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Monday, May 17, 2010

Notes from My Prayer List

Hello friends. This is going to be a very different kind of post today.

You know how it is here in blogland - it's such a big, big world, and yet so small at the same time. It's amazing how easily, and how quickly we all start making connections with one another.

We start to care deeply about the people we visit, and who visit us, and we truly start to build friendships.
I know I have.

Well, friends come to the aid of those they care about, right?
Of course we do.

When our friends hurt, so do we. We feel their pain because we've come to know them so well, and perhaps we've been in their shoes and can understand where they are.
And when they hurt, we offer them our prayers.

Do you remember to honor the prayers you promised?

I'm sorry to admit that I myself have gotten busy on occassion and forgot until much later. I've given myself a rule to never let that happen again.

The purpose of today's post is to spread the word about those we've come to know through our blogs who are hurting and need prayer.

I'm personally asking you to say a prayer for these friends and maybe even stop by their blogs to show your support and let them know you are thinking of them.

I firmly believe in the power of prayer, as I've seen what's it's done in my own life.

The lovely Country Lady from At Home with a Country Lady has requested prayer for her daughter-in-law. She is a young beautiful woman who just had a stroke, and the family is understandably beside themselves.
Please, stop and say a prayer for her recovery right now. With a stroke, every minute counts.
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My very dear friend Brenda from Cozy Little House is going through numerous trials right now. She shares candidly on her own blog, so there's no need for me to reiterate here.
I will tell you this though. Brenda is mommy to several little fur babies. If you read her blog, you know how much a part of her life they are. A few days ago, one of her cats got out of the yard and has not returned home. She has looked daily for her, to no avail thus far.
Here's her little Bonnie:
All of the other animals have started reacting to Bonnie's absense and they are sensing Brenda's pain as well.
For those of you who have your own fur babies, I know you understand. This kitty has been part of her life for many, many years. Please pray for her safe return.


I wish I could tell you Brenda's story ended there, but sadly, it doesn't. There are much more serious things happening in her life, and I'm sure she won't mind me asking for you to pray for wisdom and direction for her to make some very though decisions.
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And then there's Jane over at Mamie Jane's. She's such a lovely person with a wonderful spirit. She's a lover of all things vintage and thrifty and you'll find her attending many parties around blogland. She sent me the best gift EVER, and I'll be sharing it with you all soon.

A few months ago, Jane's husband was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Although she doesn't mention it much, she and her husband remain on my prayer list, and I'm asking that you put them on yours too.
This is her husband with his new scooter!
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Next is Laura Gunn at Decor to Adore. I'm linking you to the page where I'd like you to start reading if you aren't already a follower of hers. This is the most inspirational story of triumph over tradgedy that I believe I personally have ever heard.
This is Laura AND her daughter, both graduating on the SAME day!

A few months ago Laura had a car accident in which she broke a few bones and hurt her neck. She is continuing to heal from the injuries, but it never hurts to keep up with the prayers.
And if that wasn't enough to deal with while trying to finish her classes, she also lost her 'mother' around the same time. Once you read her story, you will understand who 'mother' is.

The loss of a loved one is never an easy thing at any time.
Which brings me to the next person on my list.
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If you know Donna from Funky Junk, you already know this.
But just incase you don't, Donna recently lost her own mother very suddenly.

I'll let you read about it on her personal blog because no words I can say here would even compare to the eloquent sentiments she has spoken herself.
It is hard to lose someone you love so dearly, and sometimes after everything is said and done, and the hectic days turn into silent nights, we forget to continue praying for healing and restoration of heart for those who have been hurting.

 I lost my own dad, who I was very close to, 14 years ago, and I still hurt over it today as if it just happened. I know that the pain is very real. Time will ease the pain, but it won't take it away.

I'm asking you to please remember to pray for these people as they continue to heal and find the new 'normal' in their lives.
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If you have someone you know that needs to be lifted up in prayer, please tell us about it in the comments and we'll add them to our lists.

My own list has grown to over 300 people, and I assure you, if you're on my list, you're receiving daily prayer.
Blessings to each of you.

23 comments:

  1. So sweet of you to mention these families on your blog. I only knew of Jane's Husband and have been praying for them. It makes me cry hearing all these stories but I know our God is great and can do all things. Thanks for letting me know and I will try and remember to continue to pray for them.

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  2. Thank you Polly. I believe in the power of prayer and it touches my heart to see your post. I will keep these families in my thoughts and prayers.

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  3. I prayed for each of these as I went along. I so appreciate you sharing these needs with us. I, like you, believe totally in the power of prayer. I believe God wants and expects us to bring our troubles and needs to His feet and to come boldy before His throne. I am so thankful to have a Father who cares about all things big and small. He is mighty!!

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  4. Thanks for reminding your followers why we follow you and why it's so easy for us all to feel connected in this sanctuary called blogland. Prayers for each of your friends have been said and also a prayer for the gratefulness of receiving so much of Christ through blogging with so many wonderful people. I've discovered a new dimension of peacefulness in my life just by knowing there are so many good and kind people out there.

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  5. Oh Polly... my eyes are all watery now. :)

    Thank-you so much for your lovely heartfelt gesture. I was praying down the list and then went waaaaa when I got to me!

    Someone to add to your prayer list is actually our dear friend Polly herself. Please pray that her 'plans work out' and her migranes subside so she can carry on with those plans!

    What a nice post!

    Donna

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  6. I too prayed as I went along reading. I believe in the power of prayer! I have seen and heard some tremendous miracles happen!! I am praying for you too Polly. I know how debilitating migraines can be.
    Thank you for sharing your list.
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  7. Polly,
    What a great thing you have done to mention all of these ladies, so we can all say a prayer for them. I only know Brenda and have been thinking of her often. I am wanting so much for her Bonnie to return and for all the other things to somehow work themselves out for her.
    Thanks for you caring post today.
    Robin

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  8. Thank you ladies. I'm so glad that I felt enough comfort in blogland that I could put up a post like this. there are many more people in need out there, but I only posted about the ones I've communicated with directly, or who have asked for prayer on their own blog.

    We have the power as a group to lift people out of their pain, and that's what I'm hoping we will do. God's word tells us that "where two are more are gathered in prayer, believing, so shall you receive". I believe that wholeheartedly, and if we bloggers 'gather' by praying for those who are hurting, then their healing will fall into place.

    Thank you for caring enough to stop and pray. And yes, I could use a little prayer myself (for my family too), but this wasn't about me. Thank you again for remembering me too.

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  9. Absolutely! I don't know all of these bloggers but will gladly pray for them. Prayer is so powerful and the more people who lift their hearts the better.

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  10. What a beautiful and thoughtful post, Polly. I am saying a prayer for all of you.

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  11. When there are no words...the Lord gives us the words to pray:
    Psalm 116:1
    I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

    Lamentations 3:19-33
    I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
    the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
    I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
    the feeling of hitting the bottom.
    But there's one other thing I remember,
    and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
    God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
    his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
    They're created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
    I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He's all I've got left.
    God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
    to the woman who diligently seeks.
    It's a good thing to quietly hope,
    quietly hope for help from God.
    It's a good thing when you're young
    to stick it out through the hard times.
    When life is heavy and hard to take,
    go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
    Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions:
    Wait for hope to appear.
    Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face.
    The "worst" is never the worst.
    Why? Because the Master won't ever
    walk out and fail to return.
    If he works severely, he also works tenderly.
    His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.
    He takes no pleasure in making life hard,
    in throwing roadblocks in the way...

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  12. What a lovely post! We often take time to pray for the visible and pressing matters right at our door, but forget the world out there. How wonderful of you to share these needing prayer for us to step out of our comfort zone.

    I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog. The things that have happened in Nashville have truly hit us hard as all three of my siblings live there. Fortunately they ended up well, but so many others that I went to college with did not. It was such a joy to take the two trips up that we did to deliver necessary items to those in need. I hope people you know were able to benefit from these items in some way.

    You have to admire the people of Nashville and they way they came together to help each other out. It was great not to hear all the negative press, nasty comments of people waiting on hand-outs, and others playing the blame game. They just jumped in to fix all the issues that they could. That is community and that spirit is something we should all strive to have.

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  13. This is fantastic, Polly! I said a prayer for each of them, and will continue...

    Cara

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  14. I love to pray. I always feel so close to God when I do. You are a beautiful lady, Miss Polly, to offer this to us. I feel honored to count you among my blog friends. You are a gift here.
    I will be praying for these situations and these people. God is touching all of us already by your efforts here on this post. Thank you.

    Came out of hiding today. Love ya!

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  15. Polly, thank you so very much for adding my daughter in law to your prayer list. I, too, am a firm believer in the power of prayer. I am thankful that you are doing well from your previous stroke. Minutes do count when these things occur and thankfully we were able to get immediate excellent medical attention for her. She's only 26 and this appears to have been her 3rd stroke. We are now awaiting test results to find the cause of them. I give thanks that she is still with us and a lovely lovely soul! I will be praying for each person you mentioned here. Again thank you sweetheart. May God continue to bless you and yours.

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  16. I read in Country Lady's comment something about your having had a stroke, Polly! This must have occurred before I started reading you. I thank you for being so kind and for thinking of me and my Bonnie girl.
    Brenda

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  17. Hello ladies. I wanted to come back and address something that many of your have emailed me about. When I read Country Lady's post about her DIL having a stroke, in my comment to her, I mentioned that I myself had had a small stroke.

    I'M FINE. It was in October of 2008. I had what they call a TIA, or what's commonly known as a small stroke. It was a very scary moment, but the only after afects I've suffered is forgetting words -as in what to use in a sentence, or saying one word when I mean another, or stumbling to try to remember a word altoghether. It's frustrating, and I deal with it everyday. But, if that's all it did to me, I'll take it. I'm luckier than most.

    I really didn't even know that it was a stroke until the doctor told me. I was having a conversation with my husband and all of a sudden, I couldn't speak and things in my head got real loud. I seriously thought I could hear the blood running through my veins.

    I could hear what I wanted to say, but I couldn't form a word, and nothing would come out of my mouth. I kept trying to tell my husband something was wrong, which he could obviously see for himself, but I couldn't communicate with him. After about 7 or 8 minutes of this, it just stopped, and all of a sudden I was ok again.

    The next day I noticed that I was forgetting words, and I couldn't describe things. This has stuck with me to this day. It gradually got worse, and now it's just frustrating. So if you're ever talking to me and I tell you I forgot what I'm saying right in the middle of a sentence, I have just cause.:) Happened to me today actually while I was talking to someone.

    The only thing we can trace it to is that I took Yasmin for about 7 years. Apparently that's one of the side effects. However, I can't talk about that publicly because my case is being reviewed. Which is also why I've never talked about it on my blog. So after I know you've all read this, I'll be removing it.

    Thank you for your concern.

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  18. What a sweet heartfelt post, Polly. I have already been praying for 2 on that list and will add you and the others to my prayers.
    It is wonderful that you felt lead to share this on your blog. I have followed you for many reasons and your ability to reach people with your words is one of them.

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  19. Oh Miss Polly!

    How blessed I am to know you.

    I saw several of my friends who are on my prayer list and you introduced me to a few who have joined.

    Through Christ all things are possible.

    May you always be blessed.

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  20. Hi Polly,
    I had tears in my eyes while reading the entire post. Thank you for all of your prayers, your concern and your friendship. It means so very much to me and I'm sure to all of those that are included on your prayer list. It's wonderful to know that the world is full of beautiful, caring people like yourself.
    God Bless you!
    Jane

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  21. Polly, I am going to visit each one of these ladies this weekend and let them know that I am thinking and praying for them..Oh the power of prayer and it helps, I think to know that others are thinking and praying for you..
    blessings,
    Barb

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  22. Hi, Polly
    Such a nice post to remember all these people and the tough times they are having.. Prayed for each of them as I was reading and for you too. Thanks for sharing these with us. Have a wonderful Sunday.

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  23. Heartfelt post Polly...
    Oh that we were ALL mindful of those struggeling...
    Uplifting one another, I think it's one of the reasons we were put on this earth.
    Gloifying the Father of course the main reason...and I think this glorifies Him when we care for His people.
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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