Ever need others?
Dear friend:
This psalm is a prayer of David. We are told he wrote it while trapped in a cave, hiding from those who would kill him.
This psalm is a prayer of David. We are told he wrote it while trapped in a cave, hiding from those who would kill him.
Psalm
142:7
Set
me free from my prison
that
I may praise your name.
Then
the righteous will gather about me
because
of your goodness to me.
I was
thinking about the confidence he expresses to God, that once he is freed, God’s
people will gather around him to support and encourage him. How much we all need this. I think of the people God has
surrounded me with, and others that He brought into my life for a season. I think of family, both immediate and
extended who loved me even at my worst and have always supported Lil and I in
our attempts to serve God. I think
of leaders and co-workers who have shown us what it means to be loyal to God
and to put Him first in their lives, sometimes very sacrificially. I think of our dear friends in
Guayaquil and other parts of Ecuador who taught us so much about perseverance
and faith. The times that I have felt
alone have been very few in my Christian life. Who has been an important part of your life and been an encouragement to you? Lets give God thanks for those who have “gathered about us.”
At the same time,
lets remember that we too are called to “gather about” those around us who God
has set, and is setting free. He
can use you and I to encourage and build up others as we show His love to those
who are emerging from a place of darkness and hopelessness- and this can find
its expression in many different forms: depression and other mental health
issues, addictions, broken relationships, and yes, prison. God is working in the lives of many- how
can you and I be a part of what He is doing? Lets not let fear stop us.
Lil and I want to
thank you for your support, and the love you show us as you “gather about us”
either in prayer, words of encouragement or through your financial support.
Prayer:
1/
I am visiting Guayaquil after almost 3 years from April 22-May 7. Pray that God
give me wisdom for use of my time.
There are many people to see and many conversations to have. Pray that
God will use me to encourage both the church and the school workers in Bastion
Popular. Pray for Lil too as she “holds
the fort” in Cambridge.
2/
Give thanks for Michael, Darryl, Rob, Chris, Mark, Ben, William and others who
are doing well, connected with churches, encouraged in their faith. There are
many men and women who God has allowed me to get to know through the Aftercare
ministry at New Life Prison Ministry- pray that their lives will help others to
trust in Jesus Christ as He works in them.
3/
Pray for wisdom for us as we support others going through complicated and
difficult times
4/
Pray too that God will open doors for this important aftercare work to grow and
develop
In Christ’s
love, Tim and Lil
For more
thoughts on how we can “gather about” check out my blog at: http://timhorne.blogspot.ca/2013/03/thoughts-on-gathering-about.html
If you feel God is
encouraging you to give financially: contact Lil or I at 519-653-4136 or New
Life Prison Ministry at 519-666-1950 or info@nlpm.com
Follow @NLPMAftercare on Twitter for daily prayer
requests from the ministry
