some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers."
Dad was all five rolled into one.
So, it was not atypical for me to see the prophetic gifts in action. When folks went up for prayer, they came back with genuine testimonies of healing and deliverance. I can remember how my father, with beads of sweat dripping down his face, would hear from God in the middle of an altar call. He would begin naming the ailments that people right inside the building were suffering from. Some of the conditions he mentioned by revelation of God were rare diseases I had never even heard of. I would always be amazed when women and men in the pews would pop up like popcorn and run down to the altar after hearing their condition called out.
Inevitably, there would be those times when some folks were sheepish about getting up when their sickness was named. My dad would always say, "Alright, if that's you, come now. Don't come to me after church..."
But it never failed. Someone who was reluctant to get up and make that trek to the front of the church to receive prayer during service, would shyly mosey on down there once service had come to a conclusion.
I could never understand why anyone would be ashamed to get prayer.
Fast forward to the present and I am a true product of my upbringing. I believe in the transforming power of the Holy Ghost. I know prayer works. I am confident that God is a healer and He's a prayer-answering savior. I've seen Him do it too many times before to doubt Him.
I tell people all the time. If you need prayer, get it.
That's what Thoughtful Thursdays is for here on this blog. If you need something from God, don't be ashamed to ask. (Here's how) I know God will indeed hear and answer according to His will. Today, please join me in praying for the following people:
1. A woman named Allison, whose life is in complete disarray right now, is requesting prayer. She is struggling with mental illness, her marriage is in turmoil, and she has lost everything. Her job is gone, her car has been repossessed, she's living with her parents, and is battling through her own spiritual demons. Allison knows she needs to get back in right standing with the Lord and much of her turmoil is caused by her own disobedience and mistakes, but we know that God is able to restore. Today, we're standing in faith for Allison's deliverance and we're believing God to loose those shackles that bind her both spiritually and mentally.
2. There is a woman who asked to have her name withheld. She is requesting that we stand in agreement with her for clarity as she faces several major decisions in the very near future. She doesn't have a whole lot of time to choose her course, but we know that God will order her steps. Also, she is currently working on her doctoral degree and it's getting to be quite hectic. We're asking God to favor her, give her wisdom, strength and divine
insight, specifically as it pertains to her writing. We believe that He will give clear answers.
3. After 8 days of being sick, a woman named Mona went to the ER and was diagnosed with a viral infection called, Myalgia, which is the inflammation of the muscles and joints. Though the doctors expect for her to heal after the virus runs its course, she is in excruciating pain. She's asking that God would give her a total and complete healing, 100% recovery, and peace as she endures this process. We're also praising God with Mona today, because the doctors ruled out Meningitis Bacterial, which could have killed her within 48 hours.
4. We're praying for a woman name Teresa. Both her mother and father are sick at the same time and she is having a difficult time taking care of both of them. None of her family members will assist her, and she is struggling with the decision to possibly put them in a convalescent home. We're praying that God would give Teresa strength and help her to make the right choice for her and her family.
5. A woman named Karla is struggling with infertility. She has been trying for a baby with her husband for 41/2 years. She got pregnant twice and lost the baby both times. The mental anguish has taken its toll and Karla feels herself losing control of her emotions. Her family is beginning to worry that she is unstable and she acknowledges that she has not been herself lately. We're praying for Karla's mental, physical, and emotional health. We know that God is able to heal.
Thank you so much for praying with me today!
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs