Prayer Monday - September 26, 2011

Well, Precious left this morning. He starts his new job this week. Please pray. We know this is God-initiated...God-ordained...however you want to say it, God is all up in this! ;-) However, Precious has to be away for 2 weeks. By himself. Staying in a hotel room (because the apartment isn't ready). He's a big boy and he'll be fine, but I would rather him be here or me be there. So, I guess I could use a little prayer too.

Please pray for my friends and family that I am leaving behind as we make this move. On Saturday some of my most favorite girls were able to be in the same room at the same time. It was so great to see everyone, but it makes me sad to leave. I have really awesome friends (God's doing - Lord knows, if it were up to me and my interactions, I'd never have any friends - I'm not a people person, ya'll). Please pray that God provides a least one good, reliable friend in Ohio. Girls need other girls.

We also need a church home - as do several other people in my life. Change. Change. Change. Please pray for all of those friends and family members that are seeking a new place to serve and worship as you're praying for Precious and I to find our church home in Ohio. Pray that everyone will end up exactly where God needs them and that He uses them in mighty ways.

Please remember my mom this week. She starts a new chemo regimen. We aren't really sure what to expect, but please pray that she responds to treatment better than they doctors could even imagine. We are praying for healing, people...God is a great big God. Right?

Prayer Monday - September 19, 2011

I'm back! Oh my goodness. The last few weeks have been insane! Thanks for your prayers (even though I wasn't posting requests I felt your prayers). Precious and I have found a place to live in Ohio. He leaves this coming Sunday and will be gone for 2 weeks before we can get our stuff into the apartment. He's staying in a long-stay hotel until the apartment is ready.

Please pray for us...especially him. He is starting a new job AND staying by himself in a little room. I think THAT alone is enough to drive a person mad. We are hoping they will call and say that we can move stuff into the apartment a little earlier (the current tenant would have to turn in the keys early), but God may have a reason for the move being the weekend of the 7th. It IS the weekend before the wedding, but it's also a holiday weekend for people like my Mom and SILTB. Please also pray that God will direct me in finding a job. I would really like to work at the university level and I have a few options with Kent State and The University of Akron being so close - I just don't know how difficult it is to get your foot in the door OR if that's where God wants me, so please pray for wisdom and direction for me.

Please continue to pray for my mom. She still has a few treatments left, but we are praising God for good news that she is responding to treatment AND that there will be 3 more treatments instead of 12.

My dad is still recovering from surgery. He went back to work this morning (with lots of restrictions, of course). Please pray that God continues to heal his body. He's still having pain in his left shoulder - pray that God just takes that away.

Prayer Monday - August 22, 2011

I know that I am a blog slacker, but so much has been going on in my life. My Precious got the job that he interviewed for and while I am freaking out a little about everything we have to get done in order to move and then wedding stuff on top of that, I'm really at peace. There are so many things that just scream, "Hey, God is smack dab in the middle of this!". 

When Precious decided to go back to school, he was intending to finish a major in Physics. However, he sort of stumbled upon the Center for Advanced Friction Studies at SIU (GOD) and ended up deciding that Mechanical Engineering was the way to go (that was the shortened version). Through this, he ended up gaining experience with carbon-carbon friction materials (the CAFS lab does research for F1 racing teams) and that was exactly what Meggitt (the company Precious will be working for) was needing. Apparently, it's difficult to find someone with this experience...once again - GOD! 

I lost my job at the end of the school year. They cut the music program in Cairo. (door closed) Nothing full-time was going to be open around us until January. So, this summer I have just been drawing unemployment and teaching part-time at the studio. Precious had a friend come and tell him about this job. The friend is not a US citizen and you have to be to work at Meggitt, so the friend puts Ronnie in touch with the job recruiter. (open door).

Precious and I have just been praying that God would close doors that need to be closed and open ones that need to be open - that He would make things so abundantly clear that we made no mistake in knowing that we were in HIS will. That happened after the interview. Precious flew to Ohio and interviewed on Tuesday of last week. They told him it would be this week sometime before they contacted him because they would need approval from the higher ups. We knew that he had a 50/50 shot - only 2 people were interviewed during the 2nd round. On Thursday - 2 days after the interview - Precious received an offer. Here's where it gets interesting. They offered him $2000 more a year than he had asked for. They offered a moving package that included flying Precious and I to Ohio for 3 days (accommodations and meals included) to find housing. The recruiter said that he has NEVER seen them offer to pay for the couple to come and find housing.

God, people. It's totally God. And it's abundantly clear that we are supposed to be serving in Ohio. Please pray for us as we attempt to find housing. Pray that it is as abundantly clear as everything else has been. We have to move everything before the wedding, so pray for Precious as he goes to live in Ohio and me as I stay here to finish up wedding plans.

Prayer Monday - August 1, 2011

So, I'm late posting today but I spent the afternoon with my mama - prolly gonna do it again tomorrow. :-)

Precious and I could really use your prayers right now. He still hasn't heard anything from the company he interviewed with. They said up to 2 weeks. Tomorrow will be 3. I know it's all about God's timing. There are just so many things hanging in the balance. He doesn't know whether to enroll for Fall courses. I don't know what to do about my SCC classes. We don't know what to do about looking for a place to rent here because we don't know anything about the job. Please pray that God will give us direction and faith to believe in spite of everything that hangs in the balance.

Please keep praying for my mom. Chemo is going well. She is experiencing very few side effects. It's rather amazing to watch God work through all of this. However, she has problems judging when enough is enough and she starts back to school in a couple of weeks. I worry. So, please pray that God will help her to chill out and be able to let things go that don't have to be taken care of right at that moment (she's a 'complete all tasks before you stop' sort of gal and that doesn't really work so well when you are fighting something like cancer). So pray for her.

Prayer Mondays - July 25, 2011

 

Join us for Prayer Mondays. You simply state your prayer requests, link up, then visit others who have linked up. You pray for them then leave a comment telling them you did so. Join us @ A Life in Ordinary.

I am posting this from my phone....we'll see how it goes (and I just typed 'hoe' instead of 'how' so not very well). NOTE: I can't format on my phone so I had to drag out the computer.

The biggie this week is Precious' job interview results. Please just pray that God would have His way. We are both a little nervous and there are a lot of things up in the air until we hear from them. We are praying that doors would open and doors will close and that God would make His Will abundantly clear.

Please also pray for my mom. She goes for another round of chemo today. Please pray that God will continue to heal her body.

And for me, please pray that God will draw me closer to His side. I feel like in the middle of all of this chaos in my life I often lose focus. I want to be more passionate about the things God wants to use me to do...I want to be more enthusiastic about serving Him. I don't want to miss a 'divine appointment' because I was too busy to see it when it passed my way.

Prayer Monday - July 18, 2011

So, this morning I got up early. I exercised (SHOCK!). I fixed myself breakfast (scrambled eggs with sauteed peppers and onions and blueberries). I took a shower and got ready (sweating the whole time because my body doesn't seem to want to come back to a normal temperature EVER but especially after I exercise and sweat half to death - then add to that the fact that it's supposed to be 12,000 degree with 520% humidity this week...just sayin'). So, back to my story - The Knot told me yesterday that I have 90 days until our wedding (today it says 88 - someone doesn't know how to count). Regardless, I have decided that I have no control over practically anything in my life and I don't have a job (other than teaching at the studio - grateful, but it alone will not pay the bills), so my job is now to take care of me. My body doesn't respond like I want it to when I exercise or eat healthy, however, I know it's better for me. So, I'm choosing to focus on my 'temple'. Pray for me people. I'm not good at this whole being healthy thing. I HATE exercising - mostly because I don't like to sweat and I sweat profusely when I do. I don't mind the whole eating healthy, but it requires a lot of time and preparation and I run a lot (not like run exercise run - yeah, right - fat chance of that EVER happening, but run as in I'm never home).

My mom and dad (and other Neely family members), are heading home this week from a motorcycle trip. It's supposed to be HOT. Please remember them as they travel. My prayer: God bless the crazies that decided it was a good idea to ride on motorcycles in the middle of flippin' July. They're obviously suffering from some mental malfunctions. :-)

I have had a rather trying week with people in general. Truth be told, I don't like most people right now. Pray for me as I work on this. I'm thinking Jesus needs me to like people in order to love people, in order to be his light...I'm not even at the like people part today and I'm finding myself especially not fond of 'church people'. Sad, I know.

Prayer Monday - July 11, 2011

So, I get these daily devotionals through my email called Girlfriends in God. This was today’s and I SO needed to hear it. As you read through this, please just pray that God’s will would be accomplished in my life and in My Precious’ life. He has a job interview tomorrow and it would require a pretty big move and we really just want to be in the center of God’s will.

Also please pray for my mom and dad – they are on a 2 week long motorcycle trip.

The Purpose of Prayer by Sharon Jaynes

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10 NIV).

Friend To Friend

Prayer is not meant to change God's mind, but to change ours.  Prayer aligns our thinking with God's will.  When we begin our prayer with praise, we take the focus off of ourselves and put it on God.  When we pray for God's will to be done, we take the focus off of our desires and put it on God's desires for our lives.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." For those who recite what we've come to know as the Lord's Prayer on a regular basis, it is very important that we never take those words for granted or say them flippantly.  It is the cornerstone, the focus, and the ultimate purpose of prayer. Jesus himself prayed for God's will to be done. In the Garden of Gethsemane, just before his arrest, Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me."   His prayer was so intense, capillaries burst and droplets of blood trickled down his forehead. And yet, as much as He would have welcomed redemption in any other way than the cross, Jesus prayed, "yet, not my will, but yours be done," (Luke 22:42).

I am so thankful that God has not answered each of my requests with a "yes."  My life would be much different than it is today - and I don't mean for the better. How thankful I am for my Heavenly Father Who knows what's best for me!  He has plans that are "above and beyond all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20) and in order to hear God speak through prayer, we must allow ourselves to think beyond our limited knowledge, to see beyond our limited vision, and to believe beyond our limited understanding.

Prayer turns our focus toward God and allows Him to rearrange our priorities and set our agenda. It is more than unloading our burdens and enumerating our desires. Prayer is more than telling God what we want. It is asking God what He wants.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, I don't know what is best for me, but I know You do. Thank You that You don't give me everything I want, but You do give me everything I need.  Lord, help me to recognize when my desires do not line up with Your plans. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Prayer Monday - June 27, 2011

A lot is going on in my life and I really need prayer that I will be able to focus each day on what God has for me to do and that I would be able to discern His will and heart in the midst of the chaos and commotion. I'm so thankful for the time that I am getting to spend with my family during this season. God is so awesome in that He can bring so much good from from those things that generally suck the life out of us.

I have no job. That's a little frustrating. Unemployment should start soon, but it isn't as much as I had hoped (about half of what I was making--one should consider that Cairo is one if not THE lowest paid district in IL so half is pathetic). I'm concerned about getting married in October and 'making ends meet' because Ronnie will be in school until May. Please pray that God will give us wisdom in finding a house. I have faith that He will provide, but my humanness has a few questions regarding how.

Please continue to pray for healing in my mom's body. We go for Round 3 of chemo this week. Pray that the God continues to use whatever means necessary to rid her body of cancer and that His will is accomplished in the process.

ooooo....I have something else I'm thankful for today. So, Cape Comic Con (Nerd Fest, Geek Zone, whatever you want to call it) was this weekend. Ronnie and I usually help out (READ: Ronnie helps I. I harass people.) We didn't go to church because of it, but when we got to The Osage Center a church had set up shop for the morning. I worshiped with Vantage Point Church this morning and it was refreshing! So thankful!

Prayer Monday - June 6, 2011

Crystal, at A Life in Ordinary hosts Prayer Mondays. Feel free to link up!

Girls, it's been quite the week and I have another one just like it approaching. God has answered prayers though. I don't want to ever fail to honor Him with the praise that is due Him. I am thankful for my family and for Precious' family. Of all the things I treasure on this earth, I treasure them the most.

Please pray for my family this week. My granny passed away on Saturday. My mom, who has Stage 3 breast cancer, has a doctor's appointment on Tuesday afternoon, visitation Tuesday evening, funeral on Wednesday and chemotherapy on Thursday.  WOAH! It's gonna be a long week, ladies. My family could use a little extra strength from Jesus.

I am also starting Bridal Bootcamp. Oh, how I loathe exercising and I have a love affair with food, but I am not at a healthy weight and I want to change that. My body does NOT respond to diet and exercise like a normal person's body. I don't know what the deal is and I don't even care. I'm asking God to change that. Period. So, pray that I can remain faithful and press on even when the results aren't always there - that I would be able to deal with this stronghold I seem to have where food is concerned. I. LOVE. TO. EAT.

Also, Precious and I are not sure what we're supposed to be doing. I don't have a job after this week ends. He is still in school until next May. We are getting married in October and have no idea where or how we are going to live. WOAH! Please pray that God would grant us discernment and open doors. We want to be walking in His will.

Prayer Monday - May 23, 2011

WOAH! I don't even know where to begin...

Some days are easy. Some days are hard. "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life." I don't like it, but what's a girl to do? I'll tell you - she learns and she grows. She tries to get better at how she responds to the hard days. She tries to encourage others more because focusing on others needs makes the hard days not seem quite so bad. She finds something to express gratitude for even on the worst of days because she knows that God is a great big God and that he will use everything for good - even the sucky stuff!

Lord Jesus, COME. We desperately need You. We need to sense Your presence and see Your hand in so many situations. God, grant us discernment, especially in those difficult times when we are more likely to assume and react in the moment rather than respond in the manner You would have us to. Help us to focus on You and You alone. Draw us into a deeper relationship with You. May our hearts break over those things that break Your heart and may we rejoice when the heavens rejoice. Live in and through us this week. Your kingdom come. Your will be done.

Prayer Monday - May 16, 2011

Join us for Prayer Monday at A Life in Ordinary.

The last few weeks have been trying and I'm just working on keeping it all together.

Please pray for my family. We are going through a little bit of a rough patch. Pray for strength and healing.

I could also use a little wisdom when it comes to decisions for the future. House. Job. Church.

The end.

Prayer Monday - May 2, 2011

Lately, I feel like everyday should be Prayer Monday. There's so much hurt, so much destruction, so many people feeling devastated...
Flooding continues in Southern IL. It's perfectly awful and I am SICK of rain! While I know God is not surprised by all of this and I know He's still in control regardless of how bad things look, it's frustrating to watch it all play out and not knowing what the outcome will be.

Prayer Requests
~ Please pray for Cairo. Pray for God's will to be accomplished. I firmly believe that God is doing something new through all of this flooding. I have no idea how it is going to play out. I have no idea if we will return to school or not this year. What I do know is that God will bring glory to Himself through this. Pray for the people to be changed - their hearts to be drawn to God through all of this.

~ My mom.

~ My Precious has a crazy week ahead. Please pray for him.

~ I found the 'be healthy wagon' and I'm going to try to get back on it this week. Please pray for me. I'm really bad at sticking with this stuff.

Prayer
Oh God, You are my God and I will ever praise You...I trust Your plan even when I can't see how it will all play out and even when it simply doesn't make sense. Each day this week, help me to know how You would have me use my time.  Grant me discernment (I seem to lack it quite often). Lord, this week belongs to You.

Prayer Monday - April 25, 2011

I'm back! Spring break was productive and refreshing (and extended by at least one day because of flooding). This weather is crazy! I don't ever remember there being this many stormy nights - back to back. And the rain...it just keeps coming.

Prayer Requests
~ My Mom. I think she's told enough people that it's ok to make it public here especially since it means prayer warriors interceding for her. She goes for a biopsy on May 3, but they're pretty sure she has breast cancer. Please pray for God's will. I know that He can heal in an instant but I also know that sometimes we walk through valleys. Please pray for grace and strength and peace for my mom.

~ My Uncle Roger continues his battle. From what I understand certain parts of his body are rejecting his stem cell transplant - which just seems odd. Please pray that God will give him strength and the doctors wisdom as they treat him and that his body would heal for good. Pray for my aunt as she faithfully stays by his side. I know she's exhausted.

~ My Precious

~ Did I mention Precious and I are getting married and they cut my position at school? I know that God will provide - He always does, but I really want to be where HE wants me to be and I'm not sure what that looks like (teaching music or something completely different). Being still is not my strongest suit, but I really want to wait on the Lord. I want to be still until He orders my steps. Please pray that I will be able to do this.

God, everything I listed above has the potential to cause me to worry and fret. However, I know that Your Word says that we should be anxious for nothing. Help me to trust You - really trust You - with all of these issues. These things weigh heavy on my heart and mind and I don't know what the end looks like in ANY of these situations, but I pray for YOUR will to be done. I know that I probably won't understand a lot of things, but please continue to just give me peace in knowing that You are in control. Order my words and order my steps this week. I don't want to go somewhere if I know that You're not there. Thanks You for the hope that You provide, especially at times when we simply don't know or understand what You're doing.

Amen

Prayer Monday - April 11, 2011

Ok, so my morning started with me cracking an egg and it going all over the counter rather than in the bowl...that sort of explains how my entire week has been. Nothing really going 'right' - whatever that means. Many things just feel 'off'. Perhaps because I'm tired or perhaps because I'm just frustrated in general, but I really would like for things to resume to a 'not-so-off' state.

My Requests:
~ My Uncle had to go back to Vanderbilt this week. Parts of his body are rejecting the stem cells - his lungs, his skin - they're introducing new treatment. Please pray that it works. And please pray for my aunt. I know that she's exhausted and incredibly frustrated.

~ Please pray that God will help Precious and I navigate the unknown. We're currently just trying to be still and know that HE is God, but I was not blessed with patience so being still is difficult for me. Pray that God will strengthen our faith and reveal Himself in ways we could never imagine and that we would be able to focus on where, when and how we are supposed to be serving.

~ My dad has some health issues and we're possibly looking at spinal fusion surgery. Please pray for him and his doctors.

~ Lil bro is still running hard and fast from God. Please keep praying. I totally believe that God is moving and is pursuing him, but lil bro can be a bit stubborn (he might get that from me...just sayin').

Prayer
God, I need help focusing on You and Your purposes in this life. Everything feels 'off' and messy and I don't like it...mostly because I feel like it's partly this way because I'm not focusing on YOU the way that I should. As each woman who participates here goes through this week, I pray for each to have a servant's heart and to be able to focus on their purposes for this season in their lives. I pray that You would then equip each of us for the service You have called us to and for the journeys we are on. God grant us strength to get through each day and peace to endure those things that would typically 'rattle our cages'. God, You are good and I pray for nothing less than Your best for each of these women.

Amen

Prayer Monday - April 4, 2011

Praises
~I'm not really freaking out about the job thing. Perhaps I should be, but I don't feel the need just yet and for that I'm thankful.
~A great weekend get away was very refreshing.
~Even though I don't know what God is doing, I know He's doing something so I don't have to worry about it.

Prayer Requests
~My Uncle Roger - there were apparently some issues yesterday so please pray for his health and that God would intervene and give he and my aunt peace and strength
~My little brother. Please pray that God will have His way in lil bro's life - no matter what it takes that God will get his attention
~My Precious
~Frustrated with the food/exercise/losing weight/being healthy bit. Pray that God would give me strength, focus, and the will power to do what I need to do. Period.
~Please pray that God will give me wisdom and guidance as I make decisions regarding the future


Father, I praise You for being all-knowing and all-powerful. I thank You for Your faithfulness in the past and I thank You in advance because I know that You are going to continue to be faithful in all of the requests that are being lifted up to You this week by those joining Prayer Monday. I pray that You would meet the needs of the requests in Your way and in Your time - I confess that in my constant state of impatience my time and Your time are rarely the same, but I trust that You know what's best. So, come Lord and do Your work here this week.


Amen

Prayer Monday - March 28, 2011

Oh weather, how I loathe you! Make up your mind what season it is! Sheesh, I have been sickly most of this week. It seems the weather is not my friend. It's been a decent week, though. I had a little break at the studio because half of my students were performing in a production of Hairspray (which ROCKED - congrats to them!). There were 2 afternoons where I sat on my couch and did what I wanted (which was pretty close to nothing).

This week I was able to take care of a few more wedding things (chipping away a little at a time) and My Precious and I were able to spend a little time together which was really nice. Saturday, I nixed my original plans and spent the day with my mom. We shopped and had our nails done.

I think sometimes when you're in a place of "I don't know" it's nice to just spend time with people you love.

Praises
~Time spent with those I love was super encouraging.
~I took some of my students on a field trip and no one died (in other words, they were very well-behaved and I didn't have to kill them)
~I am thankful for the movement I see - I know God is working in several situations that I am currently seeking His face over.
~My uncle Roger (who has been very sick) had a few great days last week where he was able to eat and felt like getting out of the house - so thankful for that.

Prayer Requests
~I am pretty sure I'm addicted to food and allergic to exercise. Please pray for me as I try to become un-addicted and un-allergic.
~My Precious
~My little brother. Please pray that God will have His way in lil bro's life - no matter what it takes that God will get his attention
~Please pray that God will give me wisdom and guidance as I make decisions regarding the future - I have a couple of job possibilities but I want to be where God wants me - His will, not mine.
~My uncle Roger - please pray that God will continue to strengthen him and heal his body

God, there is so much going on in my life and in the lives of those around me. I am thankful for the movement that I see. I am thankful for seeing Your grace bring healing to specific situations I have been praying for. Some days are still a little overwhelming, though. When those days come, help us to trust You with our whole hearts. As we go through this week, may we pour out our hearts before You each and every day - to empty ourselves so that there is more room for You. Remind us, God that You alone are the answer for whatever situations arise.

Amen

Prayer Monday - March 21, 2011

This has been quite the week for me. I was riffed Thursday night at our board meeting. I'm not sure what the future holds. I don't know if I am supposed to continue to teach music or look for another line of work. I feel like I am in a huge season of  "I DON'T KNOW" and the only thing that I really DO know is that I don't like it very much.

Praises

1. I was able to spend some much needed time with My Precious this weekend.

2. God is BIG - even bigger than the boogie-man.

Prayer Requests

1. Work. I honestly don't know where to go or what to do, so I'm not moving until my steps have been ordered by God. Please also pray for the other teachers that were riffed or dismissed.

2. I don't want to be a worry-wart.

3. My Precious. His time at school is frustrating some days. Please pray that God would bring direction, clarity and understanding.

4. Please pray that I would be more disciplined both physically and spiritually - that my body would cooperate with my physical discipline efforts and that my mind and spirit would cooperate with my spiritual discipline efforts.

5. That I would be a good steward of what God gives me.

6. My Uncle Roger - please pray for healing

7. My little brother.


God, I don't know which end is up this week. I feel like I have been turned every possible way. I feel like You're shaking up my life and the lives of those around me. I know that all of this passed through Your hands before it landed in my lap. Help me to honor you with the decisions that I make and the steps that I take. I want Your will and purpose to be accomplished in my life and in the lives of those I love. Help me to trust You with my WHOLE heart.

Amen

Prayer Monday - March 14, 2011

This week has had it's ups and downs. We started Women's Bible Study last Sunday evening. I am excited yet I've only finished Day 1. What? In my defense, we have until next Sunday to finish the first week of study, but it just seems like everything else has demanded my attention this week.

I have been really frustrated with the situation in Cairo this week. I am at a point where I mostly just want to throw my hands in the air. I need a little bit of passion infused back into my teaching life or else I'm not going to make it until June.

Praises

1. I woke up every day this week. (I'm working on being thankful for the things I typically take for granted.)

2. My Precious - he balances me out and helps me keep things in proper perspective and I'm thankful for that

3. God's faithfulness

Prayer Requests
1. My Precious - he has Spring Break this week. Please pray that this week leaves him feeling refreshed and hopeful.

2. My friend, Stan - headache for days. MRI was today. Possible aneurysm.

3. Cairo School District and my place there. I simply want to do God's will, but some days I have a difficult time discerning His will.

4. Please pray that I would be more disciplined both physically and spiritually - that my body would cooperate with my physical discipline efforts and that my mind and spirit would cooperate with my spiritual discipline efforts.

5. That I would be a good steward of what God gives me.

6. I still have the same request for which I can't give details. God knows what it is, so please just pray that His will is accomplished in this situation.

Prayer
Oh God, I feel like most days I take so much for granted - a house, a car, running water - the simplest things that so many don't have. God, help me to be a good steward of the things you have blessed me with. I am thankful for my friends and my family and for my Precious. Their love and support reflect You and do wonders for lifting my spirit.
God, I'm struggling with being in Cairo right now. Please give me the wisdom to know what You would have me do every, single day and then grant me the strength to accomplish it. I simply can't do it without You.
I pray for those participating in Prayer Mondays. God go with them this week and accomplish Your will in their lives as they strive to seek You.

Amen

Prayer Monday

Praises

1. New women in Bible Study - so exciting!

2. My friends and family really are a God-send - so thankful for them.

Prayer Requests
1.  My Precious

2. Cairo School District.

3. Please pray that I would be more disciplined both physically and spiritually - that my body would cooperate with my physical discipline efforts and that my mind and spirit would cooperate with my spiritual discipline efforts.

4. That I would be a good steward of what God gives me.

4. I have a request for which I can't give details. God knows what it is, so please just pray that His will is accomplished in this situation.

My Prayer
Oh God, I am so excited to see what this week brings. Thank You for all that You are and who I am in You. Accomplish Your will and purpose in each request that is brought before You through Prayer Monday. Help us to really focus our eyes this week to only see what is You and to not be distracted by the rest.
Amen

Prayer Monday

This week God has continuously brought something from Francis Chan's Crazy Love to mind:

"People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress." (p. 88)


I can't tell you how many times I pray for God to keep people I love safe during the week. I really felt checked this week, though, to simply pray for God's will to be done in the lives of those who I started to pray safety over. I don't think it's wrong to pray for personal safety, but this week I have come to realize that I sometimes put safety above God's will when praying.


Praises
1. Tori made it through the funeral. She and her sisters are healing day by day. Thank you for your prayers. Please keep their family in your prayers as the healing continues.

2. My friend, Leonard got to come home this week.

3. Our Superintendent resigned. It may seem inappropriate to list this as a praise, but I honestly believe that it's simply God's will playing out.

Prayer Requests
1. Cairo School District. Continue to pray for God's will to be done. Today the board will meet to discuss possibly laying off more teachers. I have no idea what is going to become of this district, but I really do believe that God's way is the best way. Please pray to that end.


2. My Precious

3. Please pray that I would be more disciplined both physically and spiritually - that my body would cooperate with my physical discipline efforts and that my mind and spirit would cooperate with my spiritual discipline efforts.
 
4. Bible Study begins this week. Pray for Crystal as she facilitates and leads.
 
My Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your mercy and grace. Thank you for checking our spirits and giving us to chance to continually grow in You. Thank You for never giving up on us. God, bless each one taking part in this prayer circle this week. May this ministry continue to grow. Grant us the strength, wisdom and encouragement we will need to make it through this week.
Amen