Use the Gift of Prayer

I am continually amazed by God.  I am amazed by what he has created, how gracious and merciful he is and how he has planned out each person’s life with a purpose.  It is important to stay in constant amazement of our Savior and to teach our children and others to do the same.  We need to look at the world around us and recognize the awesome handiwork of our Creator.  These are gifts that we should enjoy and that point us toward belief in him (see Romans 1:20).

One gift I will always be amazed at is prayer.  Take some time to think on this with me today.  What kind of God would allow us full access to him at all times and in all circumstances?  What kind of God calls us to hand over all our needs and concerns to him to take care of so we no longer have to be anxious about them?  What kind of God would send his only son to die to make a way to allow this connection to happen? 

What kind of God is this?  Only a perfect and loving God who has complete authority and control over every instance of every life is able to offer a gift like this to us.  My God is that God.  I would not worship any lesser kind, would you?

Through the gift of prayer we have full access to God.  We are allowed to present our requests before him as Jesus sits to his right interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:34).  What a glorious and humbling picture that is.  What an amazing gift that we should utilize and never take for granted.  No wonder the Bible tell us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17); don’t ever stop appreciating and utilizing this precious gift!

Can it get better?  Yes, for those who have Christ in their hearts, we are guaranteed that our prayers are heard and answered if we pray in accordance with the will of God.  “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15.  Be sure that the word of God abides in you, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” -   John 15:7.

I made a promise while in Guatemala; I told those I ministered to that I would be praying for them and would continue asking for God to intervene in their situations.  I am keeping that promise and would like to invite others to join me. 

Below is a list of real prayer needs that people asked me to pray for.  If you have no intentions of praying, don’t read them, just close this page and move on.  However, for those that feel called to pray, I ask that you read this list and realize there are very real people behind each of these requests, oftentimes a child.  I ask you to use the powerful gift of prayer that God has given to those who truly believe and present these requests before him.  “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” - James 5:16.

 God is the only one who can do the work needed to change the hearts and lives of the people these petitions represent.  The good news of Jesus Christ is what is needed above all else.  I thank you for joining me in this and enCOURAGE each of you to continually use the gift of prayer in your own life.  Trust God with your burdens:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -  Philippians 4:6-7.

·         A husband has left his wife and family and will soon be kicking them out of their home and they have no place to go.  One of the children also struggles with hearing loss and illness.  They also currently have no water source.

·         A man has diabetes and is quickly losing his eyesight.  His body has wasted and he is very ill.  He is only 38 and has a family to take care of.

·         A woman is struggling with a grown, handicapped son who is aggressive at times and they are unable to leave their house because of his behavior.  Their family has isolated them.  Her husband is unfaithful and cruel, yet he continues to live in the same house and she continues to take care of him too.

·         Two sisters that have recently given their lives to Christ and will deal with persecution from family and the community.

·         Translators and drivers who receive threats of bodily harm and extortion because they associate with “rich” Americans.

·         A young woman whose husband is in jail.  She works very hard and is raising two children on her own.

·         A little girl with an unknown illness that causes a strange rash all over her body.

·         Many children with alcoholic parents.

·         Many children with abusive parents.

·         Children with siblings in gangs.

·         A little boy whose father was killed by mistake when the murderers were actually after his uncle.

·         Children with a mom who is rarely home.

·         Many children with no father in the home.

·         Many children whose parents are addicted to drugs.

·         Children who are fed drugs.

·         A child whose mom does “bad things”.

·         Families that live within the walls of the city garbage dump.

·         An American missionary family spreading the gospel in Guatemala City.

·         A local church displaying the light of Jesus Christ to a dark community.

·         A school in need.

·         Teachers and instructors facing difficult situations every day.

·         Teachers and a principal of a school and childcare facility in the city dump.  They need strength, health, and support.  Pray that they are provided with plenty food to feed the hungry children each day.