Revive and Renew

Some time back we had related a popular African folk story about how, in the jungle at dawn, all the animals get up and get to work. The gazelle knows it must outrun the fastest leopard or be eaten, and the leopard knows it must outrun the fastest gazelle or go hungry.

Like them, with each day of blessed awakening, a Christian must also revive and persevere. The cares of the day, concerns, sickness, troubles, financial burdens, temptations - all wear us down, and just as the leopard wears down its prey till it succumbs, so does the world and its diverse temptations and troubles, wear down our resistance.

The only way we can overcome is to renew and revive every morning with time devoted to conversing with God, reviewing our life, asking our questions to gain understanding so that we do not follow a blind faith but a faith based on understanding, knowledge and experience. Everyday is a new day and every day we learn something new from His word. Everyday we have new experiences which can wear us down or push us up and we need His word to renew us with understanding and wisdom.

Rev Francis Taylor sums this up well when she writes -

"Life is always going to throw hardships at us. Some will shake our faith and there will be those who will say that these hardships mean either that there is no God, or that God has abandoned us. Not true. God is with us in the difficult times. As with the early Christians, we need to stand firm and persevere in our faith, knowing that God will never abandon us. All we need to do is call upon him".

Saturday Vespers: The Power of Prayer

The power of prayer is well known and experienced. What possibly may not be so known is the power of corporate prayer. It is power multiplied to the power of 'n'.

We bring prayer requests to you every week for this very reason: everyone mentioned here needs you. We have seen the results of your prayer as well: The Pastor who's wife has stage four cancer seems to be getting better. She is happier, more health and her appetite is coming back, which is always a good sign. The Pastor in Melbourne is now fine, doing well and back to his ministry. We want you to know that your prayers are making a difference so please do continue. Remember this verse -

"Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ".

—Galatians 6:2 (NRSV)

Today we bring these requests for you -

- Miranda requests prayer saying: May STEVES SURGERY GO SMOOTHLY AND HEAL HIM

- We ask you to continue to prayer for the Pastor in India for the healing of his wife and a an miracle from Jesus.

- Pray for the senior lady in India for the healing of her back pain and relief.

- Brij requests prayer for his workplace - for Gods will to be done and wisdom to prevail on everyone. Help him to overcome his issues so that Gods hand is seen by all.

- Prayers for Maime and he new spouse

- Paladin requests prayer and says-

Please pray for me 1. I need a financial miracle in the worst kind of way...2. That the government won't take my bank account away from me (I am in the nursing home)...3. For good results from a DNA test...4. That God would provide me with money to eat with each and every month...5. That I would be able to pay my own debts and not have to depend on someone else...6. That I would lose 30 lbs...7. That God might see fit to restore my health...8. That God would help me not to give up on my dreams and my goals...9. That I might be able to go out West two more times and go back to Kentucky as well...10. That God would straighten out all of the mess that is in my life right now...11. That God would help me make sense of everything...12. That God would give me some encouragement-I feel defeated all of the time, and I feel as if something bad is going to happen to me...13. That God would calm me down and settle my nerves over all of this...

- A businessman in India requests prayer for guidance and success as he moves forward in his business ops

- The situation in California is currently quite challenging due to ongoing wildfires. Southern California is experiencing severe wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana winds and extreme drought conditions. These fires have caused significant damage, with thousands of buildings destroyed and tens of thousands of people under evacuation orders. The Hughes Fire in Castaic, the Palisades Fire, and the Eaton Fire are among the most impactful, with firefighters working tirelessly to contain them. Pray for those affected, those helping and those supporting.

Saturday Vespers

 

We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. You come to us through other people and their love and concern for us. You come to us through men and women who need our help. You come to us as we worship you with your people. We remember your presence with the pastors wife with stage 4 cancer and the hope you bring this advent to all those who call upon you for a miracle. We remember a lady in India suffering from back and hip pain and who needs the relief you can give.

Mr. Crane says - Today I would like to have a prayer request for the health of the father of one of my co-workers who is very dear to me. He has problems with his lungs and is in the ICU being treated. He has been with this problem since he had his accident at the age of 42. He is now 57 and still fighting...

Stephanie prays for God to repair, restore, connect, and heal in every way her relationship if it’s in His will and He will show them how to put Him in the center.

A lady in the USA needs prayer as she tries to free herself from a marriage full of domestic abuse. She needs your prayers and a lawyer as well as a strong will not to back slide. She needs her job as well as she is on hard times, even without electricity this winter.

Richin asks for a prayer for a Third Great Awakening in the US

May the Holy and blessed occasion of Advent bring peace, joy, love and hope to all.

The Day After....

 

We have just finished Thanksgiving yesterday with a lot of celebrations possibly all over the world, even though it is more of an American tradition. In reference to our giving thanks to God, recently Pastor David Jacobs wrote -

"A common misconception among young people.... is that we pray to God to ask for something. Perhaps there have been times when you yourself have prayed for good and righteous things. But we shouldn't forget thanking Him for what has already been provided. God is not our concierge: in fact, we serve God.

Trust in Him, for God gives us what He deems is necessary for His children, and for this, we should continually show our gratitude".

While Thanksgiving is a day dedicated once a year to give thanks, we have received so much that once a year may not suffice. Instead of asking for more, will it not be a good thing to dedicate a Friday or a Saturday or any one day in the week, (or maybe everyday) to give ONLY thanks for what we have received during the week gone by?

We, for one, give Him thanks for ALL our readers, and pray for each one to be blessed. You give us the encouragement to go forward everyday with an inspired message which we hope reaches someone who needs to hear it.  God Bless you all. 

Pastor Rajiv's Mid-Week Message

 

Too Many Miracles

 

           “I’ve Seen Too Many Miracles to Doubt God’s Existence”

Miracles happen around us everyday, we only need to open our eyes to them. In our own family, we realized our blessings in a hospital.

Standing there at the foot of her bed in the emergency room, all one could was pray as the Doctors and nurses tried to find the cause of her illness. And then you see the miracle happen as your prayer gets answered.

(If you have a healthy family, you are blessed; count the blessings you usually take for granted).

Since some time now I have noticed prayers being answered and realized they always had been. We were too busy in the business of life to notice. Covid also brought a realisation that He was looking out for us, everyday, in every way. We never felt a days want for food or any necessity. It was always provided in some way.

Each day we lived, and live, is a miracle. Whether it was health, sickness, finances, jobs, business, relationships - you name it. We are grateful and thankful for each one because in retrospect, when we look back we realize what a blessing it has been.

In truth, we should not be celebrating thanksgiving once a year but everyday, because each day He blesses us with Miracles. Small or big does not matter.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Please pray with us for those who need it at:  

https://thisweekwithjesus.blogspot.com/p/prayer-requests.html

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Monday Quotes : Integrity is keeping a commitment even after circumstances have changed

 

“How strange this fear of death is! We are never frightened at a sunset.” (George MacDonald)

“When all is said and done, the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every available weapon against the flesh.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

“Since God knows our future, our personalities, and our capacity to listen, He isn't ever going to say more to us than we can deal with at the moment.” (Charles Stanley)

“If your friend is sick and dying, the most important thing he wants is not an explanation; he wants you to sit with him. He's terrified of being alone more than anything else. So, God has not left us alone.” (Lee Strobel)

“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God; those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.” (Brother Lawrence)

“A little lifting up of the heart suffices; a little remembrance of God, an interior act of adoration, even though made on the march and with sword in hand, are prayers which, short though they may be, are nevertheless very pleasing to God, and far from making a soldier lose his courage on the most dangerous occasions, bolster it. Let him then think of God as much as possible so that he will gradually become accustomed to this little but holy exercise; no one will notice it and nothing is easier than to repeat often during the day these little acts of interior adoration.” (Brother Lawrence)

“King David, after all the things he done wrong, is still mentioned in Acts 13:22 as a man after God’s own heart. That stands, it wasn’t left out in the New Testament because David had failed to live up to God’s standards; God saw the man who, in spite of all his weakness, That stands, it wasn’t left out in the New Testament because David had failed to live up to God’s standards; God saw the man who, in spite of all his weakness, , kept seeking him and longed to become what God already saw in him: a man of God!” (Eleonore van Haaften)

“No matter how just your words may be you ruin everything when you speak with anger.” (John Chrysostom)

“Correct him, but not as a foe, nor as an adversary exacting a penalty, but as a physician providing medicines.” (Martin Luther King)

“Faith makes all things possible…love makes all things easy.” (Dwight L. Moody)

“Integrity is keeping a commitment even after circumstances have changed.” (David Jeremiah)

“You were made by God and for God and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” (Rick Warren)

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” (Mother Teresa)

“Afflictions are but the shadows of God's wings.” (George MacDonald)

“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

“The holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness which remains in him.” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

Saturday Vespers: Care for Each Other

                                           

Just as Adam was made responsible for the care of the garden, God commits some special responsibilities to us as well. It could be the care of our children and bringing them to God, it could be caring for the sick, or caring for some elderly people, or maybe helping someone financially broken, or the elders in our circle and our parents. How we deal with what has been committed to us as responsibility is what will determine our success in Gods world. That will determine whether, at the end of it all, Christ will say - "well done my good and faithful servant..." . Let us therefore pray for discernment to see our responsibilities and strength and mind to fulfill them.

This week we pray once again for the Pastor in India and his wife who is suffering from Stage 4 cancer. We pray for a miracle of Jesus to heal her.

we pray for a senior lady in India for relief from back pain which she is suffering from.

For a senior gentleman in India who is suffering form cancer and in great pain, undergoing start of dementia. We pray for your peace and relief

MJ Gates requests - Dear family in Christ; please pray with me for my friends May and Vincent. They're marriage is suffering from many choices that have caused them to separate

Anon requests praying saying - My husband is generally unhappy & has been since I met him over 30 years ago. He needs Jesus. He's been coming to church with me, but it's hard for him to open his heart. Please pray for him

Emily praises God for giving her direction

Tanu says - I continue committing my mum, sons Michael & Shawn, daughters Emmy & Tiffany, my wife Joyce in prayer, protect my father remember the rest of my family I also pray for complete healing of my children keep us safe forgive us of our sins for it’s in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Saturday Vespers: Christian Responsibility

As the day and this week draws to a close, we thank you for your love and guidance. Thank you for the blessings and challenges, and we look to your guidance, protection and provision for the coming week, in hope and faith. We are humbled by the vastness of Your creation and the diversity of Your people. We lift our hearts in prayer for the entire world, acknowledging Your sovereignty over all nations and peoples.

We pray for peace to reign in every corner of the globe. May conflicts cease, and may understanding and compassion prevail. Touch the hearts of leaders and inspire them to seek peaceful solutions, fostering harmony and cooperation among nations.

We pray for those suffering from injustice, poverty, and oppression. May Your divine hand bring relief to the afflicted and empower them to rise above their circumstances. Grant them strength, hope, and the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

For a lady in Australia who will need to under cancer surgery next month

For the Pastor in India who's wife needs your healing for her stage 4 cancer

For a lady in India who need your healing and relief for her back pain

Ted fuller requests prayer saying:

Please pray in Jesus' name for the postal strike to lift and for them to come to a fair agreement in Jesus' name, Amen

RK requests to "please pray for our sales to continue".

Jason says "Please pray for The Lord to help my elderly Mother heal from a fall and help help pain go away"

Trishey requests prayer for healing for Carla.

We pray for strength for a senior citizen in India suffering from cancer : may he overcome his pain and gain strength.

Someone requests "Please pray for my family that God will have mercy and grant us a miracle that we can be freed from a terrible curse, all of be healed and be able to live our lives in the peace that passes understanding".

Talmid says "Please kindly lift me up to throne of grace for mercy and timely help through the blood of Jesus".

Saturday Vespers

Image contributed by Coral Keogh

As the day and this week draws to a close, we thank you for your love and guidance. Thank you for the blessings and challenges. May we rest peacefully tonight, knowing that You are always with us.

We lift up our hearts in prayer for all humanity.

For Peace: May peace reign in every nation, and may conflict be resolved through dialogue and understanding.

For Justice: May justice prevail, and may the oppressed find relief.

For Healing: May the sick be healed, the wounded be comforted, and the brokenhearted be mended.

For Love: May love abound, and may we learn to love our neighbors as ourselves.

For Hope: May hope ignite the hearts of all, and may despair be replaced with faith.

For a lady in Australia who will need to under cancer surgery next month

For the Pastor in India who's wife needs your healing for her stage 4 cancer

For a lady in India who need your healing and relief for her back pain

For Jerry who was diagnosed with early-stage pancreas cancer. We pray for your healing and guidance as he gets treatment

Smurfs requests prayer that the Lord would provide them with funds they need for a new roof and that they can get the boiler to light up for heat

Maxime prays that God may use her talents

We entrust the world to Your loving care. Guide us, protect us, and lead us toward a brighter future.

Saturday Vespers: Come to the Water

And Jesus said : Come to the water

Stand by My side.

I know you are thirsty You won't be denied

I felt ev'ry tear drop

When in darkness you cried And I strove to remind you

That for those tears I died

Lord Jesus, you have called us and we have found you. You feel our pain, our joy and our challenges and are with us through it all.

we thank you for providing us with parents who brought us to you. We pray for all those who have gone before us to you, parents, father, mother, husband, wife, aunts and uncles and friends, as we remember them not only today but every day. We thank you for our time with them.

Thank You for the gift of this new day. May this Saturday be a day of rest, renewal, and peace. Fill our hearts with gratitude for the blessings in our lives.

We pray for healing for the sick, comfort for the grieving, and hope for the discouraged. For financial health, physical health and healing and emotional strength for those who need it. For a Pastor in India who's wife is suffering from stage IV cancer - we ask for your miracle of healing. For a senior - relief from pain in her back and hips and renewed mobility.

Ben requests prayer for his Mum that the skin cancers she has been diagnosed with yesterday, will be completely and successfully removed on Friday 13th December. Please pray that all cancer cells will be removed and that she will be 100% cancer free after the surgery. Please pray that God will comfort her and take away her worry and fill her with peace as He protects her and His healing hands will be upon her.

Anonymous requests us to pray for healing for her husband, mom and dad.

Trishey and Tanu ask for prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Rajeev P prays For his personal life with Jesus and giving him wisdom and strength through tough times

Sara says "Please join me in prayer for my mom. She has a severe bacterial infection for 8 weeks now (2 months) and she slips into bouts almost of hysteria. There is demonic influence with it because she has demons come to her in the night telling her she is going to die soon. Please pray for my whole family for deliverance from generational strongholds and for my mom to be healed".

Lord Jesus, May Your love and grace surround us all.

Saturday Vespers

Prayer plays a vital role in our relationship with God. When we engage in heartfelt prayer, we open the doors for divine intervention in our lives and in our land. Prayer is not merely reciting words but a posture of speaking and communicating with the Almighty. Through prayer we express our deepest desires, concerns and gratitude to God.

As believers we have the opportunity to bring about incredible transformation through our prayers, in our selves and in others. Today we pray for that transformation for people around us, whether in health, finances or professions.

Today, let us pray for a Pastor in India whose wife is suffering from stage 4 cancer. We pray for a miracle for her healing and relief from the pain, as per your will.

We Pray for a senior in India to get your comfort and healing from her hip and back pain. You have helped her through on one side and we pray for healing on the right as well.

Tanu prays for a financial Breakthrough, & pray for money for provision for her family, kids school fees, for fees to pay for my masters degree.

Mindy prays for protection over her son

We pray for Bob who has been suffering with shoulder and upper arm pain for a very long time

Someone prays and asks if we would please pray for her that God uphold the sanctity of marriage, and God's commandments, during an illness that has caused discord within the family.

CNA requests prayer saying-

Requesting prayer for a teenage family member who believes they are transgender. May they be comfortable and happy as the gender they were born and find inner peace. Also requesting prayers for all young people going through this, as well as their families and friends.

Jason requests- Please pray for The Lord to help my chiropractor get my back feeling better and not make it worse.

bobchar requests prayer saying:

Please pray for my friend Dave who has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer. I pray the Lord will heal him completely

Lord, May we be beacons of hope, spreading love and kindness wherever we go.

Saturday Vespers

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude and concern. We thank You for Your love, mercy, and guidance. We pray for peace to reign throughout the world, that nations may live in harmony and understanding.
Guide the leaders of our nations. Fill them with wisdom, compassion, and a true desire to serve their people. May they seek Your will in all they do and govern with justice and equity.
Inspire us to be agents of peace in our communities. Grant us the courage to stand up for what is right and the compassion to help those in need. May we be beacons of hope, spreading love and kindness wherever we go.
Lord, we pray for an end to suffering and injustice. May Your healing touch bring comfort to the afflicted, and may Your justice prevail.
We Pray for a senior in India to get your comfort and healing from her hip and back pain. Anon says -
Please pray for my husband because he is struggling with mental illness. Pray for a hedge of protection around him and my children. Pray that his is healed and seeks help. Pray that God sends the right people into our lives and that he binds any evil spirits that may be causing this illness. I pray that we see God's mighty hand working quickly.
We pray for a Pastor in India who's wife is suffering from stage 4 cancer. We pray for a miracle for her healing and relief from the pain, as per your will.

We Thank you Lord for showing us the way and providing us with resources to travel your path. 

Saturday Vespers: No word like hopeless

Life can sometimes make you feel hopeless: death, disease, misfortune dog our footsteps. No matter what happens in our life, there is hope. God is there. When we come to God in prayer, we do not come with our own righteousness but with a humble heart, seeking His great mercies. Sometimes, in the midst of our struggles, it may feel like God is not listening or paying attention to our cries, but, if we do as Hannah did, pouring out our soul for the Lord, God will hear our prayers.

We come before you in awe Lord, acknowledging your greatness and magnificence. We humbly approach you with our prayers, knowing that you are the one who hears and answers. As we navigate through the challenges of this world, as well as our own personal challenges, we ask for your guidance and wisdom. In times of uncertainty may we find solace in knowing you are with us and your purpose for our lives will prevail.

Almighty father, we praise you and thank you for your deliverance and protection of some of the people we have prayed for - the Pastor in Australia who is back in service; for your for your servant in India who went through a time of testing in terms of health and who has come through with an all clear.

We pray for a Pastors wife in India who has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and who desperately needs your prayer support for her recovery according to Gods will and miracles and strength for her and her family to go through this painful and tough times. We pray for Rockys daughter, a nurse who was beaten by a patient. Grant her healing and strength to carry on her mission.

We pray for Melody to get patience to take care of her husband who has dementia. 

Father God, please calm the storm and restore the souls of those suffering from extreme weather on the eastern seaboard of America and beyond.

Finally, we pray for all those who need jobs, healing, and other needs we are not aware of. For those who need to forgive, as well as for those who need to be forgiven. 

We pray for your grace and mercy to overflow in our lives. May your love shine through us, drawing your people closer to you. May your message reach where it needs to reach everyday.

Amen.

Prayer is Where the Action is : Saturday Vespers

                                                    

Prayer is Where the Action is - John Wesley

Does God see? Does God care? Scripture calls us to believe that God really does see, know, and hear. The question is do we call? 

Today, we thank God for the recovery of your servant in Australia, in India and those who were sick and needed your intervention. 

Today we request you, our readers, for prayers for all these people. We do not know them nor they us. Yet we believe, your prayers will help them and give them hope: 

Brandi says -

Can you please pray for God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, Mother Mary, The Angelic Hierarchy, The Saints, all those that help us, me (Brandi), my family and my friends. WE are going through a very challenging time right now and could really use your prayers. Thank you!

Tanu Prays - 

Heavenly Father I come before you praying for resources and money to build our family home, I pray for your blessings and favor, remember me and my family in a special and mighty way, for it’s in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ that I do pray believing and trusting Amen.

We pray for the wellness of the senior citizens in India -One with a severe back problem to give her strength and patience as well as relief from the pain; we also pray for a lady suffering from Parkinsons for relief as well as strength and patience to her caregiver daughter,

We pray for retired Pastor Benjamin in India for support as he and his daughter go through a very challenging time with his home breaking down and no finance to repair. We pray that efforts to organize financial support for them bears fruit.

We Pray for a Pastor's wife - diagnosed with stage IV cancer, she is in great pain and the family is heartbroken. We pray for relief from her pain, strength for the family and the greatest healer to visit her. 

Anna Prays - 

Divine peace for Renzo and Robin. The attack is from the pits of hell and I bind it in the Name of Jesus. Divine intervention and peace and love . Amen and Amen

Dr. Moreland requests prayer for Mike who is facing cancer surgery. 

We pray for Aaliyah who says- 

I just started university three weeks ago. I've been struggling mentally being away from home and feeling overwhelmed with the people I'm around. I've been disconnected from god for a while now and want to change that. I've had depression before, and I feel it coming back. I just want my semester to be filled with happy moments and not let my depression win.

Jason asks "Please pray for my Daughter who either has the Stomach virus or food poisoning".

Someone asks - Please storm heaven's gates for complete healing for my husband, father, and mother! Please pray for protection and Godly friends for my children. I pray all petitions on this board are heard and answered by God. I also pray especially for those struggling with mental illness and their families. May they have peace.

Please pray for all these and other needs you may know of.