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.

This has been a week where many have been touched by their journey through the valley of the shadow of death. Joseph, the largest and strongest of Amber’s triplets, passed away Friday (March 1). Recently released from neo-natal care, he developed an infection in his intestines that spread quickly through his body.  The two girls remain hospitalized. Freya, the largest girl, was born at 3 pounds, 3 ounces.  Finley, the tiniest baby was born at 2 pounds, 6.8 ounces and and has heart problems that ultimately will require surgery.

Sarah, only 37, also died this week, leaving a big void for her family.

Other petitions sent in were for prayers for Drake, who remains hospitalized. He is still rejecting food through his feeding tube so that will delay his coming home.

Andrew heard a “crack-thump” in his chest which brought both pain and a lot more trouble breathing. His right lung isn’t working properly and there is another swelling on the chest wall and in the neck, making talking very hard. Barb has brought home communion from church so he can have it every day, but she has to say the Lord’s Prayer. Andrew can’t get through it without losing his voice and coughing.

Ed asks for prayers for comfort, healing and a rapid recovery for a dear friend’s wife who fell and broke her wrist and had surgery. She is recovering well and just started bi-weekly physical therapy.

Kevin asks for more prayers for his brother and himself. Besides having a bone on bone hip and debilitating arthritis, he has a totally pinched sciatic nerve bilaterally, and a leg infection that won’t heal. He has wound nurses coming to the house to change dressings and a soft cast has been put on to help with swelling.He also asked for prayer for his dog Bella who has ear infections in both ears.

Josh’s stepdad had a massive heart attack and needs lifting up.

Horace was rushed to the emergency room with chest pains. He seeks prayers as they await tests.

On the power of prayer, Priscilla,who fell on the ice and was taken to the hospital with possible complications with the pregnancy was discharged with no restrictions.

Jay is still battling double pneumonia, but showing some signs of improvement.

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 progress being made by Priscilla and Jay. 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 Freya, Finley, Drake, Andrew, Ed’s friend, Kevin, Josh’s stepdad, Horace, and Amber’s and Sarah’s families 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.

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: Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet. — Bob Marley