Abba Father,<BR> <BR> "We shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. We worship You with gladness; and come before You with joyful songs. Let us Know that You are God, It is You who made us, and we are Yours; we are the people, the sheep of Your pasture. We enter Your gates with thanksgiving and Your courts with praise; we give thanks to You and praise Your name. For You, Lord are good and Your love endures forever; Your faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100)<P>We praise You for such wonderful promises. Lord we praise you for Your faithfulness, even when we are not faithful. Lord let us come before You in confession.<P> Search us, O God, and know our hearts;<BR> Test us and know our anxious thoughts.<BR> See if there is any offensive way in us,<BR> And lead us in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24) <P> Wash away all our iniquities and cleanse us from our sin....Create in us pure hearts, O God, and renew steadfast spirits within us. (Psalm 51:2, 10) <P>Lord we love You and are in awe of Your design of each of us, our relationships and our world. Lord there is none like You. Lord we deserve this not, and yet You still sent Your Son into the world to save us. Lord how can we refuse such a gift. But our hearts are hard and we do. <P>O Lord, work in our hearts Your will. Soften our hearts to receive fully Your best for us and so that we may love those You put in our paths, even the unloveable or undeserving. Lord they are all the same to You, and You love them beyond measure. <P>Lord we deserve not Your love, grace and mercy and yet You give it to us so generously. Lord let us give it to our spouses and children in equal measure even when they frustrate us, intimidate us, hurt us, abandon us, reject us, run away from us, and even when they love us.<P>Father we lift up our spouses into YOur caring and forgiving hands. Lord, touch their hearts and move them into Your light. Lord I ask that You give them life in Jesus Christ this day. Lord let those that are wandering in the far country be reminded of Your love and riches. Let those that are struggling give up and accept Your work in them, and let us say and love in our relationships with truth and love. And Lord let "us not lean on our own understanding" of this concept but rather search Your scriptures and Your character for the way.<P>Lord let us all realize deep within our selves that we truely can do nothing apart from You. Lord we can not control, change, cajole, plead, convince or love our spouses back into faith with You or relationship with ourselves. Only You Lord can change them. Lord let us let go of the struggle and wait on You to work in them and us. Knowing that You use it all for good according to Your divine nature and will.<P>Lord help us to learn to be quiet before YOu. Lord let us quiet ourselves before You longer than we spend talking to You. Lord, let us praise You without ceasing this day and everyday. Lord let us just enjoy Your presence and let us seek to be in Your presence continously throughout the day.<P>Father there are so many needs on this forum. Lord You know the needs and the prayers. Lord several have asked for specific prayer.<P>Lord I lift up Karenna to You. Lord she is YOur beloved child. Lord she thanks You so much for the blessings You have given her and her family. Lord we thank You for her dedication to praying for us all. Lord we ask blessing upon her dear husband. Lord we ask that You provide a Christian man that her h can look up to and see the fruits of the Spirit in their life. Lord work in her h the desire to seek You with all his heart and to join his family in church on Sunday to worship You. <P>Lord we lift up Scared and lonely. Lord tomorrow is the day of her earthly birth. Lord we know that You are rejoicing at seeing her live for You on this earth. Lord soften her h's heart towards her that he remembers this special day. Lord let him more than acknowledge this special day. Lord just fill her with Your peace, love and joy tomorrow. Let her seek You and let her know that You remember her birthday and that the love You have sent her in Jesus is more than any love from this earth can be. Lord continue to soften her h's heart toward You and give her strength as she stands in the gap for her h and their marriage.<P>For lonesome heart Lord she prays that You continue to work in her to change her to will and to act according to Your good purposes. Lord we praise You that her h has agreed to counseling. Lord work in lonesome to refresh her in resting in You. Lord help her to know that she is tired and worn out because she has worked so hard. That she just needs to trust You and let You take over and do the work. Lord renew their love for each other. Lord renew in her h interest to work and take on new work that will help them support themselves and to thrive. Let him work with new vigor as he works for You. Lord let her heart be not hard, but soften it with Your tender touch. Lord help her to lift the blindness, denile and ignorance. Lord let her feel and have the assurity of Your presence, and that You will do it all, if she will let You.<P>Father we lift up Sue. Lord we praise You for her dedication of helpiong us all stretch in our spiritual walk. Lord our sister has many concerns. Lord let her speak in truth and love and set Godly boundaries in her life, her marriage and with her h. Lord work in her h according to Your will for him. Lord help him to becomne a whole man in You. Let the pastor follow Your guidance in woirking with him. Lord give Sue patience as You work in them both.<BR>Lord we lift up her mother. Lord we pray that her mammogram will turn out all right. If not Lord we pray that timely medical care is available. Lord we lift up her son. Lord we ask that Your presence be felt in the decisions about treatment. Lord You are the creator and great healer. Lord heal this son. Lord give him strength to trust You in all things. Lord we ask that You strengthen Sue during this time. Let her be able to minister to both her mother and son. Lord we thank You for the opportunity that she can quit her job and have the time with them. Use this time that she and her h are apart as a time that both of them draw closer to You. That they listen to Your heart and both heal and grow in You, Lord. Let her h get outside of himself and offer support to his wife during this emotionally draining time for her.<P>Lord for aw. Lord we ask that Your presence be there in the hospital room of her dad. Lord You are the healer and the creator. Lord let Your will be done. Lord give her family strength to trust You and to love each other through this time together. Lord I pray her parents know You. Lord we pray for traveling mercies for when aw travels home.<P>Lord I pray for my h and I ask that You renew his life in Jesus Christ this day. Let the nagging in the back of his head grow stronger. Let him look up to You. Lord let there be no peace in his relationship with the ow. Let her brother be praying for the same and let many say to her that "God would not give her soneone else's husband." Lord open the door of opportunity for a relationship between my h and my pastor that lives in his building. Let them develop a relationship that can eventually lead them to have fellowship in Your name together.<P>Father there are many others who are in need of prayer. Lord I lift all those that post here and who lurk up into Your arms. I pray that You call them closer to You. I pray that they delve deeply into Your word this week and they seek Your face. Let them come to know You in a way they never knew You before. <P>Lord we ask these things because we believe that only You have the answers and are able to bring about the answers to these prayers. We pray in Your Son's name, Jesus, Amen.<p>[This message has been edited by hw (edited January 16, 2001).]
