The children are on summer break, even though home-schooling never officially lets out. I like to tell the Hobbs kids, “Every day is a learning opportunity.” The thing I love about home education is that I’m able to share knowledge with the little ones God has entrusted to my care without impertinent distractions getting in the way.
I believe the learning environment is just as important as the lesson plan, because if the atmosphere is not conducive to focused study and concentration, the learning process will be hindered.
The same is true of our personal time with God.
Our surroundings need to be free of disturbances so the flow of communication between God and us won’t be cut off or interrupted.
Today, when you have a quiet moment, please steal away and pray for those on our “Thoughtful Thursdays” list who need God's help so desperately. I’m also asking that you pray for me. I have a heavy weekend of ministry ahead of me and I need God’s strength to carry me through.
Read this week's requests below.
Angel wrote:
I have been trying to be optimistic but after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 2 years ago, the flare-ups have been really bad. My joints ache and sometimes I can’t even walk. The steroids they have to give me make me swell up and get very tired. I know there is no known cure for MS but I don’t believe it is God’s will for me to be in constant pain and forced to live life on the couch or in bed because of the pain. I am only 34 years old and there are so many things I want to do with my life. I am begging God for relief!
I am a counselor/social worker. I’ve been doing it for 15 years and I love helping people. But over the years the sad stories and struggles have gotten to me and I find myself getting depressed and cynical about the world. I constantly see negativity and pain, and I don’t know if I can handle it anymore. The money is good and I have stability but I feel like I have maxed out and need direction from the Father for my next steps. I don’t know if it’s just a slump or a bad phase I’m going through, or if I should really be thinking about moving on. I have even considered counseling to vent my issues but I’m not sure that’s right for me. I would be so grateful for the prayers for guidance and direction in my life right now. Thank you so much!
I need to move out of the neighborhood I’m in that is like a war zone. The shooting, drug-dealing, and gang activity on my street and several blocks in my community is just too much. A neighbor and good friend of mine just lost her nephew to a drive-by shooting that happened just a few doors down from me. I am a single mother with 3 sons that I don’t want to lose and I also don’t want them growing up in this environment. I am already noticing my youngest starting to run with the wrong crowd that he thinks are his friends because they live on the same street. I have been over here for 4 years now because the rent is affordable and I don’t make that much, but I need to get out. I need my family delivered out of this.
When I was seven years old one of my mother’s friends who used to babysit me, started touching me inappropriately. I don’t think my mother knew her girlfriend that she was very close with was attracted to young girls, and I never said anything. This went on for a few years until we moved away to another state. Those experiences still haunt me today after all these years. This lady is still one of my mother’s best friends…her VERY BEST friends… and just hearing the sound of her voice makes me shudder. My prayer is for help letting this go. I’m tired of replaying those incidents in my mind, not telling my mother, and pretending to be fine. It’s time to close out this chapter and turn the page!!
Addiction has been in my family for generations. Drugs and alcohol have taken the lives of way too many of my relatives and now I see my own son struggling with drugs. I thought he was doing the right thing when he went to New York for college. When he came back he was all tatted up with piercings and looking high. I was in denial about it but now his life is unraveling. He’s not in school or working. He’s out getting high and ruining his future. I know how this story ends. I’ve seen it too many times. His father is fighting that substance abuse demon too but I won’t let it get my baby. I need you to pray so hard with me for a change. This can’t happen. This curse has got to be broken.
God, all of life’s most complex challenges, circumstances, and struggles are not complex for You. We know You have all power and are able to do anything. So today, Lord, we ask that You look upon these Your people who are experiencing seasons of difficulty in their lives. Life decisions need to be made. Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being is at stake, but without You there is no hope or help. So we humbly ask that You would touch, loose the shackles of those who are bound, set the captives free, heal the sick and wounded, and give breakthrough to those who desperately need Your help. We trust You God and pray that You intervene according to Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.