 Good morning, Friends! In my devotions, this morning, I reflected on an entry in my journal from 2011. I wrote it during the district council week, following the women's luncheon. I pray that it ministers to you, today.
April 20, 2011 Oh, Lord, You are good and your mercy endure(s) forever! (Psalm 136:1b) I've learned so much about You, Father, these past few months. I am grateful for the experience I have had in seeking You. Over and over You have confirmed in my life that You have been in the driver's seat through the dark trial that I have walked. At our women's retreat, April 8-10, You spoke to me through Marigold words so similar to what You (have been speaking) to me over the course of the last three months. Again, today, through Debbie Lindell, you confirmed that it is through the trials, we can press in to know You and hear your voice. Thank you for walking with me and being my joy and strength! My prayer for you, today: Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to come to You, today, as your daughter, and I pray blessing on the lovely ladies (also, your daughters) who serve you in various capacities. Today, they need Your strength. May it come through Your joy, no matter the circumstance, the trial, or the opposition. Give them courage to face challenges they have never faced, and most importantly, may they abound in love which catapults them to respond to every challenge, every opportunity as Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.  You, me, and a cup of tea...and a Prayer Journal! “I will pray for you!” Those words so often come out of my mouth or I send via text, Facebook, or e-mail when someone shares a need. I may not be able to meet every tangible, physical need, but I can and will pray! As Peter said in Acts 3:6 to the man who was lame, begging for money, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” What Peter had for that man is what we have for those in need in our own lives: we have Jesus! We have the opportunity to lift precious ones and their needs to the Lord in prayer, then trust Him to deliver His provision, will, and purpose. That is why I began my Prayer Journal. I needed a tool that would help me stay faithful and organized with my commitment of: “I will pray for you!” It also serves as a record of rejoicing and celebration of God’s faithfulness! Many are the needs, and they usually fit into broader categories. My Prayer Journal reflects those: salvation, healing, comfort, marriages, missions, employment, among others. I have sections for family and church. Each section has Scriptures that speak to that need. Nearly every morning, Jesus, His Word, my Prayer Journal, and I sit down with a cup of tea (or coffee!). I praise, then pray and listen, bringing to the Lord my family, church, and one or two categories of need. Each week, I work my way through the categories, making notes, updates, and recording answers. My Prayer Journal helps make sure when I say it, that indeed, “I will pray for you!”   Jill St. John is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. She and her husband, Jason, and have been in ministry for 19 years. For the last 18 years, they have served at Evangel Church in Kansas City: 6 years as youth pastors, 12 years as lead pastors. Jill has a passion for Jesus and a zeal for teaching God¹s Word and telling others about God¹s love for them. As a 2-time cancer survivor, she delivers an authentic and enthusiastic message of joy and hope that each soul so desperately needs and that only God can give. Teaching, cooking, laughing and hanging out with her husband and two children are the delights of her life!
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