True Freedom

Freedom

Never Forget these Truths as you ask God for true freedom.

1. Your prayers are powerful and effective. (from James 5:18)

2. We do not fight like the rest of the world. We use God's mighty weapons. (From II Corinthians 10:3-4)

3. God's word is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword. (From Hebrews 4:12)

2 Corinthians 3:17

Lord, be with ______________. You are the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Psalm 118:5

May ___________ pray to you, Lord, in her distress, for you will answer ___________ and set her free.

2 Peter 2:16-17

I praise you God because _____________ is free because she belongs to you. May she not use her freedom as an excuse to do evil. Instead, may she respect everyone, love the family of believers, fear God and respect the king.

John 8:32

I pray that ___________ will know the truth, for your truth will set ___________ free.

(John 8:36) And when the Son sets _________ free, he is free, indeed. 

Galatians 5:1

Christ has truly set us free. Please teach ____________ to stay free and not get caught up in the slavery of legalism.

Galatians 5:13 

I thank you, God, that we have been called to live in freedom. May ___________ use his freedom to serve others in love.

Psalm 119:45

May ______________ walk in freedom and devote himself to your commands.

John 10:10

Lord, may ___________ recognize the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. May _________ see that you come to give him a rich and satisfying life.

Galatians 2: 4

Lord, protect ___________ from those who would try to deceive her, take away the freedom you have given her.

Romans 8:2 

I praise you, Lord, that since _________ belongs to you, the power of your life-giving Spirit has freed ____________ from the power of sin that leads to death. 

Lord, please help __________ experience true freedom that only comes from you.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Never Forget the Truth- Christ came to set you free. 

Hope and a Sound Mind

Never Forget these Truths as you pray for hope and a sound mind:

1. Your prayers are powerful and effective. (from James 5:18)

2. We do not fight like the rest of the world. We use God's mighty weapons. (From II Corinthians 10:3-4)

3. God's word is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword. (From Hebrews 4:12)

Hope & sound mind 

I Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Father, I thank you that you have not given __________ a spirit of fear. You have given __________ a spirit of power and of love and of sound mind. 

Psalm 34:4

Lord, may ___________ pray to you, and you answer _____________ . Free ____________ from all his fears.

Romans 8:35 

Remind ____________ today that nothing can separate ______________ from the love of Christ, not trouble or hardship, or persecution, hunger or destitution, not even danger or the threat of death. 

Proverbs 2:11

Give _________ wisdom that will save ___________ from evil people and from those whose words are twisted.

John 8:32

May __________ know the truth, and that truth will set __________ free.

Psalm 30:5b

Oh Lord, remind __________ that sorrow and weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Philippians 4:6-7

Replace __________'s worry with prayer about everything. May _________ tell you, God, what she needs and thank you for all you have done. Then your peace that exceeds _________ 's understanding will guards her heart and mind in Christ.

Psalm 34:18

Lord, help ________ to know you are close to the broken-hearted and rescue those whose spirits are crushed.

John 1:5

Make your one true Light shine in the darkness _________ is experiencing. The darkness can never extinguish your Light.

Psalm 62:5

May ________'s soul find rest in you, God. May all __________'s hope come from you.

Father God, give __________ hope and peace that can only come from you.  Expose the lies _________ is believing and replace them with Truth.  

In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

You may also want to read Romans 8:31-39 and Psalm 34.

Prayer for Healing

Healing

Never Forget these Truths as you pray for healing:

1. Your prayers are powerful and effective. (from James 5:18)

2. We do not fight like the rest of the world. We use God's mighty weapons. (From II Corinthians 10:3-4)

3. God's word is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword. (From Hebrews 4:12)

sWords for Healing

All prayers are modified from the NLT version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Place yourself or another person in the blanks and adjust the pronouns as needed.

Psalm 103:3-5 

Oh Lord,  I praise you.  You are the One who forgives all ____________'s sins and heals all ___________'s diseases. You redeem his life from the pit and crown him with love and compassion.

You satisfy his desires with good things so his youth is renewed like the eagle's.

I Peter 2:24 

I thank you that Jesus personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so __________ could be dead to sin and live for what is right. By Christ's wounds _________ is healed.

Psalm 6:2 

Have compassion on __________, LORD, for she is weak. Heal __________, LORD, for her bones are in agony.

Matthew 11:28 

Lord, may ___________ come to you because he is weary and carrying heavy burdens. Thank you for your promise to give him rest.

Psalm 41:3

Lord, nurse _________ when she is sick and restore her to health.

Psalm 107:19

Lord, I cry to you for ________'s trouble and save __________from his distress.

3 John 1:2 (NIV)

Lord, I pray that ________ will have good health and all will go well with her and her soul will get along well, also.

Psalm 107:20

Send out Your Word to heal and rescue _________.

Psalm 147:3

God, You are the healer of the broken hearted and the One who binds __________'s wounds.

Jeremiah 17:14

Oh, LORD, if you heal ________, he is truly healed; if you save _________, he is truly saved. I will praise you alone.

I ask you loving Father for complete healing for ___________.

In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. 

Amen.

Prayers for Marriage

Prayers for Marriage

Never Forget these Truths as you pray for marriage:

1. Your prayers are powerful and effective. (from James 5:18)

2. We do not fight like the rest of the world. We use God's mighty weapons. (From II Corinthians 10:3-4)

3. God's word is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword. (From Hebrews 4:12)

sWords for Marriage

Ephesians 6:18 

Lord, please help me to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. 

Help me to stay alert and be persistent in my prayers for my mate and our marriage.

Romans 15:5a

May You, God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help us live in complete harmony with each other.

Romans 12:10 (ESV)

Lord, please help us love one another and outdo one another in showing honor.

2 Timothy 2:24 (NIV)

 Lord, as your servants, may we not be quarrelsome but kind, able to teach and not be resentful.

Ephesians 5:33 

May the husband in this home love his wife, and may she respect her husband.

Matthew 19:6

Lord, You make two people become one in marriage. Let no one split apart what You, God, have joined together.

Hebrews 13:4

Help us to give honor to our marriage and remain faithful to one another.

I Peter 4:8 

Most important of all, may we continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Ephesians 4:2

Help us, Lord, to always be humble, gentle and patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love. 

I Peter 3:10

May we keep our tongues from speaking evil and our lips from telling lies, so we can enjoy life and see many happy days.

Lord, I ask you to heal any broken places in our marriage, give us great communication and make our marriage stronger than it has ever been.

In the precious name of Jesus, I pray
Amen

Power

I wonder if we actually grasps the magnitude of the power available to us.

The words you speak have power to build up or tear down. 

The words you speak have power to make changes in ways we do not understand.  

The Apostle Paul prayed the Ephesians would "understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe." ((Eph. 1:19) 

God's power is for you!!!!

There is even better news. It has nothing to do with us. I am so glad because I do not "feel" powerful at all.  

I have added a few pictures of some of "my Sistas".  You clearly would not find us the least bit intimidating.  Most would not guess the power of these groups

of ladies.  However, I bet you would have full confidence in our ability to run a bake sale.  

That would be underestimating us.  We are like ninjas.  No - don't laugh. I'm serious. We are about to walk around a middle school and pray.  No one pays any attention to us as we walk.  No one has any idea that we not only pray, but we declare God's promises over the school, the staff and the students. It is His power.  We are just speaking His Words over this community. 

This is a few of us who pray for the schools from May of 2016. 

We don't usually take pictures of ourselves. 💕

I have a few amazing groups of sisters who gather weekly and pray for their kids, their schools and each other.  We have seen marriages changed, people healed, kids make new friends, and so much more.  We pray regularly that kids (and anyone with ill-intent) will be caught.  Since everything we pray is completely confidential, I cannot give details.  But I want to say this to you,

"Believe and therefor speak."

Open your mouth and speak, yes, out loud.  Life and death are in the power of the tongue. So, open your mouth and speak life. 

You can not go wrong speaking God's Words.  Isaiah 55:11-12 say God's words are like rain and snow that water the ground, causing the grain to grow and produce bread for the hungry.

Vs 11 "It is the same way with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper."  

So, on the heals of my last post about breakthrough, I am going to gather God's Word for you to speak over your situations.   I originally planned to take the summer off to work on other writing projects.  Instead, we are going to "armor up" together.  We are going to "fortify" our homes, families, neighborhoods, cities and etc.  

I will post a list of scripture prayers on a different subject each week.  Send me a message if there is a particular subject you want.  ( I am already finished with healing and marriage). I am also happy to pray for you personally. You can contact me here or through Facebook Messenger.

Blessings to you, My Friend.  

Breakthrough

Breakthrough

Dawn is my absolute favorite time of the day.

I love to see the sun break through the darkness and

begin a new day. 

* Break through the dark to a new day

* A breakthrough in modern medicine

* Breaking through an enemy line 

There are many areas where we as humans need a breakthrough.

In my last post, I shared my journey with MS.  I needed a breakthrough with my health.  Perhaps you need a breakthrough in a certain area.
* Your finances?
* With your children?
* In your marriage?
* Or something else only you know.
There are also many social issues that need to be conquered and defeated.

* the opioid epidemic * child exploitation and sex trafficking * poverty * cancer and more.
The enemy I want to defeat is suicide, especially in young people.

So let's armor up, Warrior!

What kind of battle plan do we need to defeat these enemies?

We can learn from one of the greatest warriors in history.  Most people recognize the story of David and Goliath. As a young person David went up against a giant enemy who was mocking God while his country's adult warriors were cowering in fear.   Though that is the most famous of David's battles, he had many interesting encounters where God gave him very unusual battle plans.
Once David asked God about fighting the Philistines who were about to attack. The Philistines hated Israel and especially David.  They were an incredibly intimidating army, full of cruelty as well as persistence.  That's a bad combination if you were their target.
God told him to have his army circle around behind them and wait for the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees. Then, they could attack.
Ummm, OK, now there is a plan no general would come up with....... ever!
But of course, he defeated his enemy.

David knew one very important Truth. Only God can truly defeat your enemy.

Earlier in the same chapter, we learn that David had just been anointed king. When the Philistines heard about it, they came after him in full force.  David got himself to a safe place and asked God if he should go out and fight. He did not just run right out and face them because of his past successes. He humbly prayed and asked if God would hand them over to him.
The Lord replied, "Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you."
After defeating his enemy David exclaimed, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood."  He named that land "Baal Perazim", which means
                    The God who Breaks Through!

So, friend, here is the plan:
We are going to talk to the One who loves you dearly. He knows your situation. He has the perfect plan to break through and defeat your enemy.  

I am not just suggesting you do something I have not tried myself.  Actually, I have done it both ways.  I have pushed through to try to change a situation with my own logic and power. I have also asked God for His plan.  

Guess which one works better.

But, guess which one is harder to do.

Ugh!  It is hard to be still or worse yet, to be silent.  It is also very hard to wait.  Sometimes, I need reminded of who the real enemy is.

It turns out, God's wisdom is always better than mine.

When it comes to marriage, children or family, it can be especially challenging to ask for God's wisdom and not just react.  On some occasions I need to stand or speak up and say the hard thing.  Other times I need to be silent (This usually happens when I am clearly right and have a brilliant statement just waiting to burst out of my mouth).  

What about social issues? They seem so huge.  Can we actually do anything to prevent suicide, stop the drug epidemic or end school shootings?

2 Corinthians 10:3 We are humans but we do not wage war as humans do. (4) We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy  false arguments.

So, the answer is yes. But, we need God's battle plan.  He knows the best way to defeat the giants that plague our society.

My “enemy” became suicide when our nephew, Noah, took his life in 2016.

I knew I was to pray about this terrible epidemic. But what else? God knew my heart. I wanted to “do”.  Eventually, I knew God's plan for me in this battle against the enemy of suicide.  Actually, the battle is against lies people believe about themselves and their situations. There is also a mental break that takes place.  

First, God stirred a passion in me to tell  people how valuable and dearly loved they are.

Second, I captained a team for the Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention. It funds the hotline as well as support groups and many educational venues. The event actually does so much more than I realized. At one point in last year's walk, I found myself walking near a sweet young man who was there alone.  He was quite overweight and was struggling to continue. He told me he just knew he had to be there.  He also knew he had to keep going.  It was clear he was not just talking about the walk.

(If it is on your heart to be a part of this you can click on the link at the bottom and find out more. I'm sure I will post this link again as it gets closer).

The God who breaks through loves you.  He knows the things that are important to you. Ask Him for His plan. Whether it is a personal issue, like marriage, or a social issue, like suicide, the breakthrough ALWAYS BEGINS BY PRAYING.

My Friend, I am praying with you and for you this week. May you see breakthrough in the areas where there has been struggle.

And please,

Never Forget the Truth - The God who breaks through truly loves you. 💕

_{^{Out of the Darkness Walk - Team Noah}}

The True Healer Loves You

The True Healer Loves You.

Early yesterday morning, I spent an hour writing about the months leading up to a diagnosed of Multiple Sclerosis.   

Then this morning….

I deleted it.  

Psalm 103:1-5

1 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits -

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Jehovah Rapha, “The God who heals”, loves and adores YOU!

He is not only the healer of bodies.  He heals hearts, relationships, marriages, finances and more.  

Friend, I have seen miracles happen in an instant, as well as over a period of time.  Like you, I have also seen people for whom I have prayed, pass away entirely too soon from my perspective.  But, I have a very limited view of these things.

What I know for sure is that God is good. He is all powerful, completely loving and more. Oh, how I want you to know that, too - deeply, in your heart, in your “inmost being”.

So, here's the deal with my diagnosis.          It was terrible.

You could probably have guessed that.

The pictures were taken three weeks after the diagnosis.  I was very weak, especially on my left side. I struggled to walk and to get up stairs. It felt like something was pulling me into the ground.  Sometimes, it was even hard to hold my head up. It seemed just so heavy. During my second episode, I went completely blind in my right eye. 

Of course, I had been praying, believing, and declaring God’s Words. Yet, I was still told I had an “incurable” autoimmune disease. I have learned a lot since then.

One very important Truth I had not learned yet was to ask God what is going on before I ask or listen to any person, even truly caring people, intelligent people or spiritual people.  God knows the real-deal with your situations and mine.  Even though I had wonderful, intelligent doctors, this diagnosis was also from a limited view.

*God had not told me I had MS.*

I actually did not think to ask him “What’s up?”. Oooops! Praise God for grace. With age and experience comes a little wisdom. Though I prayed and asked others to pray as well, one of my many lessons was to learn to ask God about the situation first. Whether it is an illness or a different challenging situation, ask Him how to pray and how to proceed. (Even if it is a fight with your spouse).

I did not go on any medications at first. I got a second opinion and saw a leading Integrative Medicine doctor at Ohio State University.  Despite all the vitamins and natural solutions, that doctor was the one who got me into the OSU MS Clinic eight months later.  I am not a fan of medication or pharmaceutical companies. However, I am a huge fan of doctors and nurses.  I  had many wonderful people caring for me. My new neurologist explained that I could go completely blind the next day with no warning,  or perhaps not be able to walk, or worse.  That was her job. That is why I went to her. By going there, I was asking her what she had seen, what she had been taught in medical school. By being there, I was asking her opinion and perspective. She was not a pastor, theologian or prophet. She was a great doctor and very nice woman. Clearly, hearing what MS could mean for my future caused fear at that time. Fear prompted me to take the medication that does not cure but lessens episodes in frequency and/or severity.

Very reluctantly, I began giving myself weekly shots, plunging an inch and a half needle into my thigh. Then, I would feel like I had to flu for 24-48 hours. I hated it! I cried every week before I gave myself the shot.

I promise - This story gets better.

One afternoon I was on my living room floor crying, praying and begging God to take this away. That is when I heard it clearly, not an audible voice, but an internal one that sounded nothing like me.

“Believe Me”.

I lifted my head up and looked around. It was so clear. . It was almost audible.

“Believe Me”.

Wait - This was definitely not any self-talk.

“Believe Me”.

Ok, God. What does that mean? No more medicine? Should I do a special diet? A homeopathic solution? What?

Then there was this:

“Nothing is going to get my glory”.

Ummmmm - Ok, Lord. But who is going to convince Bill (my husband)?

Clearly, Bill did not like the idea.

But God is good …….. and funny.

He speaks husband language.

I was out of the medication. When I called to inquire why it had not been sent, the company informed me that my insurance had changed their coverage of this medicine.  The cost would go from $30/month to $1200. Yes, $1200! Ha!  That made him a little more willing to try it the way I was suggesting. 

Now to be clear - I did not hear I was healed. The words were, “Believe Me.” So, I did.

That was 2008.

My doctor ended up moving away. I ended up not seeing a neurologist for seven years.  I have not had any episodes since going off the medication. I do not have any new damage to my nervous system.   

Go God!!!

The new neurologist was amazed. He asked what I was doing.  

I answered, “Well, ummm, I pray”.

He paused, continued comparing old and new MRIs and test results, then looked up and said,

“Mrs. Stauffer, it looks like that God you pray to is an MS Specialist.”

“ He is!” I replied excitedly, “and so much more.”  I asked him to give me a new diagnosis but he would not since, since the previous damage could still be seen on my MRI. But, he did agree that it was fine for me to stay off medication if I agreed to come in if anything changed.

It has now been a decade since I have taken any MS medication.  Let me be clear - I am in no way telling you not to listen to your doctor or take your medications.  

I am just recommending that whatever comes into your life, whatever is hurting you, be still and listen.

Ask God for HIS perspective. Ask him for His omniscient view of your situation.

God never told me I had MS. He told me to believe him.  

What has he said about your situation?

Has HE told you

• your sickness is incurable?

• Your marriage is irreparable?
• Your child is too far gone to save?
• Your finances are hopeless?
• Or, the damage in a relationship cannot be repaired?

Of course, not! He loves you and has good things for your life.

Believe Him!

He knows your “inmost being”. He created it (Psalm 139:13)

He loves you.  

Ask Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals, to touch you and give you His perspective of your life.

You are dearly loved, my friend.

The One who loves you most IS the One and only true Healer.

Never Forget the Truth - The True Healer Loves You.