Hey friends!
I have been so encouraged by all of the answered prayers over the past week. I’ve gotten some emails and read many responses left in the comments on my Power of a Praying Friend post. It’s been such a sweet thing to read the prayers and the praises.
I thought it would be fun throughout this weekend to each take time to give an update on what has happened in our lives that ties in with our prayer request.
My praise is that I got ALL of my radio shows written on time last week, and my recording of them went so well this week. We also just got back from the bank and finalized all of our dossier and got a gazillion documents notarized and we mail it TOMORROW! It has been such a long process but I have to tell you that your prayers and the accountability of asking for prayers has helped us stay focused on being faithful to get it done. WOW – we are so excited and so relieved to have it all done.
Okay, so now it’syour turn. Please share what is going on with you!
Hi my name is Sandra and Im in need of an financial miracles. Im asking God to send me where I actually suppose to be. I want to have an program or facility for teenage girls that’s pregnant or either complentating abortion. Pray that God will open up an oppurtunity for me. Also Im believig God to send me an awesome Man of God. Thanks,
Hello Renee Swope. Enjoyed your blog. it seems you love the “Old Testament”. For me, it is not old at all, very relevant for our times. I’d like to send you a book for your reading and would love your feed back. Please tell me where I can send it to. Just email me at [email protected]
God Bless you,
R. Mariano Otero
Noah’s House Congregation
Hollywood, Fl 33021
786-306-8211
My praise would be that I have cleaned up the house somehow everyday. Not where I want it to be, but getting closer each & every day. I'm getting more organized and even preparing the night before for things.
Thanks for this opportunity to pray for each other and praise Him together.
My prayer request related to my mission trip that I took to Guatemala. I was extremely anxious about it because I had NEVER left the U.S. and I was not feeling well for 3 weeks prior to the trip (I have lupus and was experiencing a major flare up – usually this occurs at the end of summer but for some reason it decided to occur earlier). Up until the night before I left for Guatemala (July 22-July 31st) I had many reservations about the trip. In my mind I was thinking, “O.K. God, I agreed to take a step of faith by taking advantage of this incredible opportunity that you put in front of me. What’s the deal with me struggling physically as I get ready to depart on this mission trip?”. I didn’t want to be a burden to the group and I wanted to be able to be a part of this unbelievable experience without having to worry about my health. Throughout my trip, God proved his faithfulness time and time again. I know that this was a true test of my faith. I have grown closser to God because of this which is what He intends for us to do. I have been changed in ways that I can’t even explain. Once again, this is evidence that God works in ways that we don’t understand. Before this trip, I would always pray that I would completely trust in God 100%. While those words sounded good, I don’t believe that I honestly felt that in my heart. I am so thankful that I evidenced first hand God’s faithfulness, his unceasing love and his awesome power. God is great! Don’t ever underestimate the unbelievable power of prayer. I am so thankful for all the prayer support that I received while on my trip! Thanks for doing this Renee – what a great idea. I will continue to pray that all goes well with your adoption.
Renee,
What a precious spirit you are! You blessed me with your correspondence and your encouragement to share! Thank you for the opportunity to again share with our testimonies and further prayer requests if needed.
As I wrote you, The Power of a Praying Friend response was truly amazing and I believe shows the hearts of God’s women around this dark and lost world to connect and unite as one body in prayer! God nor our prayers know no boundaries, so being on the frontline in the battle of this world was right up my alley! As we step forward “together”, darkness has to step back! I want to thank the person who prayed for me! I certainly felt your prayers at my place of work as I started a noon day “Pray for the Nations” segment. I work in the government, so you can imagine the warfare therein, but your prayers helped make the “first” one a blessing. We had a great turn out! Keep praying for me in that area as I plan to continue the noon prayer time up until the election in November.
The dear lady I prayed for was Shola in Kigali, Rwanda. Dear lady I prayed for financial breakthrough for you and your family. I would love to hear your testimony and would dearly love to keep in touch with you if possible. I do not have a blog, but my email is [email protected] if you are able. I prayed expectantly, so I KNOW you have a testimony!
Thank you again Renee for you obedience to God’s call! What a blessing you were to me!
Felicia in Georgia
hi there,i asked for prayers for transfer to my hometown.Applications starts in sept and i am trusting in God for his divine will.
I do have new prayer request. I am leading a bible study group with a couple of new believers and one unbeliever and the rest are growing christians.I am praying for Gods unusual wisdom,knowledge n understanding to lead this group and to draw them closer to the Lord.To be able to share the love of the Lord with them and to bring the gospel across to them that they can apply Gods word in their lives.There are some language barriers.Please do pray for me.thank you
Sheena
My request was financial provision. God is providing little by little. I’ve received more quilt orders. No job offers yet, but I’m believing that if He wants me to work, He will provide the job. I honestly believe that with six children, He wants me home to care for them. But, God does have a sense a humor. Who knows. His ways are better and higher.
I guess my request is that if it is His will for me to work outside of the home, then He would bring me to the right job and provide me with the right word during the interview. Otherwise, for Him to bring more customers to Emma Witmer’s Quilt Shop to buy the Wreath of Roses, so that I would have more orders to work on.
I have peace and I know He will provide, but it doesn’t hurt to pray.
Thank you for praying for me.
I think this idea of praying for friends is incredible. Two months ago I received an email from a friend who was requesting prayer for her sister-in-law. She had been diagnosed with cancer and has 5 children – the youngest being 5. Her name was Esther and I would think of her often and pray often. Sometimes it would come from nowhere and I would think of this woman whom I had never met.
I got another email this week – Esther had died. My heart is broken – this woman whom I’ve never met, but prayed for consistently has passed away and her children are without a mother. I continue to pray for her family and her children – because I know God’s perfect plan is beyond my understanding. . .
Renee,
As I sit here pouring out my heart over these requests I feel silly even asking for our fellow bloggers to pray. My need seems so minimal compared to the others but then too, I know that every detail of our lives is important to our God!
As you may know, I am a flight attendant and with all of the airline cutbacks there is an opportunity for me to take a leave of absence with full benefits but no pay. There are three options a 4, 5 or 9 month leave. We’ve been fasting and seeking His direction for this situation. We were only looking at the 4 month option due to the need for my income. Last night my husband felt that we shouldn’t depend on my income but depend on God to provide and he suggested that I take the 9 month leave. This would be a huge leap of faith and I have to make a decision by 10am tomorrow. I not only want to exercise my faith in Him but my trust in Him, who He is, and His promises over my life. I would appreciate prayer today as the details are finalized and God gives us the right number of months.
Renee,
I had a dr’s appt last week and the initial outlook is that it’s nothing too drastic (possibly an ovarian cyst)I’ve got an ultrasound tomorrow so, prayers for a good outcome would be appreciated!
It’s so awesome to hear how MIGHTY He is in sending people to pray for us and then answering those prayers. We are all so blessed! Have a great week everyone,
Noelle
Previous request: joy and patience in waiting on the sale of our home.
Update: several showings, no bites yet. Trusting and resting in his peace.
New request: my husband undergoes surgery to remove his gall bladder tomorrow. This will be his first ever surgery, I pray he is able to handle anesthesia well, and for a smooth recovery. We’ve switched roles, I’m the nervous and anxious one this time.
Thanks for setting this up Renee. What a privilege and an honor to take these requests to the throne of the almighty!
MY REQUEST: “Without regard to any way I might be useful to others, I would like to imagine that I could bring Him enjoyment by just existing as His. …I would like to feel like He loves me, and not just know it. And, come to think about it, I want to feel like I love Him, and not just know it.”
ANSWER IN PROGRESS: I am growing more aware of His real presence with me. I am sensing more direct instruction from Him. I am feeling closer to Him. But I’m still pretty performance-based, and also WAY too concerned with how I appear to others. I want to be HIGHLY aware that, as my Sara Groves sings it, “I live and breathe for an audience of One.”
(I also asked prayer for my son, Kenny, while he was at camp. He is back, and healthy,safe, and sound!)
NEW REQUEST: Two other campers left today: Anna (10), a “seasoned” camper who is very independent, and Jack, (8), a “first-timer” who was a little scared this morning, but not enough that he’d rather stay home.
He’s the kind of kid who was born to go to summer camp, but he got a little teary on the way to church. He brightened and was courageous about it. Even though he was smiling, it was HARD to watch his sweet, brave face and wave through the van window… but I smiled, too.
Bedtime will be the hardest for him, because he’s a sweet, huggie/kissie one and he likes what’s comfortable. (Like his Mama.)
I asked for prayer for my 7 year old daughter. The stimulation test that she had to have was compledted without any complication the the IV took on the first try! It will be two weeks before we get the results. Then a trip to Mayo Clinic to hopefully get some anwers.
Please continue to pray for us as we wait. That we will be patient and not worry.
I want to thank all of you who have been praying for my daughter. I could tell that we had been lifted up in prayer that day. The test took two hours. We were finished it seemed like we were only there for a few minutes.
Anita
I had previously left a message about my mom’s battle with cancer and the treatment that she went through. On Friday, she found out that it did not work. I am struggling with the news as it was a prayer of so many that God would allow the treatment to work. It is so tough to found out that God did not have that in the plans. She will now try a different treatment (a pill) and we now pray that she can handle the treatment. My mom is a new Christian and this has definately brought her to a crossroad of belief. Thank you for your prayers!
Renee,
I am so excited that your radio shows went well and that you have your dossier completed! Those are both praises. That must be a very good feeling.
Please continue to pray for a relationship which I hope is getting romantic! I am 50 years old and have never been married…I know that sounds weird, but that is just how God has orchestrated my life! I met this wonderful man about 9 months ago. I feel that God has spoken to me that we will be married. I have not said anything to him of course…but while I feel certain God has spoken this to me, the circumstances are telling me something completely different! Please pray that the Lord continues to guide me in this. I want to remain hopeful and not let the enemy snatch what I feel the Lord has shown me.
Thank you!
Hugs,
Melissa
I would like continued prayer for direction for my life and for an addiction to pain medication.
Dawn
My mother-in-law was having physical & emotional struggles all at once. She had treatment last week & went back to work this week. Thanks for your prayers, Eefje!
My husband leaves for China (2-week business trip) on Monday. Please pray for him! I know that he will be safe because God has already given both of us that assurance. However, the work that he will be doing takes a toll physically. It will also be his 1st trip away from our 6-month old son which will take a toll emotionally. I know that someone will read this & lift him up – Thank you!
Renee and blog family-My prayer request was for my daughters and their hearts for Jesus following youth camp. Ladies please keep praying!
God has really blessed our family this summer. My latest blog post reflects some of the material blessings we have received as His hand has been in each oone of these. But as I commented there in an effort to not be boastful but joyful for what He has provided, the material blessings do not complete me or bring me contentment-I can only find this through Him.
Since I have been so blessed, I am offering a give-a-way (my first ever) if anyone is interested-please stop by! I want to bless someone!!
In His Graces~Pamela
OHOOH! So happy to hear that you got your paperwork finished and hopefully it is in the mail by now. I too remember the lengthy and time consuming process, but Praise God, this is just another completed step to bringing home your girls.
I just returned home yesterday from a blessed and wonderful overnight trip out of town with my husband. Just the two of us. This was a much needed break for the two of us. This is only the second time that we have been able to be alone together, without our son in two years. We are rejoicing over our reconnection and our recommittment to finding a way to come through the difficulty of raising a very strong willed child, while at the same time teaching our son the love of Jesus. So, to those of you who have been praying; please keep it up. Our latest battle in the area of discipline is hitting and kicking. We have tried just about everything, but we know that there is a way to get through this and we are resting in Jesus to provide it.
Until then He is giving me lots of opportunity to practice Grace, Grace, Grace.
Hi Renee,
Thanks so much for allowing us the priviledge of praying for you and others here.
I had asked for prayer for a member of a church search committee that my husband was interviewing with as a pastor. The lady had been in a bad car accident along with her sister and grandaughter. The sister had died at the scene but the lady and her grandaughter were in the trama unit at a nearby hospital. Both have come home, but will have long roads of recovery. My husband was able to minister to the family and will preach there this coming Sunday. He will be supplying for them. It is part of their process and the next step.
One quick request: We are leaving for vacation with my husband’s family tomorrow. My husband’s dad is an alcoholic (mean one). Please pray we will have grace and wisdom as we spend time with them. Last year my daughter (their only grandaughter) cried wanting to go home to be around nice people!
Thanks
Pamela R.
I asked for God’s will a week ago as I went on an job interview. This job has been a desire of my heart but I needed God’s help and your prayers to get it. Thank you so much, I believe so much in the power of prayer. PS. I GOT THE JOB!
Denise
Today, I got the last of the schedule changes made for my sped students. I felt very encouraged when one of my sped colleagues thanked me for my role in making the first week of school run so smoothly. Last year was a nightmare, so smooth was my goal!
Regarding my eating…I signed up for an online study called “The Lord’s Table” at http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com. The study has been quite eye and heart-opening to me…my new motive for losing the weight and gaining control over my eating is the glory of God. His word says to do everything for the glory of God, so that’s my plan! Thanks for prayers.
And Renee, it was my privilege to pray for you…I’m so glad everything went so well! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you and your family! Lee
Hi Renee,
Well as you know, my Dr’s report came back clear! Praising the Lord. The abdominal pain may just be inflammation of the ribs.
Would love prayer over the next two weeks as I’m really seaking God’s direction for the Fall. I want to hear Him speak, and KNOW what next step to take now that my job is finished.
My heart was so encouraged tonight as Beth Moore reminded those of us at the simulcast to claim and treasure the Word that God has already spoken over our lives and not to allow the enemy to snatch it away. I was reminded again of the Word God gave me at “She Speaks”. Oh that I would live in the freedom that is mine through Christ.
Free because of Him,
Joy
Husband, son, and work team safely home from Bolivia. So much to process in the aftermath. All good.
As for other stuff going on, let’s just say getting ready for school and tax-free weekend in NC. Enough said.
peace~elaine
Renee,
CONGRATULATIONS!! on getting your dossier finished and ready to mail to Ethiopia. I remember how awesome it felt to be done with the paperchase and how excited we were about getting one BIG step complete in the adoption process. I’ll be praying that the next steps– and the waiting– go quickly and smoothly for you and the family.
Mark and I just received a referral for our baby girl from China a few weeks ago and we are so excited!! We have been getting our final approvals quickly and plan to travel soon– in Sept. or October. We have been asking friends and family to pray that the rest of the process goes smoothly, that she would continue to be healthy and grow, and that we would be able to get all of the finances we need not only for travel but for my time at home with Anna Kathryn before I return to work. If you want to follow our journey, feel free to visit my blog!
God bless!!
Kimberly (Wannall) Kovach
Renee,
I have asked for prayer of my separation and divorce. Since you started praying for a friend, I have been so blessed. My prayer partner and I have set aside 8:00 p.m. as a time that was good for us. We both commit to pray for each other as God leads. It has been so exciting watching Him work.
If I might add a request: I am worried about my depression. I know a lot of use suffer from it and I am not ashamed at all. I know with my kids I need to be present for them but want to be real as well. Sometimes it all gets so weighted on your shoulders, but God is good about lifting the weight off.
Thanks and have a great weekend,
Diane
PS. If you have a new request or an update on yours that you want us to keep praying about, please leave that too.
Hugs and happy Friday!
Renee