Praying for the Gulf Coast

Have you already committed to prayer for the Gulf Coast? Several denominations are gathering in their local churches to pray for the Gulf Coast and protecting the environment that God created.

As you know, much sealife and vegetation are being destroyed which DOES affect many things. Our natural resources are God's creation and we are called in scripture to protect it.

Genesis 1:26-28(the Message)

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."

God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature.

He created them male and female.

God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."

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Here are some specific prayer points:

1. Pray for those in charge at BP to have wisdom and motivation to get this spill under control. Pray for heart change.

2. Pray for good communication between those working on the coast and those in charge.

3. Pray for those along the coast whose businesses and livelihood are dependent on tourism.

4. Lastly, pray that God will protect the wildlife and vegetation in the ocean and at the coast. Let us all join together this week and remember these things.

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Psalm 104:24-30(the Message) God Cares About Our Ocean....He made it!

What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.

Oh, look—the deep, wide sea, brimming with fish past counting, sardines and sharks and salmon.

All the creatures look expectantly to you to give them their meals on time.

You come, and they gather around; you open your hand and they eat from it.

Send out your Spirit and they spring to life— the whole countryside in bloom and blossom.

Praying for Those In Prison

I spent some time yesterday with some members of McGehee Road Baptist Church. They have been doing ministry/Bible studies and evangelism at the city jail downtown for about 25 years....being loyal and persistent. Sharing the gospel with both inmates and staff. God is pleased with their faithfulness. The fruit of their labor will not be in vain.

As you pray today, lift up McGehee Road Baptist and other churches who have a heart for sharing the gospel to those incarcerated.

PRAYER POINTS

Pray for heart changes in those who are breaking the law.

Pray for a radical transformation of their lives and circumstances.

Pray for the Lord to take away desperation.Pray for those who break the law who may be mentally ill. Many mental illnesses can influence decision making....impulsivity and lack of conscience are just two of the more severe illnesses that can lead to crime. Pray for someone to enter that persons life who can give them life giving help and healing. According to federal statistics, over half of inmates in the USA were fetal alcohol exposed in utero. That sets a person up for lack of impulse control. Pray for women who are pregnant right now to show discipline and take care of their babies while in the womb. Long term consequences can affect our city.

Pray for public safety officers. One remarked once that an offender once said, " If I can't get some attention from home, at least I get attention if I break the law". Pray that PS Officers will have wisdom and see past their crime and find help for those who they detain.

Pray for neighborhoods to own their neighborhoods again. To take notice and reach out and get to know their neighbors. The more we know people, the safer things can be.

Pray for those in prison already. That someone will come to them and reach their hearts for Christ.

Pray for family members of offenders. That their needs will be met and the kids of offenders will be sheilded from repeating the offense of their parent.

Matthew 25: 36 " I was in prison and you visited me.."

Praying for Domestic Violence in Montgomery

This past weekend another person became a victim of death by domestic violence in Montgomery. A woman was shot by her husband whom apparently she had wanted to get away from but he found her and shot her to death. This incident, unfortunately, happens far too often than we would like to acknowledge in Montgomery and the surrounding counties.

Violence in families is not a respecter of persons. It happens across every race, gender, religious, educational and economic status. In the south, we are really very good at hiding things. Our homes and yards look very pretty on the outside but the relationships that go on INSIDE are sometimes not pretty. Rages, hitting and bullying each other happens but when we walk outside the doors of our homes, we act as if nothing has happened.

What does one do? If we don't see something, how do we know it exists? The family member or friend of this latest victim said they "were always fighting" but didn't think it would get this far. She knew something was not right. Had she tried to help? Our society today doesn't want to get involved....we are in constant fear for our lives and have taken on the attitude, this is not our business. What do we do?

There may also be someone reading this right now who is a victim or abuser. There is help today for you. Family Sunshine Center in Montgomery will help the whole family get better. It is not a shameful thing to ask for help. It is the godly thing to do...to get help. Ask the Lord to bring you help and resources. Be brave and get help today!

So, what can we do as Christians in Montgomery who want to help:

1. PRAY PRAY PRAY!! Pray for families to be healed. Pray for children to be protected. Pray for the spouses who are being abused(it happens to men too)to be strong and brave and get out of that situation! Pray for those who are being abusive as they too have been victims at one time in their lives. They are carrying on the family legacy. Pray for it to stop with this generation.

2. If you know someone is being abused or abusing, help them get some help. We are very, very blessed to have the Family Sunshine Center here in the Montgomery area that serves our surrounding counties as well. http://www.familysunshine.org/

3. Pray that the Lord will show YOU how valuable you are to Him today. You really are "fearfully and wonderfully" made. Pray that Christ will engrain that in your soul today. NO ONE can devalue you or I when God is our Father, husband, friend, partner for eternity! He created us!

4. Pray for organizations in Montgomery and the surrounding areas to continue to be a light in the midst of darkness.

5. Pray for children who are victimized as well as the spouse. If they are not being abused, they are seeing the abuse. That will be their model for when they grow up! Let's ask God today to help us stop it today!


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"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove your heart of stone and give you a tender heart."Ezekiel 36: 26

Look What God Is Doing!

From Forest Park Ministry Center June Update:

"Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. For You I wait all the day."




His ways are so worth waiting for. We've seen evidence of this truth in recent days. But waiting - that is a real challenge for me. Just yesterday, as the classes for Conversational English were to begin, and the Summer Stories from the Porch began, we were challenged with the need for perseverance and patience. Please pray for the women who are in fear of stepping out in faith to learn how to negotiate life challenges in the U.S. Language barriers are so overwhelming, and cultural norms that keep women from pursuing education are so strong. We are learning - and I have so much yet to learn - to allow God to use our hearts, hands,and voices, to demonstrate His hope and lovingkindness to a people group whose ways we just do not yet totally understand.





To help understand, and to assist us and other ministries reaching the Mixtecs, Oscar Gonzales and a team of 8 will be traveling to Montgomery, Alabama, from Cuarenevaca, Moreles, Mexico, in July, for outreach evangelism specifically to help build bridges with the parents of the Mixtec children that are so active in ministries in several of our churches! (Two of the girls who attended Summer Stories from the Porch yesterday are going to GA camp at WorldSong this summer, thanks to the generosity of the church that they are attending - what a praise!)





Construction is about to begin at the center! Later today, we will be meeting with a contractor who is offering to do the demolition of the existing carport, and in July, the MissionServe team will be here to frame in the new multipurpose receiving/ storage/classroom! Thanks to all who have generously given for this project; we still are in need of funds to complete the interior - please prayerfully consider how you might be able to assist!A praise about how Christ's hope has changed lives!





We have new believers among the May visitors to the center, and a recent guest who has been so moved that he is now volunteering and such a huge help!

Cooking classes at Southlawn Commons apartment complex are underway for the children who live there, and volunteers report eleven excited children who came, participated, and went home the first day armed with information, motivation, and encouragement to make healthy food choices. Pray for Ashley and her volunteers who are giving their Wednesdays this summer to help these precious children.





Finally, continue to pray for the guests who come to the center for food, for clothing assistance, and for financial assistance, and for the volunteer missionaries who offer not just the physical sustenance, but hope in Christ to each person that crosses the threshold of the center. God's blessings to each of you.





Joyfully serving,





Donna McCullough, DirectorForest Park Ministry Center