|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“I am with you always.” Matt 28:20 UNSUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE www.BearWitness.org |
|
|
You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2 In This Issue
RECOMMENDED READING
|
You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2 Last month I wrote about some quiet simple ways to offer encouragement to someone, including simply sitting with them. (click here to read last month's Bear Witness) This month let's take sitting there one step further. Even if that person is opposed to you praying out loud with them you can still pray. Paul tells us to 'pray without ceasing' (I Thes 5:17). While you are sitting there, unsure what to say, speak to God. Focus on Him and ask for quidance in what to say, what to do.
How do you pray? Are you asking for God to take a look, see what you might need and hand it over? Or are you seeking God to help you specifically, to "fill you with joy" and to give you peace as you seek His will?
The moment I called out you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. Psalm 138.3 When my oldest daughter was just a few weeks old, doctors became concerned that her eyes looked as though she would suffer from Down Syndrome. After a year and half of follow up visits and testing it was determined she was in perfect health. She was to go on to excel in all her schooling.
In Kansas City, the Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line teams up with the local Down Syndrome agencies to raise money for support, care and research and to create positive image of those with Down Syndrome. You can check for more details on this at http://www.fdfds.org. Each year they sponsor a "BUDDY WALK". Last year almost 200 teams walked, each team represented a child with down syndrome. Bear Witness would like to support the Buddy Walk this year by supplying a teddy bear with back pack straps (for easier carrying) and a teddy bear tshirt. If you would like to help make this possible, please contact us to send a tax deductible contribution OR you can contribute via PayPal. Thank you so beary much for your prayful consideration.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up I Thes 5:11 An ENCOURAGING Idea: When visiting a friend that is bed-ridden, or who wants to simply sit, read to them. Make an appointment to return and read more of the same book or read short books each time. Discuss the encouraging factors of the book. Do you relate to any of the characters? There are many ways to "bear each other's burdens" and teddy bears are just one example. If you'd like to share your stories of encouragement send an email or use snail mail click here and let us know. We'd love to share your stories. For teddy bears, check out the new Bear Witness store.
|
While prayer can
be general, "God lead me, give the words this person needs to hear", we should
also be specific in our prayers. This was brought out to me during
a recent Bible Study. While I was praying silently I was listening to another
woman speak. She was telling about a battle she is facing and she made
the comment "God knows what I need." I was reminded of a passage in
Matthew 20 (
