PRAYER LIST 44
DO/TS
April 1997
Copyright 1997 by The Family
"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name" (Hebrews 13:15).
NOTICES AND TESTIMONIES OF ANSWERED PRAYER
Please use this list along with PL 35, the latest long-term list. Thank you!
For 14 years and up. Can be read with JETTs, but they shouldn't read it on their own. Selected prayer requests, answers to prayer and testimonies of answered prayer may be read to younger age groups as well, at parents' and teachers' discretion.
ANSWERED PRAYERS
Asia:
1. Noelle (2, of Stevie and Ruthie) (PL 42:62): The cysts on her jaw seem to have stabilized somewhat and there has been no noticeable increase in size. Please continue to pray for her complete healing.
North America:
2. Trusty (PL 42:80): Her severely broken shoulder has healed speedily! She now has almost full movement in her arm.
3. David (18, of David and Charity) (PL 42:75): The cyst filled with spinal fluid which had formed in his abdomen has diminished.
4. Regina (18, of Steven and Adria, former members) (PL 42:50): She recovered miraculously from the serious accident that she had suffered when she was hit by a car. Mother Eve, Steven and Adria were very grateful for everyone's prayers for her.
South America:
5. Miguel (VS, of Clara) (PL 43:41): Recovered from the operation to remove his spleen. Miguel writes, "I want to testify that the Lord has healed me from the strange sickness in my blood which had afflicted me for a year. All glory to Him! My last blood test showed that my count is normal, even slightly above average! When we were praying about whether I should have the operation or not, according to several doctors we consulted there was only a 50 to 60 percent chance that the operation would be successful and help correct my very serious blood deficiency. We prayed and the Lord showed us to go ahead with the operation, which ended up being a success! I can't thank my dear Family enough for their prayers and the encouragement and support I felt all through my serious sickness! I never felt I had to fight it alone!"
6. Gabriel (of Ruth, Brazil) (PL 41:90): The problems with his intestines and digestive system are much better.
Europe and Africa:
7. Poland (PL 42:125): (From the Polish media team:) "In a report released by the government last year, we were listed as one of the most dangerous sects, and as a result, there has been a lot of negative publicity against us. Recently however, there was an article in one of the main national newspapers in which the director of the National Security Bureau said the chapter on NRMs and sects will not be included in an updated edition of the report, as the government is presently facing bigger and more serious problems, and he stated that sects are no longer a threat. This is a fantastic answer to prayer."
8. Namibia (PL 40:106): Philip and Meekness write, "We sent in a prayer request for rain in Namibia as during the last six years there has been a drought. The Lord started to pour out on this dry land! Different people we met out witnessing told us that they hadn't seen so much rain in 14 years."
9. Mary (of Jonathan) (PL 42:109): "She was hospitalized with a serious, life-and-death kidney and liver disorder yet was healed in only nine days. Each time the doctors were seriously worried about something, we sent out an all-Homes prayer request, and every time, within just a few hours of the request being sent out, the answer came and she improved incredibly fast. She still has an infection according to the tests, but is much better now."
10. James (PL 43:20): Andrew, Mercy and Aaron write, "After being a LINer for several years, James became a TSer a few months ago, almost as his last wish on his deathbed (he has been suffering from AIDS). The doctors had been amazed by the way he had resisted the disease, but after a sudden deterioration of his health they saw no point in keeping him in the hospital any longer, so they sent him home. They thought he would only survive a couple of weeks. Now, two months later, James, who could hardly move from his bed previously, is going out witnessing once again! His battle is far from being over, but we know that God's healing power is able to do it, as He has already shown! Please keep him in your prayers!" (See prayer request # 17.)
Pacific:
11. Claire (of Matthew) (PL 40:164): "My legs are now totally healed from embolisms and lymph node infections, without medication or any operation, a real miracle! I'm walking normally now, all fevers are gone and my pregnancy is progressing well."
12. Sunny (PL 41:30): Healed of cervical cancer! She writes, "I just went in for my one-month check up and everything was fine. All the cancer is gone! Thank you so much for all your prayers. A special thanks to Elizabeth who came right away to help with my little kids, and Dust and Sunshine who forsook what they were doing and came to help us. What a wonderful Family we have! I love you!"
PRAYER REQUESTS
CRITICAL OR LIFE-AND-DEATH SITUATIONS
13. Jonathan (4, of Simon [CRO] and Mary), North America: Jonathan has been diagnosed as having leukemia, and after prayer and seeking the Lord, is now undergoing intense chemotherapy treatment, beginning with surgery to place a "feeder" type of connection in the back of his neck so that he will be able to get his medication without having to find the veins in his arms. Please pray that Jonathan will be miraculously and completely healed; and for strength and grace as he goes through the treatment. Please also pray for Simon and Mary, for their faith, comfort and encouragement during this trying time.
14. Luke (9, of Nehemiah and Meekness), Europe: Diagnosed with a pressure on his brain caused by a buildup of fluids on his brain as well as his spine. For grace, peace, faith and strength for Luke, as the pain is very strong and the pain killers don't have much effect; that the doctors will find out exactly what is wrong and that he will be miraculously healed. For grace and strength for Nehemiah and Meekness, as it is a very trying time for them. Also for great wisdom in all the medical decisions they must make.
15. Sammy (10, of Andrew and Lily), North America: For Sammy's fight against cancer. Recently he has had megadoses of chemotherapy to dissolve the cancerous areas and needs prayer against secondary effects.
16. Mercy (of Bill), North America: Cervical cancer. For her complete healing, wisdom in decisions regarding further treatment, and also that the Lord will greatly encourage and strengthen Mercy, Bill and their children at this time.
17. James (TS), Europe: Final stages of AIDS. For the Lord to comfort him and alleviate his suffering, and that the new treatments that the doctors are giving him will be effective. (See answer to prayer #10.)
18. Victory Shines, North America: Almost blind now due to a doctor's incompetence. She writes: "I've learned that it's very important to go to a doctor two by two! I went to a clinic for possible laser surgery on a small pattern or bleeding from a vessel in my eye. Instead, I received drops that burned my eyes and now both my eyes are almost blind. I don't know what they did to me, but I could see fine before I went to the doctor. Please pray for me."
MAMA AND PETER
19. Mama: For normal menstrual periods; that she'll be able to continue to get good daily exercise (which lately she has been able to, thanks to your prayers!). That she will stay free of headaches or colds, which put a further strain on her already sore eyes.
20. Peter: For his heart, strength, wisdom and the Lord's leading and guidance during his visitation.
(Please also see the prayer requests for Mama and Peter in the last long-term Prayer List, PL 35.)
WORLDWIDE
WS Pubs and Tools
21. For the GPU (GP Pubs Unit): For those working on writing and editing new GP booklets for Family distribution. Also, that all the business details involved in publishing GP books and mass marketing our tools will be taken care of properly. For good counsel from lawyers and other outside consultants, and especially for the Lord's leading in the many decisions that need to be made.
22. For good housing for the expanding GPU team.
Family Leadership
23. Wisdom, strength and anointing for the CROs and their office staffs.
24. That our VS teams will be a help and blessing to the Homes they visit. For the wisdom, discernment and love needed for their important job. That the Lord will continue to raise up others who are qualified and willing to visit the Homes and provide the loving shepherding and help needed.
25. Strength and wisdom for our ABMs and their efforts to help the Family with their communications and many other services to the Homes.
Home Life
26. That we will go to the Word for the answers and solutions to our problems, both individually and on the Home level. That we will fight to make time for the Word, prayer and listening to the Lord.
27. For unity and loving interaction within and between Homes.
28. For any teens who have fallen in with bad company after leaving the Family, and are now in trouble or involved in crime, drugs or prostitution. That the Lord will protect them, deliver them from their vices or dangerous situations, and help them to either return to the Lord's service or become productive members of society and be a help and blessing to others in some way.
ASIA
29. Joy C. (of John Peter): That her cervix will be strengthened so she can carry her baby to full term.
30. Willing: Acute acidity in his stomach and against duodenal and peptic ulcers.
31. Hannah (of Philip): Diagnosed as having another gall stone in her left kidney. That the stone will dissolve naturally without an operation; that no more stones will form and against pain, weakness, nausea and other related symptoms.
32. Amy Nozomi (baby, of Victor and Maria): Swelling and red spots on her eyelid.
NORTH AMERICA
33. Amber (18): She had an accident last month where she fractured her tailbone and the vertebrae in her lower back were twisted and jammed. That the Lord will strengthen her neck and heal her back quickly as it causes her a lot of pain.
34. Carissa (baby, of YA Davina): For the nerve connecting her arm and shoulder to her neck to be healed, so she will have complete use of her right arm. For the large umbilical hernia to heal completely and against any complications.
35. Rejoice: Diagnosed with a cancerous growth on the face. That the growth will disappear.
36. Meek: PG with #10. Tests show the baby at risk of Down's syndrome. For a happy, healthy and normal baby.
37. Jonathan (of Sara): Recovery from a nervous breakdown.
38. Amada (of Shad): Abnormal bleeding. That her hormone level will go back to normal.
39. David (18, of David and Charity): Continued progress and healing from injuries due to the motorcycle accident. (See answered prayer #3.)
40. Faithy: That the operation on her eyes will be successful.
41. Giovanni (7, of Peter and Joy): Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine).
SOUTH AMERICA
42. Brazil: In a current case concerning homeschooling, the judge rejected our appeal and reaffirmed his original verdict. Our appeal is now on its way to the court of appeals where it will again be studied by the prosecutors of that court. Please pray for a favorable ruling, that the case will be closed soon and for the Lord to anoint our media team and give them wisdom.
43. Argentina: That the provincial judge who was assigned our case will accept it and make a decision soon to close it. Against any further delays. For protection and safety of the brethren there. For the witnessing, and the strengthening of our friends.
44. Venezuela: For the favorable closure of an investigation against the Family by a congressional commission, and that none of our Homes or members will have to face further investigations. Against negative media articles. That the Lord will reveal to the authorities that the detractor who has been stirring up trouble against us is untruthful and unreliable, and that they will stop giving ear to his false accusations. For the wisdom and anointing of our media team, lawyers and Homes.
45. Ecuador and Venezuela: Political stability.
46. Maria Clara (5, of Mateo and Brunilda): Scoliosis resulting from her irregular positions and paralysis (she is handicapped).
47. Joy (of Emanuel): Eroded cervix, which can easily become cancerous.
48. Libertad: Cyst in her right ovary.
49. Techi (YA): Problems with her uterus which makes her unable to have children; against prolonged bleeding.
50. Amanecer (of Jonas): Tumor in her uterus.
EUROPE AND AFRICA
51. For the upcoming review of Pearl's case in the BI.
52. For the speedy closure of the French penal case.
53. For the problem-free closure of the Family's foundation in Romania and that it won't involve too much red tape.
54. That a new law which is currently being drafted in Russia making it obligatory for all religious organizations to register will not pass; that the Lord will continue to help us get out the Message as long as possible.
55. Russia: That a legal suit being lodged against ACM activists and their allies by a social committee defending religious freedom will be successful. It seems the case could be pivotal for the issue of religious freedom in Russia. For our Family's continued freedom to witness and operate in Russia.
56. Tim (of Tabi): Supply for a needed operation of a cyst on his chin.
57. Abel (of Mary): Underwent operation on his left eye. That the graft will take so another operation will not be necessary.
58. Patty (4, of Joy Newman): Cerebral palsy. For successful surgery to correct her eyes.
59. Sara (of David): Possible cervical cancer.
60. Patience Amor (19): Diagnosed as having a developed stage of colitis with ulcers spreading on her large intestine. For strength, healing and against anemia, ulcers and parasites. That the tests would prove the ulcers are not in the cancerous stage.
61. Precious (15, of Stephen and Lily): Multiple sclerosis. (See more details of the prayer request as well as testimonies of healing on page seven.)
62. Victoria (of Esteban): (She's crippled and uses crutches.) Recovery from a mastectomy to remove a cancerous breast tumor. Against side-effects from the additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment she must undergo for the next few months. For strength and good sleep. Against pain in her leg.
63. Esther (14, of Victoria): Scoliosis. That pains in her legs will disappear.
64. Sara (15, of Simon and Vicky). Scoliosis. She has to wear a back brace which she'll be unable to take off for the next eight months.
65. Becky: Heart problems.
66. Jonathan: That an upcoming eye operation to remove a cataract will be a success, and that his eyesight will improve.
67. Laura: Muscular dystrophy.
68. Mary (of Jonathan): Continued healing of serious kidney infection.
69. Ruth (of Job): Against a possible tumor beginning on her uterus.
70. Christiana (of Micha); Juan (of Leticia): Hepatitis. Against any complications through this infection.
PACIFIC
71. Australia: For the civil suits in Sydney which are starting to see more action in the courts. For our lawyers' wisdom and strength, and the voluntary psychological examinations that will be administered on some of the kids involved.
72. Lamb: Gynaecological problems.
73. John (of Praise): Persistent sun spots on his skin, which keep coming back after being burnt off.
74. Louisa (baby, of John and Joany): Speedy healing of a large red patch which suddenly appeared on her face. The doctors say it has something to do with the blood vessels under the skin. That it will not spread.
TESTIMONIES OF ANSWERED PRAYER
"You Know Best Lord, No Matter What Happens"
From Gem, Canada:
The affliction seemed to start as a very sore throat that soon escalated to some sort of severe infection in the throat. I lost my voice, and could only speak in a very raspy, hoarse voice. I also had severe chest pains that worsened with the hoarseness. After two months of this, and doctors not knowing what it was, I was sent to a throat specialist. While in the waiting room, I thought to myself, "It's probably something very minor," so I wasn't &&&really prepared for the answer I got. The doctor I got was very impersonal and removed from my situation. Before I knew it, he stuck this little camera down my throat, and he and I were both equally amazed at what he saw! A paralyzed right vocal chord! There are two vocal chords, and only my left one was working.
Maybe for some people losing their voice wouldn't be a big deal, but my full-time job here is provisioning, especially helping several teams push off to various foreign fields. I had gotten several beautiful visions and prophecies about my ministry in provisioning and had been using my voice full-time on the phone--and now to have this set back!
The doctor ordered a CAT scan, as many times the vocal chord is paralyzed because something is pushing on the nerve, like a tumor or cancer. Usually surgery of some sort is the only choice and there was no guarantee that it would work and I could also lose the use of my left vocal chord as well!
On prayer day I asked for prayer, but before they prayed for me, we prayed for Joy who is on dialysis due to kidney failure (see PL 37:32). After praying for her, we all got different prophecies. I received a prophecy, but at first I didn't want to give it, as my voice was so sore and hoarse I could barely talk. But the very moment that I opened my mouth to give the prophecy, my voice came back clear and normal! Everyone was shocked, including me! In the prophecy, the Lord said through me, "I can heal anything, just as I have healed this one who can now talk." I had never been healed like that before!
Someone asked if I still wanted prayer, and for a moment I lost my voice again when I said yes. After the prayer, Jesus spoke in prophecy and said I should touch the hem of His garment.
I was so happy and thankful to have my voice back. I got back on the phone provisioning full force, but after a week my hoarseness returned, only much worse and with it, the chest pains returned. It looked pretty bleak. Someone asked "I thought you were healed. ... What's happening?"
I thought the same thing, and I talked to the Lord about it. I said, "Lord, I told everyone, friends, brethren and contacts that You healed me. What will they think about You?"
He answered back, "I can take care of My Own reputation, thank you." I thought of the verse, "He doeth all things well" (Mark 7:37). If He wants to hold me over the fire to keep me close to Him and desperate, so be it. My voice and life are in His hands, and He can do with it as He pleases. If He doesn't choose to heal me, it's because He has a better plan, something greater and higher. But if not, I was determined to serve the Lord, with or without my voice! I pulled this card out of the Promise Box: "Afflictions may test me, They cannot destroy, One glimpse of Thy love, Turns them all into joy." On the other side it said, "When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
As the day for the CAT scan approached, I told the Lord I wanted to live. I felt that my son still needed me, but then I said, "I just want to be yielded to Your will."
I heard Him say back, "No, no, please, I want to hear your opinion, your feelings on it." I was so surprised! The great all-knowing God of the Universe wanted to hear what I thought! He then told me "You've passed the test of believing Me that I knew best even if I didn't heal you. You're okay now. You're healed."
I knew then that the results of the CAT scan would be negative for cancerous tumors. In the few days it took for me to get the results, my voice would come back for short periods, but I knew I was healed! The throat doctor's nurse was so worried about me, that she personally went down to get the results and she called me immediately. Negative! No sign of cancer or tumors.
Although my throat still hurts, my voice is back and I'm using it to give all the praise and glory to Jesus and to proclaim "You know best, Lord, no matter what happens!"
The Fight of Faith
From Stephen and Lily, France:
For the last month and a half, Precious (15) (see prayer request #61) has made constant progress with her health. To realize the magnitude of this miracle you have to know that since Precious first was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in November '95, her health has steadily deteriorated--except for the time when she underwent a cortisone treatment where she did get better for a short while, only to deteriorate even more rapidly as soon as the treatment was over. Since cortisone is a very potent treatment, the neurologists could not continue it and confessed that there was nothing more they could do except to check on her every six months or so.
We did some research and found a natural diet and therapy that seems to help in slowing down the pace of the disease, but it was not a cure. It only slowed it down, and to our dismay, we could still see Precious steadily losing all her physical abilities and strength!
First she began to walk all wobbly, finding it hard to control her legs and her balance. Then she got double vision and could not see things properly anymore. Then it was her hands and fingers that she could not control anymore. All this came very gradually and she slowly got worse and worse. By Christmas of '96, her legs were completely paralyzed and had lost all their strength; her left hand would shake uncontrollably when she tried to use it. She was not able to sit up by herself or stay sitting without props. She would feel sick if moved briskly and she could hardly see. Her nights were particularly difficult because her thigh muscles would contract to where they would be rock hard, giving her terrible pain so she could hardly sleep.
Around New Years, something happened! To make a long story short, the Lord punched through to us in a lot of areas. We basically tried to follow the Charter more, which meant getting much more Word and prayer time. We also came across two healing testimonies, one about MS and another about Lupus. These testimonies greatly encouraged us and especially Precious.
Also, we were so desperate about this situation and the terrible state that Precious was in, that we were constantly petitioning the Lord and begging Him to do a miracle. Like Grandmother brought out so well in the story about the boy who wanted a souvenir that had run out of stock, he kept on begging for it even after he received the promise that he would get that souvenir. At that point, his continual petitioning actually became a lack of faith! So we started thanking the Lord more for healing Precious instead of begging Him all the time to heal her!
About the same time as this change in our attitude came about, Precious started being able to control some movement with her legs again!--Movement which she had completely lost for a few months came back, and since then it keeps on coming back more and more! There is not a week that passes without Precious being able to do new things that she had been unable to do for months! She is now able to walk again with someone's help for short distances, like across the room. She has grown much stronger, to where she can sit up on her own, etc. She was on a continual downward trend for nearly a year and now for the first time she has not only stabilized, but she is actually making progress and has regained some of her lost faculties!
Some types of MS come as sudden attacks followed by a remission of the symptoms. However, the kind of MS that Precious has is the chronic kind where you slowly but continually get worse without pause or remission of the symptoms. So it is a miracle that any of her symptoms are going away, and we wanted to share it with all of you, our precious Family, who have been praying along with us!
The fight is not over yet! Although the condition of her legs and her overall stamina is improving dramatically, the rest of her condition has not improved so far. Please pray specifically for her eyes, her sense of balance and the shaking of both her hands. Please pray that she and all of us continue to grow in faith and trust in the simple yet fantastic promises that the Lord gave us again and again right from the beginning, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible" (Mark 10:27), and "All things are possible to them that believe!" (Mark 9:23).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF LONG-TERM LIST
Following is a brief summary of the main topics covered in the last long-term list (PL 35). We hope this can come in handy to jog your memory when praying for these topics. This is not meant as a substitute for PL 35, so please try to refer to PL 35 for the specifics whenever possible.
*Mama and Peter and their staff
*Family Leadership, CROs, VSes
* Pregnant mothers/newborns
* Childcare teachers/shepherds
* Children and their shepherding/education
* Teens/JETTs
* General good health of all Family members
* WS pubs production
* Video/audio productions
* Witnessing/follow-up
* Friends/supporters
* Young people's witnessing ministry
* Special outreach ministries
* Mail ministries
* Home teamworks
* Home/WS finances
* Good Word/prayer time
* Housing
* Landlords/neighbors
* Legal paperwork
* Vehicles/drivers
* Stability of local and national governments
* Media teams
* Lawyers/academics
* Media coverage/contacts
* Protection from persecution
# # #
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family