As we celebrate Christmas during this joyous season, we have to remember that everyone isn't joy-filled. Some folks are crying, broken and hurting. They're in need of our prayers. Last night, I came across such a person, while I sat reading some "prayer mail". Her email, in particular, jumped out at me. It was from a woman named Carletta Givens, who requested that I freely share her dilemma "in as much detail as possible" in the hopes that her struggle may help someone else.
Well, Carletta is suffering from mixed and conflicting emotions, because her relationship abruptly ended when her mate left her. Now, she's sad, angry and withdrawn. She has pulled away from God, although deep inside, Carletta longs to be close to the Lord. Somehow, the deep hurt she feels keeps her from drawing nigh to God, which is the very reason she feels so alone and broken. "At this very moment my daughter's father is sitting on my couch and has been in my apartment for months," writes Carletta, who has no romantic involvement at all with him, but let's him stay around. "And it is just because I am lonely and am afraid to do things by myself."
So, she'd rather have him there physically, despite the fact that it only constantly rekindles the pain and keeps Carletta from moving on and being the positive role model she needs to be for her young daughter. This makes Carletta feel guilty and estranged from God as well. "It is my responsibility to make sure that she (My daughter) is at church and experiencing God. But instead, she sees me get up and get dressed for church, but [then] I don't go. She sees me sit and cry out of frustration because I [feel like I] cannot talk to God. I feel like I am introducing her to all the wrong things."
Today, I want you to join me in interceding for Carletta, so that she will know that God desires to have true fellowship and communion with her again. We're going to pray until this broken-hearted woman realizes that her brokenness cannot be healed until she purges this man out of her life and starts trusting God again.
Here are the other 4 prayer requests for Thoughtful Thursdays:
1. We're praying for a woman named Odessa who has been going through a very difficult time emotionally after the passing of her closest friend, who she regarded as a second mother. As a result of her emotional turmoil, Odessa attempted to take her own life by shooting herself in the stomach. But, she survived. We're praying that God would heal her physical and emotional wounds, and help Odessa realize that there is purpose on her life, and that suicide is not the answer.
2.We're seeking God on behalf of a young woman named Marshawn who is on a self destructive path and is addicted to methamphetamine. "I know that if I don't stop what I'm doing, this will kill me," she says. We're praying that, as a result of this prayer, that yolk of addiction will be broken off of Marshawn's life and that she will wholeheartedly return to the Lord.
3. Let us pray for an expectant mother named Jill, who is currently 51/2 months pregnant, but is experiencing many complications both physically and financially. Aside from declining health, the father of the child is struggling to find employment and stability, which leaves both of them ill-equipped to care for their family . So, Jill is asking two things: That God would give her a safe delivery of a healthy baby, and that the child's father will receive gainful employment to enable them to provide effectively.
4. Finally, I'm requesting prayer for my own mother, who recently lost her sister to Breast Cancer. Now, just a month later, her brother passed away. May the peace of God overtake her and strengthen her during this trying and most difficult season.
Thank you for joining me in prayer and being thoughtful enough to intercede on behalf of someone else. I know this pleases God! If you or someone you know needs prayer, don't you hesitate for a moment. Send your prayer requests to dailycup@eewmagazine.com.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
