You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (Psalm 91:5-7)

I used to pray fervently for divine protection over my husband when he left on a business trip. I then abandoned those prayers when he returned home safely. The Holy Spirit eventually taught me that John needs God’s sovereign protection on ordinary days at home just as much as on days that involve plane travel to distant cities. The truth that our times are in His hands (Psalm 31:15) has been strongly reinforced for me by John’s recent open-heart surgery. When the Lord wills that you live, ten thousand may fall but you are untouched. When the days He has ordained for you are over, not even a highly skilled surgeon can save you. Let’s acknowledge before the Lord that our lives, and our loved ones’ lives, are in His caring hands every day.

Here are some suggestions for your prayer time this week:

1. Robert Thompson and his emergency strike team are on a 14-day assignment fighting a wildfire near Yosemite. Ask the Lord to shield Robert and his fellow firefighters from all harm. Consider praying through Psalm 92 for Robert. Also ask God to keep Robert’s wife, Bethany, from worry and to fill her with strength to hold down the fort at home.

2. Marcus Greene is undergoing surgery on Wednesday to remove a tumor from his kidney. Pray that the surgeon will not need to remove the adrenal gland that sits on top of the kidney. Pray for Marcus’ wife, Tanya, as she cares for Marcus as well as their children and her mother. Ask God to cover the whole Greene family with His strength and peace.

3. Please continue to pray for those recovering from recent surgery. Carl Hough came through his surgery well and will probably go home from the hospital today. My husband’s surgery last Tuesday went well. He should come home from the hospital in the next few days, although he is experiencing atrial fibrillation (not unusual after open-heart surgery). Thank you for your prayers!

4. Lift up WOW (Women of the Word), which starts this Wednesday. Pray that women new to WOW will feel comfortable in the class.

5. Preparations are well underway for Calvary’s second annual Fall FunFest on October 31. Pray that the women on the FunFest team, who have many other responsibilities, will stay focused and be efficient. Pray that the church body will remember that the purpose of the event is outreach to the community and enthusiastically support it.

6. About a dozen people gathered yesterday afternoon at Golden Elementary, just down the street from our church, to pray. The George Key school, which serves special needs children, is also located at Valencia and Golden. One request the group laid before the Lord was that He open a way for our church to serve these two schools. Let’s join them in this prayer!

7. Thank the Lord for His Word, the Bible. In His presence, ask what life and faith would be like without it. How would we know the truth about what He is like, what we are like, and how He has worked in human history? How would we hear from Him today and know it is Him speaking? Ask Him to encourage you in your study of the Bible in this new school year.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair
Calvary Community Church of Brea