MelissaRae
Prayer Warrior
Heavenly Father, I believe you are the Holy One of Israel, a God of love and a God of might. Lord, I ask for the strength of your son Jesus to help me endure in love as adversaries of the principality of powers increase. I believe I have done all I can to reach estranged family members, those whom I adored in my youth but now hardly recognize, or with whom I am not on speaking terms at all. When I returned to my hometown several years ago, where I was born, I discovered my dad was here and had stage four cancer. He has been an angry man most of his life, and our relationship has been disjointed as he has often looked at me with a look of hatred since my youth. Since I have lived here, I've spoken to my uncle's wife (one of my dad's brother's) in person about the truth of the gospel (a couple of years ago), explaining that even men who claim to be pastors have lied to her about the sin of adultery (there are other things they did not tell her) and the change God brings. I study His word, spend time with Him, and pray. However, she could not believe me nor look at the word of God to see that what I was saying is true. These are people I knew and loved very much as a child. Her son was living in adultery and killed himself ten years ago. Her daughter has remarried twice (once apparently just recently to a man who has an ex-wife and children of his own) since her first husband, yet they will not listen to me. I believe her daughter is dying a slow death living with this new man who is not lawfully her husband. The excuse I was given is that nobody should be alone. She resorted to how we feel rather than what is right. I believe in being reconciled to God in Christ Jesus. There may be a chance to reconcile with her covenant husband, but if not, she is in a relationship with God—the God who can save and destroy both flesh and soul. Moreover, the change in the heart of the person toward God is what He desires. It's like they don't see me anymore. I've lived alone for a long time now, and they still don't see me. My dad is also living with a woman who is not my mom. For the first time in my life, I wrote to him, telling him all the things that were on my heart about how he has affected me, knowing this is the last letter I will be able to write to him since I am not allowed to speak with him in person. He has never faced or taken responsibility for these issues. He usually ignores me as so does my mom (who I haven't seen in person in over five years and not spoken on the phone in approximately two). I included scripture, hope for a relationship between him and God, and evidence. My boss just had a stroke a little over a month ago, and many people here prayed for her. Thank you. However, upon her return, she was so upset at her own condition that she unjustly criticized all the work done by me and another director while she was on medical leave. She yelled so loudly that some of the school heard her. Phone calls were made, and an incident report was filed. I tried to calm her down, but she would not listen to me. I had to leave the area. She did just have a stroke, but she wasn't missing a beat with her words. Due to staff shortages and absences, some of us have taken on additional responsibilities, which have added an uncomfortable amount of pressure. It is Your love, God, that has sustained me. I reflect upon Psalm 27 often as it speaks so close to the heart of the matter in my life: "Even though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in." - ESV, Psalm 27:10 The good news is that some people have accepted pocket bibles. For some, it is the first time they have ever read the gospel of Jesus Christ. One man was so excited about it that he almost stuck both his hands into my car just to have it. I hope they are reading and studying Your word. I seek God's wisdom in making decisions that will shape my future. Thank you for your prayers. In Jesus Name Amen