Friday, August 2, 2013

Old-fashioned Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere

I was sitting on the floor, this morning, folding clothes and thinking (again) about the Church of the Blogosphere. People drop out of it like flies, but I'm in it for good because I blog (print and bind) for my kids, and I'm part of the Church. I take it with me wherever I go.

I was thinking: what I'm missing in the Church of the Blogosphere is an old-fashioned prayer meeting. Maybe they're out there and I don't know it, but--even if that's the case--there can never be too many prayer meetings, so I'm starting one here and now, and you're invited.


Every Friday, I'm going to share one of my personal prayer requests in this space, and then I'm going to write out a prayer that may or may not be related to my request. You're invited to participate in any way you see fit.

  • You can pray about my prayer request.
  • You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
  • You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
  • You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
  • You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and will.
  • You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.

I can't promise much, but I can promise this: if you share a prayer request, I'll lift it up. I don't need this to be big; I need this to be authentic. Where two or more are joined together, right? And even if--even if!--no one joins me, I'll have a record of my own prayer requests and prayers, and the Lord is so faithful.


So here goes.

Please pray for my brother's complete recovery. He had a second, permanent nerve stimulator inserted a week ago. His staples were removed, today, and he's riding home to East Tennessee for the first time since June 22nd.

Father, thank You that my brother's surgery went well. Thank you that the staples have been removed and that he's able to go home. Please give him and Dad safe travels. Please continue to heal my brother's body so he will be able to live life more fully and with less medication.

I lift up to You anyone reading this, right now, with a loved one who's unwell. I ask You to draw this reader to Yourself. It's so hard, Father, to watch a loved one suffer; I pray Your peace that passeth all understanding, no matter the situation. Help this reader to release his or her loved one into Your care. Help this reader to extend practical sorts of help as appropriate but not internalize the problem and allow it to take him or her hostage, emotionally. In Your Son's name I pray, Amen.


Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? (See the bulleted list above for some ideas!)

39 comments:

  1. Heavenly Father. Doer of miracles. I pray to you for Brandee's brother. I pray for healing. I pray for peace. I lift him up to you. Body and soul. Bless this space that Brandee has created and as we come together in prayer your will be done. Amen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You, Friend; I felt it.

      I echo Kris, Father: bless this space. Only for and about You. You promised to be in the midst if there are two or thee of us; we are here. Thank You, Father, for gathering us together. Your will for my brother, Your blessings upon the beautiful Dahl family.

      Delete
  2. i will def pray for your brother and his healing....i pray that he have safe travels...that the procedure done will hold and that all be well going forward....

    for me, school starts on tuesday...always good to have prayer going into that battlefield...smiles...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Brian. I love your heart.

      Father, I come to You thanking You for Brian and his servant's heart. I ask You to continue to shower Your blessings upon him, his BEAUTIFUL wife, and their children. I know You go with Brian; I thank You for that. I ask Your blessings upon his school year. Help him to help and inspire others, Father. We ask for Your protection, Your enlightenment, Your joy. Thank You in Jesus's name.

      Delete
    2. smiles...thank you...just got home from vacation...wore out...in a good way...hope your brother is doing well...and we prayed for him at church today...

      Delete
    3. Dear God, I pray for Brian and his upcoming school year. I pray that You would be with him and guide him. I pray that You would be with his students, and that You would use him to impact the lives of those students.

      Delete
  3. I think this is a fabulous idea Brandee. You can count on me to be a regular meeter in prayer. I love to pray...love to be part of the body of Christ and edifying others in prayer!

    I Praise you Lord for Your Loving Grace and beautiful Love for each one of us! I thank you for Brandee's inspiration to bring Godly bloggers together in spirit, and ask that You bless our gathering together from all corners of the earth in prayer to care for each other. I thank you for the wonderful things you have done, are doing and will be doing. Thank you in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

    PS. .."but not internalize the problem and allow it to take him or her hostage, emotionally" ...oh, but this resonates with my heart, Lord. Please help me to give ALL my cares and concerns to You Lord. Please help me....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julia. I can ALWAYS count on you.

      Father God, thank You for my friend Julia, my very real friend even though she's so far away. I'm just astounded, Lord, that You can connect a heart in Powhatan, Virginia with a heart in New Zealand. That's You, Father; thank You. Enter Julia's external and internal struggles, I pray, and cup her heart with Your hands. Take away her burden, Lord; help her to see: You've got this...You're the biggest and strongest. Help this precious child of Yours to trust in Your plan, Your provision, Your mighty strength, Your profound love. Give her peace. Give her rest. Give her joy. Thank You in Jesus's name.

      Delete
  4. Lord yes cover Brandee's brother with your annointing. Let him feel your healing touch flow through his entire body. Release him Lord from the constant physical burdens he's been carrying and from this day forward we ask that he'll walk in painfree "normal" living. I pray his homecoming will be sweet. Thank you for the doctors and advances in medicine that make procedures like his possible. We love you Lord. In your name we pray amen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You, Becky. So blessed to have you and your sweet family as a regular part of my in-real-life life. :)

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. I do, and I've been praying, Friend. Trusting that God will answer in ways that will continue to bless and keep you and yours. Love you.

      Delete
    2. Dear Jesus, You know "Farmgirl's" needs. I pray that she would sense Your presence, and You would fill her with Your peace.

      Delete
  6. You know, in May I talked to my stepdad about having Fridays be a time of prayer requests at my place. I wrote it and rewrote it, and then let it sit. It's still in draft form. SO, SO thrilled you decided to act.

    I'm going to let my prayer request go unspoken (with this being the internet and all!), but I will ask for your prayers.

    Thanks, Brandee. I love your passion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy! Thank You so much for sharing this: makes it feel like even more of a God thing. Glad we are kindred in our desires for the Church of the Blogosphere. Father, I know You walk closely with Amy. Thank You for the fruits of the Spirit she possesses, making her relationship with You so evident to the world. I pray Your continued blessings upon her, her family, her ministry. Please give her Your peace concerning this unspoken request, and be all over it, Lord, as only You can. We love, trust, and thank You. In Your Son's name, amen.

      Delete
    2. Dear God, I pray that You would help Amy to see Your hand upon this unspoken request that she has. I pray that You would meet her need, and that You would lavish Your grace upon her.

      Delete
  7. Brandee ... I don't stop by often enough. You are doing great things here. And this? Simply beautiful. I am praying for your brother's recovery today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Dear Jennifer. What a blessing to have you in this space. Father, lifting Jennifer up to You, just now. Thank You for her forgiving, patient, loyal being and for all the ways in which she shines You out. Asking Your continued blessings upon her, her marriage, her children, her farm, her blog. In Your Son's name, Father. Amen.

      Delete
  8. Honored to join you in prayer for your brother, Brandee. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sheila, for ALL the many times you've prayed for us. How are you feeling, these days, and did I read that your daughter's flying in, today? I hope you have a wonderful visit!

      Delete
  9. I love this. Love it. Sharing... praying for your brother... could you please pray for my nephew, Lucas, who's four months old and went through his second heart surgery yesterday? Thank you sweet friend. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Emily, for your friendship, also for your prayers for my brother.

      Heavenly Father, I lift Baby Lucas up to You. Thank You for his life; we know it has great purpose. I pray for his heart: for its beating, for its healing, for its growing, for its strengthening, and ultimately, Father, for its tender turning toward You and Your Kingdom. I pray for the healthcare professionals attending this child. Give the doctors wisdom, Lord; help through their hands. I pray for Lucas's parents and for everyone who loves him; give them Your sweet and overwhelming peace. Help them to trust You entirely through this situation, and give them rest. In Your Son's name I pray, amen.

      Delete
    2. Dear Jesus, I pray for baby Lucas - for divine healing. I pray for his family to be given strength and peace and rest at this time. I pray that You would use Lucas in a mighty way. I pray You would provide comfort for baby and parents. Amen.

      Delete
  10. Oh, Lord, you know the special place a brother holds in a heart. Not only do I pray for Brandee's brother, but I pray that you would give her heart peace too. You are the giver of all good things. You know every deep thought, every fear, every worry we carry. Lord, we lay them down before your throne. We give them to you, trusting your capable hands. Thank you, God, that you care about every detail of our lives, that you are always there. All we need do is seek your arms and we will be comforted. And Lord? I thank you for Brandee. What a beautiful, special woman she is. After your own heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dear Laura. You know I have to turn it around.

      Father, thank You for Laura. Thank You that--deep as she takes us with words (the deepest)--she goes deeper, further, lower, higher, quieter, lonelier with You. She travels with You. You're way in there. Thank You. Bless her, Father. Relieve any heaviness in her spirit. Protect her heart, her husband, her marriage, her children, her home, her family, her words, her life. We love and praise You. In Jesus's name, amen.

      Delete
  11. Lord Jesus....

    I thank you that the Throne Room of Grace is always open. But even more I thank you that you always listen>

    Thank you for Brandee and her heart and desire to be in prayer. I lift up her brother, Lord. Restore him, heal him, encourage him. As he and those who love him wait on you, grow them as they wait on you. Make what's up there in heaven come down here.

    Please be generous with your mercy and peace and pour it upon those who find their spirits disturbed. May those who have been entrusted with the preaching of your Word make much of you, Jesus. And may the name of our Lord's Abba be made famous because Abba's children delight in obedience. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What an utterly gorgeous prayer, Dave; how you've blessed us! Thank you!

      Delete
  12. Lord, thank you for my friend Brandee. She has a heart to speak to you in a way that blesses.

    I pray you touch her. In her mind, her spirit, and her soul. Keep her aligned with what you would have for her so that she may continue being a light.

    Thank you for the Momma she is, the wife, the sister, the friend, the aunt, the cousin, bless her in all of these roles.

    I love this girl Lord, and I'm grateful for her heart.

    Thank you for all of your glory Jesus. Amen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dear, Dear Friend. You know I am praying for my Lashers, too. Love you.

      Delete
  13. ah here i will toss another in the ring...

    my sisters ex husband stole her kids and has taken them across state lines---cops are involved now so i imagine it will all be over soon enough but the trauma of the kids...ugh....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brian, thank you for praying for my brother in church, and thank you for telling me about it! I'm so sorry to hear about this situation with your sister's children. I know you're just sick about it.

      Father, I lift up Brian's sister's children, right now. I pray for their safety and well being. I ask You to use this incident for good in those creative, loving, astounding! ways only You have. I pray for these parents: both of them. I ask You to make their children's wellbeing their first priority. I ask You to help them in putting their children's needs above their own. I know from experience, Father, it can be harder to do than it sounds, and oftentimes I have relied upon You to show me what to do. I ask, then, that You would draw these parents unto Yourself and give them You eyes. Be with everyone who loves these folks, and be with everyone who's working to resolve this situation. In Your Son's name I pray, amen.

      Delete
  14. This is a really great idea, Brandee. I don't pray "with" others often enough. Please pray for my littlest, Bugaboo, as we keep working on his various therapies - and go to an autism center in Sept. to see if they have any insight/answers for our sweet, mysterious boy.

    Jesus, I thank you for Brandee and the ministry she has to all of us who read her words. I thank You for her heart, for her openness and her transparency. I pray that You would continue to work in her brother's life in all areas that need a touch from You. Please heal his body completely.
    I pray You would bless and lead Brandee's family - that You would do new and wonderful things in their lives, in their home. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amanda, thank you so much for all the prayers you've prayed in this space, today. It blessed me so much to read them!

      What's the date for Bugaboo's appointment? I really want to cover that specific date as it nears. Know, too, that I'm available to pray with you over the phone the day or night before.

      Father, thank You for Amanda. Thank You for the beautiful, caring mother she is. I know you chose her children especially for her and that she blesses them in ALL their needs, including their spiritual ones. I know she's leading them closer to You, Father; thank You. I ask You to reward Amanda's efforts w/ her younger child. I pray that he will respond to his various therapies. I pray for all who interact w/ Amanda's family, especially w/ Bugaboo. Send the right helpers, Father, the right professionals. I do lift up this meeting at the autism center; bless it, Father. I ask that Amanda and her husband will grow in their understanding of their child and how He works: the unique way in which You've made him! I thank You that, no matter what the future holds, Your love--their love!--is so great for this little man. You are so good. Thank You for Amanda's willingness to put this boy in Your hands. Give her peace; give her rest. In Your Son's name I pray, amen.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your prayers, Brandee. His appointment is Sept 12 (I think!). He had a great day yesterday. Today was a hard day, but it was also our full-of-therapy day, so that was part of it.

      Delete
    3. Let's keep in touch as the date nears. xo

      Delete
  15. There is nothing — nothing — like getting the people of God together to pray! What a great idea! I'm praying for your brother and, whenever anyone gives me the opportunity, I ask for them to pray for my son. Pray that he steps over the line and goes all-in with Jesus. Thanks, Brandee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deidra. Love your heart!

      Father, I thank You for Deidra and everything she shares with and teaches us. Thank You for her love for You and Your people, all people. I lift her son up to You, asking that You will call him, asking that he will respond. We know You are the source of everything good; how You've enriched and changed our beings and lives! We pray this for Deidra's son. We love You, Lord, and thank You. In Your Son's name I pray, amen.

      Delete
  16. Replies
    1. I read a quote just the other day--I'll have to try to find it, again--about how prayer is the one thing at which we can't fail. To try is to do. To try is to succeed. Love you, Anjelina.

      Delete