You gotta keep praying!!!

  The party's over and back to work we go.  Robert and I drove to Bismarck last night and went to our favorite place for supper.  THE GROUND ROUND has been the site of so many of our family celebrations for almost 35 years so that's where we headed for our 45th anniversary celebration.  

  I had wanted to take out our whole family but the price for that would have been astronomical.  As it was, for the 2 of us to feast together, it cost us nearly $60!!!  That was without any alcohol!  Of course the malts were $6 each but were they ever delicious!!!  Also, I did bring half of my meal home to enjoy today so that will save a little.

  We were saddened to see that our favorite spot was barely half full on a SATURDAY NIGHT!  Usually we have to sit and wait up to half an hour to get in.  It was a very clear reminder that inflation has cut into luxuries for many families!  We wouldn't have been there either if it weren't our anniversary.  

  So today it's back to work.  As a Christian for over 5 decades I have always felt that my main work is bringing souls to Christ.  The Passion Translation of the Bible has strengthened me with a newer understanding of how much God loves people.  He wants us to love them too!

  I know that can be impossible with some people, if we're trying to do it with our own strength, but God doesn't expect us to do anything on our own strength.  That's why He sent us the Holy Spirit!  Many times I have seen things more clearly when I read the emails I receive from the Passion Translation team.  The Holy Spirit has them write in a way that touches my spirit not just my brain.  Today's email is no exception.

  As I ponder the release of the hostages from Gaza after TWO YEARS, this message poured passion into my heart.  Some of them will come back only to learn that their family members were murdered!  Can you imagine being a hostage for 2 years and then be released to face grief?   Those people REALLY need our prayers!!!

  So I urge every Christian to pray for our brothers and sisters who are in prison or held hostage somewhere!!  It's something that we can do and it WILL help!!  Prayer works.  I can guarantee that after watching God get me through incest, miscarriages, cancer, shingles on the brain, and then ending up with MS.  If I didn't pray constantly, there is no way I would have survived all of that!

  Let's keep each other in our prayers!

  Lots of love,

  Dawn

Praying for Deliverance from Persecution

Great God, thank you for the power of prayer. Thank you for arming your beloved with weapons of warfare that break strongholds open in the heavenly realms and loose breakthrough for your kingdom on the earth. May I reach new depths of your compassion as I intercede for those who are caught in captivity for the sake of the gospel.   Today, I am digging a channel for your power and Word to flow through my intercession. I stand upon your Word, declaring its truth over my home, my city, and my region. I am asking for your power to fall on your people in mighty miracles and deliverance from the enemy. I won’t forget to gather with others to pray for the release of your love and for the protection over our cities from the evil one. Establish us in your mercy-love and pour out your Spirit. Deliver believing ones from persecution as we pray to you night and day. You are our holy hope, God, and you are faithful to come through every time we call upon you. Thank you!   From Prayers from the Throne Room written by Brian Simmons

2 Thessalonians 3:2 The Passion Translation   Pray that God will rescue us from wicked and evil people, for not everyone believes the message.