Thursday, May 28, 2009

Hope and Thanksgiving........Always



Dear Sovereign Lord
On days like these when things are going in all directions… I always feel the calmness of your gentle spirit when I just break away and journal these prayers to You. There is not going to be a day when I am not over booked and overloaded. I like it that way. I am to close to the grave to not make everyday of my life a work into your service and I thank you for the energy and joy that I get from doing what I do. I receive power and hope when I stay strong in your work so I am blessed by all that comes my way to do. Father I pray it with all my heart that I never grow weary of doing our work while here on this earth. We have much to do to feed your sheep and the labors will not end with the kitchen being finished. There is much hope in that it will open new doors of service and build your church with all the things You would have done there. I know in my heart Father it is only by your will that it was possible. I know that things went as they did because of your grace and mercy for your children. It is my hope Father that many good events will be held in that space and the love of your spirit will out pour and fellowship and friendships will develop. Let our acts be acts of kindness and restoration for Your church. We have dreams of a growing church that is alive in the spirit of your will. We pray daily for this to bless the body and restore the mind of those who work toward the goal. While we are in the world Father there are many distractions and lies that keep us from the fullness of our purpose so guide us always and let Your direction be the only one that we see. Father, I ask a special prayer from Ricki Lane. You know Father that things are happening to discourage her maybe things that need to happen but in it all Father let her heart be touched by You when things don’t go her way. Let her know that we love her and that sometimes you can’t always have your own way but you have to be flexible in dealing with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Father, she is a hard worker for the church and we need her to do the things that matter so give her Your direction and lead her in love to the place that will do the most good for Your church. Let me be there Father to comfort her even though I sometimes myself fall short in doing as I should by her as a Christian sister. We are all so different Father and as with myself things out side of the knowledge of others can form a lot of what they see in us without knowing the full reasons. In all of it let us be kind and understanding and give me and others that deal with Ricki the right words to soften any hurts she might have. Let her remain in your holy service and work to this body of Christians. Renew what we do together to make us one.
Father, be with Lois Allen our elderly sister who has suffered a mild heart attack. She is in the hospital and under the care of doctors. Give them the power to restore her health and make her comfortable while she is under their directions and care.
Lord, be with Harold Allen as he recovers from surgery. Harold is a dear servant to your flock Father watch over every moment of his recovery and guide him back to good health and service into Your work. Restore the strength that he needs to do Your work and be with Linda as well as they start a new chapter in their lives. Linda in her retirement and Harold as he is a new elder to Your church. Bless them and make it a easy transaction into new things.
Father, Robert Johnson will be having yet another surgery this time for a knee replacement. I am sure that doesn’t ever set well when you know they are going to replace a most needed body part. I myself know that nothing works as good as what you gave us in Your creation but Lord if it comforts him and makes life easier please bless him with the comfort of this surgery and a fast recovery. Also, for Robert Wagon as he to faces the same things later in this year. Be with them both and their family as they go through this difficult time and give them hope for better times ahead.
Father, I do not know Morgan Williams but he is the brother of Terri Dunn so we ask in her wishes that you watch over him as he battles with cancer. Doctors are unable to do much for him Father so we pray you take him under Your watch and give the comforts that only can come from You when human interventions are not possible. Guide them to the right doctors and medications that will ease his pain and the suffering that comes when one has cancer.
A special prayer Father for Donna and Eddie Dees. For Donna’s mother Georgia Frost as she recovers from surgery. She is elderly Father and in much need of loving care give her comfort and to Donna as well as things are not in her control and she watches things she does not like to see happen. It is a feeling of helplessness that is heartbreaking. Give them all the needed strength to maintain and carry on while this battle goes on. Only You Father can send the holy spirit to watch over those who needs go beyond what we as people can do. I ask it for the Dee’s family and for Georgia Frost.
Be with our new Christian, the expectant mothers and those that have new babies, those that we don’t know about Father that are in need of you. We are safe in our lives with you but others are not and they are seeking you let us find them Father and bring them home while there is still time.
Always, Father I pray for those that I have conflict with. I pray for my son Robbie, for Debra and Melinda and Steve. Even though we don’t see eye to eye Father I love these people and I know that it’s your will for me to be forgiving of them as they struggle in many ways. Let me be open where I can and protective where I need to be. As I have opportunity let me always stand firm. Your will and not mine in dealing with matters concerning these. No one is written off or put aside in your kingdom and it is not for me to be in judgment of anyone so when I can be there Father let the spirit move me to do what is right by these people. As for my children it is always and foremost that You guide their lives as I have not been able to do as well by them as I should. I do not know what they need Father to make them whole. They are gifted and talented people without direction so I ask it everyday of their lives for You to watch out for them, keep them safe from harm and to take away the lies of the evil one that blind them from the truth.
Father, our Mont Belvieu Campaign is coming soon and people will be going door to door in the community to spread the word. Please Father, keep them safe and let it be a work with bold results. Let those that have the gifts take them to the people and let Your voice be our voice at the doors of strangers that might need you. We never know when we will touch a life or plant a small seed that will save one of your sheep so take away fears and limits and send us out to do Your work in away that will benefit the people who will hear it. Let them be receptive to hearing the word of God and respond to it. Bless those that carry this out and those who are exposed to it. Keep all of us within the boundaries of what Your will is for this campaign. Lord always keep us safe.
Lord, please be with Rebecca and Jack as they work with the prison ministry. Father when I had need there was a ministry available to help me so let it be so for others as we do not know the full range of this work. It can touch the lives of many when affective, not just the person in prison, there are children and wives and husbands that also can be blessed by this working ministry. Lives can be changed if the right effort is made so because we have these who do this work let them be covered by Your holy spirit as they try to do what they can in this area. The Prison Ministry Conference is in Corpus Christi this year June 11&12 our people will be on the road traveling keep them safe and make notice of the works they will be involved in bring back with will be of the most benefit to our work with this ministry. Safe guard their travel and bring hope to those who will receive from their work.
Father a special request for Darla Plunkett and her husband Stephen. Watch out for their welfare and his health and keep them in Your good service always. Keep Amber, big Mike and Hana under Your watch as well they are growing in the direction of Your will Father so guide them as they walk.
Keep our new elders under Your careful watch and guide them to do the work of your hands. We are so thankful for these men who are willing to do Your work. Thank you for the hearts of these men and the willingness of the church to accept their guidance’s. As a body we need them to be strong in leading so that our church grows. Father, I know we kill the author of life everyday we do not walk in the light. So with the help of these men let us work together to do better. Let us listen with our hearts to hear You in their work.
In all of my days I pray these things with hope and thanksgiving for the ability to do so. The blood of Your son gives us that ability. Let me ever be grateful for the hope in these prayers and let me ever be grateful for the hope in You. It is in the strong and powerful name of Jesus Christ I pray it all into Your holy will and power. Amen

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

ONLY GOD CAN UNFOLD THE PETALS OF A ROSE


Dear Father Lord of Lords

Thoughts of thanksgiving flood my heart this morning as I walked out into a beautiful sunny day. There is such joy in the sunshine and warmth of a spring day. Thank you Lord for a safe home and the comforts that we have here. Thank you for the beauty of green grass and flowers. Every day I can have this I know it is by your hand and I ache for those who don’t who do not have these small blessings. I pray your love will show others this beauty as you have shown it to me. I know that only you can unroll the petals of a flower or make grass that shade of green.

Father, the work at Lakewood continues and I will be going to be building shortly to start putting things away and making it ready for use. Please bless all the efforts that went into this work and let the things of your will take place in this space. It’s been carved out to honor you, to bless the lives of your children and to extend your work in a heartbroken world. I am praying for special things to happen in this space, baby showers, bunko parties, fellowship and meals. Things that will bring your church full circle and make us a closer body that will work even harder for you because the benefits of doing so will be so clearly seen. Put your hand on our new elders Father and guide them to use this room and this church to build your kingdom. The church let it be our protection until we can return to you and be restored to our place with you. This world is not an easy place to be and we need the church you provided by the blood of your son to be our haven and our safe house until that day. I pray for blessing in this present time for each and every one that accepts the gifts you give freely to us. Let us seek them Father and be blessed when we find the truth of your words. Give us knowledge and hope as we walk in the path you direct and give us the open eyes we need to see the way you are guiding us. Never let us forget our reward is not in this place we are not to be of this world but only walk through it and take our messages of hope to those who will accept it. It is our work here until we return home to you. Let us know that and be faithful to complete so that as many as can will know you as we have been blessed to do so. Let us be ever mindful that there are still those that are without your protection and love that need you and we are the ones who take the blood of Jesus to them. Give us courage and strength to do so in a manner that is pleasing to your good work. Send the Holy Spirit to us Father each and every day we work so that what we do we do it as you would want and direct. Keep our ears and hearts turned to the direction of the spirit so we limit the mistakes that we make.

Hold some of us in your hand today. Scott Hammel, Ken Perry and Margie, Claudelia, Clark and France, Roland, Debra, and Robbie, Darla and Hana, Stephen, Amber, Michael, Bubba and Dorothy, Bubba Rouse, Lucy and Daniel, Glen and Peggy, Alexia. Donna Dees and her mom, Keep them safe in health and travel. Life hold special problems for them Father bless their lives and keep them all under your structure and direction for it is in you that no matter the out come we will find our victory.

It is always and forever prayed in the strong and powerful name of Jesus, name above all names. Until you come or call us home hear our prayers. Amen.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Pray for Family and Church


Dear Heavenly Father

Most merciful God thank you for another day in your holy will. Thank you for a safe week-end away from home and for the safe travel through Waco and Dallas. Thank you for a brief time with family. We don’t often have that and its a blessing to all of us when we can be together. Thank you for the safe keeping of our home while away and for Debra who watched the house and kept Cinny. It’s good to know that we can delegate these things to her and she will take care of them. Thank you for letting me have that trust because you know my heart Father and it’s not easy for me.

Thank you for the work at the church while we were away. Thank you for the helping hands that bless our efforts with the hard work they put in. Be with those men and woman that really give of their talents to help with the work that it takes to rebuild a physical church. Special names Father, Clint, Elaine, Donald, Ricki, Ann, Teresa. They are all dear servants Father honor them with a smile today.

Father the new elders will go to work soon and I thank you with all my heart for the selection of these men. You are the only one who can make the right choices for a church. There were prayers we sent on the behalf of those who were up for eldership I am blessed and touched that you have answered with these good men. I pray for them that all the work they engage in will build and protect the family at Lakewood. Each day we face difficult times with many unknown problems so keep us close to you. Father and give these men the hearts of lions to protect us and keep us in your spirit. Do not let us fall away and keep our mind set tightly on the focus of your will for this church. Father it’s so easy to forget that it’s Your hand that should guide us and your will that should lead us please Father I beg that Your protection stay upon this body of people. We are trying to do what you would have us do so keep us ever mindful to listen to you and hear you. Father, also be with the men who were not selected to be elders for Lakewood because that can be hurtful to have your name brought before the people and it not be selected. In all things Your will be done.

Lord, You are a merciful God and I have need to confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word and deed by what I have done in carelessness, and by what I have left undone. I have not always been as kind as I should have been, my words not always tempered with the love they should have had. Father, you know that I am truly sorry that I do not always walk in your ways sometimes my head is turned by anger, frustrations, and pain. Please forgive me for the sake of those who have to deal with me and for the sake of the sacrifices of your son Christ Jesus. Have mercy on me and forgive me so that only delight and glory are the result. My goal is to build up others and being a follower of your son makes a difference in how I should live my life. Give me a kinder softer heart Father so that your glory is seen in me when I enter act with other people. Give me practical step to apply to my life so I can do more for you. Give me the knowledge to humble myself and honor others. Help me Father to be kind. Father, do not let my heart be burdened by things in the past. Do not let lies and untruths undo the good things that can be a part of the present. Do not let me be deceived by the evil one. Protect me from the lies. Keep my focus on the good things that can be a part of this present day and move me in a direct that is pleasing to you. Father, you know my heart keep it solid on your promise and do not let me be distracted by anything else. There is no mistake that can’t be corrected, there is not one thing that your love can not cover, there is only blessing and light in your perfect will never let that be far from my thoughts. I will continue to pray for these things all the days of my life because I remind myself that in these prayers you are with me.

Watch over my Roland and this family. Be with my son Robbie and walk by his side as my prayers are always for him to find his way back home to us and to You. If it be your will let your love heal us all and bring us to new terms in which we can have a relationship that would be pleasing to You. Your will shall forever override mine and I honor the prefect plan you have for all of our lives.

I pray it all in the strong and powerful name of Christ Jesus until you come for us or call us home I surrender it all unto You. Amen.