Answered Prayer: When God Says "Yes"
By Marie Hall, Prayer Team
The ladies in the prayer group that meets each Thursday at 10:00 a.m. are experiencing a oneness that is very special. We thank God for this fellowship as we sense His presence. God has heard and answered several prayers, and we are encouraged as we learn to pray together.
A troubled teen had been put into the custody of different parent and ran away. This teen has had a very difficult life. We prayed for the teen for several weeks, and the answer came; this teen called home. We continued to pray, and God continued to work. The teen called and asked to come home, willing to follow house rules and now is home again. Please pray that this young person will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and that the parent and step-parent will know how to deal with this very difficult circumstance.
When we cry out to God and He hears and answers in the small things – like a lost watch or even a parking space up close – we wonder why the big things sometime take so long to be answered. After I lost a diamond, God heard my cry, and I found it. I asked, “Lord, if You can help me find my diamond, what about my children?” The answer came right to my mind: Satan is not concerned about my diamond, but he does want my children.
1 Peter 5:6-8 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” Be faithful to pray, believing and trusting with thankfulness.
Unanswered Prayer
By Marie Hall, Prayer Team
Most of us face situations that seem like they will never change. We pray and pray and nothing happens (that we can see). Our hearts break for our children and grandchildren, financial crises, etc. But actually there is no such thing as unanswered prayer.
God answers with either “yes,” “no” or “wait.” It is the “no” and “wait” that we do not like and makes us feel like God is not answering. I call these times God’s “waiting room,” and the good thing is He is there with us.
Someone dear sent me a poem during one of my life crises about 35 years ago, and it reminds me that God is in control, not me:
He would not change the ground whereon I stood.
He would not take the bad and make it good.
He would not part the waters of my sea.
The only thing that He would change was me.
Recent sermons have taught us that delays make us grow, mature us and get us ready for God to be able to use us for His Kingdom. As I have asked God to establish the Prayer Ministry (because I knew I could not), it has puzzled me that it has taken so long – five years now. Then I realize just how much God, my heavenly Father, has changed me. He is taking away my fears of rejection and of speaking to a group so that I am more friendly.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Though I am inadequate and weak, God has allowed me to be the Prayer Ministry’s leader. Please join with us in prayer; the opportunities are growing.
Lord, teach us to pray, and help us teach our children and grandchildren to pray. Thank You that we have the wonderful privilege of prayer and that You always answer. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
He Gives Us Rules
By Ursula Flynn, Prayer Team
It would be wonderful if we would sing all the time, “God is good. He cares for me. I love Him so. He gives me rules, He gives me rules, He gives me rules, and He is so good to me.” God has given us His rules for our good, and when we obey them, we are healthier, happier, and holier.
“…Keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good…” (Deuteronomy 10:13)
Let’s go share the Ten Commandments(Exodus 20) with our family and friends, especially teaching our children. This will help to build their souls day by day with every gift and grace that God supplies.
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.” (Proverbs 3:1)
Obedience not only glorifies Him, it blesses our lives. We are told to “pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
As we start a new year in 2009, we pray that God gives us the desire and hunger to pray for our pastor, church family, community and especially the lost souls. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
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