Romans 8:26-27 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
The past few weeks have been very busy weeks for us. I have traveled from Africa to the US, then to the Midwest twice and to Arizona! It has also been very challenging for us. Lack of food in East Africa has resulted in a poor situation for our Children’s Home and Academy to the point discussion of ceasing operations had begun.
I received an e-mail from our Bishop in Kenya who was very discouraged with the lack of food in Kenya. He had not been able to secure food for the children in our Children’s Home, and even with funds being transferred to him that week, it would only secure food for a few additional weeks. I was very tiredwhen I received the e-mail…and honestly, I thought shut it down. (It was 2AM when I received the e-mail.) But, I began to pray in the Spirit over this situation and went back to sleep. In the morning, I had a scripture in my head, so looked it up. It was Luke 13:5-9. It was the parable of the Barren Fig Tree. The owner had a tree that did not bear fruit. So, he told the keeper of the vineyard to cut it down…but the keeper said, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.” I believe this was our answer for the Grace and Face Children’s Home and Academy. Within hours, I received a text message from Africa that three containers of food had arrived at the Children’s Home – and the children were no longer hungry or facing need. Praise the Lord!
I thank God for His gift of tongues in my life. I was so tired when I got that e-mail, but instead of reacting in my natural way, I just began to pray in the Holy Spirit, and God gave an answer! Paul says, “Now he who searches the hearts know what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (emphasis added) 1 John 5:14-15 assures us, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” When we pray in the Spirit, we have confidence that we are praying God’s will for our lives, and God will answer us!
When we pray in tongues, it is not us, but the Holy Spirit praying through us. Paul says in I Corinthians 14:2 says, “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” Later in the same chapter, he says, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (vs 14) My spirit is praying by the Holy Spirit when I pray in tongues. Why is this important? I believe the Holy Spirit knows more about what we are facing and will face than we do – and He knows how to pray IN FAITH.
I encourage you today to use God’s gift of your prayer language daily in praying for yourself, your family, your job, your church, and for us. Thank you for your prayers, your love and your support! Together we really DO make the difference!
The past few weeks have been very busy weeks for us. I have traveled from Africa to the US, then to the Midwest twice and to Arizona! It has also been very challenging for us. Lack of food in East Africa has resulted in a poor situation for our Children’s Home and Academy to the point discussion of ceasing operations had begun.
I received an e-mail from our Bishop in Kenya who was very discouraged with the lack of food in Kenya. He had not been able to secure food for the children in our Children’s Home, and even with funds being transferred to him that week, it would only secure food for a few additional weeks. I was very tiredwhen I received the e-mail…and honestly, I thought shut it down. (It was 2AM when I received the e-mail.) But, I began to pray in the Spirit over this situation and went back to sleep. In the morning, I had a scripture in my head, so looked it up. It was Luke 13:5-9. It was the parable of the Barren Fig Tree. The owner had a tree that did not bear fruit. So, he told the keeper of the vineyard to cut it down…but the keeper said, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.” I believe this was our answer for the Grace and Face Children’s Home and Academy. Within hours, I received a text message from Africa that three containers of food had arrived at the Children’s Home – and the children were no longer hungry or facing need. Praise the Lord!
I thank God for His gift of tongues in my life. I was so tired when I got that e-mail, but instead of reacting in my natural way, I just began to pray in the Holy Spirit, and God gave an answer! Paul says, “Now he who searches the hearts know what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (emphasis added) 1 John 5:14-15 assures us, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” When we pray in the Spirit, we have confidence that we are praying God’s will for our lives, and God will answer us!
When we pray in tongues, it is not us, but the Holy Spirit praying through us. Paul says in I Corinthians 14:2 says, “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” Later in the same chapter, he says, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (vs 14) My spirit is praying by the Holy Spirit when I pray in tongues. Why is this important? I believe the Holy Spirit knows more about what we are facing and will face than we do – and He knows how to pray IN FAITH.
I encourage you today to use God’s gift of your prayer language daily in praying for yourself, your family, your job, your church, and for us. Thank you for your prayers, your love and your support! Together we really DO make the difference!
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