Praying for Special Needs Kids in Montgomery

Doctors appts, therapies, school meetings, diets, routines, thinking about what their futures hold are all a part of a day in the life of parents who happen to have kids with special needs.

Friday, April 1, is WEAR IT BLUE for Autism Day in recognition of Autism Awareness

Did you know ...

Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys.

Autism prevalence figures are growing.

More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade.

Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.

Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.

There is no medical detection or cure for autism.

This is JUST AN EXAMPLE of the many illnesses and disorders that children face here in the Montgomery area.

How can you help?

1. Pray for people to surround the families and support them through this long journey.

2. Pray for better medical resources to come to Montgomery. Most families have to travel to Birmingham or other cities to get the specified treatment their child needs.

3. Pray for churches to step up and be aware of kids with special needs and the special resources that they need in church.

4. Pray for parents to make the intentional effort to care for themselves s o that they can better care for their kids.

There is an opportunity for churches and individuals to come together this Friday night, April 1, and attend/volunteer at the Miracle League Opening Season Banquet. They need volunteer buddies, servers and others to help make this night special for the families and team members. You can contact Beth Ames at bucky280@gmail.com or call her 396-7773/462-6316

Jesus said: 'When you welcome one of these children because of me, you welcome me.' Matthew 18:5

Praying for the Poor in Montgomery

"If you negect the cries of the poor, your own cries for help will not be heard." Proverbs 21:13

In Montgomery, 17% of the population lives UNDER the national poverty level of $21,000. There are many reasons that people live in poverty: lack of education, generational poverty, unemployment, illness, divorce, lack of good judgement. There is no one thing that contributes to poverty. There is also not one culture that has the edge on being poor.....It seems like an overwhelming issue. How do we pray for the poor and disenfranchised in Montgomery? Here are some suggestions:

1. Pray for our city and state governments to begin to create new ways of "assisting" people in need. Ways that will give a hand up instead of making people dependent on a system.

2. Pray for ministries/churches all over Montgomery to see the deeper needs that a person has as they come and ask for food or clothing. Pray that there will opportunity for that person to hear the gospel in a way that they understand and get the support that they need to build a new life.

3. Pray for all of our churches to be sensitive to the needs of the poor in their communities especially as they may visit our churches and not understand the way in which we "do" church.

4. Pray for healing , heart changes and open doors for jobs that will provide for that familiy of low wealth.

5, Pray for Christians to be even more generous than we have in the past and pray for us all to have opportunities to serve those who are hurting financially.

And finally, pray for each of us to have a deeper understanding of God and his generous spirit, so that we will be ready and willing to serve those of low wealth with the resources that we have been given.

"Because you have been treated generously, live generously" Matthew 10:8 The Message

Today as we watch the horrific news from Japan....please pray for these requests and how they relate to Montgomery.

1. Pray for college students in Montgomery who have not been able to get in touch with their parents/familly members.

2. Pray for the MBA Conversational English School and other ESL classes who have Japanese students who are desperately trying to get in touch with family members. CE School has been reaching out to their students and know that the fruits of their labor will flourish.

3. Pray for all of these folks HERE who need peace, comfort and assurance.

4. I have read that only between .5% and 1%(approximately1, 271 766.67 ) of of Japan's 127,176,667 people are Christians. Pray for the Lord to "draw people unto Him" in light of this tragedy.

5. Pray that our teachers/churches and friends would reach out to these students here who need a friend right now and may they come to know Jesus because of our friendship to them!

Peace along the way.........
Lisa Rose

The Grace Card.......

I went to see The Grace Card this last Friday night and I left there wondering what would happen if every Christian in Montgomery..."red and yellow...black and white "would intentionally offer GRACE instead RACE when they see others. What would happen if we offered GRACE to EVERYONE we met? I think it is a grand idea...that can be accomplished with the work of the Holy Spirit.....nothing is impossible with God.

Be praying for your own heart this week and if you can...go see the Grace Card. It is a great reminder of how we are called to be DIFFERENT than the world despite our own struggles.


1. Ask God to help you identify your own feelings of prejudice and racism.

2. Ask forgiveness for the sin of racism and ask God to help you not be defensive about this issue.

3. Find someone who can help you see where you need to grow on this issue.

4. Pray for creative ways to engage people in your church in discussing the ways racism hinders our evangelistic efforts.

5. Pray for leaders in Montgomery to check their own prejudices and be compassionate and open toward one another.

Jesus said.....Love one another as I have loved you.

Praying for Crime in Montgomery

I continue to read about domestic violence, shady deals, theft, murder and other crimes here in Montgomery.And the offenders cross ALL economic and racial boundaries!! As Christians, we need to pray more for it to stop. ONLY with heart change will that happen.
Here are some prayer points to remember this next week:
1. 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.

2. 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 symptoms of mental illness that can cause a person to do things that cause great consequence to themselves and others. Pray for someone to enter that persons life who can give them life giving help and healing.

3. 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 officers and lawyers and judges will have the wisdom to see past their crime and find help for those whom they detain. Pray for parents to pay attention to their children and give them good self esteem.

4. 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.

5. Pray for those in prison already. That someone will come to them and reach their hearts for Christ. Pray for those who work in prison systems who are Christians to be life givers in a place where there is no life.

6. 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.

EVERY OFFENDER is a creation of God. Every offender has a story. Every offender needs the Lord.

Any more you can think of to pray for???

Matthew 25: 36
" ....I was in prison and you came to visit me"