Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Praying for Rare Diseases

Today is Rare Disease Day. I am particularly interested in this day because my wife Ann has a rare disease called Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). I invite you to pray with me for Ann and anyone who has a rare disease.

Our trust and faith is in you Lord. Our confession is that nothing is too difficult for you.

We ask for those who suffer from a rare disease.. we pray for their healing.. we pray for their comfort.. we pray that others will bring encouragement and support.

We also ask that wisdom be given to those who research rare diseases and seek medical solutions. And we pray that understanding be given to doctors and nurses who diagnose rare diseases.

We praise you Lord and lift up your name. You have taught us to praise you in all things. So until these rare diseases are cured we will continue to lift up you name.

Amen

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A DIARY OF PRIVATE PRAYER



Over the years I have embraced the prayers written in the little book "A Diary of Private Prayer" by John Baillie, Published in 1949. He was a Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh and Principal of New College, Chaplain to the Queen of Scotland.

The prayers are written in old English style, but I find them powerful and relevant to my life today! Let me share one of the Morning Prayers from this treasured little book.


"O Lord God, I praise and magnify Thy name that thus Thou hast set Thy seal upon my inmost being, not leaving me to my own poor and petty selfhood or to the sole empire of animal passion and desire, but calling me to be an heir of Thine eternal Kingdom. I bless Thee for that knocking at my heart's door that warns me of Thy waiting presence. I bless Thee for Thy hand upon my life, and of the sure knowledge that, however I may falter and fail, yet underneath are Thine everlasting arms.

O Thou who alone knowest what lies before me this day, grant that in every hour of it I may stay close to Thee. Let me be in the world, yet not of it. Let me use this world without abusing it. If I buy, let me be as though I possessed not. If I have nothing, let me be as though possessing all things. Let me today embark on no undertaking that is not in line with Thy will for my life, nor shrink from any sacrifice which Thy will may demand. Suggest, direct, control every movement of my mind; for my Lord Christ's sake. Amen.

Amen






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Trusting God

This word "trust" is an interesting word. 
Its root is from the word that means 
"to lie face down on the ground." 

Did you know that God will sometimes knock your feet out from beneath you so that you might learn to trust Him? At that point, faith is no longer an option or a luxury; it is a necessity. To the world your situation 
looks hopeless, but that is right where God wants to show Himself powerful in your life. ~Adrian Rogers

Dear Lord, - teach me to trust in You and lean not on my own understandings 
so You won't have to knock my feet from beneath me to get my attention. ~Amen


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Little Blips

Dear Father Good,
Today I thank you for word from Indonesia, little blips from the other side of the globe that tell me my daughter is doing well. I pray that you would fill her heart with joy, that You would be by her side as she continues her travels, and that she would return home having grown in the grace of her Heavenly Father. Please work in the heart of her child of Compassion that A. would truly know the love of Jesus and the saving grace of God.
Amen
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Pray for just one Haitian today

Following is a note from Mark Lancaster about praying for their medical team in Haiti.

So much of our experience is measured. I remember vacationing where I counted the number of stateliness crossed, the license plates I'd seen, or the number of miles until I arrived.

The Haitians do provide an impressive array of counts, including 124 surgery patients, 780 clinic visitors, 350 non-reader glasses given, dozens of towns from which people have traveled, at least a dozen people from Port au Prince specifically for the iTeam. Maybe 8 prosthetic eyes, 3 nights we kept dozens of Haitians waiting for service the next day due to overload.

The number that means most is one. Any Haitian we meet is the child of one Momma, the only name on the patient card, the only patient getting glasses at that moment, the single focus of our care. If we think of them as a mass of bodies, they lose personhood and some value. Treating them as the one we have come all the way here to treat helps make them more than a number. They are Lucius, Rosette, Jean Claude, Marie, Maxon, Vivilin, Anson and lots more.

Pray for just one tonight. Picture holding their ebony face between your hands, then try to count more than one. That is far enough to help.


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Please pray for Sue and her Family

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." -Matthew 5:4

Last night Sue, one of our Daily Prayer bloggers, lost her Dad. Please visit Sue's blog and share your sympathies with her. Also please pray for Sue and her family as they grieve the loss of their dad and granddad.


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Pray for Christchurch

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Christchurch, New Zealand this week while streets were busy with lunchtime shoppers. The quake toppled buildings and 75 people are reported dead and 300 are missing. Please join with me in praying for the people of Christchurch that have lost loved ones and for the rescue of those still trapped below the rubble.

Nothing is too difficult for you Lord. We come to you interceding for the people of Christchurch and grieving with them for their losses. We ask for your comforting presence to be felt by the people of that city. We ask that you would give wisdom to those who are searching for and rescuing those trapped in fallen structures. We ask that many would come to faith and respond to your call in the midst of this suffering. We confess that you are able to bring something good from this tragedy. We commit this to you trusting you with all of our hearts.

Amen

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Brisan and Parker need a Miracle

2/22/11 Update from Grandma Cathy on Brisan who was in the hospital for a number of days:
Days went by and Friday- found out that Brisan had another staff infection, due to his G-TUBE, as it has always given him some sort of challenge. On top of that he was wheezing and was treated for pneumonia at the same time. His heart rate was up and he was in a lot of pain. we again, were preparing ourselves for the homecoming of this child to Jesus. it just makes sense to us every time one of the kids is in. it seems to be a time of great distress and pain, along with a longing for, this time, Brisan to meet his maker, His precious Jesus. it was a time to get ready for a life to begin. We began to pray for God’s will, as hard as it was, we did not want this child to suffer any longer. on Saturday morning there was a small prayer( small in the fact that it was short, sweet, to the point- prayer is always huge in my eyes.) I talked to my daughter that afternoon, and as of noon, when the drs came in, Brisan’s heart rate was back to normal, his pneumonia was gone, pain was under control, and the staff infection was under control enough they were released to go home to finish healing.

It is still amazing to me, I don’t understand it. God has this child and Brisan has held on now for over 2 yrs and shows us all how to totally depend on Jesus. He is such a testimony to me, and I have learned how to come to Jesus as a child. ( it says we need to come to Jesus as a child,- I am learning that. children don’t doubt there caretaker, most of the time, and I know without a doubt that Brisan trusts Jesus and talks with HIM)
I agree with Cathy. These boys are also teaching me about trusting my Caretaker.
Please consider adding these young children to your prayer list.



9/11/10: It is rare when I do not cry when I pray for the grandchildren of my friend Cathy. I asked Cathy to share a bit of background about these dear children and prayer needs for them and their parents. Following is their story in brief as told by a Grandma who loves them so very much.


Brisan and Parker were diagnosed in August/September 2008 with a rare genetic neurodegenerative disease called “Niemann Pick Type C Disease (NPC)” or also known as the”Childhood Alzheimer’s”. The outcome is Fatal. This disease is a lysomial disease. It has to do with the storage of cholesterol and how it passes through and is used in the body. It attacks the liver, spleen, and brain. Children that are affected by this disease don’t usually see Jr high school and most commonly don’t grow to be more than 10 -12 yrs old.

Two years have gone by and they are still fighting for their lives. Some of the symptoms of this disease is an enlarged liver and/or spleen, which both of the boys have. They were born this way and that was one of the signs that something was wrong.

Parker is 4.5 yrs old and his challenges are: he has never spoken, has multiple seizers, he has very low muscle tone and can not walk without help. Last yr he had a feeding tube put in as this is the way he gets all his meds and is now feeding every 4 hrs round the clock to help him maintain his weight. He has forgotten how to chew his food. His gross and small motor skills are affected.

Brisan just turned 6 yrs old and he has had a lot of medical challenges. He currently faces having his spleen out in the next month as to help save his life. He is wheelchair bound most of the time. He also has a very large spleen, liver and does not talk. He has massive seizures. He has no large or small gross motor skills and is autistic. He also has a feeding tube and he is fed every 3 hours with 2 hrs off round the clock.

They both get platelet infusions to help with the blood issues they face. They both don’t clot when cut and have to be very careful. The boys immune system is altered and very low so they have to be very careful who and what they do. Hospice has come in as of May of 2010 to help with the boys and is wonderful with them.

I am asking prayer for them that Jesus would intervene and work in their lives.
  • Brisan will be having more surgery in the weeks and months to come and my prayer for him would be that the Doctors would have wisdom, would have clarity on how to approach surgery and recovery. I ask prayer for Brisan himself that he can stay calm and not be anxious and panic and fearful, that the parents continue to lean into Jesus for affirmation that they are doing the best they can for these kids and that they keep a clear mind about them as they journey with their children.
  • I am also asking that you keep Parker in your prayers, as this is hard for him to be away from Brisan, as both of them have anxiety separation and have been together almost 24 hrs a day except when one is in the hospital. They are only 16 months apart and are used to being together.
  • Their parents feel like they are just surviving so I am asking peace for them as they come along side Jesus.
Ultimately, I am am asking for my God and Savior to do a miracle in their lives and to save them from anymore pain and suffering. Thank you for your support in this journey that we call life.


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A Prayer for Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia

The following prayer comes from Bob Hostetler's Prayer Blog.

Abba, Father, God of all,
hear my prayer for the people of Egypt,
Jordan,
and Tunisia,
as political unrest and turmoil
rage in their lands.

Lord, please protect the people.
Please watch over them.
Bring about constructive change,
increasing freedom,
and peace.
Let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

I pray especially for my brothers and sisters in Christ throughout those lands, that you will protect them as you protected your people in the days of Esther and Mordecai.

For all who are afraid, send protection.
To all who are angry, bring peace.
On all who pursue righteousness, shower success,
in Jesus' name, amen.


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STAY IN YOUR LANE


Living in the Los Angeles area we are faced with freeway driving everyday. I am always horrified when someone in front of me is swerving from lane to lane, as many times that ends up in an accident. We are on a Spiritual Freeway, and need to take the advice of Proverbs.


Proverbs 4:25-27 "Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.


Dear Lord, Help me to stay in my lane, to look straight ahead and fix my eyes on You. Mark out a straight path for my feet, and help me to stick to it. Don't let me get sidetracked and swerve from lane to lane ~~ Keep me on the path that leads to eternal life. Amen

Amen


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For Thou Art with Me


Psalm 23:4  
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

There’s nothing, my friend, that will bring you more face-to-face with God than going through the dark valleys of life. When you are there, you are going to cling to His garments and hold onto His hand. You won’t stray far from the fold in the dark. Do you believe that He is with you? The ultimate Sovereign is your loving Savior. You will not have to cross Jordan alone. You will not appear before the judgment of a Holy God alone. 
You are not going to die alone. ~Adrian Rogers

What a joyful promise! You are not alone! Write these words on a card and post it in a place where you can see it all the time: “I am not alone. God is with me.” ~Amen.


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Be Thankful in All Things

Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the one who is master of my stubborn heart and I give it once again into Your loving hands. I pray, dear Lord, that You would take my hands and make them beautiful in Your sight. May I wash the dishes with a heart of thanks; thanks for the food You provide, for the dishes that hold our meals ,and for the soap and water that make the dishes clean again. Thank you, Lord, for hands that are able, for a mind that knows, and feet able to stand in front of that sink each day. Thank you, Father, for washing my heart and making me clean. Thank you for being willing.
Amen
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Valentines Day Prayer

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. [1Corinthians 13:4-8]

Lord, when I read these verses I think about how much my life needs your help to be loving. I come to you with a repentant heart confessing my envy, my arrogance, my selfishness and my irritability.

Lord, fill me up with patience and kindness. Help me to rejoice with the truth. Give me the strength to bear other's burdens ans to believe in your workings in the people around me. Help me to hope Lord.

Lord, thank you that love never ends and never fails. Fill me with your love.

Amen

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HAVE MERCY ON ME. . .



"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. My sight is blurred because of my tears. My body and soul are withering away" . . . . Psalm 31:9

Received an email today from a young woman in our former church up North. She is like a daughter to me, and is feeling David's heart in this Psalm. She is under a huge family burden that I cannot share. But our Heavenly Father knows every detail, every hurt, every burden, so will you join me in asking Him to reach down and comfort her and begin working out the answers for these cries for help.

Dear Lord, you have promised that when we call out to you, you hear us. Lord hear our collective prayers for the dear child of Yours. Thank you. Amen.
Amen




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When God Says No

B.M. Palmer in Theology of Prayer, tells of a woman who had spent the summer away from her children, and was quite anxious to get back to them. When she learned that all the rooms on a certain steamer were taken, she wept bitterly. Because she couldn't get a passage on any other ship, she was detained two weeks in NYC. But the sorrow of being delayed was turned into thanksgiving when, within a few days, she learned that the vessel that denied her passage was buried at the bottom of the Atlantic. She didn't see the "no" as a wonderful answer to prayer until the whole story unfolded.

We ask for health, but often sickness and suffering or something less than wealth is the best way to produce holiness and maturity in us. God always has something far greater in store for us even when we can't see it.

Dear Lord, give us the grace to except no for an answer even when it hurts. In Jesus Name Amen.


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Dear Lord,
I feel as though I am slipping. Please help me carve out that time each day to spend in Your Presence. I need You.
Amen
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Reaching for God



Today, Lord, let me listen for you in each sound I hear.
Let me look for you in each sight I see.
Let all my senses draw toward you like a sunflower to the sun.

Let all my thoughts and words and actions reflect you like a mirror.
Amen

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Jesus ~ My Shepherd


Dear Lord Jesus, You are my Shepherd, leading my heart into safe green fields and beside quiet pools. I choose to follow You out of the chaos of the world's noisy traffic. I choose to listen to Your strong calm voice rather than to the voices of the world that stir up anxiety and fear within me. I choose to take my place with Your family and seek pasture with Your flock now and forever. I love you, Amen.


Fairest Lord Jesus
Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son:
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
Thou my soul's glory, joy and crown.


Fair are the meadows,
Fairer still the woodlands;
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is Fairer
Jesus is Purer
Who makes the woeful heart to sing!
Amen




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Nourish Your Soul


Nourish your soul with Bible reading. It will prepare a spiritual feast for you. You recall that one and the same Word of God extends throughout Scripture, that it is one and the same Utterance that resounds in the mouths of all the sacred writers, since he who was in the beginning God with God has no need of separate syllables; for he is not subject to time. The Scriptures are in fact, in any passage you care to choose, singing of Christ, provided we have ears that are capable of picking out the tune. The Lord opened the minds of the Apostles so that they understood the Scriptures.

That he will open our minds too is our prayer. ~Amen

~ Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.




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Prayer for Parents and Children

The Old Testament ends with one of the sweetest promises in all of scripture. This is how the prophet Malachi puts it:
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."
Don't you love the way that it speaks about hearts turning? I know of families that need God's help to turn parent's and children's hearts toward each other. Please join me in prayer.

Father, we come to you as parents confessing our obstinate hearts. Turn our hearts Lord to our children. Help us to see our children with your eyes. We need your perspective and your wisdom. We need your heart for our children.

We ask you to turn the hearts of our children back to home. We pray for every prodigal and every wounded child. Turn the hearts of our children lord and help them to see us with your eyes. They need your heart Father.

Finally we ask for every orphan. We pray for those of all ages who are without parents. Turn the hearts of these dear Father to spiritual moms and dads who have hearts turned towards them.

We thank you that you have chosen the title of Father. We pray in your name.

Amen

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A prayer of abandonment to God's will



Jesus, my Savior, you are the Sovereign Good; here is my life and my will. Dispose of me according to your good pleasure. I acknowledge, Lord, that of myself I can do nothing; but, provided that after having given me the grace of drawing me to you and having given me the knowledge of the truth, you do not withdraw from me, nothing will be impossible to me.

Amen

- St. Teresa of Avila

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