This is the third of five weekly posts in our blog series and prayer challenge, Bearing the Burdens of Others: 30 Days of Praying Through Suffering. To learn the purpose of this challenge and how to set yourself up for a prayer-filled 30 days, read our introductory post and download a PDF of the prayer calendar below.
Week Three: Faith
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1(NIV)
The past two weeks of our prayer challenge we have focused on two aspects of God’s character. We have looked to Him as Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, and as Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. This week, we expand our focus to include the faith of the believer.
Heroes of the faith
Abel. Enoch. Noah. Abraham. Sarah.
Hebrews 11 talks about the original spiritual giants and heroes of the faith. It is both humbling and inspiring to read about the mighty hand of God in their lives that was activated by their devotion and fiery faithfulness.
This chapter attests to the amazing miracles and promises of God fulfilled. Yet Hebrews 11 doesn’t shy away from the reality that these heroes of faith faced their own suffering, hardships, injustices, and brutal endings.
We are even told in verse 13, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”
And again at the end of the chapter, “They were all commended for their faith yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV).
Faith through suffering
Dear friend, we pray that you will not get weary in your faith. Despite not seeing the when, the where, the how, and the what, we pray you still believe.
We pray although you may not understand what God is doing and why He allows some things to happen on this earth, you will still obey. We pray that when it feels like too much, you will persist even when you don’t feel like it.
And finally, we pray that in those times when you don’t get what you’ve asked for, and can’t make sense of how God can fulfill His promise, you will keep on trusting. He has all of eternity to make good on His promises. He has all of eternity to make things right. And that is what He will do. Amen.
Week 3 Prayer Prompts
Join us in praying for the healing of the families we serve with the following prayer prompts. For instructions on how to add them to your digital calendar and for tips on how to remain faithful in prayer for the next 30 days, read our introductory post to this blog series.
Day 12: Pray for the strengthening of faith in trials.
Day 13: Pray that families would feel God moving in their story.
Day 14: Pray for a Godly perspective on suffering.
Day 15: Pray for God's sovereignty in the diagnosis.
Day 16: Pray for clarity on God's character.
Day 17: Pray for God to do the impossible.
Day 18: Pray for families to trust God's perfect will.
The Praying Through Impact
Just as the Body of Christ has many parts, Praying Through ministries is made up of a network of prayer warriors and generous donors. Five of the families we served this year share how prayers and financial donations have impacted their healing.
Pictured Left to Right: Lindsay, Tyler, and Baby Everly have been in the NICU for over 140 days. (IN); Hannah is journeying through the loss of one twin and through the NICU with the other. (IA); The Anderson Family, while receiving a life-limiting diagnosis with Baby Eden, had the joy of spending 6.5 months with her before she transitioned to Heaven last month.
"Praying Through Ministries has brought us so much peace and comfort. One of the care packages we’ve received, which included the Fighting Words devotional has helped us grow in our faith. We read the devotional each day on the way to the hospital and it helps shift our mindset from negativity and to focus on God’s truths." -Staup Family
"We are still in the thick of our NICU journey, and the study groups have helped me to stay grounded. The studies are biblically sound, and the conversations have helped me see God's sovereignty in the midst of hardship, in not only our story, but in so many others." -Hannah S.
“Praying Through Ministries has been a huge source of encouragement for our family during a very trying time. They continuously lift our daughter Eden up in prayer and never let us forget how BIG our God is!” -Anderson Family
Pictured Left to Right: Jessica, bereaved mother of Isla Belle. (OK); NICU/PICU graduate, Brexton, and his sister. (LA)
"Through care packages, the online communities, the hosted GriefShare group, and other virtual Bible studies, Praying Through ministries has lovingly pointed me back to God's love and His Truth." -Jessica S.
"Praying through the Ministries has touched our hearts! My son was born at 23 weeks and 2 days, with less than a 5% chance of survival. When I joined the Praying Through online community I didn’t realize how close I would get with the members and prayer team. I shared everything about my son Brexton, knowing the requests would be lifted. The ministry also helped our 3 year old daughter (2 at the time) cope with having a small brother. They sent her a care package consisting of a book of prayers and a baby to serve as a 'mini version' of her brother. We will keep these sweet memories forever!" -LeJeune Family
Partner with Praying Through Ministries
Are you looking for a way to advance the kingdom and deliver hope to families like the Staups, Hannah, Andersons, Jessica, and LeJeunes that are journeying through suffering?
We invite you to become a Praying Through Partner with your recurring, monthly donation of $10, $25, $50, or $100.
As a gift, we'll send you a calendar magnet as a reminder to stay faithful in prayer.
Stay tuned for Week Four: Blessing in our five-week prayer challenge and blog series, Bearing the Burdens of Others: 30 Days of Praying Through Suffering.