“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

I believe that so many times in life, we miss out on things because we do not open our mouths and make our wants and needs known. We are afraid, oftentimes, of what people will think. Will they think I am not strong enough to do things by myself? Will they think I am always whining about something? Will they begin avoiding me because they don’t know what all is going on? And, if they do know what is going on, they will surely drop me from their ‘friends’ list.

My friends, I am here to tell you, if any of those things were ever to be thought by one of my friends…I’d sooner not have them!

But, I am blessed with wonderful friends…Godly friends…friends who don’t care about all those things, they care about me and what I am going through. And, even if they don’t know the details, it is of no matter. They don’t have to know…they just know I asked and they answered.

“‚ĶThe prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

My family has many needs at this moment, and I am asking for your prayers.

My sweet Suzanne and Adam are going through some very trying times at the moment, in regards to a medical issue. I have asked for prayer for them before for this same reason…and nothing has changed. But, there is a glimmer of hope and I ask that you pray that God will answer their prayers, if it is His will. Please pray that Adam and Suze will have peace and comfort as they go about their daily lives while waiting on God.

Suzanne was bitten by a spider during the last few days. She went to the doctor and he told her there was a large amount of infection in her blood. They have started her on some meds, but it seems she is having some rections to it. Please pray that the meds will take effect soon.

Sweet Tara’s dear dog, Oreo, is missing. They live way out in the country, and they think he may have gotten lost in the woods. The other dog came home…but is obviously in much distress. He is missing his buddy. They are always together. Tara and Will have had this dog as long as they have been married. Will rescued it. And, they both love him dearly. I have prayed that the Lord give Oreo an extra dose of tracking skills, so he will find his way home. And, to put His angels that are on animal duty around him to keep him safe. Oreo is the same kind of dog that our sweet Scooter was.

Ian is also having some very hard decisions to make in regards to his health. Don and I can not make these for him, but the outcome of his choices will affect his life for well over a year. This is not an easy decision to make, as he has walked this path before. Please pray that he will have wisdom to make a clear decision, and that things in regards to doctors will fall into place.

Alex has been doing very poorly lately. He has not even been up since Father’s Day. His pain is at a very high level, so he stays medicated most of the time. This is a so hard to witness every day. Please pray that God will give him some relief. Please pray that we will find a doctor who knows more about his disease, and can actually help the pain. Oh, friends, he suffers so much every single day.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).

The only reason I am not more specific on some of these is due to respect of their privacy. The telling of details should be up to them.

Thank you for being the kind of friends that I can come to openly and without hesitation, knowing that I can trust these situations to your caring hearts. Thank you for praying with me.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).