Say a Prayer...

I have spent quite a bit of time in prayer today as I review through the Twitterverse (universe of Twitter, that is). I have been praying for several requests, including a family who lost 4 members of their family this morning locally, the upcoming Compassion Bloggers trip to India, praise and worship services this coming weekend, and the many friends who are learning at Catalyst West Coast.

I am amazed at how folks are willing to share prayer concerns with "complete strangers" through Twitter. I have recently become involved in the @worldprayr group and have been helping in moderation and posting on the home site found here.

We need to be mindful that prayer that moves the heart of God can move the hand of God. I know I have heard Bro. Boyd say that many times, though I can't remember who he references with learning it from. The verse that comes to mind is found in James 5:16..."Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." If we will but take our petitions before the Lord we could see miraculous works done in Jesus' name!!!

Today, I wanted to open the gates for everyone to share a request (public or unspoken) that we could all lift before the Lord on each other's behalf.

I want to lift up a couple of requests myself...first for the Dale Welch family, as Dale's cancer has progressed and he is in his last days with us. May God comfort the family and allow us to open our arms in Christ's love to them. Also, The Howard family, as sister Howard is nearing life's end.

Finally, I would like to lift the Flood family up. The father and 3 children were killd this morning when their vehicle ran a stop sign and were hit by a semi. The mother was airlifted to OKC this morning.

I would ask that you pray for these and pray for me as I pray for you...

Please drop a request and take a moment to word a prayer for those who have posted before you...thanks!!!

Confess to each other...

James 5:16-18..."Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (18) And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."

Do you carry around baggage that weighs you down emotionally? Do you wish you could drop some or have someone help carry it? Maybe you've prayed and asked forgiveness, but have you ever shared your inner secrets with another?

Sometimes, what you need is a chance to open up and let it pour out, right? A counselor isn't the only person you can talk to, either. Do you have someone you can open up to? The Bible is teaching here to open up to a brother or sister in Christ. We all have our faults and part of growing together corporately is sharing our faults with one another that we may pray for one another. Not just praying for the back pain, the arthritis, or the in-law situations, but also the "inner demons" they face. It says for us to pray like that so we might be healed. Did you realize you needed healing? Listen up...you do!!!

Continuing in verse 17, it mentions that Elias was a man with passions like we have. He prayed earnestly...not grudgingly, not because he had to. He prayed for it to not rain, and you know what? It didn't...for three years and six months. For those of us in the Great Plains of the U.S. it sometimes seems like it's been that long, but not even close.

The amazing thing comes in verse 18...he prayed again, and it rained, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Here is a man like us, who prayed and asked God to stop the rain first, then asked to rain again and it happened. The key to having a prayer life that gets heard by God is??? At the end of verse 16..."The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Pray with boldness, confess to one another, pray for one another (deeply), and have faith. The God who halted the rain for Elias, can calm any storm in your life today. Please let me know how I can word a prayer for you today...