prayer... -

prayer... 09/04/2008

I've been thinking I should pray more. A lot more. We are commanded to devote ourselves to prayer (Col. 4:2), to pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17), and to pray for one another (James 5:16) because the "effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." The idea that we can come before the Lord of the universe and cast our cares on Him just blows my mind. And makes me wonder why I don't do it more often.

So anyway, I'm joining the disciples in their cry: "Lord, teach us to pray." Obviously there's plenty to pray about for myself, but I want to pray for you guys as well. I want this to be a place where you can post your prayer requests and know that others are lifting them before the throne of God.

Lord, teach us to pray.

Comments

nathan

09/05/2008 16:15

It's interesting that you should mention this because lately I've been thinking about prayer too, and praying that God would teach me how to pray. Also, that He would teach me to pray about what Jesus would pray about. So, how about we both pray that each other would learn how to pray :) how does that sound?

amber

09/06/2008 17:00

I think that's a great idea elise. I just love reading all your stuff it is so uplifting. I miss you so much! anway, I have been thinking a lot about this too. How I need to be praying so much more. i just thought i would add a prayer request. Pray that i would learn everything that God has for me to learn and that this would really be a year of growth for me. Obviously, God has me here for a reason.

Valerie

09/08/2008 04:54

Hey, That was very ecouraging to read that I can leave prayers and praise on here and that people I don't even know can pray with and for me!

nathan

09/11/2008 18:49

here, I've got one...my Spanish teacher is going to the hospital on Tuesday to see if he needs heart surgery. If he does, I think they'll operate that day...or, they may out a stint in his heart. Either way, it's a scary thing. Plus, normally he is on blood thinners to keep from clots, but to go into surgery, he has to be off them for 5 days (he had to stop taking them today), so that increases his chances for a stroke. So, if anyone who reads this would say a prayer for him, it would be much appreciated. By the way, I think he's a Christian...so that's good news

elise link

09/13/2008 07:02

Hi guys,

Nathan, let us know how the surgery goes.

Some of you may remember from a long time ago, that I was involved with resettling an Iraqi refugee family. There have been so many stories along the way, but I just wanted to share that the girl, Aetab, just got engaged to a 32-year-old Muslim, Egyptian man. She is 17. I'm sure there is a lot of spiritual warfare going on behind the scenes, but if you think about it, just pray that the Lord (who works in very mysterious ways sometimes) would use this for His glory and their good. Most of all pray that she and her family would come to know Him as Lord.

Thanks!

nathan johnson link

09/18/2008 14:42

My teacher ended up having triple-bypass heart surgery but everything went smoothly and he'll be out from teaching for a month...but at least he's still alive!

elise link

09/21/2008 13:52

Some of you may remember a woman I mentioned a long time ago. Her name was Kathy, and she was neighbor of mine and a spiritual seeker. Her idea of truth was perverted by her mother's heavy involvement with the occult, and Kathy became a firm believer in goddess worship, reincarnation, and a bunch of other junk. She claims to follow Jesus... and Allah... and the ghost of her dead mother. Long story short, I got to know her, shared the gospel with her, she moved, and I wrote her on and off for about two years now. Anyway, I hadn't heard from her at all in about a year and had pretty much given up on her ever answering my letters... and then yesterday I got a call from her.

We talked for a while about her family and her health, but I felt like I needed to address her faith... when she started talking about her "next life", it seemed like the perfect time to jump in. We had a really serious conversation and she hasn't changed a bit. She told me stories from her "past life" in the Iris Potato War: describing the hut she lived in and relating how she had died at the age of twenty-one. She learned all this when she was hypnotized a while back. She told me how the clock had stopped when her mother died and how it had started back when she was buried.

I had just heard a Biblical Worldview lecture on Ethics the day before, so I couldn't resist asking her what the purpose of her life was... what right and wrong were... what she based her standards on. (I didn't just randomly ask these questions, they were cleverly weaved into the conversation!) The last question was hard to answer.

If any of you are still reading this terribly long post, I am amazed. All I want to do is beg for your prayer. I believe the Lord is ready to do a real work in her heart, but you have no idea how captive she is to the devil. I could tell you so many more stories... so if you think of Kathy, pray that her chains would be broken and that she would come to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

elise link

09/21/2008 17:55

I don't mean to be constantly sharing my burdens with you guys, but I wanted to update you on the Iraqi refugees. We found out just a few days ago that the US government has ordered them to fly back to Iraq to identify the body of Aetab's father. Aetab doesn't know why they are suddenly going to Iraq. Her faher has been missing for five years and apparently he was killed by American soldiers. I don't know all the details.

I went to visit them tonight-to say goodbye-and I met Aetab's fiancee. Without describing the guy in detail, I'll just say I'm very glad I'm not the one marrying him. And I feel for her.

We were praying for God to do His will in their relationship... going back to Iraq will take her away from him for several months, but that certainly wasn't what I would have chosen for her.

So we're praying for safety, for the Lord to get them back to the US, and for His work in the lives of everyone involved.

nathan johnson link

09/22/2008 16:09

I'll be praying...and don't hesitate to share your burdens...we're commanded to bear them!

Valerie

09/27/2008 15:04

WOW!
I'm praying... and plaese don't stop writing down things that are going on Elise!
Please pray that I'll get a job soon and that the Lord would open the doors for that. Thank you.

nathan johnson link

10/09/2008 16:39

Hey, my dad has been meeting with this Jehovah's Witness every Tuesday to talk...he's only seventeen. So if you could pray that God will open his eyes and that God will plant some doubt in his mind?

Valerie

10/22/2008 12:30

Nathan,
I'll be praying.
Keep us updated.

nathan johnson link

10/22/2008 20:07

Thanks...it means a lot. Unfortunately, last week my dad was gone, but left a note telling him that he'd be back next week. Well, next week came along and the person didn't show up, so we don't know if he's going to come back again. Keep praying though! :-)

nathan johnson link

10/28/2008 08:04

Good news! The person just had to work last week and so he's back again...Keep praying that God will work through Dad and that God will open his eyes.

Sometimes another person comes with him, so pray for him too

nathan johnson link

11/01/2008 19:15

Hey, don't forget to pray about this election. This is such an important election, and from now until Tuesday, we need to be diligently praying. Pray that whoever becomes president will do this country good, not harm. That he would put his country before his own ambitions and that he would really improve this country. Also, pray that our country would start to turn itself back to God again. That we would turn to Him and please Him.

Amber

11/27/2008 12:25

Along with nathan's thought of praying for our president, I encourage you to take the challenge of praying for the salvation of President Obama every day.

elise link

12/19/2008 17:20

The other night I was so blessed to attend a Christmas party for Arabs in Knoxville. Obviously most of them are Muslim, but it was such a neat opportunity for them to hear the truth and see that truth lived out in the lives of God's people... but, like usual, I came away feeling like I was the one who got all the blessing. It was such a joy to meet people from literally all over the world: Morocco, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel... I spent quite a while talking to a guy who is from Bethleham!

One Kurdish woman told me how her husband had been a soldier in the war. He was missing for six years and everyone thought he was dead. He has now returned and is working as a translator in Knoxville.

There were many other stories. Stories that were so incredible but that I cannot post for safety reasons. I felt so honored to talk with these people who have lived through (and are living through) so much. I wish I could post pictures.

It got me thinking about Aetab and Khiloud. They left months ago for Iraq to identify the body and work out the inheritance, but they have still not gotten into the country. As they were waiting in Jordan, apparently one brother was killed and the other, filled with grief, committed suicide. I have been so unfaithful to pray...

nathan johnson link

03/29/2009 09:54

Hey, Elise, any updates on Aetab and Khiloud?

nathan johnson link

04/02/2009 06:50

Hey, a friend of mine is having some heart problems. Her heart rate is much faster than it should be. Her average heart rate two days ago was 100, which is much higher than normal. Her heart rate went up to 150 just walking up some stairs. They really don't know what wrong...she's had blood tests done which came back fine. She has a heart monitor right now, but it's been going on for almost 10 days now, and they don't know what's wrong. So, I'd appreciate the prayers! thanks. Her name is Anna Fry, by the way (Elise, you've met her.)

Beth

11/10/2009 11:13

Elise! :) Thank you for sharing God's Love with the world. I love how praying to God brings more Grace into the world...it centers my life.. makes me smile and warms my heart...it gives me hope....it lifts me up...and calls me to more...

Here are my prayer requests. Thanks, Elise!

For Maria...a young single mom living with shame and struggling with mental illness...shunned by her family...set apart from their love.

For Kelsy...weighted down with grief, and confusion from an abortion she had.

For reverence for Life, especially the delicate condition of our blessed planet at this time..for the fragile Earth and it's critters,also for the unborn, the marginalized, and the elderly.

Thanksgiving and gratitude for my family, for the beautiful discoveries and blessings, and awareness of holiness and purpose we are experiencing at this time.

Yea God! Wonderful praying with you. Have an amazing day! B :)

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