Hi friends...I am writing to you with a broken heart. I need to ask for prayer for a very tough situation. My sister just found out that her only son has been arrested on some very serious charges. He has been on a downward spiral for some time and we always knew that something drastic would probably happen to get his attention. We never thought it would be anything like this. I cannot say what he did, but know that it is very serious. My sister is having a really rough time with this and really needs your prayers. She is a christian, but has a long history of depression. I am trying to encourage her as much as possible...to remind her of what Jesus has done for us on calvary. Please pray for my family in this very difficult time. Thanks all!
Praying for your sister and nephew. You just keep reminding your sis that God works all things for the good.
Oh Lesie, I am so sorry. Your sister and her son are being prayed for as well as you. Jesus is truly the source of all hope. When we are weak then He is strong. God has blessed us with many awesome promises. He is faithful to see us through in all things. I pray your sister will find her refuge in Christ as well as her son. Sometimes we have to come to the lowest possible place because there is nowhere else to go except up. I like these scriptures and I thought I would share them with you. I know you love the Lord and these scriptures are not new to you but they are beautiful reminders of the love of Christ. I know the Lord is blessing you for being His hands to your sister in this time. God bless you all and I am strongly praying for a redeemed life for your nephew and for stregnth for Your sister as well as the whole family. Patty The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.-Psalm 34:17 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.-Psalm 147:3 We have troubles all around, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.-2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Leslie, I saw a sign in a parking lot at a local church that says, This is a great place to turn around. I will be praying that your nephew has reached the spot where he can turn his life around. I know you and your family are hurting so much right now. My prayers are with you all. Beth
Thank you so much...I cannot tell you how much your prayers mean to me. It has given me comfort and strength just reading your posts. Patty...I sent those scriptures to my sister...I know she will appreciate them. Thanks you.
Leslie, Prayers are going up here for your sister, nephew and you! May God give each one of you the peace He promises!
Hoosier Mama, Once, when we received "bad news" about our beloved prodigal son, my older dd said, "Mom, sometimes the quickest way UP is Down!" Proverbs says, "The pleasures of sin last but for a season." For years, my dh & I have prayed that the Lord would be merciful and cut that season of loving the pleasures of sin, short. Perhaps it would help your dear sil, if she thinks of it that way. We will be praying that this sorrow in your sil's life and in their family will not be wasted! I think I will PM you a poem I once wrote.
Yes, it's your sister--not sis-in-law! Sorry! Well, you've known her your whole life, then, and will know special ways you can comfort her!
Oh I am so sorry to hear this. I will pray for them. God can do wonders even in bad situations and he does change lives too in bad situations. Tell your sister not to give up on her son. Love, Lorna
Thanks for the prayers. They are really helping my sister get through each day. She said she doesn't have it in her to pray herself right now. She is just really barely functioning. I told her that it was ok because Jesus was interceding on her behalf. God knew we would go through hard times that would cause us to not be able to do it ourselves. That is why He tells us to hide His word in our hearts. Please pray that my nephew (Brian) will soften and have what it takes to talk to his mom (my sister). She has not been able to talk to him and I know that it would help her tremendously to just hear his voice...no matter what he has done. You know, I just can't help but wonder if this is God's way of protecting him from something even worse in his life. It's hard to imagine things being any worse, but I know it could be. My other sister was driving to be with my sister and said as she was driving she kept picturing Brian in the jail cell. And all she could see were angels all around him. What a beautiful thing to see at a time like this. Very comforting.
'Sounds like you have a very close, loving family, Leslie! With all the prayers, I don't doubt that Brian is surrounded with angels. And Jesus is interceding for your sister & for all our needs. As I was thinking about your sister today, I thought about something the Psalms call "the sacrifice of praise." That's different than thanking God for our many blessings. It's different than expressing love or worship to Him. Praise becomes a "sacrifice" when we don't feel like praising God. When things seem really bad. Yet giving Him praise for Who He is even when we don't feel like it, is a special gift to Him. As a side benefit, expressing admiration to our Creator/Redeemer seems to bring us blessings and puts the problem into more proper perspective. I am thanking the Lord that He is able to use situations like this for His purposes. I pray that your dear sister will be able to find something to praise the Lord for, during this terrible time of trial.
God does use bad situations to lessen what could be a worse situation. Remember in the bible where it tells of the ladies donkey dieing and she was so sad but the death angel took it instead of her son. I can't remember what book that is in but I will try to look it up. Lorna
'Still praying for your sis! Our THe One Year Bible has been a great help in keeping us in a more structured Bible reading program. Sometimes I haven't had the energy to decide what to read & meditate upon for a certain day, & with this, I can always turn to the date, & read (or re-read) the suggested portion for that day. It is amazing how often something seems to be written just for me for just that day! Not that it's "magic," but rather, "ALL Scripture is given for inspiration & edification," and it ministers life. Jer. 17:7-8 in today's reading, talked about a tree that does not fear when heat comes, because its roots are by a stream. May your sister be like a tree, planted by the Water!
Praying for him and the entire family. Lord I ask You to use this situation according to Your great will and purpose. I pray that all will drawn closer to You and understand more and more their relationship with You and what it means in their lives. I, too have a prodigal son, and some other kind of tough things going on in my life. Really, Prairie is so right. The sacrifice of praise of our Father and Lord Jesus Christ seems to work wonders. When I focus on several things... Do all things as unto Him; and Abiding in His Word; and Draw near to God and He will draw near to you; and In all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths; and Sacrificing with praise; and Praying without ceasing; and Create in me a clean heart, o God, renew a right spirit within me; and Before you take the speck out of your brother's eye, remove the beam from your own; Basically when I focus on God first, and my relationship with Him second, then praying for all those needs thirdly, I guess my heart must be more on track with His will than before. I sort of figure out a way to remove myself and let the Holy Spirit step in. It takes a focus to do this, though. It is an act of will to slow down all my thoughts and reactions, and instead, wait for His leading in what I say and do, sort of imagining myself as His puppet. LOL It sounds funny, but that's the best way I've found to describe it. My problems have not all gone away (some have), but my rest is much more secure, and I notice Him working in ways I did not see before.
Valerie, that's a great list! I, too, am trying to "rest" in Him. Since we believe that God is GOD & that His Word commands us not to worry, not to fret, & not to fear, isn't it a waste of time? Probably my biggest one, anyway. You said, "...focus on God first..." That's the key! Your son is the fourth Beloved Prodigal I am aware of on this homeschool spot. I'll add him to my prayers!
Thanks so much. (((hugs))) His name is Justin, he's 23 and in Iraq. I will also be remembering yours and others'.
Oops! He makes the fifth one, not the fourth. (See introductions--Wow! What a neat...) Also, I appreciate the prayer you typed. I said, "Amen!" when I read it.
