JOY– will YOU decide to be joyful?
Prayer Focusweek 19 (Sunday-Shabbat)
Being “joyful” is a decision. Each difficult situation allows us the opportunity to decide who or what is going to have power over our moment. Are “we” going to give the circumstance control over us: to rob us of the joy the Lord has given us, or are we going to rise above? God, Himself, has given us the ability to decide. Each challenge offers us the opportunity to choose. Once we have decided, will our actions reflect our resolve?
This week a friend shared that she and her co-worker challenged each other to apply the sermons they’d heard over the weekend. One was to speak evil of no one; the other, to choose to be joyful.A Great challenge for us all!
Verses upon which to meditate:
o Benefits of joy
o “A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones,” Proverbs 17:22, NASB.
o “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken,” Proverbs 15:13, NASB. NASB
o To be joyful, involves action on our part
o “Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name,” Psalm 97:12, NIV.
o “And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.” Psalm 27:7, NASB. [note David’s determination when he repeated “I will sing”! We need that same resolve.]
o “This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it,” Psalm 118:24, NASB.
Prayer:
“How precious have been Your days of Your fall festivals! Again, we are humbled that You have chosen to allow us to celebrate Your calendar with YOU! Thank You, mighty God. We, in turn, choose to be joyful – We rejoice in You, You who has given us everything!!! Help us to remember to make a conscious decision to be joyful as each challenging situation arises. Help our responses to be tempered by Your admonition for us to rejoice. We ask that You intervene in the various health issues on our prayer list; that these sons know Your peace and protection – help them to walk in the awareness that You are protecting them. Draw families together, let this Sukkot II (Thanksgiving) be a time of families’ coming together in love and that walls are broken down. Bless and protect Israel – help her not to compromise the birth rite You have given her. In Your Holy Name.”
Hallelujah:
o Kristen made the honor roll, and Yolanda has straight A’s!
o Rhonda’s foot surgery was successful – she was able to come to erev Yom Kippur & all of the festivals!
o Everyday Phyllis is doing better after her knee replacement – and continues to have an amazing attitude! She was able to attend erev Yom Kippur service. She also was able to come to all of the festivals! She is off of pain medication!
o Maxine and Joe had a wonderful visit with her daughter and son-in-law, Matt!!!! There has been a marvelous healing of relationships!
o Bev and Ruben attended her 50th class reunion – and was with her brothers!
o God has changed Natan’s deployment date has been delayed again from Oct 1 to ??? (Natan and family are together in El Paso! We continue to pray for God’s perfect day for Natan’s deployment! PLEASE pray for God’s timing.)
o Les’a continues to marvel at how God postponed her foot surgery! Daily, she realizes how MUCH she has needed two feet now, during Natan’s days prior to deployment.
o Dawn’s therapists were amazed at how quickly she is healing and at the mobility she has. She said: “I believe it is because of our Lord and all the prayers – thank you!”
o PJ’s back situation: can be improved with pool exercise – doesn’t look like he will need surgery! – now, we can pray for a pool!
o Deb’s requirements have been fulfilled!
o Fred (Bonnie’s brother): released from the hospital.
o Debbie: heart surgery + complications: she has been released to return home.
o 6-yr old Elijah: severe shaking in one arm. He wants the shaking to stop and the scary people who he sees at night to go away. He is doing better physically. Needs continued prayer.
Requests: (please email updates on these situations)… we blessed to be able to intercede for these!
o Bonnie: went to the hospital this week. Pray God removes all blockages and that she will not need surgery.
o Baby Mackenzie (her mother is Bonnie’s great niece’s friend): born about a month ago and has already had heart surgery and infections from her lines. Normally open-heart is not done until babies are older; in this instance, they couldn’t wait. Her parents knew prior to her birth that she would have these huge life-long medical challenges and were offered abortion as an alternative. They chose life – hallelujah! Please pray for her and her family!
o Marita: date she is to return to Israel – where she is to live in the meantime.
o Ray and Sharon (CFI, Jerusalem): fruitful visit to the US and make many quality contacts. Also, that Ray will have no residual affects from his fall.
o As we are enter the Thanksgiving season, pray that family issues will be healed and that they will be able to enjoy one another.
o Danielle (Phyllis’ daughter): a safe home for her and her three sons.
o Jon: That God intervenes and places him where he will be encouraged to make good decisions which will impact his family for good, for Your good. (His court date has been delayed to Jan 4)
o Ruthie: heavy spiritual attack; that she is encouraged and resists.
o Kyle (Yvonne’s son): serving in Afghanistan. Pray that he will be protected, and that he will fully yield his heart to the Lord.
o Yvonne’s mom: taken to hospital while visiting family in Calif.
o Yvonne’s grandson: pray that his mom and her boyfriend treat Ryan with love.
o David: Pray that God will continue to work and that He will encourage his family in this situation.
o Judy (Georges’ friend): God will intervene in health issues and strengthen Frank.
o Lynn: fell and has a large laceration in her head. Pray that there are no further complications. Staples should come out this week.
o Lynn’s aunt: leukemia. Prayer for assurance of salvation and understanding His forgiveness.
o Katerina: congestive heart failure; fluid in one lung and kidney problems. She won’t be able to attend her granddaughter’s wedding November 10th.
o John: continued health challenges.
o Rhonda: pain continues to lessen – and that these remaining weeks of healing will pass quickly! Her surgery this week to remove extra tissue went well.
o Dawn: continued prayer for total healing of her knee.
o Sherri: migraines would permanently leave.
o PJ: back will to return to normal without surgery. Paperwork issues will be resolved ++ JOB!
o Favor & wisdom in the work force: We would be excellent in the work place – even as Joseph, Daniel, etc. were – blessings to the companies because we are there!
o Deb and others who need jobs will get jobs — God-chosen jobs.
o Deb: migraines and onslaught of the enemy.
o Matt (Maxine & Joe): prayer for Matt: much pain and in hospice. Pray for Debbie and their children.
o Bob: special prayer for physical healing.
o Food bank (Cynthia’s parents’ ministry). Two of those injured by the accident at the food bank at her parents’ church are trying to sue the church and Cynthia’s parents to recover their medical costs. We are believing God to see this activity stopped and against fear. We know no weapon formed against them will prosper.
(Insurance has made a payment, but lawyers aren’t satisfied.)
(Insurance has made a payment, but lawyers aren’t satisfied.)
o Three sisters to meet godly men.
o Natan and family (Les’a and Don’s son and his family): the date of his deployment would be God’s date!
o Anna and IDF (Israeli Defense Force, Israel’s army): safety, protection, and wisdom. Many of the residents of the border areas and soldiers experience 100 enemy assaults/attacks in just ONE week!
o Children will stop running and will turn to God.
o Marriages to be healed.
o Corbin (Jim’s acquaintance): God will open his eyes to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior and that he will accept the word of God.
o A’s daughter in law: her heart would be drawn to her husband; that the Lord would place believers in her path.
o A’s relationship with his daughter: healing and mending of hearts.
o A’s Medicare situation to be straightened out – to his financial benefit. And for doctors to find the right solution to his health issues.
o T (Les’a & Don’s friend & a man of God): that the Lord would bring him the perfect helpmate – to share his life and to be a partner in ministry.
o Families (all of our families): to be whole and walk in the ways of the Lord!
o CFS (we!): will have wisdom and tenacity to continue on to see victory!
Assignments:
o Fast: Wed-Thurs (you choose whether liquid/water/juice fast or no pleasant bread fast (giving up a food or drink that you love) for these two days. Several are fasting longer to break the chains that are ensnaring.
1. Prayer earnestly for the rest of our Watchmen. We lift up each other’s arms as Moses were lifted by Aaron and Hur.
o Email me: results & challenges, we want to hear – we love you and are here for YOU!
o Speak the Word to these situations.
o Visit: www.ifmypeople.info! (Thank you for your prayers: the website is finishing, NOT finished, but finishing.) Please email me any questions or things that seem to be awry. (The Call To Prayer has 3 pages with nothing on them at this point – my next project!)
Prayer Needs & ANSWERS: NOTE: answers or beginnings of answers to prayer are highlighted in yellow! As new needs arise, send them! And don’t forget to send answers – even baby steps to answers!
