In Part one, overwhelmed by email requests for prayer, I desperately prayed for God’s help and sought scriptural guidance. That’s when I discovered the story of a Roman officer who taught us all a lesson in faith, “Just say the word from where you are, Jesus, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:6-10) His trust in Jesus helped me learn that it’s never too late to ask for help.

 

Faith is my willingness to trust God’s answer. Meanwhile, email prayer needs continued to arrive.

 

  • Marsha (Minnesota) My 20-year-old twin daughters are leaving home. They both suffer with learning disabilities. I pray their co-workers will be patient and help them succeed.
  • Holly (Kentucky) My boyfriend has decided to go into the ministry. We are both seeking God’s will for our lives and hope to stay close together.
  • Sharon (Canada) My son and his wife and five children. Their house caught fire and they still have no home, as they are low income. Nearly everything was lost.
  • Alex (Scotland) Granddaughter has Hodgkin’s disease. She has a growth in her chest, near her heart and has spots and holes in her kidneys…

 

First: I needed to kick myself, hard. These prayer requests weren’t burdens; far from it. God was giving me a breathtaking opportunity to provide ministry for the needs of others around the world.

I clearly must learn how to replace worry over what “I” will  or will not do with faith in what “God” can do.

 

People seek guidance from God, not me. I am simply asked to pray. Once again, God provided a “turning point” in my life. The question is: “What would I do with it?”

 

With renewed enthusiasm, I began to pray, really pray. When each request flashed across the computer screen, I bowed my head and said a prayer for their situation now not later. Then I began to forward the email prayer requests to others.

 

Today we have, over five thousand volunteers around the world who have signed on to join our ministry in prayer. In addition, Brian Masinick who lives in another part of the country signed on to by my prayer site manager. Three times each week he sends out a list of prayer needs along with email addresses so along with prayer you can also send an encouraging email.

 

At Sowing Seeds Ministry, we regularly witness miracles, all due to our willingness to simply send out lists of prayer requests and trust in God and our prayer team for the rest.

 

“Thank you Larry – because of you and your cause, you have saved my life of pain and torment.  I have received so many messages from folks in your prayer team and I am totally overwhelmed!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I now feel foolish for the stupid thoughts of suicide and know there are many who love and care for me!  God bless you for your kindness and love!”  — Flo

 

Another idea kept nagging me. “But, what about the church I serve? Shouldn’t they be involved?”

 

Occasionally on Sunday, during worship, copies of email requests from around the world are distributed to every member of our congregation. During the following week we agree to pray for those on the list. Soon everyone in the congregation is agreeing to pray for someone else. No longer are we simply asking God to be active in national and world events. We are praying for real people around the world and their specific needs.

 

One worship service ended with Communion. As people moved to the altar to receive the bread and cup symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus Christ they brought their email prayer request to the altar as they received communion.

 

What started as a problem became an opportunity for ministry. Those who asked for prayer are discovering answers. Prayer partners from all over the world are being used by God for ministry. Our churches have become excited partners in a new prayer ministry.

 

And me? I’ve changed too. When prayer needs flash across the computer, I no longer feel burdened. I know there is help waiting to be asked. Isn’t this what being the church is all about?

 

“I wish I had the words to express what was in my heart as I read the prayer requests this morning. What an eye-opener being part of Sowing Seeds prayer ministry has been and how heavy and anguished I feel after reading so many of them. What a call to prayer!” –Karen


2 Comments

Katarina · June 1, 2012 at 12:36 pm

Please, pray:
That Our Lord God strength the relationship between Dejan M. and me!
That any barriers between us will be removed permanently and that we may have a lifetime of happpiness and love together!
That all weapons formed against our relationship shall not prosper, in the name of Jesus!
THAT GOD HELP DEJAN M. TO MAKE DISTANCE FROM PEOPLE WHO ENJOY IN DESTROYING RELATIONSHIPS (THAT GOES SPECIALLY FOR SUZANA, BILJANA, EMINA, DAVID, ANJA)
Thank you for all your prayers
May God bless you always!
Katarina from Belgrade in Serbia

    larrydavies · June 3, 2012 at 7:55 am

    Our prayers continue to be with you.

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