who are afraid or ashamed, like me, to publicly post their needs. You are the one who is merciful and holy and true. There is no other.

Father, please hear us and act according to Your most holy will. Raise the downtrodden, heal the sick, help the poor, bless the widow and the fatherless. And lead us to take the gospel to the furthermost parts of the earth to all who will hear.

We revere Your Most Holy Name forever because of Your Great Glory. Hallowed be Your Most Holy Name forever and ever! Your Name is lifted up continually forever and ever because You are the God who has redeemed us. You love us even though we are sinners and most unworthy. Please continue Your mercy and rain Your blessings down upon us. We ask these things in the most blessed and precious Name of Jesus Your Son who died for the sins of the whole world. Amen.

Good to see you all!  I made it through my tests without a brain tumor--fibromyalgia is a horrid disease because it mimics so many other conditions.  The doctors were pretty thorough in coming up with a way to make glasses that refract light differently so hopefully I can see better.  It rests in God's hands to see what works and what doesn't.  He is faithful to us at all times, praise His name!

I am asking for prayer for my dear friends Andrea (Andy) and Bill.  Bill has cancer and is in the final stages; he's at home with hospice care.  Andy was my last boss and Bill worked there as well, so these wonderful people did so much for me throughout my illness to keep me working as long as I possibly could.  I couldn't find a card to send that said what I wanted to say, but I found this Prayer for a Dying Friend and thought I'd share it here as well.

Be God's!
Sis

Blessings For A Dying Friend

May your days and nights be filled with peace,
And may those you love be near.
May the solace of that closeness
Banish any hint of fear.

May the joy you've brought to others
Fill your soul now with that light,
And the memories of happy times
Fill your dreams through darkest night.

For you've lent your strength to many.
You've upheld us in our strife.
Now let those of us who love you
Let you know just how your life

Has been the brightest beacon
For you've shown us how to bear
With great dignity and courage
Both the bad times and the fair.
 
As a mentor and a leader
You have always been our guide.
As a friend there's been none better.
May you know all this with pride.

All our prayers and thoughts are with you.
May you feel their soothing grace.
May our care and loving hold you
Here within that sacred space.

And may God then grant you courage
When the time to fight is o'er
And be waiting for you smiling,
When you reach his lofty door.

For you'll be borne by angels
That our Lord has sent for you
And in wholeness be rewarded
All your pain will then be through.

B. V. Dahlen

Good to see you all!  I made it through my tests without a brain tumor--fibromyalgia is a horrid disease because it mimics so many other conditions. 

That's great news. I praise the Lord with you.

The doctors were pretty thorough in coming up with a way to make glasses that refract light differently so hopefully I can see better.  It rests in God's hands to see what works and what doesn't.  He is faithful to us at all times, praise His name!

You've got the right attitude and you are keeping it real just like your screen name says. He is faithful even when we aren't.

I am asking for prayer for my dear friends Andrea (Andy) and Bill.  Bill has cancer and is in the final stages; he's at home with hospice care.  Andy was my last boss and Bill worked there as well, so these wonderful people did so much for me throughout my illness to keep me working as long as I possibly could.  I couldn't find a card to send that said what I wanted to say, but I found this Prayer for a Dying Friend and thought I'd share it here as well.

I will pray for Andy and Bill. That's tough news to bear. I sure hope Bill is a Christian. May our Heavenly Father bless him and keep him in His arms. 

That is a beautiful prayer.

Thanks, Armyman, and yes, Bill and Andrea (Andy) are  Christians.  Bill is in his 80s now and Andy in her early 70s and still working.  They were wonderful people to work for, and I thought God led me to find the right prayer to send to them at this time. 

Keeping you in prayer as well, dear bro!

Sissy

Sis,

That is indeed wonderful news!  My continued prayers for you and mom.  I am also lifting your friends up.  Dear Lord, please give them both peace & comfort beyond what they can comprehend during this time, and I ask this in Your Name, amen.

A local (and nationwide) legend passed away, Carroll Shelby.  He was a happy even though suffering, and that has ended.  I know his loved ones will appreciate prayers during their grief.  Thank you all!

Thank you, JT, and I will keep Mr. Shelby's family in my prayers as well.  He certainly was a legend in the auto industry.  How is your friend doing? 

Be God's!
Sis

Sissy,

Thank you very much for asking about her.  She is starting to feel better, as the medications are kicking in.  They're not only helping her health, but they are also helping her emotionally.  I believe it is our Almighty God doing the work!  She hasn't mentioned anything about it since I told her (in so many words) about God's loving plan for us, but I will trust Him.  A constant reminder helps, that His Word doesn't return void.  She still has a long way to go with treatments, but she is very tough and a fighter.  Oh, a praise is that she is now developing an appetite!  That is very critical.  Thank you so much for letting our Savior use you, all of you!

@keepitreal - Keeping you and your friend Bill in my prayers.  Stay strong and the Lord will carry you through this.

Guys had a 7th grade basketball player on one of my AAU teams go down with a dislocated knee cap and possibly some ligament issues as well. 7th grade girls and knee injuries do not go well together please pray for her. Thanks

Special prayer for all the mothers out there may they have a wonderful day and feel the appreciation they deserve. God watch over our moms and bless them in all that they do. Amen

Happy Mothers' Day, mothers! May God richly bless you because you have the toughest job in the world.


Wild-Turkey, the 7th grader is lifted up in prayer.

Everybody have a wonderful day and don't forget to at least call mom!

Iron Sheik, thanks for the prayers; I agree that standing firm in the Lord is the source of our strength!

WT, I will keep the young lady in my prayers for her healing.  It is hard to see our young athletes suffer injury so early in their playing days.

I also stand in agreement with you in blessing our mothers/wives today.  May the Lord bless and keep them for they have done so much for us.

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
Proverbs 31:30

Be blessed each and every one of you!
Sissy

Hey Armyman, you popped up while I was typing my post so I missed ya!  God's blessings to you.  I called Mom--she's just one room away so it's easy for me .  I praise the Lord she has healed so well from all the things she's gone through in the last 18 months, but she is even driving locally by herself! (I feel like a mother with a teenager who takes the car out for the first time! lol)

Be God's!
Sis

Sissy, so great to hear your praise reports and know that you are in my thread. Blessing to all and know that Iam praying for this thread and all who come here.
Gary

so great to hear your praise reports and know that you are in my thread

LOL, I meant to say prayers! :-)