It’s Prayer Vigil Friday! 04/29/11

aka William and Catherine’s Wedding Day!

This past week has brought so many ups and downs for so many of us. Waking up this morning to a beautiful ceremony, with meaningful prayer, scripture readings and beautiful hymns was a glorious way to end this past week, and served as a reminder that God reigns in the hearts and lives of individuals all over the world.

Those first on my mind in prayer today are those who have found themselves in devastation after the terrible storms that hit the southern states of the U.S. I last read that over 280 people were killed. Please pray for their families. Please pray for those who lost everything and pray for the communities who have already come together to help each other find their way back from this tragedy.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.~Psalm 46:1-3

Please pray for my friend E who found out this week that she has polycystic ovaries and will be high risk for pregnancy complications. We lift up all women who are suffering from PCOS and pray that they have strength and perseverance to continue their fight against this disease.

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.~1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Please pray for those suffering from endometriosis. Pray also for strength and perseverance as they too continue their battle against this disease.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. ~Ephesians 6:18

Lift up those of us who are either just beginning, or smack in the middle of, our two week wait. Pray that each woman allows herself the courage to hope, as well as the strength to be ready for any outcome.

But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. ~Psalm 71: 14

We rejoice for those who have won their battle against infertility and who have received their confirmations of pregnancy this week! Pray that God bless our friends who are so excited, yet still live with that twinge of fear we have all become accustomed to in our struggles. Pray that their bodies remain strong and their babies healthy.

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety. ~Psalm 16: 9

Pray for those of us just coming out of our two week wait, knowing that we have another month of trying ahead of us. Pray for healing and for strength.

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope. ~Romans 15: 13

Put some time aside today, even if it’s a few minutes or 20 minutes. Close the door, close your eyes, dim the lights, light a candle, whatever you need to do to focus and spend some prayerful time with God. Pray for women you know, pray for women you don’t know. Then take some time and pray for yourself. Spend some time reflecting over the past week, over any frustrations you’ve had, whatever you’ve been putting off talking over with God. Get angry if you need to. Cry if you need to. Smile and give thanks if you need to!

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16

This scripture truly is what Prayer Vigil Friday is all about:

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” ~Matthew 18:19-20

Let’s join in one big prayer all day today!