Privacy, Please

Today's New Testament reading in the One Year Bible was perfect justification for this "private" journal.  Give in private; pray in private; fast in private.  (Matthew 5)  Keep this site private!

So much to pray about:

• Alex Power's mother died today.
• Sarah Robertson's grief over her stillborn son
• Amy
• Julie
• George
• Mom
• Work
• Ministry

 So much work to do in the world.  I said a couple of times today, "We did what we could.  We will do what we can."  That was the idea behind Elisa Morgan's small book. (Elisa was the former president of MOPS.  I rather wish she still was.)  So I will do what I can, and that may be for today only to offer these people to You to bless as only You know best how to bless them.  In Jesus's name~~Amen.
 

Prayers in Need

(Just to be clear and a little defensive, I want to state that I have been praying both silently and in other journals for loved ones.)

• For the Robertson family in Lebanon, please give them extraordinary peace and comfort during this awful time.
• For Sandy (and Rick), please give them comfort, too, and wisdom and helpfulness to their daughter and grandsons today--and safe travel tomorrow.
• For my husband, please give him stamina and perseverance.  If there is something wrong that is driving him to early retirement, please reveal it, not for any reason but to help us get help and to help me to understand.
• For my daughters--our daughters, with George and with You--for protection in their jobs and in their spiritual lives (especially Julie).  And maybe for their future spouses, if that is Your will for them?
• For me, please clarify this recurring hematuria.  I still feel that there is Your work to do in the world, and I look forward to doing some of it as long as You give me health and life.  (What a drag to go through this when so many people have little to no good health care.)
• For my mother, please give her peace in her (partial) blindness.  As Alex's mother passes away with such a terrible diagnosis, my mother understandably anticipates her own passing.  I don't think she is concerned about dying; she appears to know You, at least with regard to salvation.  (I do wish she had a deeper relationship with You that could help with her lifelong anxiety.)  Please bless her with Your felt presence in ways that her old Catholic heart will find surprising!

 I have to get ready for an appointment.  I would stay longer if the tasks and responsibilities of life were not so demanding.  I love You, God, and I want to love and know You more this year.  In Jesus's name and by the indwelling energy of the Holy Spirit~~Amen.
 

First Day

Happy New Year, Lord!  One day closer to being with You.

 Confession: I am having trouble being respectful to DH.  I see signs of slippage, both hearing and thinking.  He is still sweet-tempered but not making great judgments.  Help me to be more understanding and supportive, please.  I wish he would take this seriously.  And, of course, I will pray constantly for his safety, and the safety of the whole group, as they tour the Holy Land.  Please protect them all and make this the trip of a lifetime.  In Jesus's name~~Amen.