Day of Rest

Hello prayer warriors!

Friday was a day of rest. The Lord had me up at 7 AM. My time with Him was focused on faithfulness of a bride. Why does God hate divorce, because His character is long suffering and abounding in love. Thank you for your patience and loving kindness poured out over me, Lord.
I hand-washed the laundry and broke my fast very slowly in the morning. Tony, Peter, and I went to church and took in the teaching on rest. We were reminded of how Christ retreated to be alone in prayer, to go to a quiet place, or to call His disciples to a quiet place with Him. Rest. Yes, Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. I can be about so many things, but have I forgotten my first love, my connection to my Lord? Again my quiet time invades and blends with the sermon. The good wife does not stop the loving action to her Husband. She loves Him. Being with Him; this is rest. Knowing what to do because you have been with Him; this is rest. Doing what He has asked in love and the confidence of His wisdom; this is rest.

Coming back to the house I ate lunch and retired to a sweet nap until 7 PM. Bob, let’s have this sermon back home…Hallelujah!

Shortly after waking, I spoke with my beautiful wife that God has so blessed me with, stayed up to date with some e-mail, sent out prayer requests to the Friday prayer meeting folks, and went to bed at midnight. This was a generous portion of rest for a person who has a difficult time slowing down.

This morning God would have me up at 4:45 AM (in answer to prayer) to pray for the day, to connect with my Lord, and to pray for the team praying for me and the Sudan. Reading in Mark, Love was the focus of God's teaching today. The love we are to have for Him and one another, and the love only God can give in reconciling payment for our sin - eternally. Thank you Jesus for the gift of your love. Thank you Father for loving us so much as to send your presence in Christ that we may know you, for you are ONE. Thank you for carrying us, your redeemed with your Holy Spirit. Make us clean, Lord. Help us to resemble you and not the simple and sinful flesh of all man. Help us to love.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, please join me in the following requests:

God’s will regarding visa extension, and permission to re-enter Darfur on 7/25. My current visa expires 7/25. This request for an extension can not go in until Sunday the 22nd, and I may not know the result for several days. The purpose of the visit is to come alongside the AU chaplain and minister on Wednesday evening and then go North to assess the camps in some tougher territory. If the visa is rejected I will be changing my flight (which will be another prayer request for a blessing in travel and His ministry throughout the travel).

Daily bread: I really need God’s insight daily. I need to know His direction and I enjoy feeling His presence every morning and throughout the day.

I am currently working on creating procedures for SHIR; may God’s gift of administration be strong.

Tony is leaving on Sunday the 22nd. Please pray for travel safety, blessing, and ministry.

Post Sunday, that God will continue to be our daily director: clarity of purpose in each day.

Please pray for Sudan. It is in a political pickle. May God give the leaders wisdom to make it right.

Pray for the international community to keep their promises to Sudan, especially the US (pray for a good witness to win the heart of the people).

Please pray for all factions in Darfur to come to peace. Please pray for real security, by God’s Spirit in Darfur. This is the real need. Food, water, education, medicine, these are not the issue. The vast majority of people in the camps actually are living better than before in these respects…but without security they will not return to their homes. PRAY FOR SECURITY. The UN is NOT the answer. As a measuring stick, Darfur is larger than Iraq and the quantity the UN intends to send is MUCH smaller than what the US currently has in Iraq. Pray for security from GOD. Cry out to God for peace in the hearts and minds of the people here. Pray for visions and dreams from Him to haunt these people. That God would speak to the individual heart and that the people would be saved from thoughts, words, and actions of violence and revenge. Pray for the casting out of the demonic influence that increases sin throughout Sudan, but especially Darfur. Make it clean, my Lord.
Amen.

Please pray for the gift of God in beginning His perfect job, affording provision for my family when I return.

Finaly, please pray for your relationship with Christ to be ALIVE, for your heart and house to be cleansed, for your family to fall in love with Jesus, for the heart to love your neighbors and enemies, and for your nation to be given over to serving Him, one heart at a time. Thank Him, thank Him, thank Him, for He is good ALL the time.

...and He is coming back. Be ready now.

Love,
Todd