Comments on: The Effectual Fervent Prayer of a Six Year Old Availeth Much http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:26:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Rhoda http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-71147 Rhoda Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:49:01 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-71147 I realize this is a very old thread, but just had to respond since I just saw it. When my daughter was five she spent considerable time in a children's hospital on the major illness floor. Most of the other children had cancer and several she got to know well died while she was there or shortly after we left. Then one of her gerbils died and then the other sickened. She prayed for each and more fervently for the second, but he died too. She had prayed and prayed for her own healing only to have major surgery and still have a major problem afterward. I was pretty frustrated with God because I kept warning Him that I was sure that the Enemy of her soul would remind her when she became a teen that God did not answer her prayers and would cause doubt. One day about a year after her surgery we left the house to run a short errand. We found a bird that had flown into our window. Some of its innards were lying outside its mouth and blood and guts had come from the other end. (Sorry to be so blunt) Obviously it was a goner, but Michelle insisted that we pray that the bird be healed. I did so with little faith, but to my amazement and her satisfaction, when we returned from the errand, the bird was sitting on a small tree near the door rocking back and forth rather dazedly, but obviously still alive. He sees the sparrow's fall and He sees the child's need for renewed faith. Fast forward. Indeed when Michelle was a teen, she went through a time of rebellion, but over and over the Father brought her back. She chose a Christian college of her own volition, met her now husband the first night and is now the mother of our first grandchild. All are faithful in the Lord and involved in church. Indeed He is GOOD! Rhoda I realize this is a very old thread, but just had to respond since I just saw it. When my daughter was five she spent considerable time in a children’s hospital on the major illness floor. Most of the other children had cancer and several she got to know well died while she was there or shortly after we left. Then one of her gerbils died and then the other sickened. She prayed for each and more fervently for the second, but he died too. She had prayed and prayed for her own healing only to have major surgery and still have a major problem afterward. I was pretty frustrated with God because I kept warning Him that I was sure that the Enemy of her soul would remind her when she became a teen that God did not answer her prayers and would cause doubt.

One day about a year after her surgery we left the house to run a short errand. We found a bird that had flown into our window. Some of its innards were lying outside its mouth and blood and guts had come from the other end. (Sorry to be so blunt) Obviously it was a goner, but Michelle insisted that we pray that the bird be healed. I did so with little faith, but to my amazement and her satisfaction, when we returned from the errand, the bird was sitting on a small tree near the door rocking back and forth rather dazedly, but obviously still alive. He sees the sparrow’s fall and He sees the child’s need for renewed faith.

Fast forward. Indeed when Michelle was a teen, she went through a time of rebellion, but over and over the Father brought her back. She chose a Christian college of her own volition, met her now husband the first night and is now the mother of our first grandchild. All are faithful in the Lord and involved in church. Indeed He is GOOD!

Rhoda

]]> By: Virginia Marchand http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-71038 Virginia Marchand Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:54:17 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-71038 Have you ever prayed for a bird family? I have, and seen it answered! Short version is four baby birds were knocked out of their nest that was actually in a small tree on our back yard covered patio. A strong wind had blown the tree over. We found three babies and with rubber gloves put them back in their nest. The mother continued to feed them. The lost little one showed up two days later on our front porch where we put him back in the nest and mother again fed him also. They left the nest within a 10 day period but continued hanging around the yard for a long time learning to fly and eat on their own. This is just a very small part of the story but I learned God truly knows everything by its name and He hears our prayers. I have no doubt! Have you ever prayed for a bird family? I have, and seen it answered! Short version is four baby birds were knocked out of their nest that was actually in a small tree on our back yard covered patio. A strong wind had blown the tree over. We found three babies and with rubber gloves put them back in their nest. The mother continued to feed them. The lost little one showed up two days later on our front porch where we put him back in the nest and mother again fed him also. They left the nest within a 10 day period but continued hanging around the yard for a long time learning to fly and eat on their own. This is just a very small part of the story but I learned God truly knows everything by its name and He hears our prayers. I have no doubt!

]]> By: KHIMICH http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-69016 KHIMICH Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:52:08 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-69016 [...] Article Next article Khimich::Next Article Next article Khimich::Next Article Next article Khimich::Next Article Next [...] [...] Article Next article Khimich::Next Article Next article Khimich::Next Article Next article Khimich::Next Article Next [...]

]]> By: CL http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68812 CL Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:44:29 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68812 The lost dog poster is a "keeper", by the way. That is precious. The lost dog poster is a “keeper”, by the way. That is precious.

]]> By: LDB http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68811 LDB Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:58:03 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68811 We had a dog that we felt the same way about - when she ran away, we looked half heartedly... but at prayer time every night, I was really in a bind when my girls (age 6 & 7) asked me to please pray that she would come back. I prayed like this "Lord, the girls sure want that dog to come back." How's that for a half-hearted prayer?! She didn't come back... We had a dog that we felt the same way about - when she ran away, we looked half heartedly… but at prayer time every night, I was really in a bind when my girls (age 6 & 7) asked me to please pray that she would come back. I prayed like this “Lord, the girls sure want that dog to come back.” How’s that for a half-hearted prayer?! She didn’t come back…

]]> By: JoAnn (the Mom)! http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68801 JoAnn (the Mom)! Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:39:57 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68801 Mike, Thanks for sharing this sweet story about our daughter - your niece. I have to admit that when she wrote the prayer card out on Sunday I was fearful that Joshua would NOT be found...Now I had TWO reasons for his return...we wanted Joshua back and I wanted her prayer request to be answered!! So I also began praying for the dog's return. I'm not sure I would have thought to do that without her example - we do learn from our children. I have to admit that reading your blog yesterday and seeing her picture brought tears to my eyes and I spent yesterday telling everyone to read your blog! :) Thanks for being a great Uncle to our kids! Mike,

Thanks for sharing this sweet story about our daughter - your niece. I have to admit that when she wrote the prayer card out on Sunday I was fearful that Joshua would NOT be found…Now I had TWO reasons for his return…we wanted Joshua back and I wanted her prayer request to be answered!! So I also began praying for the dog’s return. I’m not sure I would have thought to do that without her example - we do learn from our children. I have to admit that reading your blog yesterday and seeing her picture brought tears to my eyes and I spent yesterday telling everyone to read your blog! :)

Thanks for being a great Uncle to our kids!

]]> By: bikegirl http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68797 bikegirl Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:11:16 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68797 There is a 2 year old at church that includes me in her prayers everyday. When she first started including me you couldn't understand anything she said in her prayers except for my name and her Aunt's name. I absolutely love this and I can't even begin to tell you the changes to my heart and service to God over the past year. I am certain it is because a toddler remembers me in her prayers. There is a 2 year old at church that includes me in her prayers everyday. When she first started including me you couldn’t understand anything she said in her prayers except for my name and her Aunt’s name. I absolutely love this and I can’t even begin to tell you the changes to my heart and service to God over the past year. I am certain it is because a toddler remembers me in her prayers.

]]> By: Sarah http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68793 Sarah Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:01:24 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68793 Adorable! I absolutely love the picture. Adorable! I absolutely love the picture.

]]> By: Placesoften.Com » The Effectual Fervent Prayer of a Righteous Six Year Old Availeth Much http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68791 Placesoften.Com » The Effectual Fervent Prayer of a Righteous Six Year Old Availeth Much Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:13:09 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68791 [...] wrote an interesting post today on The Effectual Fervent Prayer of a Righteous Six Year Old Availeth MuchHere’s a quick [...] [...] wrote an interesting post today on The Effectual Fervent Prayer of a Righteous Six Year Old Availeth MuchHere’s a quick [...]

]]> By: Carl Holmes http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68788 Carl Holmes Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:14:40 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68788 Ahh, foder for a sermon for another day. God certainly listens to those who are close to his heart, and Children are certainly that. Great story! Ahh, foder for a sermon for another day. God certainly listens to those who are close to his heart, and Children are certainly that.

Great story!

]]> By: Frankie http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68785 Frankie Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:38:08 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68785 May I just say that if you have to lose a dog, doing so in Abilene is the very best place. There are more animal lovers here than anywhere I've ever lived. After our elderly, deaf and almost blind dog got out of the back yard soon after we moved back here, we put up signs and continued to drive the neighborhood. Put a free ad in the paper. The day the ad came out we got a call from a lady who had found our dog and was waiting for the ad to appear. (??!!) We took down the signs but got calls for days after that from complete strangers who just wanted to know if we'd found our dog because they were worried about him. Amazing. . . May I just say that if you have to lose a dog, doing so in Abilene is the very best place. There are more animal lovers here than anywhere I’ve ever lived. After our elderly, deaf and almost blind dog got out of the back yard soon after we moved back here, we put up signs and continued to drive the neighborhood. Put a free ad in the paper. The day the ad came out we got a call from a lady who had found our dog and was waiting for the ad to appear. (??!!) We took down the signs but got calls for days after that from complete strangers who just wanted to know if we’d found our dog because they were worried about him. Amazing. . .

]]> By: Candy http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68781 Candy Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:11:45 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68781 I love this story. To this day I think we have Max because of the prayers of a 5 year old named Landon Sheets. Geoff and I had nearly nothing to do with it. I love this story. To this day I think we have Max because of the prayers of a 5 year old named Landon Sheets. Geoff and I had nearly nothing to do with it.

]]> By: lee http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68780 lee Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:14:54 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68780 When we lived in the Metroplex kids were always letting our new puppy out the gate. Sad, but we started locking all our gates from then on with a padlock and it really makes a big difference on keeping people out of our yard or silly kids pulling a senseless trick. When we lived in the Metroplex kids were always letting our new puppy out the gate. Sad, but we started locking all our gates from then on with a padlock and it really makes a big difference on keeping people out of our yard or silly kids pulling a senseless trick.

]]> By: Dee Andrews http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68779 Dee Andrews Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:04:06 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68779 I love the picture and I love the story. The heart of a child is an awesome thing to behold. Thanks for sharing this, Mike. Dee I love the picture and I love the story. The heart of a child is an awesome thing to behold.

Thanks for sharing this, Mike.

Dee

]]> By: Jennifer http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68777 Jennifer Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:08:11 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/10/31/the-effectual-fervent-prayer-of-a-righteous-six-year-old-availeth-much#comment-68777 Sadie showed up on our doorstep just before Christmas one year. We were living in Abilene, just married, happy with our two pugs. And then came Sadie. Lassie would've been proud of her. We didn't mean to adopt her, but when the pound showed up to pick her up one day and the guy explained that she'd be euthanized in two days- "but don't worry she'll be brain dead before she feels any pain.."- Sadie officially became OUR dog. She walked the neighborhood kids to Alta Vista Elementary and dutifully waited for them at the end of the day outside the cafeteria. She growled at strange cars. She guarded the front porch at night and slept on our bed in the daytime. And when we moved to Harlingen, she figured out quickly that my mother (who lived next door) made breakfast early every morning and so she showed up at the back door sweetly waiting for her share of leftovers. We were devastated when she was killed by a car on one of her jaunts around the neigborhood- so devastated that we lost all sense of reason and rushed to the pound to adopt another dog in her memory. That's how we got Boscoe- who absolutely didn't share bloodlines with Lassie or Sadie. He loved to run, but wasn't content with our 15 acres. He ran and ran and ran and ran. And then the pound picked him up. He'd been picked up and sent to the pokey so many times that the city said my husband might have to do jail time (I'm serious!)if he got out again. Our late-night searches for him (he fancied digging under the fence on his last potty break for the evening)became more fervent. The whole family would get involved. In fact, my three-year old still enjoys rolling down the window in the car and shouting "Bosssss-coe!" just for kicks. We tried everything to keep him home. We had a nice fence around the yard. Then a cattle fence around that. LAter we added an electic fence and outfitted Boscoe with a radio collar that zapped him when he tried to run away. He ran anyway. Boscoe had a great life. Slept on the bed, had the run of a huge backyard, ate prescription dog food... and every chance he got he ran away, out into the big exciting world. More than once it occurred to me, as I drove dark roads late at night or signed another check to the pound, that Boscoe was ungrateful. I had given him everything he could possibly need and he left me again and again and again. What a great sermon topic, I thought, on one of those long drives. Christ gives us everything, pays a huge ransom for us, and we keep running away. Perhaps that thought bought Boscoe a little more grace at our house...until he ran away again and my prayer changed from "Please let us find Boscoe" to "Please let Boscoe be happy wherever he is today." Sadie showed up on our doorstep just before Christmas one year. We were living in Abilene, just married, happy with our two pugs. And then came Sadie. Lassie would’ve been proud of her. We didn’t mean to adopt her, but when the pound showed up to pick her up one day and the guy explained that she’d be euthanized in two days- “but don’t worry she’ll be brain dead before she feels any pain..”- Sadie officially became OUR dog. She walked the neighborhood kids to Alta Vista Elementary and dutifully waited for them at the end of the day outside the cafeteria. She growled at strange cars. She guarded the front porch at night and slept on our bed in the daytime. And when we moved to Harlingen, she figured out quickly that my mother (who lived next door) made breakfast early every morning and so she showed up at the back door sweetly waiting for her share of leftovers. We were devastated when she was killed by a car on one of her jaunts around the neigborhood- so devastated that we lost all sense of reason and rushed to the pound to adopt another dog in her memory. That’s how we got Boscoe- who absolutely didn’t share bloodlines with Lassie or Sadie. He loved to run, but wasn’t content with our 15 acres. He ran and ran and ran and ran. And then the pound picked him up. He’d been picked up and sent to the pokey so many times that the city said my husband might have to do jail time (I’m serious!)if he got out again. Our late-night searches for him (he fancied digging under the fence on his last potty break for the evening)became more fervent. The whole family would get involved. In fact, my three-year old still enjoys rolling down the window in the car and shouting “Bosssss-coe!” just for kicks. We tried everything to keep him home. We had a nice fence around the yard. Then a cattle fence around that. LAter we added an electic fence and outfitted Boscoe with a radio collar that zapped him when he tried to run away. He ran anyway.
Boscoe had a great life. Slept on the bed, had the run of a huge backyard, ate prescription dog food… and every chance he got he ran away, out into the big exciting world. More than once it occurred to me, as I drove dark roads late at night or signed another check to the pound, that Boscoe was ungrateful. I had given him everything he could possibly need and he left me again and again and again. What a great sermon topic, I thought, on one of those long drives. Christ gives us everything, pays a huge ransom for us, and we keep running away. Perhaps that thought bought Boscoe a little more grace at our house…until he ran away again and my prayer changed from “Please let us find Boscoe” to “Please let Boscoe be happy wherever he is today.”

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