Last week on of our SUMites, Beth shared the following in the comments. It's really good. So, please copy and pray. Hugs, Lynn

Beth: Because praying for the lost is dear to me, my prayer partner and I formed this prayer sheet for our congregation to use during the last two Lenten seasons...it can really be used anytime so I would like to share it with my SUM community. Let's keep praying for our loved ones until Jesus returns or He comes for us!

Lenten Prayer Focus
Seven Days – Seven Prayers
Praying the Scriptures assures us we are praying according to God’s will as we pray His Words back to Him. And His purposes are accomplished…
Commit to praying these verses daily during Lent for your loved ones to know and follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Sunday – God of salvation, may ____ declare with his/her mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in his/her heart that God raised him/her from the dead, saving him/her…for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – adapted from Romans 10:9, 13

Hello Sum Nation,

Lynn here. I'm going to step in while Ann is off through September. 

Let me ask you a question. Jesus sat with His disciples the night before his death and taught his disciples. Don't you think if this was his last night with Him, he would have some profound thoughts to share? Shouldn't we take a thoughtful examination of His words? Do you believe they are important for us today?

For the last several months, Father has been teaching me about holiness. WHAT a lesson to learn during tremendous pressures. Jesus has been instructing me through the book of John, chapters 13-17. And the Holy Spirit has been instructing me to ask to manifest Him in my life. I wrote about this to our SUM ministry financial supporters in July.

As I've camped on the later part of the book of John, I have gained some insight. So I thought we would walk through these chapters together through September and perhaps beyond when Ann rejoins. 

These chapters in the book of John are the last words of instruction spoken to his followers before died and they are incredibly important-life and faith-instructions for us.

So, get out your Bible, your pen, markers and a journal. This is an in-depth study of the later chapters in John. Today, read chapter 13 from the NKJV. Click here.

In the comments, please share what you believe Jesus' main message is in this chapter. Then share what it means to you and how this message plays out in our lives.

I can't wait to hear what you have to share. And please share, even if someone else summarized before you in the comments. Add your voice. It's incredibly important for the angels to see your testimony.

I adore you. I'll be back with some interesting nuances on this chapter in the days ahead. Love you, Lynn

Hello SUMites, Ann here.

So, something momentous happened this week on the SUM front, which I'm about to tell you. But unfortunately, it came out of a time of great difficulty. So, this post will be a mixed bag. I am going to share something hard, and something beautiful.

This will be a transparent post, in fact.

This past week my relationship with someone in my extended family fractured. It blew up, and it is quite possibly the end of the relationship. It is affecting the wider family, as things have come out that have been painful for everyone to process. 

As a result, I have been under enormous emotional stress. So, I'm going to take the rest of September off from writing to reset. I would greatly appreciate your prayers.

But, as I said, something else happened. And this is a shift for Bryce and me:

The second night after this happened, Bryce - in great distress -- prayed to God. He was unable to sleep, tossing and turning, and finally lay on his back staring up at the ceiling in the darkness. He said, specifically, "God, please help me to help her."

After praying that prayer, he then received a 'very strong feeling' -- right there in the dark -- that gave him a clear and specific strategy as to what I was to do next. 

In the morning, he told me about this prayer and the fact he felt he had received an answer. I bawled in his arms.

So there we have it, a momentous moment: My husband prayed, sought God, and not only that, he heard God's voice and knew he had heard it. If I wasn't in such a state, I'd be jumping up and down and eating cake in celebration!! I must remember to do this, in time.

Have you ever had a diamond come out of the darkness?

Much love, 

Ann

Photo courtesy of Arina Krasnikova and Pexels.com

Following on from Lynn’s post, I too felt led to write a similar post after reading something earlier in the week.

As a result of both Lynn and I being led to write similar posts, I’m sensing there’s some of us are feeling discouraged. We’re believing these posts will help shoo away ALL discouragement and fill each of us with renewed vigour to pray for our spouses, family members and other loved ones who may not yet know the Lord.

I’m not going to say much more but simply share this short testimony of one man’s intercession for friends of his. The man, George Mueller is known for building an orphanage in the 1800s on the back of daily prayer requests that resulted in sufficient moneys, food and other items being delivered to his home daily. It’s a wonderful story of one man’s faith and God’s faithfulness.

“More than a century ago George Mueller, that prince of intercessors, began to pray for five personal friends. After five years one of them came to Christ. In ten years two more were born again. Mueller prayed on for 25 years and the fourth man was saved. For the fifth, Mueller prayed until the time of his death, and this friend came also to Christ a few months afterward. For the latter friend, Mueller had prayed for almost 52 years.” – James McConkey¹

I was greatly encouraged after reading this and felt a shot of renewed hope and belief for my beautiful partner and other family members. I hope you might too.

Keep praying. Keep believing.

Go well, dear SUMites.

Note: 1. Nick Harrison, Magnificent Prayer, 366 Devotions to Deepen your Prayer Experience (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 2001), 328-329

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

SUM Nation,

Lynn Donovan here. I have a quick story to share and some experiential wisdom to encourage all who are traveling the road of the Unequally Yoked behind me.

Mike and I have been married for nearly four decades. Yikes. Where does the time go?

I want to assure you that your prayers, your faith and persistence impacts your spouse and kids. And more importantly the faithful love of our God makes a difference in our lives and the salvation of our family.

Last week as I was sitting in the hospital room with Mike, the Hospital Spiritual Support person arrived in the room. I sat at the back of the room and listened to an interesting exchange.

Daniel, the spiritual support person came in an announced to Mike who he was and that he was there to offer prayer if Mike wanted prayer.

I watched and thought, I'm going to stay quiet and see what happens here.

Mike responded by replying what his condition was and then Mike said, "Yes, I would like prayer."

My goodness I was surprised. I wasn't sure what was about to happen, But Mike didn't hesitate. Daniel closed his eyes. So did Mike and Daniel prayed a general supporting prayer over Mike.

After all these years of persistent faith, Mike truly believes. His faith is so much different than mine. But my faith has rubbed off on him. And it's such a beautiful to witness.

What if I'd given up two decades ago? What if I became discouraged and stopped asking God to save him? 

SUMITES, don't give up. Don't stop your intercession asking for forgiveness and mercy for those in deception. Ask because our kind Father listens. His heart is moved by our petitions. 

And remember your spouse and kids are also His children. Keep praying. Stand in the battle as the fire rages hot and know that Jesus is right there with you.

I adore you. Blessings and hugs, Lynn