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. These 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 is a special week. First and foremost we celebrate the Empty Tomb. Our world is currently being battered and torn with the coronavirus pandemic. But we know through that Empty Tomb, Christ defeats all evil – illness, death, and even Satan himself.

Let’s remember to approach the throne room and respond with faith and not fear, knowing the promises of God and His mighty hand will hold us through any situation! Sometimes, all it takes is just one prayer to change everything. Something extraordinary happens when two or more agree together in prayer.

What is one of the most important things we should do as Christians? Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18).

Thoughts and prayers to all worldwide suffering from the consequences of coronavirus flu – and all other strains. Many – many – of the prayer requests are covid-19 related … people diagnosed … people sick … people dying … relatives worried and isolated. We are in this together – in prayer!

Please keep the victims of household abuse in your prayers. Whether it be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect, this time in particular is very horrifying for them to be trapped in a house with their abuser(s) and not being able to escape.

Andrew continues to struggle. He is having a tough time breathing and has lost his voice.  Tough times for a tough guy, Barbara reported things were not going well. Prayers – and a sense of humor – are keeping him afloat.

Dave tested positive for covid-19. With an underlying severe heart condition his risks are significantly higher and he’s been living the last couple of years under a cloud — a dark cloud — dealing with the death of his longtime companion, his son’s deployment to Afghanistan, betrayal in another relationship, a very serious auto accident, and, of course, his declining heart health issues. He needs prayer — lots of prayer — as he battles his biggest challenge: loss of hope.

After doing a CT scan, doctors found a large tumor on Steve’s right kidney and multiple metastatic tumors dotting down his spine. He was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma, kidney cancer. In December he had a major spinal surgery in order to prevent paralysis as one of the tumors was pushing on his spinal cord. Again in February, he had another surgery on his lower back to fuse some vertebrae which were unstable due to another tumor. He is currently undergoing multiple immunotherapy treatments, including radiation and keytruda infusions. However, this is palliative care and there is no cure. Prayers are needed.

Barbara asks friends say a little prayer for her. Tomorrow will be the second anniversary of her 27 year old daughter’s passing away. She notes this is such a difficult time for her which she cannot discuss with her family. They think she should be “over it”.

Ola needs our prayers. He is having a sharp pain in his lower abdomen.

Philip had a bad accident Tuesday and is in the ICU trauma unit in a coma. Prayers requested.

Denise had a rare drug interaction that created hallucinations. At first, doctors didn’t make the connection. Prayers appreciated.

Jason had emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction. Prayers welcomed.

There were a host of unspoken prayer requests and we heard of a number of deaths this week. Prayers for their families as they go through this earthly trial. We grieve … heaven rejoices.

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. 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 know we can come to You with our concerns and they will be heard. Through Christ all things are possible. 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 Andrew, Dave, Steve, Barbara, Ola, Philip, Denise, Jason, and all those needing Your healing and guiding touch. We pray for 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. In Jesus’ Name, 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: It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without heart. — Mahatma Gandhi