Pray For Revival

Join me in praying for personal, local church, community wide, State wide, National, and World wide revival. In that order.
If there is no personal walk with God; none of the other can exist.
-Tim A. Blankenship

Yvonne’s Marriage Request

The following is a prayer and prayer request by Yvonne for her marriage. Please pray for her and her husband.  I have also included my response to her.

FROM YVONNE,

My husband recently went on deployment. We have been married for almost 2 years. We have been on the rocks since marriage. Most of it is my fault, but I do realize it takes 2 to make things go bad. I have read “The 5 Love Languages” & Also reflected alot since he’s been gone. With the help of him and that book, I finally realize a main issue. I was not helping my husband out at all, not his requests or just doing the things I should. I was not being a friend to him. Marriage is a give & take, I was doing ALL the taking. I was being SO SELFISH. I never realized for 1 1/2 yrs though and now that he is home from deployment, he is unsure if he wants to stay married to me. He says that he loves and cares about me and he said that he didn’t wnat to lose me but now 3 days later, he’s unsure if he wants to be married. I’m just asking that you, lord, open his eyes to see that I have finally realized and that we can be happy together again! I feel so ignorant to marriage, I never realized what I was doing wrong. Instead of working together, I was making him do all the work. Now that I finally realize, he says he’s not sure if its too late, but he’s willing to give it a shot. Lord, I just want you to open his eyes to see that we are right and this is right.. Marriage is a learning process for us both and that the problem is being resolved. I want him to enjoy my presence and have “feelings” for me again and want to make this work! I want to spend my life with him and I’d do anything for this to work! Lord, I pray that you rebuild our marriage, our friendship, and our love under you, as I know you are the glue that has always held us together! I believe in the power of prayer and would love to be prayed for! Lord, please open my husbands heart to my love and accept that I have changed. I am so sorry that I was wrong for so long, but I have clear eyes now and am ready for this change!

February 5, 2010 at 11:08 am

Tim A.

Lord Jesus, Meet the needs that are presented here in such a way that will give you all the glory. Help Yvonne to read your word concerning Marriage, and her responsibilities to YOU first, then to her husband.
Lord, also renew her husbands love for YOU and her.
Lord I pray most of all that if they don’t know YOU they will call on the name of Jesus YOUR holy Son, trust His death and dying on the cross, burial and resurrection, believe and be saved. In the name of the blessed Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Yvonne, Thanks for leaving your prayer. My heart and prayers are with you. You might read Ephesians 5 and 1 Corinthians 7. Also spend time with the Lord in the Bible and prayer.
T.A.

Thanks for joining us in prayer for this need.

T.A.

Requesting Prayer For Edna Eaton

I would like to ask all who come here for prayer updates and such to remember Edna Eaton in your prayers.  She is my sisters mother-in-law, and the wife of the man who was my pastor when I surrendered to preach.

Edna is having triple by-pass surgery Friday morning.  All your prayers will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

T.A.

Cindy Province Update 01/31/10

This is the latest update from the Missouri Family Network concerning Cindy Province.  Please continue praying for her and the family.

From: “Missouri Family Network” <mofamnet@ldd.net>To: “MFN” <mofamnet@ldd.net>

1-30-10

This has been a difficult week for Cindy’s family.  It is only with a struggle that I write after seeing

Cindy deteriorate rather than improve.

Wednesday was positive with Cindy breathing on her own most of the time and the use of the

ventilator serving only as backup.  However that is the only positive news of the week.

Into Wednesday afternoon and night Cindy stopped breathing on her own altogether.  She is

ventilator dependant and not expected to do any different from this point forward.

All indications have been that Cindy is declining.  Earlier optimism that she may begin recovery has

all but faded completely away.  The family had hoped she would improve enough that the younger

boys could see their mom for the first time in a private room without all the equipment and machinery.

By Wednesday evening the decision was made that the boys should be brought in to see mom while

they had the chance, or else they may not get another opportunity.  Thursday noontime the three

boys, Jimmy, Johnny, & Tommy (7,9,11) saw mom.  A return visit occurred Thursday evening but

was very difficult for the family.  The older son Clay continues to show himself as mature as expected.

At this point all the immediate family has more or less said their ‘good byes’ in expectation that Cindy

may not last much longer.  The family is appreciative of everyone’s prayers as they have weathered

this season of distress.  Your continued prayers are coveted as they look toward the uncertain days

ahead.

Pressure has built on Cindy’s brain to the point that it is a threat to her brain stem.  The brain stem,

as has been explained to me, controls issues related to blood pressure and breathing.  Cindy’s loss

of breathing is an indication of the brain stem’s decline.  (Again, I am not a health care professional

and can only relate what I have been told – but I do strive to get clarification from authoritative

sources.)  It has also been related to me that her heart activity is not related to brain or brain stem

health, according to contemporary medical research, and contrary to popular misunderstandings.

Today, Saturday, Cindy was given a thorough exam to determine if she has any remaining brain activity

or response.  This was the second exam late this week, which based on the first was expected to result

in a “brain dead” declaration.   The doctors were VERY observant trying to find any reaction to a series

of efforts to stimulate a response.  In the end they were able to get a very weak eye muscle response,

from one eye only.  Yet this barely detectible response indicates a minuscule bit of life in her brain stem.

Apparently, medical science, and certainly law, allows fairly broad discretion within the health care field

for “brain dead” declarations.  In fact, this is at the very heart of Cindy’s professional passion and advocacy.

Having her medical nursing qualifications, she has focused on brain dead patient nursing and care.  She

worked very hard to achieve her latest degree in bioethics and was pursuing additional training just to

advance her passion to advocate for those who are falsely labeled or who receive inferior care/treatment

as a result of subjective medical analysis in light of objective measurements and facts.

Yes, to quote Cindy’s husband Stan “she is hanging on by a mere thread, and that thread is frayed”.  But

we know what Cindy would say – there is life, life is sacred, God is the giver and sustainer of life, God is

not out of control, therefore we have a stewardship obligation to protect and defend that life.  Stan will

not allow Cindy to be declared “brain dead” based on subjective reasoning, rather he will wait upon the

Lord to provide objective evidence.

The prognosis is not good for Cindy.  Although anything unexpected could happen, she is expected to

continue to decline.  At this point the family has authorized me to say that Cindy’s life on this earth has

all but come to an end and she is clearly not expected to make it much longer.

This means her service to the Lord is almost done and she will be going home soon.  However, Cindy has

not yet left us and she would be the first to say that she wishes to fulfill her mission of bringing glory to

the Lord.  This is a time of both emotional challenge and a time of spiritual challenge.  I do not mean a

time of questioning God.  We know that suffering and death are a result of sin.  We live in a fallen world

and we will all die a physical death.  Cindy never failed to use challenging times in her life for her own

self-examination.  She always focuses on the spiritual health of herself and family because she understands

the connection between our trials and our spiritual needs.

The more you know Cindy the more you know that she does not need to speak any words – you know she

expects you to use your thoughts of her as a trigger to examine your own spiritual health in two ways.

FIRST:  If you have never committed your life to the Lord, NOW is the time to do so.  No other response

to Cindy’s situation could please her more, and no other response could bring more joy to the Lord as well

as Cindy’s many friends.  God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for your sins.  It is because of our sin that we

are separated from God and through Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross we can be brought back into

fellowship with the Lord.  Yes, we will all still die physically, but only those who have accepted a redeemed

relationship with the Lord will experience a heavenly reunion.  To die physically without Jesus Christ is to

step into eternity separated from God and His grace.  Just remember that Jesus paid the entire price for your

sins and you need only receive His hand of fellowship with a simple prayer:  Admitting to yourself and the

Lord that you are sorry for your sins, ask for His forgiveness, commit yourself to Him as the Lord of your

life, and thank Him for saving you from the ultimate results of your personal sin.

SECOND:  For those of you concerned for Cindy and her family who have already accepted Jesus Christ as

our Lord and Savior, this is also a time for self-examination.  We know that we stand under the grace of God

and have a place reserved for us in heaven.  But what are you and I doing with this grace?  Again, the more

you know Cindy the more you know what she has to say during this time of reflection.  What are you doing

to serve your Lord in your own life?  What do you need to confess to the Lord of the things that may have

crept into your life that is contrary to God’s plan for your good works and witness?  What new and even

exciting adventures in life have you failed to respond to God’s calling out of fear or unwillingness?  In what

areas is the Lord still waiting for you to grow spiritually in order to produce spiritual fruits?  Just remember

that the fruit of the vine only grows from the newly grown parts of the branch.  New spiritual fruit does not

come from old growth.  If you do not continue to grow spiritually, you will not continue to produce fruit!

Thank you for your continued prayers.  Please review the prayer needs listed below.

---

Prayer needs:

Cindy – to awake, communicate, healing, comfort, etc.

Ask the Lord to help Cindy’s medical help to understand the brain swelling and treat it effectively.

Stan (husband) – to keep his focus as he visits Cindy between surgeries, all the ‘issues’ as if this were

your family.  Pray that Stan’s spiritual health remains strong during this extreme trial.  Also pray

for Stan as a father of 4 boys who are hurting.  Stan, a 100% male, is facing challenging adjustments.

Younger boys (ages 7, 9, & 11) – that they can continue to grow and develop without the distraction of

such a deep family struggle.  Pray for their nanny that the Lord gives her the grace for this time.

Clay (18) – that he not feel ‘dumped on’ nor assume more upon himself than he should.  Pray that his

transition to manhood continues in a manner that brings glory to the Lord.

Other Family – that each and every one would be drawn to the Lord, or otherwise strengthened in faith.

Doctors & Hospital Staff – that they may have the grace of God’s insights to Cindy’s needs and care.

Yourself – The Lord knows why your friend and loved one is in this situation and He knows what He is

doing in her life and that of her family.  He also knows what He wants you and I to understand

about Himself and what He wants each of us to learn through our peripheral involvement in Cindy’s

life and that of her family.  Many of us may not even know each other but are only connected by

a common point with Cindy.  Yet the Lord knows us all and has drawn us all into a common love

and concern for Cindy and her family.  Ask Him what He want to show you during this season!

May the family, especially the boys and husband Stan know that there are many who are lifting Cindy to the  throne of God.  May His glorious will be done.

T.A.

Cindy Province Update

Some of you may have already started receiving this, if not here is the latest info I have here.  It is an email update from Cindy’s husband Dr. Stan Sakabu and family.  Follow instructions and receive the info as soon as it gets out.

— On Mon, 1/25/10, Missouri Family Network <mofamnet@ldd.net> wrote:

From: Missouri Family Network <mofamnet@ldd.net>
Subject: Cindy Province Prayer Update 1-23-10
To: “MFN” <mofamnet@ldd.net>
Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 2:52 AM

Thank you for responding and indicating a desire to be kept up to date on Cindy Province.

Anyone wishing to receive these updates as they are available may still request to be added to this

list but will still need to make a specific request by replying with “Cindy Update” in the subject line.

Please reply “Remove – Cindy Update” in the subject line to be dropped from this list at any time.

Until a blog is created to track information on Cindy Province, I will continue to provide an occasional email

to this list as time permits.   However, please note:  I am very sorry that there is simply not much to report on.

Since some folks have not yet had the opportunity to hear about, or understand, Cindy’s situation;

I will merely add to the last update using red type to distinguish any new information.

If any significant developments come to light, I will make it a priority to email you ASAP.

Otherwise these updates will be provided as time and opportunity make it practical to do so.

Thank you for being patient.

Please keep Cindy Province and her family in your prayers.  As you know by now she is in the Critical

Care Unit of St. John’s Hospital in St. Louis.  Visitors are requested to call Clay (Cindy’s oldest son)

rather than just showing up.  Clay’s number is (DELETED FOR  PRIVACY REASONS)

On Thursday (1-21-10, ten days following her accident) she had a tracheotomy in order to move her

ventilator so her mouth could be closed.  This is important to allow saliva to properly hydrate the

inside of her mouth.  Prolonging a constant state of oral ventilation creates excessive dryness to the

point that it is better for a patient to have the tracheotomy.  This is better for Cindy.

There has now developed some brain swelling.  I am unaware of the degree or severity of this problem

but know that it is not good.  For some who have asked, it is my understanding that this is not from

the initial injury.  An earlier hypothermia procedure was used and determined unnecessary to continue

because measurable swelling from the initial injury was not a concern.  After these many days this new

swelling is being caused by something else and as of Saturday morning that cause was unknown.  (Let

me clarify that I am not a health care professional and do not claim any expertise.  I must refrain from

speculations.)

This is all there is to report for now except a couple of additional prayer focuses.

Prayer needs:

Cindy – to awake, communicate, healing, comfort, etc.

Ask the Lord to help Cindy’s medical help to understand the brain swelling and treat it effectively.

Stan (husband) – to keep his focus as he visits Cindy between surgeries, all the ‘issues’ as if this were

your family.  Pray that Stan’s spiritual health remains strong during this extreme trial.

Younger boys (ages 7, 9, & 11) – that they can continue to grow and develop without the distraction of

such a deep family struggle.  Pray for their nanny that the Lord gives her the grace for this time.

Clay (18) – that he not feel ‘dumped on’ nor assume more upon himself than he should.  Pray that his

transition to manhood continues in a manner that brings glory to the Lord.

Other Family – that each and every one would be drawn to the Lord, or otherwise strengthened in faith.

Doctors & Hospital Staff – that they may have the grace of God’s insights to Cindy’s needs and care.

Yourself – The Lord knows why your friend and loved one is in this situation and He knows what He is

doing in her life and that of her family.  He also knows what He wants you and I to understand

about Himself and what He wants each of us to learn through our peripheral involvement in Cindy’s

life and that of her family.  Many of us may not even know each other but are only connected by

a common point with Cindy.  Yet the Lord knows us all and has drawn us all into a common love

and concern for Cindy and her family.  Ask Him what He want to show you during this season!

The family will appreciate your prayers.

T.A.

Prayer For Cindy Province

The following request came to me via the mobaptist group list of which I am on.  The lady mentioned is a nurse and knowledgeable on stem cell research.  She is a strong Christian lady who loves the Lord Jesus.

Dear MoBaptist List members,

Please keep Cindy Province and her family in your prayers for the foreseeable future. I just received a call from Kerry Messer telling me that Cindy was in a serious car accident this morning. She is in the Trauma-Critical Care Unit at St. John’s Hospital in St. Louis. She is currently on a ventilator and unconscious.

Cindy’s husband is Stan Sockabu who is himself a Trauma Surgeon. Cindy and Stan have a teenage son, and three pre-teen sons. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

I will update her condition as I receive more information.

David Krueger

Pastor, Linn 1st Baptist Church

Please lift Cindy and her family before the Lord’s throne of grace in prayer.

T.A.

Tammy’s Prayer Requests

The following is a prayer request posted on the “ABOUT’ page.  I post it here to ask all who pray to our Lord Jesus to lift her and her husband Todd to the throne of grace.

14. Tammy – December 9, 2009

am asking for a prayer request for reconcilation and restoration in my marriage to Todd [last name removed]. I also would like for God to touch Todds heart and soften it and show him the love I his wife has for him. ANd also that God help Todd fight the devil. Todd cant do this alone, he needs help. I love my husband and I have been forgiven of past sins. I want to save our marriage and make a Godly difference in Todds life. Remove the scales from Todds eyes, lift him up, show him the love his family has for him

Tim A. – December 10, 2009

Tammy
I am praying with you, for you and for Todd. May God’s glorious will be done.
T.A.

There are other marriages who are hurting, and we need to lift all up to God.  It is however in each individual’s area of responsibility to yield to the will of God, hear His voice and do His will.

Thanks and God bless you.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Prayer Request for Marriage

The following is a new request from Antonio.  It is posted just as I received it.  Let’s join Antonio in prayer for the healing of his marriage and home.

Antonio – December 1, 2009As per our divorce proceeding, my wife (Alejandra) and I, we have to go to Court on Jan 2010. Please pray and declare supernatural miracle: that Holy Spirit touches and softs my wife’s heart and God puts forgiveness and repentance in her, in order she desists from any divorce, then Judge won’t decree divorce judgement. I did ask her for forgiveness for the things I did wrong, but, it seems like she doesn’t listen or care about.Please pray to save my children (3 & 6 yrs). As per God’s will and in mighty Jesus name. Thanks and blessings.

May the LORD Bless and fill Antonio with His Spirit, and give him peace.

T.A.

Hagar’s Prayer

Hagar, a servant girl which Abraham and Sarah had evidently picked up when they were in Egypt; has been chosen by them both to become the mother of the heir for the promises of God.  This was by no means by God’s direction, but by a serious lack of trust in God’s promise.  This has now brought even more conflict within the family.

The following verses are the words of Hagar’s prayer, and our LORD’s answer; actually the LORD’s appearance and speaking to her first:

“7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”  Genesis 16:7-13 (KJV)

“Angel of the LORD” is most likely a pre-incarnate manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the second person of the Triune God.  Any word He speaks would be the words of God.

In this revelation to Hagar His first words to her is to return to Sarai, and submit to her.  He gives her promise of continued blessing in the family of Ishmael the son she  will bear.

We learn from this prayer that the LORD heard the prayer of Hagar, her affliction; and she is awed by the fact the LORD has chosen to reveal Himself to her.  Every time you and I pray we should be awed by the fact that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us, speak to us, and give us the privilege and right by new birth (John 1:12) of speaking to Him.

We may not see Him in a physical form as did Hagar, but one day we will see Him face to face, and we will be looking into the face of Jesus.

-Tim A. Blankenship

First Prayer???

I was searching the Scriptures to find the first prayer of the Bible and this is the one I have found.  There are many others where we are told, the “LORD said” to Adam, Noah, or Abram, but there is only the response of “building an altar on Abram’s part, with no verbal response recorded that I found.

Notice the interchange between the LORD and Abram in Genesis 15-

“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.   7 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8 And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.   12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.   17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”  Genesis 15:1-21 (KJV)

God first came to Abram with a promise, and a “fear not”, then Abram prays concerning an heir, a son; and whether he should appoint his servant as his heir.  God once again promises Abram an heir to receive the land, and all the promises.

When we have a need or a problem; in the way of a question or complaint even; God will hear it, and supply our need, even if it is confirming the original promise.

If this is the first prayer of Scripture why?  Most of what we have read was of God speaking to His servants, many of them listening.  Adam listened after he sinned.  Noah listened when he built the ark, gathered the lumber, and the animals and preached to the people, and Abram listened, but unless I was missing it this is the first prayer where there is a word spoken in request to God.

Why?  If this be so, then we can learn from this for the same reason we have one mouth and two ears.  We should do twice as much listening as we do speaking.  Especially listening to God our LORD.

-Tim A. Blankenship

If you find another request from before this one please let me know.  Write it in the comments section.  Thanks.