Prayer Requests

Hello my brother! So good to hear from you - thank you so much for the update as we know better how to pray for you, your family and the community. I so admire your walk and stand for the Lord Jesus! Glad to hear of the rebuilding and how God is blessing. Be assured of our continued prayers!

Tuija: Thank you for your prayer request, most assuredly we join you in prayer for Finland…and ask that you join us in prayer for America and our leadership as we are instructed in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Historically, the U.S. and Finland are most certainly “Christian.” But culturally, speaking of the U.S., we absolutely are not “Christian” in terms of current attitudes and behaviors. Neither the U.S. nor Finland is under obligation to keep a particular worldview. Nor are we guaranteed to maintain any sort of connection with our Christian heritage. History cannot be changed, but the decision of whether or not the U.S., or any nation, will exhibit a Christian worldview will greatly impact the continuation of its particular form of government. Whether the U.S.’s constitutional republic survives, experiences drastic change, or fails entirely depends on the conviction of its people – as it does with the Finland. When those in authority are obeying the will of God, it is easier to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2). Hence, I join you in prayer!

Hello Cynthia: Thank you for your prayer request. I am struck by your care and concern for one who has proven so difficult in your life. You remind us all that we have the biblical command to pray for the unsaved: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. . . . This is good, and pleases God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1, 3). The Ephesian church (where Timothy pastored) had apparently stopped praying for the unsaved, and Paul was encouraging Timothy to make it a priority again. His desire was for the Ephesian Christians to have compassion for the lost as you do. Our Savior came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and a principal theme of Luke’s Gospel is Christ’s compassion for those often regarded as outcasts in Israel. Our Savior “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4), so when we pray for the salvation of an unsaved person, we are simply sharing in the stated desire of Jesus. As to your discouragement, the word comes from the root word courage. The prefix dis- means “the opposite of.” So discouragement is the opposite of courage. When we are discouraged, we have lost the motivation to press forward. The mountain seems too steep, the valley too dark, or the battle too fierce, and we lose the courage to continue. You are certainly doing the right thing by being in the Word and praying. And I (and many others) will be joining in prayer for you and Franklin. May I also suggest you find a local church where the Word is faithfully preached and you can plug in for support? We were not designed to be alone, but to have the company and support of others in our life – especially the fellowship of the saints. God bless you – we join you in seeking God’s provision! Pastor Tony

Thank you, Tuulikki, for your prayer request. God is still “the LORD who heals” (Exodus 15:26). He has not lost His ability to heal, and His love for His people has not diminished. Divine healing may come through traditional medicine or through direct intervention by God in response to prayer. Or, if God wills, wholeness may not come until the ultimate healing in heaven. God is the Great Physician, and all healing, physical, emotional, and spiritual, belongs to Him. Hebrews 12:15 warns us to “see to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” We must always be wary of allowing “bitter roots” to grow in our hearts; such roots will cause us to fall short of the grace of God resulting in depression. God wills that His people live in love, joy, peace, forgiveness and holiness—not in bitterness. Therefore, the believer must always watch diligently, quick to forgive as Christ forgives us, being on guard against the dangers of bitterness. I’m praying for you!!

Tim: thank you for your request. Knowing God’s will is sometimes difficult because it requires patience. It’s natural to want to know all of God’s will at once, but that’s not how He usually works. He reveals to us a step at a time—each move a step of faith—and allows us to continue to trust Him. The important thing is that, as we wait for further direction, we are busy doing the good that we know to do (James 4:17). Often, we want God to give us specifics—where to work, where to live, whom to marry, what car to buy, etc. God allows us to make choices, and, if we are yielded to Him, He has ways of preventing wrong choices (see Acts 16:6–7). Praying for you, knowing He will answer!

As you so correctly observe, Ali was called home by our loving Lord. We know for the saved, death ushers us into the presence of Christ: \"To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord\" (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23). So real is the promise of the believer\'s resurrection that the physical death of a Christian is called \"sleep\" (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). Yet, the circumstances surrounding Ali\'s death gives me sadness, a reminder of the danger in which he and all of you experience both physically and spiritually. Please extend deepest sympathies to Miriam with assurance of our prayers for comfort and grace in this unexpected time of change. So good to hear that the village is prospering. I have often reflected upon the shattering experiences you and the village have endured, wondering how many others I know could have so successfully survived and navigated. You, your wife, Ali and Miriam we hold in such high regard, examples of Saints whom God uses to model for the rest of us the rewards of faithfulness, fidelity and prayer. You are an inspiration, my brother. The Lord uses your example in ways in which you know not. Thank you each for your love and devotion for and to our Lord and Savior. Take care, my friend, as you faithfully soldier on.

To tap into God’s wisdom, we must diligently study God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), meditate on the Word (Ps. 119:15, 16), pray for wisdom (James 1:5), seek it with all our hearts, and walk in the Spirit (1 Cor. 2: 9, 10). God desires to give His wisdom to His children. Those who have God’s wisdom will show it in how they live: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13). With your sincere prayer request you demonstrate a heart for God which He will honor. Watch as He opens doors for you to walk through, confirming He is guiding your every step (Ps. 85:13).

We are praying for you, Jonathan!

Dear Fernanda: thank you for your request. This is most serious and want you to know I and the entire congregation will be praying for you. In fact, we are praying for you just this morning. Blessings, Pastor Tony

Hello Patty - thank you for your prayer request. Yes, prayer does change things and I and our church are praying for you again this morning. We are asking the Holy Spirit\\\'s intervention whether by His holy touch or wisdom for your physicians. God loves you and so do we! Blessings! Tony

Johny: As a church, we prayed for you yesterday and I continue to pray for you and your lovely family daily.

Johny: As a church, we prayed for you yesterday and I continue to pray for you and your lovely family daily.