As we build this community prayer platform, we ask the Lord to listen to our petitions with full confidence they not only are heard but acted upon by God according to His holy will. I know the requests are on my prayer list and I hope you consider putting them on yours as you place your petitions before the Lord Sunday.

Big Jim, who is biking his way around America for recovery awareness, is in need of prayer. Plans call for awareness rallies on the steps of each state capital. Thus far, he has made it to Tallahassee, FL; Baton Rouge, LA; Jackson, MS; Little Rock, AR; Jefferson City, MO; and Des Moines, IA;and Lincoln, NB. Next stop is Topeka, KS, Monday (Feb. 25).

But Satan has had his hand in the ride as well. Jim has faced a tornado, ice, bike breakdowns, snow, the government shutdown (forcing him into motels rather than camping in national parks), blizzards and most recently not one, but two double charges that have depleted his funds and temporarily have him stranded in Kansas City, MO. While trying to remain faithful, you could hear the angst in his voice.

Big Jim’s Walk mission is to bring awareness to addiction and addiction recovery … all addiction and addiction recovery options. He needs our prayers and support. bigjimswalk.com/

Phil reported on his recent oncology appointment. The CT scan showed the lymph node tumors are growing slowly, but there are no new ones. Becky notes, “We know the Lord is in charge, and cancer won’t stop God’s plan for Phil’s life and ministry. We praise Jesus for His faithfulness and thank you for praying!”

Kevin asked for prayers for family. His brother is in pain and has started treatment.Kevin’s leg was getting better, but he developed another infection. His dad seems to be on the mend. “We are all stressed out beyond belief,” he said. “We need a few miracles … and lots of prayers.”

Ana’s sister’s baby daughter has been taken to the hospital for difficulties in breathing. Oxygen SAT was low and her condition is not improving. Please keep her in your prayers.

Bob’ Mom went home to glory, to be with Jesus and Dad at 9:58 this morning. Keep Bob and his family in your prayers during this time of grief {and celebration}.

Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 20) Abishai was in a serious car accident in West Portsmouth, OH. He was life-flighted to a hospital in Huntington, WV, with extensive injuries, including multiple fractures (skull, clavicle, pelvis), broken ribs and a punctured lung. His family and friends are grateful to God for his miraculous survival, but he faces a long road to recovery. That’s where your prayers come in.

Bonnie and Dave reported their granddaughter Amber had her triplets Wednesday (Feb.  20) at approximately 3 p.m.  Amber had to have a quick C-section as her blood pressure was very high and one of the babies was stressing some. Mom is doing well, but is a little sore.  The babies range in size from 4 pounds 0.6 ounce to 2 pounds, 14.96 ounces.  They were all put on oxygen and hooked up to monitors right away.  Joseph, the biggest one, does not need oxygen any longer; he was screaming and has a great set of lungs. The littlest girl, Finley, will need heart surgery when she is stronger. They are giving her medicine while waiting for her to gain weight and strength. Please continue prayers for the babies and the family.

They also visited their great-grandson yesterday, the one we prayed for last week. While his prognosis was not good at the time, he is doing so much better now. He was very alert and wide eyed.  He is very weak, but he sure does not miss much going on in his room. His big brown eyes are wide open and alert. Please keep him in your prayers; he will still need lots of special care even when he goes home. He is very lucky to have such an intuitive mom.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers also.  Your prayers mean so much.

Finally, their grandson Sean’s girlfriend was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. She is almost six months pregnant and fell on the ice at their house. The fear is she has torn her placenta.  Please say prayers for them.  This could be a serious injury.

“Thank you in advance for all your wonderful prayers,” said Bonnie.

Andrew continues to be in pain. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

And to put the gloom and doom in perspective, Melissa reminds  us, “Jesus, You are my greatest treasure!”

We come to You, Lord, because prayer is the least yet the greatest thing we can do for each other. When two or more are gathered in Your name, we confidently know You are with us. What better company can we have? You reign and we trust You! We may be broken and battered but know You heal and quiet the soul. You are the source for all that happens in our lives. We thank You for the many blessings we have received this week — some we unfortunately didn’t notice. Nonetheless, those blessings are ever-present in our lives. We thank You for healing. We thank You for slowing us down. We thank You for providing us our daily needs — no more and no less. We thank You for being with us, listening to us, walking with us on this journey. We thank You for the support of our family and friends … for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary — sunrises, sunsets, flowers, kids laughing, adventures, good news amid the bad news. We also know we can come to You with our concerns and they will be heard. We lift up those family members and friends who are battling various physical, emotional, financial, career or spiritual issues and ask not for Your guidance and healing (although that would be welcomed) but to keep reminding us we are not alone in our battles. Specifically we lift up Big Jim, Phil, Kevin, Bonnie and Dave, Amber and the triplets, Drake, Sean’s girlfriend, Andrew and Bob’s family and the families of all those You have called home. We grieve … You celebrate. We pray for obedience to Your Will so Your “Son” Light shines through us through the power of the Spirit. And we come to You through the confidence of the words taught by Your Son Jesus. Amen.Big Jim,

Keep your joys and concerns coming. They have been and will be included during my prayer time and I trust they will be on your lips as well as you approach the altar. All it takes is a couple of keystrokes under the “Contact Me” button on the top bar {or to the right if you’re not a follower yet}. I hope it becomes your best friend as you navigate around the site so we can all be viable prayer warriors. You can also comment or reach me at wisdomfromafather@gmail.com.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: The purpose of life is to live it for something that will outlast it. — William James