Your Daily Cup of Inspiration!

Thoughtful Thursdays: Installment #24

For some, it's easy to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the hurt, pain and tragedy of others, as long as they or someone they personally know is not involved. But I'm praying that God will continue to develop compassion and empathy in the hearts of every Daily Cup reader, so that when others are wounded, we feel their pain. As I always say, we don't know what the future holds for us and when we'll need somebody to go to God on our behalf.

Today, join me in praying for those on our Thoughtful Thursdays list.

1. First, we're seeking God for the comfort of those who are yet whirling from devastation, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, January 12, 2010--the largest ever recorded in the area. Government officials said the death toll may exceed 100,000.

2. We're also praying for a woman named LaNise Miles, who is dealing with several things at once. Although she just earned her degree in accounting (An exciting accomplishment), her husband lost his job and she has not yet found suitable employment either. As a result, both she and her husband are unemployed and living with her parents, along with their children, which hasn't been at all easy. We're asking God to give the Miles family favor in this situation, that they might find gainful employment and move back into their own place.

3. We're seeking God on behalf of a woman who requested that her name remain confidential. She, like LaNise, finally finished her degree too. But then, she lost her job due to the company's financial issues. Now, she's in the process of scouting out jobs in the Nashville, TN area and needs God's guidance and help in opening doors. Also, this woman, with the help of the Lord, got out of a bad 41/2 year relationship with a man who was unfaithful. Now, she struggles with fear of being hurt again. So, we're petitioning God to help her find another job, heal from her brokenness, as she picks up the pieces of her life once again.

4. We're asking the Lord to honor the request of LaKeisha Rainey-Collins, who is soliciting prayer for her mother-in-law, who recently had knee replacement surgery. Though the operation went smoothly initially, blood clots have begun forming in her mother-in-law's leg and her blood count levels are off.  When one of the nurses said to her LaKeisha's mother-in-law that, her blood clots "could be the death of her," she has been struggling with a bit of fear and anxiety ever since.  So, we're praying for her physical healing, as well as the strengthening of her faith. 

5. Finally, we're praying for a woman named Margaret whose 42 year old husband recently died of Colon Cancer. Now, she's struggling to pick up the pieces of her life and find the will to live without him. Let's all pray that the Holy Spirit would comfort her in her time of mourning and give her the strength she needs to go through the healing process.

Thank you for praying and agreeing with me. I genuinely appreciate your collective prayers for all those mentioned. I believe that it is done according to God's will, in Jesus' name, amen.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper.

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Thoughtful Thursdays: Installment #23

All week long, the Lord has been waking me up early each morning with a new song and I can so richly feel His presence through every melody. As I type this blog post, there's an old song ringing in my heart that says,

"He touched me. Jesus touched me. And oh what joy floods my soul. Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole."

Whether you're familiar with that song or not, you can surely draw strength from knowing that, all it takes is just one touch from the Master. Despite the obstacles, odds, or struggles you might be facing, God sees and knows. Above all, He cares and is faithful enough to intervene in your situation when you ask Him.

It doesn't matter if you need a physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional manifestation of God's hand of deliverance in your life. In fact, you may desperately need His touch in all these areas. All you have to do is go to God in faith, believing without a doubt that, He's more than able to do whatever it is we need Him to do in our lives.

What I love about God is the loving kindness and tender mercy He shows toward us. We serve a faithful God! Today, with an attitude of faith and great expectation, I want you to join me in praying for these women on our Thoughtful Thursdays list. This is the time when we intercede on behalf of someone else.

1.Today, we're praying for a woman named Melinda who has an unsaved spouse. She wants to be able to experience all the beauty and richness of love inside their union, without all the issues and struggles, but doesn't know how. We're asking God to open up Melinda's understanding and show her how to manage her relationship according to His will.

2.We're also seeking God on behalf of a woman named Pamela. She and her husband are entering the pastorate and need God's anointing, guidance and covering as they obey His call. We're petitioning God for wisdom and favor as they take on this new Kingdom assignment, and that no weapon formed against them shall prosper. May the peace of God rest, rule and abide in their hearts as they yield themselves.

3. I need you to join me in praying for a young woman named Dee with an urgent request. Unfortunately, she made a bad personal choice in her life (The details will remain confidential). As a result, the enemy has taken occasion to torment her with guilt and fear, to the point where she feels like she's about to lose her mind. But we come against that right now in the name of Jesus. We're also praying that God would stretch out His hand, give her a total and complete deliverance, and let Dee know that everything is gonna be alright.

4. We're praying for a woman named Tonya who is a recovering drug addict. She's been clean for two years now, but due to the stresses of life, she has been struggling with an intense and persistent desire to "use" once again. But, we know that God is able to give supernatural strength. So, right now, we ask that the power of the Holy Spirit would minister to Tonya right where she is.

5. Finally, we're interceding for a woman named Marjorie who is being attacked in her body. She was recently released from the hospital, but is yet experiencing severe symptoms. Although she and her doctors don't quite know or understand what's causing these symptoms, we serve an Omniscient God. There is nothing hidden from Him. We're praying that the Lord would stretch out His mighty hand of healing right now.

Thank you so much for praying with me. If you or anyone you know needs prayer, please don't hesitate to share your prayer request. Click here to learn how.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Thoughtful Thursdays: Installment #17

ON THIS THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, before we go into our prayer list, I want to make mention of an e-mail I received from a Daily Cup Reader who shared a personal relationship issue she was struggling with earlier this year. This thing had been tearing her up on the inside for quite some time, leaving her filled with bitterness and deeply rooted hatred toward a certain individual. 

I don't know if you've ever experienced a serious hurt before. If you have, however, you're likely aware of how difficult it can be to let that thing go and overcome it emotionally; but God is truly able to heal all wounds if we open our hearts. I was so pleased to hear that, not only did this reader experience the power of divine forgiveness, but God also restored the relationship she had written off as irreconcilable.

When I read that message, I was so excited. There goes proof of the power of prayer!

I want you to know that I rejoice right along with you when God works a situation out on your behalf, and I'm believing God for even more "praise reports" from those who have been included on our Thoughtful Thursdays list. I want to thank all of you who are faithfully praying along with me each week! Remember, if you have a prayer or a praise to share, let me know about it at dailycup@eewmagazine.com.

Alright, here's this week's list of prayer requests that we fully expect to turn into praise reports:

1.) We're seeking God on behalf of Kesi Keys who was laid off from her job as an Engineer on June 2, 2009. Kesi has been diligently seeking employment everyday. Her search hasn't yielded any positive results to date. On top of the financial obligations that come along with taking care of her mother, who lives at home with Kesi, she's also concerned about the risk of losing the new home she just purchased three years ago. Kesi is feeling distressed and discouraged because of her fruitless job hunt and needs God to intervene. Let's join our faith with hers for gainful employment and a renewed faith in God's ability to work this situation out.

2.) There's an anonymous request from a reader whose husband first turned away from God and then, subsequently abandoned her and their two children. She's desperately praying for his return to God and to his family. Please join me in asking God to completely restore this man, first for his soul's sake and secondly, for the sake of his family who loves him.

3.) A prayer request has been submitted by Jennifer on behalf of her 47 year old sister, Pam, who has cancer. Pam recently had a successful hysterectomy, but the doctors think the cancer may have spread throughout her body. Jennifer is requesting that we earnestly seek God for the healing of her sister and join her in believing for positive test results.

4.) We're crying out to God for Allen who is soliciting earnest prayer for his mother, Janet Wilson, who suddenly fell ill and now, she's in the hospital on a ventilator. We're joining him in prayer for full restoration of her health.

5.) A concerned family member is asking that we pray for Tonya Williams, who is suffering from pancreatic cancer and needs to move back to New Orleans with her immediate family to receive  ongoing treatment, as well as an immediate surgical procedure. We're believing that God will remove all barriers and hindrances, so Tonya can do what is necessary for her full and speedy recovery.

God bless and thank you all for joining me in prayer.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com

Thoughtful Thursdays: Installment #5

Let me begin by saying that so many of you are heavy on my heart today. Daily Cup readers' prayer requests have made an indelible impact on me and I've been praying intensely for so many of you. You see, this blog is not just something I do recreationally. It's a ministry, birthed and designed to impact lives. It's been 5 weeks since the Lord first laid "Thoughtful Thursdays," a time of praying for others, on my heart. Whenever He initiates something, He always confirms that He's in it and this week, "my daily cup is full" as prayer requests poured in.

 So, I want everyone reading today to join me in bombarding heaven. As I often say, if I don't know anything else, I know that prayer changes things. Sometimes, we look for solutions everywhere, but fail to get down on our knees and go to God. But how many believers do I have that know, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16 KJV)?

There's a quote I like by Oswald Chambers that says, "Prayer does not equip you for greater works. Prayer is the greater work."

Do I have any praying people reading today?

I know that, on Thoughtful Thursdays, I usually just list the requests and leave it at that. But today, I have to share with you what's on my heart, because, one of the things I sincerely pray for my blog readers, is that God will give you a burden for the needs of others. I want you to be moved to compassion and action when you see others hurting, afflicted, or simply in need of an encouraging word.

So today, whether you're at work, at home... wherever you may be, be an active participant in this "Thoughtful Thursdays" post.  Are my prayer warriors ready? Find a moment to steal away and intercede for someone else. After all, none of us knows when we'll need someone to talk to God on our behalf, amen?

Here we go:

1. Today, we'll start off with a 21 year old young woman I mentor named Jocelyn Bowman. She's experienced some very trying situations recently. I want you to pray that God heal her brokenness and give her wisdom and discernment, so that her decisions reflect His desires for her.

2. Join me in crying out to God on behalf of  a woman whose name shall remain private, that God will restore her marriage that the enemy is seeking to destroy after 17 years and that the Lord will speak to her husband's heart and give him the desire to try again.

3. We're seeking God for several things in the life of Shaneque Rhodes. (1)Her 4 year old daughter was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and this has devastated Shaneque. Ask God to comfort her and give her the courage she needs to face this new situation. (2) We're praying that God will restore peace and joy to Shaneque as she battles depression and feelings of anger, confusion, and hopelessness at times. We ask that God give her a sense of purpose and let her know she's loved and valued. (3) Let's talk to God about healing the breech in Shaneque's marriage too and giving her renewed faith and confidence in the power of reconciliation.

4. Ask God to give strength, encouragement, and healing to Doretta Bishop. She's a woman who loves God with all her heart and recently, her longtime Pastor slipped away to be with the Lord and this has been quite a difficult transition for her. Doretta is struggling to adapt after losing such a trusted leader and her faith is being tested.

5. Also, set aside some time to pray for Andrea Hopkins and her husband Darryl as they face a transitional period when Andrea is seeking to re-enter the workforce after staying home with her children, so that she can make a contribution to her family's financial stability. Also pray for their business, DBH Entertainment, that God would send clients and favor them.

6. Pray for Carletta Givens that God would help her to surrender to Him 100% so that her life will reflect His image. I want you to specifically pray that God reveal to Carletta that, in her own strength, surrender is impossible. But when she trusts God as her source, living a submitted life becomes much easier.

If you have a prayer request and would like for me and all the Daily Cup readers to join you in talking to the Lord about it, please email me at dailycup@eewmagazine.com. I read every single request personally and I pray over what I read. Also, if you send an email to me and would like to keep your request confidential, just let me know and I'll cover you in prayer privately... but I encourage you to reach out and connect today. God bless!

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!

Dianna Hobbs

www.eewmagazine.com