April 3, 2005
Prayer Request
Heaven? Who's there?

An Attorney's Advice

Editor's note: We rarely print articles like the following, but it seemed like advice too good to pass up. Most of us have credit cards and all of us have an identity that is getting easier and easier to steal.

A corporate attorney sent the following out to his employees.

1. When you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but the bank will know.

2. When paying credit card bills, just put the last 4 numbers of your account on the check. The card co. knows the rest but others don't.

3. Put your work phone on your check instead of home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that; if not, use your work address. NEVER have your SS# printed on your checks.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of each, license, credit card etc. You will know what you had and what to cancel, all the account numbers and phone numbers to call. Call to cancel immediately.

5. File a police report immediately where your cards were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent.

6. MOST IMPORTANT: Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.

Put these numbers in a safe place so you have them immediately.

1) Pray for revival and an awakening in the church. . .We are to be wise in our dealings with all people.

2) Pray for our country. . .Pray for the ongoing battle over Terri Schaivo's death. Pray laws are made to prevent such a fight from happening again.

Pray for the Catholic church as they mourn the death of the Pope and begin the process of electing a new one.

3) Pray for our President. . .Pray for the President and the members of his cabinet to be completely humbled before God and seek His wisdom and help in all things. Pray that they will experience grace and strength from the Lord in light of the pressures they face both at home and abroad. Pray that each one will be encouraged and renewed daily by time in God's Word, and that God Himself will provide the wisdom to deal with every challenge.

4) Pray for God's hand to be helping [the Iraqis] as they seek to form a new government with a new form of democracy, and for the disagreements that have been stalling their progress to cease.

Pray for the victims of the most recent earthquake in Southeast Asia, which hit the already devastated Aceh region of Indonesia. Give thanks that there was no resultant tsunami and pray especially for the children of that region, already traumatized by the December disaster, that they will find comfort and strength from appropriate sources. Pray also for those already on the ground providing relief, support and Christian witness, that they will be protected, strengthened and encouraged.

Additional leaders to pray for:

Read: Daniel 9:17-18 & Ephesians 3:20-21

Oregon

5) Pray for Jerry Heacock. He feels he is being recalled to ministry after a time of dealing with his wife's illness and working a secular job. Pray for wisdom and attention to details.

6) Pray for a lady who needs to work on her decision making skills.

7) Pray for Jennifer as she moves into the final days of her pregnancy. She's having some problems.

8) Pray for Jacob and Esther who have been long-time prayer warriors. It is getting harder and harder to get around.

9) Pray for Amos. He's not been feeling too well.

10) Pray for a lady who heard the Word and has no idea what it means. Pray for her to hear more and understand.

California

11) Pray for Scott as he takes giant steps and launches into new endeavors.

12) Pray for Doretha. The doctors may release her from the hospital soon and she needs to return home and to the Lord.

Missionaries

13) Paul, who serves with OC Int'l in Southern Africa, is a church planter. He reports that in the year 2000, the Christian leaders in Zimbabwe had reached a goal of 10,000 new churches planted. They are now working toward strong, sound leadership by 2010. Pray with them for success. This is a country that is strife-ridden and very needy.

Heaven? Who's there?

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
as I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
by the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
who made me sputter and gasp--
the thieves, the liars, the sinners,
the alcoholics, the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
was rotting away in hell,
was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

And why's everyone so quiet,
so somber? Give me a clue."

"Hush, child," said He "They're all in shock.
No one thought they'd see you."
Judge Not

April 10, 2005
Prayer Request
The Map

Suicide

Oregon has a unique place among the states of our great country. It is the only state that has a law permitting assisted suicide. The courts are battling -- and have been for several years now -- over the constitutionality of this law. Nearly two hundred people have used this law to allow "death with dignity" (their catch-phrase).

Recently the whole thing backfired with some interesting consequences. A man in the Portland area had suffered with lung cancer and its accompanying pain for a very long time. Finally the pain got too much for him to handle and he spoke to his wife about assisted suicide, telling her that he could not endure more of this pain.

Arrangements were made. The day came. They said their goodbyes. The medicine was administered and the man fell into a coma. The family watched and waited. . .and waited. . .and waited. . .and waited. Two weeks they waited while the man remained in a coma. One morning he woke up and asked, "Where am I? I didn't die?"

Then he related the events of his time in a coma. Jesus came to him, sat next to him, and questioned him. "What are you doing? Who do you think is in charge of death and dying? By the way, you aren't."

It was decided by the two of them that the man needed to live out the rest of his life as God would have it. That's when he awoke.

Two weeks later, his wife related that, very peacefully, the man passed into the arms of Jesus.

What can we learn from this? Assisted suicide shortcircuits God's plans. God has reasons for our suffering. The death of the Pope was a great reminder that, although not pleasant, suffering has it's place in our lives. He suffered the ravages of ill health for years and even in the end, did not allow it to rule his life. Suffering is a part of our training and our life. Greet it warmly in the name of God.
© VM

1) Pray for revival and an awakening in the church. Pray that those who suffer are able to reflect the love of the Lord.

2) Pray for our country. . .Pray for the members of Congress as they returned this week from recess. Pray that they will both desire and gain God's wisdom as they deal with the many issues facing them, including Social Security reform, the appointment of judges and the energy bill.

3) Pray for our president. . .as he meets with leaders of various countries in order to foster communication and relationships with their leaders.

Additional leaders to pray for:

Read: Ezra 8:22-23 & Psalm 25:1, 6

4) Pray for the world. . .conditions in the Sudan are indescribably bad. The poor are poorer than our imaginations can handle. Food, water, shelter, and safety are nearly non-existant and certainly not dependable. Pray for these people.

It has been 3 months since the tsunami in Indonesia. Not much is back to normal. There was another high magnitude earthquake in the region. Pray for the people there. Pray for continued aid. Pray for continued openness to the Gospel.

Oregon

5) Pray for two couples whose marriage is in big trouble.

6) Pray for a couple who needs strength and wisdom to deal with their adult children.

7) Pray for a lady who is successfully changing some issues in her life. Pray for her continued dependence on the Lord.

8) Pray for a man who is under high stress.

Missionaries

9) Pray for Rod and Dawn Taylor in Ireland. Rod is off for an extensive trip to meet with leaders and donors. Pray for his protection, safety, and wisdom. Pray for his family as they will stay home. Here is a message from Rod: "Thank you, friends for continually standing with us. These are pivotal days in the development of GEM Youth Ministry. Your prayer is vital to us in fulfilling the vision for both our ministry and our family. We are grateful for you."

10) Pray for all the missionaries you and your church support.

Korea

11) Pray for Mrs. Lee. She has so much guilt over an accident that she is overwhelmed. It is assumed but not confirmed that she is a Christian. Pray for confirmation of salvation and relief from the self- imposed guilt.

12) Pray for two couples who are in Korea teaching English and working with children. Neither couple are Christians. Pray for their salvation and pray that their work could be turned into a ministry.

The Map

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby, and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today."

After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map correctly fitted together.

The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. "Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together."

April 17, 2005
Prayer Request
Prayer is. . .

Come To Me

Within the next 30 to 45 days, we are going to experience and be able to participate in one of the most glorious seasons of prayer for our nation and world.

Then for the next 90 Days of Blessing, believers will reach out to their local communities with love and compassion and allow God to answer their prayers with signs, wonders and miracles. "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14

© James Autry, State Coordinator for National Day of Prayer and local Christian radio station manager. From the Internet.

1) Pray for revival and an awakening in the church. . .National Day of prayer would be a good time to pray for this request!

2) Pray for our country. . .It is said that 84% of all Americans believe that "One nation, under God" should be left in the Pledge and other references to our Christian heritage in our courts and on our buildings should be left. It is time to stand up and make our beliefs heard.

3) Pray for our president. . .As a bomb scare rocked the Capitol this week, we are reminded of the vital importance of our prayers for protection for the President and other leaders. Thankfully, President Bush was not in Washington when the threat took place. Pray for protection for the President, members of Congress and other key leaders, asking God to foil any plot to harm our nation's leaders. Pray that those who plan harm will be defeated.

Additional leaders to pray for:

Read: Psalm 66:16-20 & I John 5:14-15

4) Pray for the world as they watch the Catholic Church elect a new Pope. May they see Christ at work.

Oregon

5) Pray for Mildred who broke her hip a month ago and money for care is about to run out.

6) Pray for a lady who is overwhelmed. Her husband has cancer and anorexia, and her 16 year old adopted son is acting out his fear.

7) Pray for a church where the older adults are trying to reach out to the youth in some unique ways. Pray for success.

8) Pray for Mike who has pancreatic cancer. He has had surgery. Pray the doctors got it all and he heals well. Pray his relationship with the Lord will grow during this time of stress.

Update: Remember praying for Mary and her husband to find a church good for them? They haven't yet. Continue to pray.

9) Another Mary's daughter was in a big accident. Pray for healing and the financial results of such a mess.

10) Pray for Anita. She just had surgery on her eye and it needs to heal with no complications.

Update: You'all started praying for two marriages last week. Keep praying -- one husband had a real great discussion about the Bible and the gospel message this week. He responded well. Keep praying!!!

Missionaries

11) You'all remember praying regularly for the Jay Neuharth family in Central Asia? Recently his brother in Seattle was killed in a freak boating accident. Jay has come back to The States for the funeral. Linda and the girls are at home in Bishkek. Last time we prayed for them, it was because there was severe political unrest after an uprising and riot. That's still going on and, although Linda and the girls seem to be safe now, pray for Jay to have comfort and peace about leaving them home alone. Pray for his brother's family for strength to endure this tragedy and for comfort.

12) Pray for Marguerite and Ben as they work here in Portland with some Vietnamese women. Marguerite gives piano lessons and the children seem to be an avenue into the lives of the families. Pray for one woman who is having trouble with the immigration authorities, even though she has lived, worked and owned property in the United States for more than 10 years. Pray for another wife who has reported abuse to Marguerite.

13) Pray for Oscar Aguilar who heard The Word by divine appointment and for Michelle, a Buddhist, who may have understood the Gospel for the first time.

Somewhere in the Midwest

14) Here is a message from one of you'all. Please read and pray accordingly: "I am writing with a heavy and discouraged heart about our teenage daughter, Tiffany, in hopes you will pray fervently for her, her social group, and her immediate family. She is a tremendously gifted child who just doesn't have the strength emotionally to make wise decisions in her life now. She is attempting to live a prodigal life, but I think she would make better decisions if only she could get her feet back underneath her emotionally. We love her so much. Please pray specifically that she will continue to stay in school. (It is a day to day issue right now.) I firmly believe she was born a leader because everyone I know follows her. Unfortunately she spends her efforts trying to stay out of the lead. She gave God a genuine chance as a child and I struggle to understand why God didn't seem to meet her needs. Help her find Him again. God bless you for praying." Tiffany's Mother.

Prayer is:

Like a door . . .only you can open it.

Like mathematics . . . it takes practice, practice, practice.

Like breakfast . . . the ONLY way to start the day.

Like a marathon race . . .you have to stick with it till God shows you the finish line.

Like a new car . . . it won't get you anywhere till you turn the key (faith).

Like football. . .there can be a lot of interference.

Like being all alone . . .and KNOWING you're not.

Like winning the lottery . . . and never spending the money because you didn't understand how rich you really were.
© Charles White, Topeka KS (Mr White's website: www.teachustopray.com, offers free teaching material on prayer for children. Check it out!)