September 18, 2006

" Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the fig tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but you can also say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21: 18-22

Since June, I have felt an urgency everyday to lift Jeff up in prayer. I have said that I feel that our family is battling spiritual warfare and I believe that prayer makes a difference. So many people have responded to this website, and I can only give God the credit for that. He has provided a wonderful avenue for us to gain the support and prayer of so many people and quickly. We have never felt like Satan would win this battle, it has always been just a matter of when God would heal. My healing came much faster than Jeff's, but I have also said that I believe that my battle was only meant to prepare me for the war. So many people have responded to this site with emails and wonderful prayers of healing and encouragement. I can't ever begin to tell you all how important that is, and I know that we have seen God's hand on Jeff. I know in my heart that it is not God's will for Jeff to be sick. I know for every trial that Jeff endures, his treasures in Heaven only get bigger for having gone through it and giving God glory all the way. He is a tremendous witness, not only to his family and friends, but also to all the nurses and patients at Hospice. He talks to every single one that he encounters about their relationship with Jesus. We know God is using this for good, we wouldn't have to go through it otherwise. Have you ever really thought about the scripture that says "...thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven..." Have you thought about what this would mean? There is no sickness in Heaven. No cancer, no tumors, no sadness. That is God's will. I truly believe in the power of prayer. I know that my prayer life has been on a different level this past year. I am led to scriptures that I did not know were there before, and always to meet a specific need. I also know that praying is only half of the battle. The other half is having faith in what you are praying for. Jesus says that if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer.

"When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said "According to your faith will it be done to you", and their sight was restored." Matthew 9:28-30a

 As I said, so many have continued praying for Jeff. We felt led to designate one day to prayer, where we could all come together through prayer and know there were hundreds of others praying on that same day, at the same time. We know there is more spiritual warfare going on than we could ever realize, and it could not hurt to have all of our prayers before the throne at once. Some of us will be fasting as well, and if you feel like God might lead you to this, than by all means, do what you are led to do. We are designating this Friday, September 22 as a day of prayer for Jeff.

Specific prayer requests:

Total healing of cancer, tumor and all!

Restoration of strength in Jeff's left side, including the use of his left hand

Ability to walk again

Spiritual and mental renewal for Jeff and Gwen

Expect a miracle!

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