Just Keep Praying! Just Keep Praying!

It's easy to get discouraged when you've prayed for something

for a long time.

Humans love to mark moments, hours, days, and months

on our calendars, schedules and electronic devices.

Clocks metronome time for us, so we can stay on track.

 Dominating time means success.

The Lord doesn't measure His work by the

passage of time,

but by the 

transformation of a soul.

We want to give up and quit praying

when we think too much time has passed without an answer.

Cleaning out drawers I ran into a random piece of paper.

I covered the last names to protect identity,

but this was found in a drawer a few summers ago at

Story Book Lodge Christian Camp.

Along with random notes the director wanted to share with the counselors

 and workers during the morning  prayer meeting,

someone had written down the name of three campers that needed extra prayer.

My hubby, Scott, was one of those names.

For several summers, he was one of those names.

He came from a home that wasn't just broken,

it was shattered.

He hadn't lived through one divorce, he'd lived through four.

Then, after four years of extra prayer,

his name came up as a camper who professed salvation.

He returned the next year, and the next, and the next, bearing fruit.

He became a counselor after a few years.

For the past 14 summers, my husband's name has again been

 daily mentioned during the early morning counselor's meetings,

because he's one of the Bible teachers.

Whoever scribbled that note,

and prayed those prayers,

never saw it coming, I'm sure.

They weren't praying,

"Lord, save Scott so he can come back to camp as a preacher."

Some honestly wanted his salvation for their relief.

Others truly longed for a better life for him.

I think few thought their prayers for salvation would be answered.

My family also understands that burden of working with souls.

We'd prayed for the salvation of the Innocent Man for

 over 25 years.

In about November 2010 he was gloriously transformed

by the Lord Jesus Christ.

February 14, 2011 he was jailed on false charges, 

and we began Project Isaiah 61:1.

 

The previous trial date was set for October 17, 2011,

but we experienced a Last Minute Miracle

when physical evidence of innocence was found.

 

I started strong in faith, but lately

I've had moments where I  lost hope concerning the jury trial

the Innocent Man will be facing January 17th, 2012.

Instead of 60 years maximum, the prosecutor has lowered it to 15 years,

with about 8 served.

I still can't bear that thought.

Each time I get into despair,

the Lord brings fresh encouragement through believers, His Word or blogs.

I've been shown over and over the work the Lord is doing

in many lives through this testing.

The Gospel has gone forth many times.

Another new believer, saved in January 2011, has grown tremendously.

A godly, older Christian couple I'd never met agreed to house the Innocent Man.

A fellowship of believers he knew only a short time

has supported him immensely.

The other night during family devotions,

we were rejoicing in answered prayer.

It took 25 years,

but our prayers were gloriously answered.

The Innocent Man is a changed man that always

is overflowing with love to the Lord and fresh thoughts from His Word.

We have to believe the Lord is in control with this false accusation.

This is not out of His plan or His care.

This tribulation wouldn't have been our thoughts or our ways

 for new believers, but the Lord's thoughts are higher,

the Lord's ways are higher.

Scribble your prayer notes and keep praying.

You don't how how the Lord will answer your prayers,

you just know He will.

It'll just be in His way

and in His timing.

And while you're praying,  please pray for

the Innocent Man.

The Lord is about to unveil His plan.