Saturday, September 24, 2016

Let's Pray for Each Other



A number of us are dealing with major challenges right about now.  You and I have chatted together or I've read it on your online space.  We need to do more than talk it through.  We need to pray.  Steadfastly.  Fervently.  With each other, for each other.

I'm committed to pray for you.

You are grieving a great loss that has shaken you to your core.

Your kids are making choices that are breaking your heart ... and leaving you frightened beyond words.

You've gotten a recent diagnosis that has left you filled with anxiety.

Your church is going through an unsettling upheaval.

You're shaking your head in bewilderment at what's happening in this country and wondering how / if you'll vote in the upcoming election.

An important relationship is in tatters.

You've got some big decisions to make ... and soon.

*

I invite you to accept any or all of these 3 invitations:  

1.  Share your prayer request, big or small, with this community in the comment section.  No need to give private details ... and you can call yourself Anonymous if you'd like.  God knows who you are.

If you're comfortable responding to another's prayer request with a written prayer for them, please do so in the comment section.  What a huge blessing you will be.

Come back throughout the week to check in and see what God is doing.  Feel free to leave more than one request or prayer.

{Reading this post on email and want to participate?  Simply go here to arrive online where you can click on the little red comment link at the end of the post.  If you have trouble navigating, just let me know at LindaStoll@juno.com and I'll take care of it for you.}

2.  Email me your private request at LindaStoll@juno.com.  Let me know that it's private and your needs will remain between Him, you, and me.

3.  Find a prayer below that fits where you are and claim it as your own.  Go ahead and bookmark these for future use if you'd like.  And yes, please feel free to share these with your small group, on Facebook, Twitter ... or wherever.











And I'd so appreciate your prayers as I have a same-day procedure on Monday to remove a cyst and a few bits and pieces that don't need to be inside my body anymore.  {No, it's not cancer, and yes, I'll leave an update here afterward!}

Gratefully we lift each other up to the One who loves us most.  We bear one another's burdens, we pray for miracles, we trust that God will hear and respond to the desire of our hearts in the ways He deems best.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus  ~ Philippians 4:6 - 7.

Let us pray ...


36 comments:

  1. I love and appreciate all the ways you care for your readers. It touches my heart time and time again. I will be praying for you, friend. My prayer request... confidence in who God created me to be, that He will equip me for the work He has called me to, and to always remember it isn't about me but about making Him known. Specifically related to my role as a leader for Bible Study Fellowship again this season.

    Love you much!

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      Thank You for calling Beth into this leadership role! How good You are to use her love for You, her passion for Your Word, and her life experiences to impact women for the Kingdom!

      May Beth be filled to overflowing with Your Spirit, her mind clear, her words articulate, her confidence in who You are.

      In Jesus Name ~
      Amen.

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  2. This is such a great idea! My prayer request is that God would keep my daughters safe, and give me peace. I have been having recurring nightmares that they die in awful ways, and I have been having insomnia over these horrible dreams. :-( - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      Thank you for Gingi's beautiful children and her deep love for them. You alone know about these dreadful nightmares that disrupt her sleep and steal her joy.

      Speak deep peace to her heart in the evening. May her time before sleep be focused on Your deep love for her and her family. May she release her precious children into Your hands.

      Calm her body, mind, and soul in Jesus' Name ~
      Amen.

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  3. This is quite the kindest idea I've come across in a long, long time. What caring potential there is for for far-reaching love and support! Praying for you, Linda, and a gentle recovery. Praying for you, Beth, and your leadership toward a positive fellowship. As for me, I ask prayers for my children. Thank you.

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      Thank You for Barbara and her commitment to lift her children up to You. Parenting is not for the faint of heart and she has concerns she brings to the table this afternoon.

      Speak peace to her soul as she releases her children to You. When she needs wisdom or grace or a sense of humor, please give it to her in great abundance. May they grow to be men of character, integrity, and godliness.

      For Jesus' Sake ~
      Amen.

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  4. You are in my prayers, Linda!
    Like Beth, I love how you have invited us all into a more intimate, God-centered circle through praying for each other. I would love prayers for my son, Daniel, who is in a time of transition. I could use prayers, too, for some upcoming events where I will be selling/signing my novels; may it be God's will that I sell many!
    Blessings, Linda!

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      You alone know how this time of transition is impacting Daniel. Be his rock and fortress during this time of change and upheaval. May He find His confidence in who You are.

      And if You'd give Martha some really stellar events in the days ahead, we would be so appreciative of Your work in this creative venue in her life!

      In Jesus' Name ~
      Amen.

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  5. For me, the timing of your writing is of God. My precious 18 year old daughter was just given a life altering diagnosis. We are putting our faith in God & not science but my dreams for her (and my) future seem dashed. I can only trust that He is already working all this for good, even if I can't imagine what that will look like. Most of all, I pray God will do a miracle in her life as He's done with other women of the bible, in similar situations, who put their faith in Him. Blessings, Lynn

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      We bring Lynn's daughter to You. Their family is reeling with news of a diagnosis they'd never have dreamed. Calm their minds and hearts as this soaks in, as they grieve and wonder and wait.

      Bring a healing team around them, one by one. And yes, Lord, we pray that You would unleash Your power and grant them a miracle that would cause all to give You glory.

      For Jesus' Sake ~
      Amen.

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  6. My son lost his much-loved job (downsizing). HE has a family of 6. I have been very aware of this job situation, knowing God is at work, yet scared of the process. I know what I want, And I also know God's ways of accomplishing His work is not always mine. And so I keep coming back to this prayer "I commit him to you, Jesus, to work on his behalf..."

    Yesterday I wrote this as a prayer in my journal: "It's actually more about me committing than asking You to work. I know you are, but I can't see it and some days I am scared. I know what the preachers, the bible quoters would say -- -'Trust God, Be at peace, Let go-let God' and Im' not really good at that yet, at least not today. Lord have mercy."

    So my request is for my mother heart to trust and for God to work on his behalf.

    And for you Linda: "Jesus, be with Linda as she has surgery - help her feel your presence and experience a quick recovery.

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      Carol is so right. The process of watching You work in the lives of those we love is unsettling and often downright hard. We want Your will and yet it's no easy task to relinquish our fears, our control, our desires.

      Thank You for Carol's beautiful willingness to trust You with her son and his family. Would You please surprise her with Your tender mercies ... for they are new every morning.

      For Jesus' Sake ~
      Amen.

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    2. Carol I'm very sorry to hear about your son losing his job. I would like to offer his family a gift. Is there an email address I can contact you at?

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  7. Such an intimate moment when we pray together. I pray for you, Friend, that your procedure would go without flaw, that your recovery would be complete and rapid, and that your ministry would continue to be a reflection of the love of our Father.
    Bless You, My Friend

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    1. Thank you for this sweet benediction this evening, dear Lulu. I appreciate your loving concern more than I can say ...

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  8. Our oldest son is making choices that are breaking our hearts ... and leaving us frightened beyond words. Thank you...

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    1. Heavenly Father ~

      This dear parent's heart is broken. We ask you this evening to intervene in whatever situation this oldest son has found himself in. May he turn to You in the midst of these choices that are taking him off track.

      Bless this one who loves him so with peace and a deepening trust in You.

      In Jesus' Name ~
      Amen.

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  9. This is such a lovely idea.
    Praying for you, Linda, for everything to go smoothly with your procedure and recovery, and for peace of mind and assurance that God is with you, that you will know his love and rest in that.
    I would like prayer for God's wisdom and direction. Thank you!

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      I love how You've connected Lesley and I across the sea. How very good You are to have allowed us to do community together.

      She's seeking Your wisdom, Your direction, Your will for her life. Please light her next steps up bright and clear so she'll know without a doubt what You have in mind.

      For Jesus' Sake ~
      Amen.

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  10. I am bowled over by Lulu's prayer. I just don't think I could add anything to it for you my friend. I will be thinking and praying for you Monday, knowing that you will be just fine. God will be right with you the whole time.
    Please pray for my brother and his family; and my cousin and my great friend, both who are suffering with cancer. So much need in this world, we really do need to pray.
    Blessings on this Sunday,
    Ceil

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      You hear the cry of Ceil's heart for those she loves. I ask that You would do battle against this cancer in their bodies. And in the process invite them to something deeper, stronger, and more substantial in their souls.

      Please give Ceil everything she needs to minister to their needs during these most challenging of days.

      For Jesus' Sake ~
      Amen.

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  11. What a great idea, Linda! I know you are a mighty prayer warrior too, so I'm taking you up on this opportunity. Pray for me in this grieving process over my son's long-distance venture. Pray for me to trust God fully in this season. Pray for my son to be protected, provided for and encouraged through this risky step.

    And I'll be adding your procedure to my prayer list, my friend. I have you on my prayer list and have prayed regarding the many challenges you've faced over the past year or so. So I'm glad to know this latest update.

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    1. Heavenly Father ~

      I give you this dear friend, this one who's done spiritual prayer battle for me for well over a year now. Thank you for her vigilance in shepherding and praying for so many women and being an advocate for healthy Christ-honoring marriages.

      Would you please minister to her mama-soul in these days of letting her son go! These transitions into adulthood are not for the faint of heart, for parent or child. Give her peace as she purposely releases him minute by minute into Your care and keeping. You love him so.

      And we will praise You in Jesus' Name ~
      Amen.

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  12. What a beautiful door and avenue you have opened to us here Linda. I scrolled down each comment, and stopped to read your response, and prayed with you, and I will continue to hold these precious ladies and their needs up before the Lord. The power of prayer is an amazing thing, and I believe we will see praise reports! I look forward to hearing back that the Lord has stepped in and miraculously provided!

    One thing I have learned in my short life... is that it always takes an impossibility for the Lord to provide a miracle, and that thought has never, ever ceased to bring me peace in the midst of difficult circumstances.

    I will be joining you in prayer with you for the Lord to do great and mighty things in the lives of hearts who are hurting, in JESUS name!

    You are in my prayers for your procedure Monday. You are SAFE in HIS care! Hugs and love :)

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    1. How kind of you to spend time with each one at this little table this afternoon, friend! Thank you for lifting up our sisters with me ...

      And yes, let's expect God to do great and mighty things for all of us. We all come broken, don't we ...

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  13. What a kind gesture, Linda, to encourage others to share their prayer requests. I'm thinking about you and praying for you today that your procedure goes well. And I thank God it's not cancer! I was reading through this, and I pray God will supply each commenter's needs. Please pray that I will more deeply trust God and His plan, not only for myself, but for family, friends, hurting souls, our nation, and the world. Thank you. God bless and keep all of you! Hugs!

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    1. Dear Lord ~

      Thank You for Trudy's faith in You and her true desire to trust in the plan you have for her. Minister Your kindness to her in those moments of doubt and fear. Remind her of Your great wisdom and Your faithfulness of years past.

      Do something big for her, even today.

      In Jesus' Name ~
      Amen.

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    2. Thank you so much, dear Linda. I'm so glad your procedure went well and you're strong enough to return here. Hugs!

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    3. How cool that we can pray each other through!

      ;-}

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  14. Prayed for you yesterday, my friend, and hope the medical procedures went well. I would appreciate prayer for wisdom and discernment regarding a parenting issue ... and offer prayer for other parents who are waiting on God for healing, restoration, protection and hope.

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    1. Oh God ~

      Parenting is not for the faint of heart. This is a most sacred yet difficult task You have called Lois to. You hear her cry for discernment, to be able to choose what's best amidst all the options that clamor for her attention.

      For her, and all parents of young and old today, I pray for protection and hope. You alone know how desperate we are for Your intervention.

      Thy will be done, for Jesus' sake ~
      Amen.

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  15. Heavenly Father
    I too pray for all the needs mentioned here for your grace, wisdom, strength and abundant faith.

    I ask, Father, that you increase Trudy's faith and trust in You. Faith is what we hope for but cannot see and that makes our relationship with You so much difficult. Show yourself to Trudy in new and different ways.

    Lord, help our country but most of all give us wisdom as we need to make decisions about voting

    Jesus name,
    Amen

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  16. To all Linda's virtual family -- she did well in surgery, resting now and gathering back her strength!!!!!!

    Father
    You have given a huge responsibility to parents to raise their children in the way You made them. We need your special "eyes" to see what needs encouragement and what just needs a commitment to prayer. Give discernment to Lois and to all parents visiting this blog on how to do that....help each parent to go to their war room and watch your power be unleashed.

    I pray for those who have grown children and have less influence to be able to sense your working in and around their children. We pray that our children will always be drawn to you and your ways.

    Amen

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    1. Carol, thank you for jumping in and picking up where I left off this week. I'm so grateful for your faithful friendship over the years and for your tender ministry here in this community this week.

      You know what being a prayer warrior looks like, for sure.

      Bless ya', girl!

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  17. Linda, I'm so glad your procedure went well.

    I'm so thankful that God continues to use you as a vessel for his work. Your posts provide vital spiritual food for myself and others.

    I will be praying for everyone here that God provides them the strength and serenity they need.

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    1. That you find some kind of spiritual sustenance here gives me great hope, friend. To God be the glory!

      And yes, let's trust Him for the serenity we're all searching for.

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