INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Friday, April 9, 2010
“Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world . . .
I was in prison and you came to Me.”
~Matthew 25:34,36b, NKVJ~
Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, encouraging you to pray for ministry to prisoners.
Several years ago, a young Central Tibetan man, R, was wrongly accused of stealing and put into prison without any type of trial. His sisters are strong believers and shared quite a lot about Jesus with him, both before his incarceration and during visits to see him, but his religious background kept him in bondage. R recently experienced physical release from prison; pray that he, and all the Central Tibetans in Asia, will experience spiritual release from their traditional beliefs and live in the freedom of Christ.
B, who has been in a Somali prison since last year, was recently granted a release, in answer to your prayers. However, the head of the prison refuses to honor the court’s decision and let B go free. Please ask the Lord to move in the official’s heart, and pray that B’s actual release will come quickly. This official has also refused the release of other prisoners because of financial or political pressure.
IMB mobilizer Paul Lambach, who serves at the Equatorial Baptist Seminary in Belem-Para, asks prayer for these needs: “1) Give thanks that we had almost 20 in attendance at the Monday morning chapel at the men’s prison in Americano. Eight of those were first-time visitors interested in studying the Gospel of John. Leaders from two of the units are interested in starting our Basic Theology extension course in those units. 2) Thank the Lord that more than 20 people attended Tuesday morning chapel at Massafra Construction Supplies. Pray for seminary students to preach in this weekly chapel.”
* Please pray for Paul Lambach as he attempts to set up the first seminary extension in a men’s prison.
* Intercede for R to accept salvation and for B to be released without further delay.
* Ask God to show you how you can support local jail ministries
Pray for Mason Carter as he has sinus surgery at 11:00 this morning in McComb.
Pray for my daddy, Grant Smith. He’s not been feeling well this week and had to see a doctor yesterday evening.
Continue to pray for Ora Lee Wilson’s family. As the family was sitting with Barbara, Barbara’s husband had to receive medical treatment. Ora Lee’s aunt’s obituary is below.
Luzina Penton “Miss Dood” Branch
(July 17, 1925 – April 6, 2010)
LUZINA PENTON “Miss Dood” BRANCH, age 84
and a resident of the Hilltop Community died at 11:15 PM Tuesday at her residence. She was a member of the Hilltop Missionary Baptist Church and the widow of Delos Branch.
Survived by: Numerous nieces and nephews 3 sisters in law: Helen Branch of Hilltop Vergie Branch Mattie Penton both of Stateline She was also preceded in death by her parents John and Louisa Branch Penton; a sister Edwena Bedwell; 5 brothers Ancil Penton, William “Bill” Penton, Odean Penton, Wilson Penton and Edsel “Pete” Penton; a half brother J.E. Wheat.
Visitation at Crain Funeral Home from 5 PM until 9 PM Friday. Visitation will continue after 9 AM Saturday at Hilltop Missionary Baptist Church until time for the funeral service at 11 AM with Eld. Mark Hobgood, Eld. Edward Penton and Eld. Duane Ball officiating. Interment in the church cemetery. Obituaries can be viewed online at http://www.crainfh.com
Continue to pray for my Texas relatives. They are dealing with a brain tumor, three with Huntington’s disease, MS, etc. Pray they will continue to turn to God and realize He’s walking through their difficult journey with them.
CaringBridge
Helen Toney Basso
(July 18, 1930 – April 7, 2010)
A resident of Independence, LA, died at 10:45PM on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA after a battle with pneumonia. She was born July 18, 1930 in Independence, LA and was 79 years of age. Mrs. Basso was a retired caregiver at Hammond Developmental Center, Hammond. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. on Saturday April 10, 2010 until religious services at 11:30a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Bro. Kenneth Istre. Interment Colonial Mausoleum, Independence, LA. Survived by son and daughter-in-law, Calvin J. “Tugar” Basso, Jr. and Anne Liuzza Basso, Independence, 3 sisters, Pat Cleveland, Beulah Hoover and her husband, Leo, and Joyce Easley and her husband, Wilson, and family dog, Brody Basso. Preceded in death by husband, Calvin J. Basso, Sr., parents, Henry P. and Opal Bennett Toney, and brother, John H. Toney. Flowers are welcome or donations can be made to the Tangipahoa Council on Aging.
IS YOUR HOUSE A MESS?
I recently heard the following story:
“My daughter Michelle is the commander of a Coast Guard Cutter. When she gave my husband Bob a tour of her ship, he was impressed by the neatness of all decks.
“However, when Bob went to Michelle’s house with her, he couldn’t believe the disorganization. ‘Why is everything in its place on your ship,’ he asked, ‘but your house is such a mess?’
“‘My house,’ Michelle said, ‘does not take 30-degree rolls.’”
I found the story quite humorous, but it made me wonder. How often do others notice that things are just fine in our workplace, but not at home? Things may be “in its place” at work (and elsewhere), but at home things are “a mess.” One of the saddest passages in the Bible is found in I Samuel 8:1-3:
“Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel…But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.”
Here was Samuel – a great prophet, one of the greatest men in the Bible, arguably one of the godliest men in all of history, but his sons didn’t follow after his example. Some commentators have speculated that it was at least partly due to the fact that Samuel traveled around Israel fulfilling his responsibilities as a prophet (I Sam. 7:15-16), neglecting his family in the process.
It’s a problem that everyone who works struggles with, but especially preachers because we often view our work as being done “for God” so we feel justified in pouring more of our time and effort into our work. But there is always the danger — the temptation – that we may be neglecting things at home.
Early in my ministry, my wife used to complain, “You always have time for anybody else who comes to you with a problem, but you can’t find time for me.” There were times she was right. I felt compelled to make sure that everything was in order at “work”, but I sometimes allowed things at home to be a “mess.” I’m sure there were many times my children felt the same way. I would like to think that I’ve learned from my mistakes and have a better balance now.
My message today comes with an encouragement for all of you who work to make an assessment of your own. Are you more interested in keeping things in order at work than you are at home? May God help each of us as we strive to fulfill our God-given responsibilities to our spouses and children.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Please feel free to share your requests, praises, and updates so we can pray for you. Have a fantastic Friday!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 