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Aug. 2009 - Prayers and Praises
Can you believe today is the last day of July?? Did it go by as fast for you as it did for me? All I can say is WOW - because many of us have faced some serious issues this month, but we have also seen our Lord work mightily in each of our lives.
Have you ever had times when you fell to ground in tears? You are not alone. Did you also know that those tears bring healing, as they are times spent at Jesus' feet? Here are a few things I learned this month while crying out to the Lord. If you are feeling distressed, I pray these same verses will lift you up as they have me.
Psalm 107:19-20 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distress. He sent His Word and Healed them, and delivered them from their distress Psa 107:19
Psalm 34:17-18 Psa 34:17 cry out to the Lord
Psalm 6:6-7 Psa 6:6 your tears are precious to him
Psalm 56 Psa 56:1 He hears our cries
Isaiah 55:1-3 Isa 55:1 Come, it’s free!
Isaiah 42:6-9 Isa 42:6 He sets captives free
We also want to welcome our many new members and feel blessed that the Lord has led you to our little group. Hopefully you will find it unique on your journey to weight loss (or weight gain), but more importantly, I hope you find it a place to learn more how to incorporate the Lord and his word in every area of you life and find healing.
We welcome you to share your prayers and praises here so together we can lift each other up. From personal experience this past month, I can tell you that your prayers were felt. For we are called to "Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Cry with those who are crying." Romans 12:15 and to "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Galations 6:2
I praise God this morning for having a place to come to to begin my day with others that are with Him, that I have a job to go to, that I was able to wake up with enough time to dedicate to Him specifically before I begin my day, for showing me through others that He is there for me.
I ask for prayers that I may go through my day knowing that it is about His glory, not mine, that my depression and negative thinking does not overtake me, that I may rejoice in all that He may have for me this day, that I may be a living example of who He is in my life and what He has done for me. That I may find strength in His word and the words of those who have helped me in this forum. Thank you
Norma,
Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
You have already started out in victory, by giving God praises for He is worthy of all our praise. May I suggest when you start feeling down for the present circumstances, start praises God for bringing you out of the past circumstances, then you will remember that the same God you brought you through in the past is the same God that will carry you through the present circumstance of your life.
He is just that faithful.
Mark
Absolutely Mark - we can praise him because He first loved us - so much that it pained him to be seperated from us because of our sins and He sent His Son Jesus to live and experience every hateful and cruel thing so that he can identify with our pain and suffering and then gave his life for us on the cross, without a single protest - and when all that had been written about was fulfilled - he took on all of our sins - past, present and future, and gave us a way to be forgiven.
whew - I'm feeling so grateful right now - I just finished the 5th chapter in the bible study I've been working on and it was about confession of our sins. I have always felt such guilt and shame for my past and have tried to hide it, but God sees and knows all. I am so grateful for his promise in 1John 1:9, that if we confess our sins (to God) he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and (then will) cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
I realized in this study that I have tried to hide myself in layers of fat to keep me safe from sexual advances from men in general (not really from my husband) because of my past sexual sins. I apologize if this is too personal. I no longer want to be haunted by past, including keeping these extra pounds on me. I found out that in some circumstances it was someone elses sin that I had no control over, and I also saw how the Lord has protected me and then gave me my husband to watch over me and love me (in spite of my past.) So, I am so very thankful too for seeing how God started changing me and gave me courage to change. So, in just the same way - it makes me excited to see where my life will be years from now and how he will change my life, even from this day forward. Sept. 3rd will be my 26th Anniversary and am so grateful to be at a place in my life where I can truly appreciate all that my husband has meant to me and I am thankful that I have learned how to give him back all the respect he deserves.
Warning: This is going to be a long Praise and Prayer Report.......
Wow, what a month.
I have been trying to find a job for quite a while now (basically since we went through the first eviction in December). With each rejection, with each wall of silence after submitting an application and/or resume, Satan was right there sitting on my shoulder ready to attack my thoughts.
I had worked tirelessly in the banking industry for over 15 years. I have completed 43 credit hours into an Accounting degree with a minor in Banking and Finance. After moving to Virginia almost 4 years ago, we learned that Glynn had a learning delay and it was suspected that he may have had a form of Asperger’s Syndrome. We felt that it would be best if I stayed home to help him reach his development goals. I do not regret any of it. I enjoyed watching his little face light up with the “ah-ha” moment when we finally accomplished a learning milestone. It thrilled me to no end when I was finally able to break through his communication wall. It was not until he turned 4 years old when he finally said, “I Love You, Mommy” for the first time. Up until that time, he only grunted and pointed. He had very little verbal skills. You can only image how I felt. I had cried off and on for a week with happiness. Every special needs child has an avenue in which he/she is trying to communicate. The trick is to find it.
Now that the economy has taken a belly flop, I am finding that I have to try to re-enter the workforce. One of the grocery stores that I had interviewed for a night stock clerk went so fall as to say, “We are looking for someone with recent experience.” I was feeling that I was being penalized for taking the time off from the workforce to care for my children. The most important job that a parent can have is raising and teaching that child to be able to be independent, to make that child feel secure in himself and his own capabilities.
In December, when we moved into the house that we are currently renting, the landlord was working with us by allowing us to pay what we can - when we can. Back in December, we all thought that I would have found a job by now. The landlord grew impatient (understandably so) at the beginning of July. He told us that if I did not find work by the first of August or if we did not catch up the past rent, then he would have to put us out at the first of August.
I thought that I had found a cleaning job for the weekends. And this satisfied the landlord. I had a promise of a job that would be able to pay the rent. I was supposed to start doing a detailed cleaning for some daycares in the area. That was supposed to start on August 8th. However, that job fell through. The guy that hired me, backed out of the job offer. So this put the eviction date back on the calendar for the end of August. School started for Glynn on August 12th. I did not know if I should even allow Glynn to start school only to have to pull him back out at the end of August.
All of this up and down of emotions and stress had caused some physical pains. I was feeling beaten up by life. I was constantly sick to my stomach. My joints hurt. I was feeling bruised all over. I had a migraine on and off for about 3 weeks. I was sinking into a depression that I thought had no end. I kept telling myself that HIS word promises that HE will never leave us. In Psalms 37:25, it says, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”(KJV)
I just could not understand. I was praying. I was seeking God. But I had felt that Heaven was so far away. I felt that I was alone. I have seen God work HIS wonders in the past. I had seen God provide for others. I have seen God make a way when there appeared to be no way. But then that old adversary, that old roaring lion, was filling my head with doubts. The enemy had me believing that I had committed some kind of sin or transgression that caused God to turn HIS back from me. Then I was wondering how a God of mercy could allow my children to go through this if I am the one who have committed the sin.
On Friday, August 7th, I answered an ad and sent an email for a Deposit Operations Specialist at a local bank. I had emailed my pastor telling him of the job posting. Later that night, I had a dream about the interview for the job. I jerked awake from the dream at 3:00am Friday night / Saturday morning. I started praying and praising God for the job that I did not have yet. I am not saying that I am going to get the banking job. I have not heard anything from the bank as of yet. But I just started praising God.
Then it happened. I heard in an audible voice saying the following….
- I have heard your prayer……
- I will provide…..
- You are one of my own……
The voice was so powerful, so loving and was so commanding with authority.
And just as soon as the words were said, in the blink of an eye, I felt such a calming and loving peace to come ALL over me. The headache (migraine) had left my body. The pains in my joints and the bruised feeling had left my body. I did not feel nauseated any more. I did not feel the weight of the world on my shoulders any more. I believe that I had a true visitation from God.
Before this happened, it was as if I had accepted the fate of eviction. It was as if I did not believe that God was there. It was as if I did not believe that God was going to pull us through this. I don’t know HOW. I don’t know WHEN. But I do BELIEVE that God will provide.
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Tuesday, August 11
Keith had done some work a few weeks ago for this guy. The guy told Keith that he was not going to pay him. For a month, I have been praying that God, somehow, reverse this man’s decision. This man had already cheated Keith out of over $3,000.00 for work that was completed in March. Out of desperation, Keith went back to work with this man with a promise to pay on August 1st.
Well, the man did release some money. We were able to pay the landlord $1,200.00 out of this money.
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Wednesday, August 12
My parents sent me $1,000.00. I am waiting for the bank to clear the check so that I can draw on the funds. I told the landlord that there will be another $1,000.00 to be paid as soon as the money is available from the bank.
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Wednesday, August 12
In February, we had a Chevy Trailblazer to be repossessed. Keith was served papers to appear in court for the remaining balance on the loan. The court date was also the first day of school. The school that he works for has a mandatory attendance for all staff on the first and last days of schools.
In Keith’s opinion, he did not want to risk his job to appear in court for a ruling that was not going to go in his favor anyway (in his mind). I told him that if he did not show up, then the judge was going to rule in the bank’s favor by default. As soon as the gavel hit the judge’s bench, the papers will be filed with the bank and the school’s human resources for wage / bank garnishment. I told him that he needed to show up in court to give try to explain our situation.
Court date was August 12. He showed up for his court appearance. However, the lawyer for the bank did not. The bank representative did not show up. The judge ruled in Keith’s favor. Keith is truly surprised. As the result of the no-show of the lawyer and the bank rep, Keith did not have to spend much time in the courthouse. Keith was able to appear in court AND make it to work on time.
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I am being called for interviews. I am not sure where God is directing me to work. All that I do know is that HE will provide a job for me. I know that HE will provide for our family.
Please continue to help me pray for this situation.
\o/ Denna
Praise God! Thank you Denna for the long Praise and Prayer Report, every word of hope, every blessing that you have shared. I believe many of us are in shoes very similar to yours and share much the same feelings. Thank you so much for sharing! Thank you Lord!!!!!
Please pray for me today. I am not feeling well. I can't really pin point the problem. I am tired. I can't seem to stay awake. I keep dozing off. Also, my left eye is swelled shut.
I am taking the day to rest. Please pray for me.
\o/ Denna
I sure will Denna - I just found this verse this morning.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. "Isaiah 41:10
Thank You for your prayers. I am feeling somewhat better today. My eyelid is still swollen a little, but it is not swollen shut. I can see today. Vision is not blurry. I am going to take it easy again today. Try not to do much reading or much straining for my eyes. I am also going to stay in from the sunlight.
Love in Christ
\o/ Denna
Denna, I too have said a prayer for you so I'm sure we're all in agreement. And I know that God has heard. I pray that you will be able to enjoy this day to the fullest.
~Maggie
God is good isn't He Deena. That you are better today than yesterday it faith in action. Isn't it great that we can focus on what is good and not the bad. Oh that we can learn to see God in the midst of all our storms. While going through storms of life, most of us focus on the lightening so that we miss the rainbow.
David says oh magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together. Even in little things we give Him praise.
You may stay in from the sunlight...but staying in will not keep you from the SON light.
Mark
Praises to the Most HIGH.....
\o/ Praise the Lord Group.....
Prayer Request:
I have an interview with the food service coordinator of the county schools tomorrow (08/26) at 3:30pm eastern time.
The position is for Cafeteria / Food Service Manager at the school where my son attends. When this position was offered to me last week, I misunderstood what the job requirements would be. It has been over 20 years since I worked in a steak house restaurant or cafeteria for a church camp. It was my understanding that I would manage the daily operations of the school cooking staff. I was not comfortable to jump into a position to manage a cooking staff when I did not have recent food prep experience. I told the coordinator that I would accept a position of a cook if someone was to be promoted to the manager position.
However, Today, when I was calling around to do follow-up to the interviews for the positions of instructional assistant, I was accidentally patched through to the food service coordinator for the county. We talked about the position again. She said that with my computer experience and bank account reconciliations, I would be an ideal candidate for the position. We reviewed the job requirements again. This position collects the money from the students, post it to the students account, oversee lunch purchases, reports to the district regarding food orders, and overseeing inventory. Very little cooking and food prep is required as a fill in when the cooking staff is short staffed.
Before I could finish asking, "Is it too late for me to be considered for the position?", she was looking on her schedule for the next available time for an interview. She had not started the interviewing process yet. Tomorrow is her first day for the interviews.
Was I really accidentally patched through to the food service coordinator? Or was God setting the stage to give me another opportunity to be interviewed for this position?
Isn't HE good.....................
Yes praise the Lord! I did the same job for Grace Brethren Jr/Sr High School and I loved it! The use of our administrative gifts. Hopefully you will be paid more than $6.70 an hour like I was. It took two people to replace me when I resigned. I loved the job - but because it was a private school and part itme - I needed full time.
God is so good Denna - this may be the opportunity that God has for you to bring glory to Him.
~Norma Jean
Original Post by dlbrown1020:
Praises to the Most HIGH.....
\o/ Praise the Lord Group.....
Prayer Request:
I have an interview with the food service coordinator of the county schools tomorrow (08/26) at 3:30pm eastern time.
The position is for Cafeteria / Food Service Manager at the school where my son attends. When this position was offered to me last week, I misunderstood what the job requirements would be. It has been over 20 years since I worked in a steak house restaurant or cafeteria for a church camp. It was my understanding that I would manage the daily operations of the school cooking staff. I was not comfortable to jump into a position to manage a cooking staff when I did not have recent food prep experience. I told the coordinator that I would accept a position of a cook if someone was to be promoted to the manager position.
However, Today, when I was calling around to do follow-up to the interviews for the positions of instructional assistant, I was accidentally patched through to the food service coordinator for the county. We talked about the position again. She said that with my computer experience and bank account reconciliations, I would be an ideal candidate for the position. We reviewed the job requirements again. This position collects the money from the students, post it to the students account, oversee lunch purchases, reports to the district regarding food orders, and overseeing inventory. Very little cooking and food prep is required as a fill in when the cooking staff is short staffed.
Before I could finish asking, "Is it too late for me to be considered for the position?", she was looking on her schedule for the next available time for an interview. She had not started the interviewing process yet. Tomorrow is her first day for the interviews.
Was I really accidentally patched through to the food service coordinator? Or was God setting the stage to give me another opportunity to be interviewed for this position?
Isn't HE good.....................
Reporting:
I feel that the interview went well. I won't know anything until Monday. I will keep you posted.
Keep Praying......
Sure will Denna!!!
Dear Lord, we know it was no accident that you led Denna to this interview today, so Lord, we pray that you keep her on their mind as they interview others this week, and Lord that you will show Denna your favor and have her stand out above all the others. Lord, may it be you in her that they see and know they will have someone trustworthy and accountable. Thank you Lord Jesus for caring about every part of our lives and allowing to come to you and ask knowing that you hear our prayers. We love you Lord and praise you for sustaining her family through these trying days and making her faith even stronger.
I stand in agreement with you Lorraine!
Denna, when God opens the door be ready to walk through!!! 
~Maggie
Feeling spiritually exhausted today...Happy in the Jesus...but drained...
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.
Psalm 18:31 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God,
Mark
We all need time to recharge sometimes, Mark. As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, He pulls us through.
When I feel like that, I like to read 1 Kings 18 and 19. How fast Elijah went from being used in miraculous ways to being ready to give up, and how completely God built him back up to be ready for a return to service!
You're on my prayer list. God bless!
Kevin
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