Archive for the ‘Prayer Requests’ Category
Pray for Emily
June 16th, 2009 | 2 Comments | Posted in » Prayer Requests
My sister asked me to share a bit here about her friend, Emily, who is in deep need of prayer right now, as she and her family are facing difficulties most of us can’t imagine.
You see, last Monday, Emily was 20 weeks pregnant, and she and her family were anxiously awaiting the arrival of a baby. That day, those dreams came crashing down… she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia severe enough to necessitate emergency induction of labor and delivery, and the baby did not survive. Now, while still grieving the loss of her child, she is fighting the after-effects of the condition.
There’s nothing any of us can say to Emily to make things better somehow… I certainly don’t have words of my own that are adequate to bring comfort. But I am reminded of God’s word given to us in Philippians 4:5-7:
The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Lord God, maker of the universe, Creator of all things, Savior to all who call upon Jesus’ name… He is near to you, Emily.
To everyone who reads this? Please pray for Emily and her family. God’s comfort and healing is clearly needed!
Sam and Esther
January 31st, 2009 | 2 Comments | Posted in » God at Work, Prayer Requests
This video is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it’s likely to break yours.
Watch it. Weep about it. And then DO something.
We have NO idea what hunger is. No idea whatsoever.
Pray for kids like Sam and Esther… their story is being repeated worldwide over and over and over again. And do something to help… there ARE many out there giving their lives to prevent things like this, but the needs FAR outstretch the resources available to meet them.
HT: Anne Jackson
When You Visit the Doctor…
October 1st, 2008 | 2 Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family, Prayer Requests
When you visit the doctor, there are some things you just don’t want to hear them say. I had one of those moments today.
You see, I knew I had an ear infection… if I didn’t know it before by the fact that I could barely hear with one ear, it was certainly made clear by the searing pain brought about in that same ear by the ascents and descents of the past two days of air travel!
So I went to the doctor this afternoon to get official diagnosis and treatment, and heard one of those phrases during my exam that can only mean bad news:
EWWW! That is NASTY!
So much for just having an ear infection. Turns out that the curl up into the fetal position, cry for momma type of pain emanating from my ear was the result of ruptured eardrum.
Ugh. Pray for me, would you?
Pray for My Grandma…
August 22nd, 2008 | 2 Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family, Prayer Requests
Last night, my grandma was admitted to the hospital again, as the health concerns she has been struggling with worsened. At her age (92!), we’re obviously concerned.
Obviously, prayers for her recovery would be greatly appreciated. Please also pray for the doctors who are treating her, and for our family (especially her kids… my mom, aunt, and uncle) as we struggle with the uncertainties of her condition.
Thanks so much!
Pray for Tony…
July 10th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in » Prayer Requests
Short post, but urgent need. Over the weekend, an acquaintance of mine through work suddenly began experiencing serious health problems. He was hospitalized as a result, and doctors quickly found that his problems were attributable to cancer. He has been undergoing chemotherapy, as doctors try feverishly to halt the cancer quickly.
The bottom line is that, as of now, he is not doing well.
Please pray for Tony, his wife, and his two girls. These kind of things seem so senseless, but God is in control and can provide the strength and comfort needed to fight through.
UPDATE: Tony’s losing battle with cancer ended this morning, as God chose to take him home. Please pray for his wife and children, as they will definitely need comfort only God can provide.
Pray for Jeffrey…
June 5th, 2008 | 4 Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family, Pictures, Prayer Requests
Later today, Nancy and I will be taking our son, Jeffrey, to the hospital for some outpatient surgery. He’s fought problems with a clogged tear duct since he was about a year old, and despite previous surgery to correct the problem, we’ve got to go down that same road again. Hopefully this time the procedure will take like it’s supposed to, and we won’t have further problems down the road.
As surgery goes, it’s a minor procedure, taking about five minutes for doctors to insert a stint into the duct to open it up. It does, however, involve anesthesia to knock him out while they do the procedure, and that’s always something that’s difficult.
Please pray for Jeffrey today, as this definitely won’t be an experience he’ll enjoy. While he’ll have a MUCH better understanding of what’s going on as compared to last time, we don’t anticipate it being much fun for anyone. You might also pray for Grandma and the girls, as they’ll be hanging out together while we’re at the hospital.
Thanks!
HelpThePesinas.com
April 12th, 2008 | 2 Comments | Posted in » Church Stuff..., God at Work, In the News..., My Life / Family, Prayer Requests
After quite a bit of thought and prayer (and a lot of encouragement from Jodi Brager’s contagious enthusiasm!), we’re launching an effort to help the Pesina family. Please check it out at HelpThePesinas.com.
We’ve heard a lot of encouraging things today, as Jodi has made a LOT of phone calls. We’ve heard that the landlord of the home the Pesinas lived in likes the family so much that they’re considering selling the lot to the Pesina family at a very reasonable price (if not flat-out donating it) to help the family get into a home of their own. We’ve heard that local media is willing to help promote our efforts to get them into a new home. We’ve heard from pastors in the area who are willing to share this need with their congregations and help out where possible. We’ve even had people come up out of the blue to give money to help!
It’s just amazing to watch God work.
We wait with anticipation to see what He’ll do each moment. Tomorrow will be an exciting day, as this need will be presented in churches across our area. To be honest, I’m not sure how we’ll handle it if we’re overwhelmed at the outpouring of support… but that’s the kind of problem we’d LOVE to have.
Anyway, news about the effort will shift to the new site from here forward.
Fellow bloggers? I hate to beg for help, but please promote this effort on your site if you’d be so kind!
Help for the Pesinas…
April 11th, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Church Stuff..., God at Work, In the News..., Prayer Requests
As I mentioned yesterday, a tornado touched down in St. Joseph last night, destroying the home of a family whose children have been attending our church. Today, my friend Jodi Brager and a number of others (including my wife Nancy) have been rallying to help them out.
It’s time to dream big, Christians. Be in prayer about this, but here’s something Jodi and I talked about tonight…
Ever seen Extreme Home Makeover? Or the work Habitat for Humanity does?
Why can’t we do this as the church? We have a need… a home for the Pesina family… we have a large number of people wanting to help… why can’t we rally to meet this family’s need and provide not just a place to live, but a home of their own? If ever there were a family in need, this is it… a husband, wife, and nine beautiful children.
Pray about it with me, Jodi, and others here in St. Joseph, and let’s see where God leads. Check back here or at Jodi’s blog for more as plans develop.
For now, here’s a few things of interest:
Donations are currently being taken to support the family. Southside Youth Outreach is coordinating this:
Southside Youth Outreach
P.O. Box 4382
St. Joseph, MO 64504
(816) 383-4315
News coverage:
- KQ2: “Family Escapes Toppled House”
- KQ2: “A Family Recovers Whatever’s Possible”
- St. Joe News Press: Strong Storms Pummel St. Joseph’s South Side
- St. Joe News Press: “Picking up the Pieces”
- (more to come later… KQ2 did a story on their 10:00 news that is not yet available online)
Storms in St. Joseph…
April 10th, 2008 | 3 Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family, Prayer Requests
No Bible in a Year post tonight… it’s been a bit hectic around here!
We had a pretty severe storm pass through St. Joseph about 8:30, knocking out electricity to several thousand St. Joseph residents. Worse, the storm brought strong winds, and possibly a tornado, and damaged quite a few homes and businesses on the south side of our town.
The prayer request tonight is not just generic to those affected by the storm, but specific to a family whose home was destroyed by the storm. Their kids have been attending our church, so please lift them up in prayer tonight!
UPDATE: My friend Jodi Brager knows this family very well (she ministers to their kids through Southside Youth Outreach) and was with them last night following the storm. She shares more on her blog here. It truly is a miracle that all 11 members of this family survived!
Keep Praying for Us…
March 24th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family, Prayer Requests
Please keep praying for the Stickley family… all of us. Jeffrey, Jenna, Allison, Nancy and me.
You see, between the five of us, we’ve battled more than our fair share of illnesses in the last week… pneumonia (Allison and me), flu / sinus infections (Jeffrey, Jenna, and me), and now strep throat (Nancy). The end doesn’t appear to be in sight just yet, and we’re absolutely SICK of being sick.
Anyway, pray not only for our healing, but for endurance. Neither Nancy nor I have had a good night’s sleep in a week, and we’re simply worn out!