In this world we all face times when difficulties and challenges are great; none of us are immune to them. Today I ask that all of you would pray for my extended family, as we are experiencing a very trying time with a series of huge hits that have been keeping us on our knees of late.
My brother-in-law, Steve Yoshimi, oversees a division of International Discipleship teams in Mexico. This Monday, shortly after returning from visiting his father, who had been very ill, Steve received news that his father had passed away. He and my sister Kathy immediately made the long trip back to be with the family. Please pray for comfort and for the salvation of the family, and that Steve and my sister would be able to share the gospel at the funeral.
At the same time I learned that another one of my sisters, Barbara, and her husband Jim are also experiencing a major hit. While recovering from a recent neck surgery Jim caught pneumonia and is now on 100% oxygen. They then got news that his mother had died, but due to his serious medical condition, were unable to attend her funeral. All this, in addition to my sister’s ongoing recovery from cancer, has been very difficult on the family. Please pray for God’s surpassing comfort and peace in the midst of the storm.
Then yesterday, I received word that my other sister, Beth, who was scheduled for bypass surgery next week, and her daughter, Hannah, who is a missionary in Mexico on home for a visit, were involved in a serious car accident. They were hit broadside. Beth underwent emergency hip replacement surgery last night, and Hannah was severely bruised. The driver of the other car died as a result of the accident. Please pray for their healing and for the comfort of the family who lost a loved one.
And, in the midst of all this family pain, we are eagerly anticipating the birth of our first grandson. The due date is next Tuesday, December 19th. Please pray that he is born healthy, and that Jessica has a safe and easy delivery.
Yes trials do come, but, through it all, we have a heavenly Father who is willing and able to work all things together for good. Please pray for the Lord’s comfort and encouragement in each of these situations; for doctors to have wisdom, and for those who know Him to lift their heads and hands to Him.
We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body…Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4: 8-10; 16-18).
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http://www.ccob.org/prayer/
