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

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.

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.

Last Prayer for April 2009

Dear Heavenly Father

Another day comes and goes in my life and I find myself relaxed in a beautiful home, with some free time to take in the day. I had some time to sit out side and do some reading, watch the computer screen fill my head with what ever. I was grateful for it Father because in you there is time to rest. I thank you for a beautiful day with no storms to weather if only just for today. Father, you know the battle we have been having with the people next door it brings a great deal of stress to our lives but today we didn’t have to deal with it so I am happy about that. Watch over the actions of Bill and Anna because of their age and health I pray that they do not get too stressed out over the storms and the heavy rain in our area. Father, Bill gets himself so worked up thinking things that are not really going to happen. It puts a lot of stress on his health and mentally it is not good for him. Give them peace Father; let him know his house is not going to flood from rain waters. Give him the knowledge that we are not trying to harm him or his property. We don’t know how to comfort him Father or the worry that he has going on in his heart and mind. We are strong and in good health so we can deal with these matters but sometimes when you face ordeals even when they aren’t big to others they can be a big deal to those who conjure them up in their minds. Help Bill and Anna to have peace and let us withstand what they do as our neighbors. Keep us calm minded and relaxed as we deal with this older couple. It is not fair that we have this Father, but maybe prayers are needed and that is why we are involved. Let us know what to do Father as each day it’s something new that we face with dealing with this couple. Some days we have no worries but other days it’s a little over the top. Just give us the ability and knowledge to understand.

Father, be with Debra she is heading off to work again today in that car that looks like it should be condemned! Please Father I beg you put it on her heart to fix it or change the situation before something happens to her in that wreck of a car. I worry that something is going to happen and she goes about her days as if it’s just the most normal of things to drive around with the front end falling off your car! Help me seek some peace as I try to back away and let her take care of this matter. I don’t know what to do here Father, Roland doesn’t want to buy her another car she has gone threw several now and he wants her to take responsibility for what she has. We could have gotten her another car but what good would it do she will not take care of what she is given. Let my mind rest in this matter as I want so badly to just fix it, to stop the worry. I know with adult children this is not the answer and she will never find her way if I keep doing all the major stuff in her life. I ache with the on going process of letting her live her life and just loving her for who she is. I so want to reach out and change things but I know each of us has to make our own way in this life. Let me be calm and trust that I have prayed her into your hands and You will keep her safe. Father, let me provide all that she needs without interruption of Your plan for her life. Everybody faces the burdens of life to make them complete in the will You have for that life. Work with us both Father for it is in Your ways we are seeking for our lives in this life today and everyday. Let me be okay with that and let me know it’s You I am listening to when I say yes or no to anything, or any thoughts that I might have in regard to this matter.

Father, bless our church body. You have given over some of the most talented men to restore the damages done by Hurricane Ike. We thank you for all of them. We as a church are blessed to have these men. Help us all to work together and do the right things by the church to see that it is kept in a manner that is pleasing to you. Things will be happening this week-end and we are going to start working again. It will be a beautiful awesome sight when it’s done. I am so grateful to have has some hand in it I am so pleased to have been able to be a working serving servant for your church. Thank you for using me even in this small way. We still have roof leaks and problems but Father I know you will guide our hands in getting those fixed so we can move forward. With the changes being made there are always those who will make it a little rocky but we have to remember that moving forward is always our goal and nothing should stop that if we are doing what we need to fulfill your will. Give us favor if we are doing what is right. Lead us if we should be doing something differently to put us on the right path. Do not let fear stop anything that would be a mighty work into your church for we pray it to further the love of Christ Jesus that brings us home to you.
Father, this year another group of senior will graduate into the world. May 3rd we honor them and congratulate them with a supper and bibles. They are Michael Dunn, Jessica Holt, Matt Shepard, and Ben Vasquez. Be with them Father because as other doors open to the world we can loose these tender hearts. Guide them and keep them in your safe shelter as long as they keep to your words Father protect them. All the Class of 2009, the teachers that are with them, the people who influence their lives be with all of them as they walk across a stage that is going to take them place they can not even imagine. Father, send your blessing on them and on their families as they walk through these changes.

Father, watch over RV Vasquez, Bubba Rouse, Glen Hemmenway, Peggy, Rodney Porter, Jeff and Jaime Fall and the twins, Aubree and Ayden, Sarah Fall and Summer Neal. Charlotte Smith as she has her scheduled biopsy for breast cancer. Be with Ken and Margie as they had a rough patch with cancer as well and Claudelia Powers as she faces her senior years. Be with Roland as he is a hard working man that supports and cares for his family, honor him with your blessings and put trust in his heart to know your ways are always the best ways. There is much need Father and we know that by placing it in your sanctuary we are doing the best that we can for our friends and our family. Also, Father let us not only pray but take action if there is something within our power to help make life better for all of those in your will who follow the blessing given us in Christ Jesus.

Father, be with the selection of new elder at Lakewood. It makes all the difference in the world in what direction the church will take if it is under good leadership or bad so we ask you examine the heart of these men who will be up for this positions and lead us to know if we should say or not say anything that places or displaces them from these appointed duties. Work with their wives as we need good wives as well to do the Lord’s work here in the church. Guide the minds of every person who will have a say in anything that goes on here. Work with David, Harvey and Mike as they choose paths for the church.

Father sometimes the prayers are long sometimes they are short but it is all prayed in the name of Jesus for the glory we have in Him to be honored to pray these prayers into Your holy will. Guide us Father, keep our minds, protect us from the evil one and until You come or take us home it is all prayed in the strong and holy name of Jesus……….Amen

Dear Heavenly Father

I come to you in humble thanksgiving that the sun is shining the roses are blooming and I have this little old dog we call Cinny that lays right by my feet daily. She is a great comfort to my life. I spent some time today in varied ways looking and listening to the outside world and the prospective views of different things and I thank you Lord for your word which doesn’t change and gives us a black and white way to know what is wrong and what is right. I love the saying that says be still and know that I am God. I also thank you for the mercy your word has that also doesn’t change. When I need to know something it is ever so comforting to know it’s in your word somewhere. I trust in it Father and I believe with all my heart that your ways are the right ways. I thank you for the truth and putting Your word so available in my life. I thank you for making clear the path my life should take. My purpose and my path I pray it unto your will Father, use me and keep me going in the direction you would have for me. I have been reading about why bad things happen to good people and I found in your word it’s not something we could ever understand by human means and it’s not something for us to question. Your plan is for the greater good of mankind and your will allowed Christ to die on the cross for us. Jesus even prayed if this cup could pass from him to please let it but it could not if the plan for salvation was to be possible. All be it unto your will for You are the creator and we are Your people. Use me Father for whatever it takes to continue your work in this earthly realm for I know and believe Father that a time is coming when all will be set right. Let me do what I can on this earth to help in the accomplishments of that work. Let no deception come into my heart that will take me from that work. It is for your glory that I do what I do and I am not a very capable person but Father use all I have for your will. Thank you for the scriptures of Joseph. The reminders of what he went through to accomplish great work for the nations.

Father, you know that in me there is a weakness, I find it difficult to connect to others. I don’t like to go to baby showers, or parties, or social events, or skits. I don’t like small talk. It seems the words I have to say don’t account for much and they are a burden to me. I do not know why I am like that but I wished it were not so. There is much pleasure to be had in having friendships, I try Father but I find it the most difficult of all matters to make lasting connections with others. I know this is not your will because you stated your highest command that we love one another. I find myself rejecting any invitation to involve myself socially with people. I know often it is viewed as rude and it sets me apart. This is something I have not prayed about because I didn’t really want it fixed. I am safe in this void; I come under no ones examination. Father, there is nothing wrong with my lifestyle, I have no hidden secrets, I feel it is the evil ones way of keeping me from doing the good in your kingdom that I could. I feel this disinterest on my part is his way of causing a deception saying they don’t really want you around. That is a lie. I know that is not really true it’s something I feed myself to get out of doing things socially. It’s not them it’s me. I need to get this under control so I can be a better servant in your house. So I can make more connections and I am going to start praying it into your will Father so that I will not turn down the opportunities to do good services for Your name. Guide me to do a better job in this area of my life. I know that the evil one really doesn’t want me to be set free from this lie but I ask it in the name of Jesus take this lie and this burden from my heart and my mind.

Others are in need this day as well Father, RV Vasquez, Geraldine McLean, the fall twins Aubree & Ayden, we have expectant mothers Sarah Fall and Summer Neal protect them in the pains of child birth and let these babies be healthy and whole. A special blessing on Kathryn Elyse Fagala hold her ever close to you Father in her new life. Be with others who work for the church Father, David, Darla, Paul let them always know they are appreciated in their work.
Father, be with workers and laborers who are doing the rebuilding after Ike. It’s been a long haul but we are very close to the end and we thank you that no one was seriously hurt while we worked. Be with Harold Allen and Phil Dutton as they did get hurt doing some of the work and while work was on going and we praise your name that it was nothing that hurt them to badly that they could not continue. Thank you Father for the strong spirit you have in these who do your work. Father be with the Hemmingway’s, the Kay’s, the Fischessers, the Rouse family and more so for Bubba as he suffers with congestions.

Be with Bill and Jane Hanna, Wyatt and Sherry Rushing, Shirley and Bo Cox, Robert and Pam Wagon, Jack and Rebecca Zaun, Denise and Steve Goode, These are the names that are presented to our church for eldership positions. It’s hard to know who would be of best service Father but you know these men and it is your will in seeking their elections to do your work. Guide us Father in the selection because it is to the up most importance that good strong able men take this work. Lakewood is a church that needs strong leadership and people who can produce that leadership are very much in need. Bless the elders that we have and guide them to work with these that are incoming for the development of a sound church body that will give glory to God and promote programs and structure in the body.

Father, in all things we pray it by the sacrifices of Christ Jesus unto your holy name. Amen

Our Work is Never Done........Keep Praying

Dear Father
I come to you in prayer and thanksgiving, humbled by your presents in my life and humbled by the kindness of your words. It’s is by the gifts of the gospel I can know these blessing and can know that in You there is hope. Father, as being one who has been baptized into the death of Christ, one who accepts fully the promises of your word, a seeker of your will I can know that you hear these prayers and I am grateful for the love that is shared by these communications. I can seek a closer walk with my Christian brothers and sisters, I can seek a closer walk with my children, I can seek in you a marriage that is strong. I am blessed in you Father and I come to express that to you in prayer. Father you have taken my hand so many times to take me from the deceptive practices of evil and you have held me strong in the face on anger, frustrations, and distrust. I know that it is you and only you that makes it possible to look for the greater good in all matters of this life. Thank you for it all Father, for the holy spirit that guides me daily and walks with me when I am weak. Thank you for the blood, the water, and the spirit which are in agreement for your holy name. Father, I pray today for strength as I have been ill for some days now and even with medications I still am under the weather with a cough. I ask you Father to take this burden from me and let me get back to your work. I know that there is a time for rest and recuperation and I accept your will in these matters I only asked that I can be better so I can continue to work as you would have it. I am your servant and to be the best at that I can be take this cough and restore me to my health so I can work with the strength that only comes from you. Each day that passes is another day in which your work must be done. I ask that nothing hinder me from taking part in that work.
Father, I coming asking you look after Debra she has wrecked her car and will need to come to terms with that. She’ll need money to fix it and I will need strength to let her do it on her own. I want to rescue her Father but she is so deceived by the evil things that this world puts upon her that she doesn’t see you and the fact we are not without resources. I know that what happened is unfortunate but it could have been much worse. I am grateful Father that she was not hurt and that only a car has been damaged. I know you are working in her life Father and I also know she wants to get into her own apartment and get on with her life. These matters are in your hands but keep her safe and protected in your will Father. Whatever our wishes are let them come second to what your wishes are. We are a family and I will stand beside my daughter while she walks through the problems of this life. Let me always be in tune to what you would have me do in consideration toward her. I need your wisdom and help because her problems are problems I don’t understand. I don’t know the heartaches of depression, I can not surrender to those emotions. I will not be deceived into thinking a pill will make me happy. There is only one solution for me and that is to stay within your words written so long ago but still valid to me today. You are my hope and my song and I trust in you fully to work out this life as you see fit. You are the only trusted source to truth. Do not let me enable others to seek another way because I have the money or the means to let them. Guard me from being a stumbling block just because I want to help. I know that if I had not suffered some of the heartaches of youth I would not be the same person I am today and I have to trust that all of the past was a learning block for what I am now in my life. All discipline should be looked as such and should be respected for what it is because if we do not heed the warnings we will not come to terms with the gradual deceptions of evil that can slip in before we even realize what is happening to us. Help me not get in the way of your work but to also be there to guide the people who you have put into my life. Let me have the right words to guide them to a safe place that is within you.
Father, be with Bubba Rouse and Lucy and Daniel. Only you can know the true depth of what they go through each day and only you can provide the love needed to comfort them when things are not going well. Let them have no fear while they are protected by your hand and give them the power to endure forever in your secure and faithful love for them. Walk hand in hand with Lucy and give her whatever she needs Father to make it from day to day in this life.
Father be with Peggy, Glen and all who are with in touch with their needs. Be with Glen’s doctors as they are only men and they will need you Father to direct their hands into his healing. Give them peace Father as only you can while they walk dark days of not knowing what lies ahead. This is sometimes our weakest moments but in You it does not have to be. Let that be on their hearts as they face many things presented to them in these hours. We pray for healing and we pray for hope in their behalf.
Father, be with Carol Fabian as she is going to have her father come and live with her. Help them to do what is best in his life and help them to bond as a family unit so they can be productive and happy.
Father, be with my Shelby and Marianna, Scott and Marijane. We don’t see them at church as often as we should these days and it’s a shame that they are not coming as regular as they did. These are sweet souls Father and belong in your house so whatever is holding them up in coming just touch their hearts to put it aside and come back to worship as often as they can.
Father be with Darla and our staff at our church they work hard and sometimes it is not easy to do what they must to make the church work well. Be with the selection of our new elders and work men into our church body that will keep things moving in the right directions and in accordance to your will. God Bless and keep those who serve the work of the church.
Father the list is always long when we pray and it is not something you can not address with a blink of the eye so love us Father, protect us from the evil one and guard our hearts so that our lives are always in line with you. Keep us in the gospel for it is in those words that we will find our way to do the right things here on this earth. We can not behave the way we should if we are not aware of your will so keep us in your church and in your word. Each day let prayers be offered to You and Your will searched out daily so evidence of You is around us always. It is not just about eternal life that we pray and seek but life today. Life in the simplest of ways, a card, a phone call, a hug we could all use the benefits of that right now. Let us see your love in little things and realize that we have heaven in our hearts right now and we don’t have to wait to see you or the love that is waiting for us in heaven. If we seek the holiness of Your words we have You today and everyday open our eyes Lord.
It is in the strong and powerful name of Christ Jesus that I pray it all into Your will. Be with us daily Father and hold us tight in your love. Amen…….

A Prayer for Thursday April 16 2009

Dear Heavenly Father

I woke this morning at the appointed time and thanksgiving was on my heart. I still feel weak and tired but the pain is gone. It is a blessing not to hurt. I thank you for this day Father, I walked out with Cinnamon this morning to a crisp clean day, my roses bursting with flowers the grass a beautiful deep green. I indeed thank you for it all Father as I know some didn’t wake up to such a beautiful morning. Many rushed out the door before sunrise for work and school and they never saw the beauty of your hands. Some didn’t even have a door to rush out of or a shower to take. I thank you Lord that I did.

I checked on Satin’s grave this morning remembering the comforting words written on her stone. Ecclesiastes 3…. A time for everything. Satin’s stone has these words 3:18-21… I also thought, “As for men, God test them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Man’s fate is like that of the animals: the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who know if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth? Lord I told that goofy dog to wait for me at the gate and I truly hope that she is there when I come because she was a true friend attached to my heart and I still cry for her being gone. Satin was a true treasure even if she was only a dog.

Father, I honor your will, I treasure the fact I have your word right here before me to instill in me hope each morning. If only I take the time to ingest it into my day it can be my stronghold. Don’t let me forget that earthly things can be taken away, every thing to its season even the ones we love. Only your words are going to be eternally meaningful. Father, don’t let the toils of this world become our focus that only wears us down instead let our minds be feed daily in the hope we have by your word. We have it in writing and we have it in the testimony of men, preaching and teaching. I want my heart to endure forever in your will and teachings. It is hard Father for me to retain it all but each day I am going to try. Each day Father I need to take the time to write these prayers. Seal them in my heart and bind me to the wishes I have in these prayers. For when I have faithful in these prayers I also have faith in you. Keep my mind and body whole in dealing with the scriptures you provided long ago for our healing walk today. Father, I am not so worried about getting to heaven but I am worried about living today. Your gift of heaven was promised if we stay in your ways but as we live in this world there are so many distractions, so many lies, so many heartaches that if I am not carefully in line with your words I could fall away. I do not want to fall away. I seek your wisdom so that I do not and I am not deceived by the evil one. I know that God test us so that mankind will revere Him let me be willing to endure the test because I know I will have to show an account for my actions.

Surely your plan will over ride for it is in your purpose that we seek you as a people who belong to you. I count my blessing daily to know that I am Your child.

We are seeking new elders for our church at Lakewood. Father, we put our hearts and faith into prayer for the men who are coming forward to serve. Send them as lambs and servants but prepared to face the battle. Set them above so they can lead us within your will. Give us good counsel; render a decision that is under your control. We as a church body need a refuge and our prayers for these new elders are that they might be strong enough to establish hope for all of the different people who attend at this church. Our church is looking for justice, deliverance from our sins and restoration. Help us to find these Father. Forgive us of our sins that testify against us. Don’t let us stumble through the darkness but send us strong leadership that will help us be the people of your pasture. Let us always praise the work that is given to us to do for your courts. You are our only hope and sanctuary. You are our salvation and redemption… be with us Oh Mighty God because only in Your will can we be the church you want us to be.

Continue to use me Father for your work, give me wisdom and do not let me be afraid to speak out if it is your will. Do not let me be afraid put your words into my mouth. I know that you are watching Father to see that your word is fulfilled and that your work is done. No one wants to do the work Father because it is hard and risky but I know that in your will we must stand up to whatever comes. Do not let it be a terrifying experience but one of victory in Christ Jesus. Father, I beg that I pay attention to your words and do what is right in your sight. I pray that I see your will in my own life and I do what is right and turn from the sins that I have so that I am a worthy servant to your will. Keep me always entrusted to your service. Be with my family and let them be supporting of my efforts. Be with them also as individuals that work for you as well. Be with Robbie my son as his walk is a difficult one Father and evil is present. If it be your will Father take him back because he also is baptized into the name of Jesus for the remission of his sins. Let him see that in You there is hope and forgiveness. Do not let him be forever blinded by the darkness of his past. In Christ Jesus let him know that there is forgiveness. I have forgiven him Father but only you can make it known to his heart. Only you can soften the pain and restore him. I beg it Father not for myself but for him so his life can be full and restored. I have failed to pray as I should for my son but I pray for him now and will continue to do so for both Robbie and Debra until the evil that follows them is released even if it takes my lifetime on this earth. Even if I never live to see it Father I know I have prayed it into your hands and You are faithful to answer the prayers of your servants be it all into your will.

I pray it all in the holy and strong name of Christ Jesus until you come or call us home it is my prayer through Christ Jesus. Please protect us and keep us safe. Amen