a friend/acquaintance in the prime of life, he was struck w/severe arthritis and has been crippled for over 40 years

he sits everyday in a chair.. miserable, bitter.. my husband is his mailman so he spends
maybe 5-10 minutes with him everyday for the past 15 years..

is likely dying..

many many many years ago, he went to church.. the church wanted "giving commitments".. he gave money,
they came to house, pressuring to commit to more..

ever since he has been bitter about anything having to do w/church.. and anything that church is about..

and of course, you can imagine how one not knowing the Lord could or might feel, being struck down and crippled,
as I said, at such an early age ..

he is now in a long-term acute care hospital and my husband will be visiting him in the morning..

back "in the day" this gentleman was a golf expert.. and his life in that area was very promising.. another thing
he lost due to the crippling disease..

last week, I "happened" upon a book called the master's grip - lessons for winning in life and golf
i "thought" I was picking it up for my son-in-law.. (for whom I've also asked prayer - waiting for results of blood tests for leukemia)

welll.. now, that this man has ended up in the hospital i couldn't help but wonder if maybe? the book was meant for him.

my husband says he doesn't (won't) read (except a newspaper).. but I said, hey! take the book.. ask him to read just the
first couple pages it explains how in golf - "the grip" is the foundation of the swing, etc.. and ties it in spiritually and in those
first two pages.. it explains salvation in such a simple, beautiful way.

I also have a book here called 31 days toward intimacy with God by joni erikson tada.. and am sending that book with him.

If you have read this far.. you'll know how to pray..

thank you..

may the Lord continue His mercy toward this man.. may He hear our prayers.. and may He cause this
man to rejoice when he realizes the fellowship of His sufferings.. and the Glory that can be his .. if he only would turn to the
Father who loves him sooooo!

Dearest, most Precious Lord, make it so

I've read the whole post Cheryl... miracles still do happen...and now i know how to pray for him. Your husband has been so nice to have spent so much time with him over the years and even now.

Bless him, Lord... and give him peace and comfort at this time. Amen.

Lord God, You are so merciful and so longsuffering. Bless this man Father, with sight and Hearing,
that he may hear Your Son knocking at the door and be moved by Your Spirit to open to Him.

In Christ Jesus I ask Lord, Amen.

Praying...

Cheryl,

I read the whole post and my heart went out to this gentleman suffering so much, arthritic pain can be horrible. In so many cases our hurts in this foreign soil (planet earth) will either strenghen or weaken our Christian witness. Sounds to me that this gentleman is weak in the faith but he may have enough faith to hold on to. My heart went out to this man when you mentioned a previous congregation that hurt him and yes there is a difference between religion and Christianity. When are we as Christians going to learn to not shoot our own?

Any sort of chronic pain/disease hurts like the dickens and sometimes we need to cling to our Lord with our whole strength when going through difficult times. I enjoy Joni Erickson and really stand in awe of her. Look how God used her in a mighty way to reach the hurting. As I was reading your prayer request I kept hearing this song through my mind "Holding On..." and so I googled and here is the music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ajj14XY8bg...feature=related The video is of poor quality but the music speaks volumes.

I am so glad that this genleman has your husband in his life. Good Bless your husband and God Bless You Cheryl for caring with a Godly Love! God is working through both of you for it is plain to see. I will be keeping all three of you in my prayers.

In Christian Love,


Al

PRAYING FOR SALVATION FOR THIS MAN ABBA IN JESUS'S MOST PRECIOUS NAME!! PLEASE GIVE HEISFAITHFUL'S HUSBAND THE RIGHT WORDS TO LEAD THIS MAN TO YOU!!

Praying for God's mercy upon this man.

I am praying..... may the Lord draw him!

In Christ,
Val
Messiahiscoming

i want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers.. may our gracious, loving, merciful, and longsuffering Father hear our hearts cry..
...because a precious soul, for which our magnificent Saviour died and rose again, is on the line

again, thank you {{{all}}} for your prayers.. seedS were planted.. my son went with my husband.. and he is
wise beyond his years.. w/ the Spirit of God on him.. sooo a solid witness of our marvelous Lord was given..

please continue to pray that the seed planted will bear MUCH fruit, even at this late time in Merle's heart..

Praying in agreement for Merle, for healing and SALVATION.

Yes Lord, please continue to grow the seeds planted, not allowing the devil to snatch the seeds either...please touch Merle, ease his pain and draw him to you...thank you Lord