How Can I Pray

   Isaiah 38:1-6 says, “In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, ‘This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.’ Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, ‘Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly.  Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:  Go and tell Hezekiah, `This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life…”  James 5:13 instructs us with, “Is anyone suffering? He should pray…” (NAS)

  Through our years of prayerfully studying the Word of God and the opportunities the Lord has given us in having mature spiritual leaders (Hebrews 13:7-8) and in overseeing the work He has given us, it is our Biblical conviction to take every opportunity to preach and teach the Word of God regardless of the circumstance we are in.

  The Holy Spirit has often led me to Isaiah 38:1-6.  We see here that neither mankind’s greatness nor his goodness can exempt him from arrest or sickness and death.  Hezekiah, a mighty man who knew how to call upon the Lord and walk before God faithfully and wholeheartedly is afflicted with an illness that would kill him unless God would work a miracle. All afflictions are sent to draw our attention to the written Word of God and to heartfelt prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ unto our merciful Father.

  Let the Holy Spirit lay this truth upon your spiritual heart: If we have desired and strived to walk in step with the Holy Spirit of Christ, we can in good conscience call upon our Lord for His mercy and grace.  Praying as Christ prayed, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39) we can stand before the “Throne of Grace” with confidence. (Hebrews 4:16)

  Bonnie’s sacrificial service to her Lord and her faithfulness to His call upon her life has been a blessing to many, especially to her family.  She has the respect of many who have served with her in the work of the Lord.  The Holy Spirit has given Bonnie not only great knowledge of the Word of God, but also revelation and illumination of God’s truths.  Bonnie, her family and her church family are suffering and we ask that you agree with us in prayer:

*The Lord would give a miraculous healing, only if it would bring others to Christ

*The Lord be merciful and gracious

*The Holy Spirit of Christ would do a work in our children

*The Lord would grant Bonnie enough years to see her two youngest sons (Caleb and Josiah) graduate from high school and her second oldest son (Jared) graduate from college

*The Lord would use this health crisis to give all who know her the opportunity to hear of the loving saving grace of the gospel of Christ.

  In this great health trial Bonnie and I do not ask why, but only that God would continue to grow us in the image of Christ.  We are trusting in His promises and putting our hope in the truths found in the written Word of God.

  If the Holy Spirit is leading you, I ask that you join us in prayer in Christ’s name to our “God [who] is good… to those who are pure in heart.” (Psalm 73:1)

Pastor Terry L. Laughlin