July 2009 Prayers and Praises

June seemed like it's been a tough month for everyone - from plateau's to serious life issues. But as Mark pointed out in the new forum link "The Fellowship Hall"  that God is right there in the struggles, and that's one thing we can count on. 

I've found a lot of comfort and encouragement in the book of Psalms this past month and decided to memorize the 23rd Psalm.  At one of the churches I attended in the past, an older gentleman was called on from time to time to pray at some point during the service - and each time, he stood up very deliberately and recited the 23rd Psalm as his prayer.  It is one of those verses that you can never get tired of hearing.  There are so many layers to ponder and incorporate deep down in your heart. 

So, come on, see how far you can get with me . . . 

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want (because He provides for me everything that I need) He makes me to lie down in green pastures (I think of this at times when I'm sick or need healing and am confined to my bed) He leads beside the still waters, He restores my soul (in his word is a calm and peace that he takes me to) He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names sake (chosing to live my life well brings honor and glory to Him) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me (in the worst of circumstances He is right there with me and there is no reason to fear) Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me (His rod of correction and His staff of guidance to keep me on the right path gives me comfort, knowing He corrects whom He loves and will be there to keep me on the right path) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies (there is no need to be jealous of what others have knowing what He is preparing for me in Heaven) Thou annointeth my head with oil (He has chosen me for a purpose and has ordained me to do his work on earth - and brings his healing into my life when I keep my eyes onHim) My cup runneth over (I am rich in His love and all the provisions He makes day by day) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (His goodness and mercies are fresh every day and will be there for me here on earth until I reach heaven) And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (when my time on earth is over I will be with him FOREVER in the place He has prepared for me)

So, if you've never meditated on these verses, I encourage you to commit it to memory and hide these truths deep in your heart.  In God's word, may you find comfort, encouragement, conviction, love, joy and peace.

So, I pray that all of us will have a better July! (even those of you who had a good June!) and I pray you will post any prayers and praises here, so that we can join you in praying for specific things happening in your life - and join you in celebrating your answered prayers!

Prayer & Praises

Thank you for this.  Greatly appreciate your love, care and support.

I pray you are always happy, blessed, loved and healthy.

Have a God filled day,

V

I was glad to read that you are already seeing God's hand at work in being able to add your comments to the case! 

Will still keep praying for God's perfect will for your Gandson and family.

Praise - Over the last week I have been frustrated that my Roadrunner email had put a "block" on my reply notifications from Calorie Count.  I was missing a lot of posts.  This morning when I logged on it was fixed.  A big thank you goes out to Sheila who continued with the follow-up in getting me the IP address to fix the problem.

Praise - My son will be home in 5 hours from a "mini" vacation.  I have missed him so!

\o/  Praise the Lord Group  \o/

I am asking that you help me pray for our financial situation.

Last December, we were evicted and was forced to move.  We found someone who was willing to work with us as we try to dig our way our of this mess.  The landlord allowed us to pay what we could pay when we could pay.

I am still trying to find work.  This economy stinks.  I have active applications with the local school systems and I am waiting for a reply for the 2009-2010 school year employment appointments. 

Last month, when we made a payment toward rent, we can tell that Mr. Owens is starting to get impatient.  We are afraid that if something doesn't break soon, and I am hired with the promise of a job, then we will be faced with eviction yet again.

I am trying not to worry.  But after going through one eviction, my confidence is somewhat lacking right now.

Thank You for helping me pray for these situations

\o/  Denna

Denna, we (those who belong to God) have to remember -especially in the hard times- that God will provide all of our needs. The thing is to focus on His Face. Go to the word for encouragement, inspiration and direction in the areas that concerns you. When we do that we are no longer looking at what the worlds/society economy or dealings. Instead we have faith, joy, and above all peace that surpasses all understanding. God will (has for me on many occasions) find favor in every circumstances in your life. And I believe God will also touch the heart of your landlord.
Take all your concerns to God, leave it at the throne. Praise Him for all He's done for you in the past and know that He will do it again, and again and again...

~Maggie

Here is a small list of some that are sill needing prayer for this month.  Please add any that you know of that are not listed here.  (I included their links to make it easier to send them a note of encouragement)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Norma Jean njakamarilyn: Pray for the swelling to go down in her legs and for her to be up and around soon.

Bill billsaint and Bobi Jo bojo1963 : Please pray for guidance, wisdom and strength. Bill's children have come to live with him and Bobbi Jo has become a new step mother. 

Denna - dlbrown1020: Please pray for God to pour out His many blessings on Denna and her family and to provide a job or some other way to pay their rent and other necessities. Pray for them to rest in God's care and provisions.

Karen - nanny317:  Still keep Karen, her daughter and granddaughters in your prayers to be safe and give them your peace and comfort.

Lora -nanainohio: Pray for Lora to feel God's presence and to know what to do.

Patti beachwalker: Praise the Lord for Patti's safe trip to CA and back home to Maine - and thank you for the fun experiences they had and for just hearing our prayers.

Roberta girlpeacocks: Pray for her as she transitions into an early retirement, pray for the Lord to provide all her family needs financially and for them to have a wonderful time together as a family with her husband and teenage girls. (her husband has battled with cancer for 7 years now).

Sherri  mamavas: still keep her in your prayers, for her husband to find work and to comfort her and give her hope. 

V veevee - Pray for God's favor with her grandson and great grandson, that the truth will be revealed and that they will be comforted with a peace that passes all understanding.

Oh my goodness! I forgot to put Norma Jean on the list!   So please add:

Norma Jean njakamarilyn: Pray for the swelling to continue to go down in her feet and for her to be up and around soon, and for her throat to feel better.

Glad to hear it's making progress !!!!!   

Please add my son, Ryan, to your prayer list.  I'm about to go see him at the hospital.  Apparently he's having kidney failure.  He's 25 and is married and last weekend was having a lot of back pain and went to the doctor this week.  I stopped by to see him last night and he said he was going for blood work today, and the doctor sent him straight to the emergency room.  After doing exrays and more test they found his kidneys are shot and said he needs a transplant. 

We're waiting for him to get in a room to go seem him.  My daughter in law said she has a wonderful doctor and explained that they will start him on dialysis right away and said he should be able to function normally and work and such.  My father in law has been on dialysis for years so I don't know if they think it is hereditary or if something else is going on. 

anyhow, I will be grateful for the prayers, for my son, his wife (my husband) and our family. I believe God allows these things in His own time and so I will Trust Him and will look for the Good that I know He has in store. (Romans 8:28 says: For we KNOW, that ALL THINGS work together for GOOD for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose)  So, whether that's for my Good or my son's good - It's ALL GOOD - right?

Thanks ya'll !!    ~ Lorraine

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 

I understand what you must be feeling.  My father is in the same condition and needs a transplant.  I have started the process to be the donor for him. 

But I said that to say this, whatever we go through here is building our treasures in heaven.   Jesus says I will never leave you or fosake you, so we have to trust in both situations, that God knows exactly what He is going. 

And we can we remember like Job says, when I come through this I will come forth as pure gold. So when we go through this, we can remember how the process of gold is, when they put it in the fire it comes out better than it was when it went in.

God did not save Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego from the fiery furnance He saved them in the firey furnance, He did not save Daniel from the lions den, He saved them in the lions den, He did not save the children of Israel from the Red Sea, He saved them in the Red Sea. 

So we must trust God and believe He is still Jehovah Rapha-healer.

What is his last name so we can place it on our prayer list at church.

Mark

Thanks Mark - That first passage is loaded with wisdom.  Our afflictions are so very light in comparrison with what our Lord endured, and then to end it with the hope of "a far more exceeding AND eternal weight of GLORY!"  who could ask for more!

My son's full name is Ryan Burton.   Thanks Mark! 

Original Post by gatorlorraine:

Norma Jean njakamarilyn: Pray for the swelling to continue to go down in her feet and for her to be up and around soon, and for her throat to feel better.

 The swelling is still there in my feet.  I injured on my left foot, the toe next to the big toe.  Yesterday Andy "doctored" it - today - to me - it looks worse but he says the swelling has gone down and looks better.  It almost looks like a bruise but has a slight cut.  Please Lord heal this so I will not be anxious thinking there is something worse going on.

My throat is better but back to coughing again.  Had a real bad time in the middle of the night.

Thanks for the prayers.

It's so easy to let those anxious thoughts creep in isn't it?

I pray that our Lord will comfort you, give you His peace and most of all bring healing.

~Maggie

Original Post by dlbrown1020:

\o/  Praise the Lord Group  \o/

I am asking that you help me pray for our financial situation.

Last December, we were evicted and was forced to move.  We found someone who was willing to work with us as we try to dig our way our of this mess.  The landlord allowed us to pay what we could pay when we could pay.

I am still trying to find work.  This economy stinks.  I have active applications with the local school systems and I am waiting for a reply for the 2009-2010 school year employment appointments. 

Last month, when we made a payment toward rent, we can tell that Mr. Owens is starting to get impatient.  We are afraid that if something doesn't break soon, and I am hired with the promise of a job, then we will be faced with eviction yet again.

I am trying not to worry.  But after going through one eviction, my confidence is somewhat lacking right now.

Thank You for helping me pray for these situations

\o/  Denna

Praise Report and Continue Prayer Request:

I have active applications within two school systems.  

I received an email today from the Fayette County School system stating that the application process is NOW complete.  I have passed the criminal background check.  (I did not have any doubts in this area )  The email also said that I am "now eligible to be interviewed and recommended for a position should you be selected by a principal or hiring supervisor to fill a vacancy." 

During a phone call to human resources a couple of weeks ago, they told me to wait until I received the completion letter before I go and complete some typing tests.  Also included in these tests are Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel proficiency on-line assessments.

I am going in the morning to complete this stage of my application.  Please pray for confidence and knowledge to successfully PASS these tests.

Thank You so much Group.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated!!!!
    

I'm praying for you Denna!!  

~Maggie

This is such exciting news!

Lord, you know Denna's needs and her desires.  Please open the doors and bring her to a place that she will be your light! ~Amen

Praise the Lord Denna!!!

God knows exactly what you need, before you do.  Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

So it is just a matter of thanking God for what you cannot see.  The bible tells us we walk by faith and not by sight.  I would say to you to continue to walk by faith and faith will keep your eyes on sight (those things you cannot see). 

And the great thing about our God is He is always, always, always on time.  You know the story of Lazarus.  Mary and Martha sent for Jesus while thier brother was still sick, and when Jesus heard this, He stayed where He was for 2 more days.  

When He finally came to Mary and Martha, they both came and said Lord if you had have been here, my brother would not have died.  Jesus's reply was it is a good thing that I was not here, but now that I am show me where you laid him. (I am pharaphrasing). 

Their brother was dead.  And according to our way of thinking, it is over and done with.  But when Jesus shows up, He can speak life into a dead situation and bring those hopeless situations in our lives back to life.  The two sisters thought it was too late, Jesus was right on time.  So keep the faith.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We are praying with you.

God bless

Mark

What a difference prayer makes - so thanks all for the prayers!  My son is feeling sooooo much better - it is great to see him having fun and enjoying life again.  We all didn't realize how sick he was - I'm thankful for all the modern medical procedures - I guess 50 years ago or so this would be the end for him, but thank God he has another chance for life. 

He is getting another catheter put in Monday morning so he can do home dialysis until we here more about a kidney transplant.  He and my daughter in law are appreciating each other more and have vowed to not take each other for granted.  As mom - I hate that he has to deal with this at such a young age, but am grateful for all the lessons learned.

Denna - I'm praying for your financial situation!   lots of love - Lorraine

Lorraine, I'm so glad your son is feeling better. Thank you for the update.

I will continue to pray with you and for you.

~Maggie

Lorraine,

Thanks for the praise report.  I am praising God with you for his mighty acts of mercy. 

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  

He is truly worthy to be praised.

Mark

Please pray for the swelling reduction, better planning of meals specifically looking at the sodium (allowance daily 2000) and calories (allowance daily 1500-1700) I have to reduce.

(Over the last week I have had pretty severe edema in my feet.  After my doctor reviewed the last day I recorded my food (July3rd - not good!) - he said - and I quote "Ah Ah - reduce sodium this will help with swelling" .)