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
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.
Wow! Makes me think I should hide my old prayer lists away for a few years, so that someday I can look back and see how the Lord worked long after I had given up.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 17, Lydia's due date!
ReplyDeleteYou remind me of a story I have heard a few times since coming to ND. There is a brother here who when he was converted, decided to visit some old friends who had taken him to Sunday school when he was a boy. They welcomed him with open arms and said, "Steve, we've been praying for you for 30 years!" They showed him his name on their calendar.
I'm one of those who often grow weary of praying for the same thing/person, so I pray for a while, then "move on".
ReplyDeleteThis post touched me. Thanks for sharing - you're the type of person I would want praying for me. :-)
I love to look back though my prayer journal and see what God has done,many times it is the little requests that I had forgotten about. I will pray for him.
ReplyDeletePraying and praying daily for your family and this trial.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing testimony the story of your Scott's salvation is! Amen and Amen!
Amazing blog of God's faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful for His care and work in Scott's life.
Encouraging news about the Innocent Man. Strangely, I had just thought today that I needed to touch base on this with you. Continuing to pray on his case. If it has gone from 60 to 15... Nothing is too big or small for God!!!
Praying for you all! It is hard to see God's plan in the midst of such pain. I'm just so sorry you are going through this.
ReplyDeletepraying,
ReplyDeletePraying, Mindy!
ReplyDeleteMindy, what a beautiful blog post. I want you to know I am praying and I've asked my prayer warrior friends to also pray for the Innocent Man. He is precious in God's sight. So are you. Be still, my friend, and know that He is God.
ReplyDelete