Hello my Brothers and Sisters, and welcome to today’s Prayers for the Week post. This week, I thought I would take a moment and talk about some of the ways that Christians around the world are being prosecuted every day, and to lift up their (and our) struggles against Satan and the forces of this fallen world. Christian persecution is part of everyday life in this fallen world, and we need to make sure we deal with it the best way we can — with God’s help.
So many challenges face us each and every day — everything from being out of work, to not being able to have a place to lay your head, to being bullied at school, and on and on and on. But one thing that often is overlooked is how incredibly challenging it is for us as Christians to live in this fallen world, where our faith, our love for Jesus, and our Belief is under attack each and every day, and quite often, from behind the pulpit also.
So what are we, as Christians, followers of Jesus, believers in God, to do? Well, in my opinion, here are the most important things that we need to do each and every day for our salvation:
- Pray to God — Ask for His forgiveness of our sins, because never forget that we are sinners.
- Read the Bible and Pray for understanding and comprehension.
- Do as Jesus did — turn the other cheek when struck.
- Love your neighbor as much as you love your family — even your enemies.
- Tell others about Jesus and what He means to you.
My friends, these are not all easily accomplished. In my daily life, I struggle with numbers 1, 3, and 5 — and that’s a sign in my life that to often I am focused on me, rather than on God.
So, what do you do when you follow those things that I listed above, but you still worry, and still stress, and still fret over your situation? In cases like that, when I need to find relief, and most importantly, when I need to feel God’s Peace on my life, I turn to God and I turn to Scripture. Two of my favorite verses in the Bible are John 16:33 and Jeremiah 29:11. John speaks of the trouble that we are going to have, but the hope that Jesus gives to us. Jeremiah tells us of God’s plan for us, and it is one that truly inspires me and lifts me up each and every time I read it. Here are those verses for you now.
John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I know that this isn’t the first time that I’ve shared these with you, but every time I read God’s Word, these verses just touch my heart, and I am immediately filled with an inner peace, regardless of the circumstances of the day. My suggestion to all of you: find a couple of verses, memorize them, and fall back on them when you need that reassurance that God is there for you.
Prayer Requests and Praises…
- Please pray for my Aunt Ti. Here is what she wrote on Facebook:Apparently my facebook profile got all messed up. A lot of you didn’t get the update that my husband Don had a serious fall on the ice last week and has been in trama icu at Fairfax hospital since Monday the 3rd (March). He hit his head hard enough to cause bleeding on his brain and believe me it has been a scary 10 days. He was moved to another unit this am and frankly I hit my ‘wall’ and haven’t rallied yet to go back to see him. I am finally ready to get ready for the 2 hours drive up there.
Thanks again to all who have helped us through this and please keep praying that he will continue to heal.Since that time she has been to see him, and she has an update on his condition:So much for the healing process. Don is so bored and restless we are both going nuts. Too weak to get up and too confused to understand why he can’t. Poor nurses are earning their pay and much more.
By the way Denise got us this kindle fire so I can use it now and he can use it when he’s able. I don’t have it set up fully yet but we’re getting there..Please pray for healing for my Uncle Don and that he will be able to come home from the hospital soon. Also please pray for strength for my Aunt Ti and that everything goes as planned.Thanks, everyone. - Huge praise for my friends Rusty and Elise — their baby boy came home from the hospital this week! He’s in loving arms with Rusty, Elise, and their daughter, but please continue to pray for them, including Elise, who is battling very serious medical issues! Thank you everyone.
- Huge praise also for my dear friend, who, along with her husband, brought home their second child that they adopted! Congratulations to Joe and Mary, and huge praise to God, who brought their children to them!
- Prayers please for my friend Stephanie, who wrote this on Facebook: Tonight, we lost a special member of our family…our beloved dog, Nikki. Eight years ago, she walked into our yard and straight into our hearts. Although we mourn her loss, we will treasure the memories that she left with us. Those of you who know me well know that Nikki was my little shadow…she followed me everywhere…room to room and even next door to visit Ninny, Papa, & Michael (where there were always treats waiting!) Nikki was more than a pet…she was a “baby”, a friend, and a loyal companion. Ava said it best, “Nikki will be so happy to see us when we get to Heaven one day.” Please keep us in your prayers as we say goodbye to our sweet girl.
We don’t have many prayer requests this week, so also, please pray for those that don’t feel comfortable in sharing their prayer requests. Please pray for the unknown prayer requests, that God would hear them and help them in their pain.
And now, like always, let’s close with the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us our Daily Bread,
And forgive us our Trespasses,
as we forgive those who Trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory,
Forever and ever. Amen.
