Power Verses…… “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God; those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28.)

The world is going through a major global financial crisis, and all the signs indicate that it has some way to go before it 'bottoms out'. I know from those who receive the Weekly Power Surge, that some are badly affected by the turn of events, and others have yet to feel the impact on their lives and on the lives of their families.  An impact that could affect your employment; could lead to property repossessions, the erosion of pensions and general investments, and, if we allow it, could adversely affect our health and wellbeing.

My wife and I are in the eye of this financial storm, and if there was ever a time in our lives when we needed to practice what we preach in relation to our Christian faith it is now! This for us could be our greatest test, our Gethsemene, and we pray for the faith to be strong, trusting, and believing God to see us through the storm, and day-by-day to have the faith to pray,  "Not our will, but Thy will be done O God."

Max Lucado one of today's highly respected Christian authors and teachers, and the writer of many best-selling, and inspirational titles, was a guest last week at a Christian convention in the States. At the convention he felt led of God to publicly share a prayer with his audience which he had written down a day or two earlier. This prayer is certainly relevant in the current global crisis.  It helps to get these events into perspective. It points to a God who is still in control of world events, a God whose love for us is constant and eternal.  This is why I want to share it with you.

May this prayer strengthen you, encourage you and fill you with hope!

A prayer by, Max Lucado - October 2008

Our friends have lost their houses
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing.

This scares us. This bail-out with billions of dollars.
These rumblings of recession
These daily headlines: ominous, thunderous-
"Going Broke!" "Going Down!" "Going Under!" "What's Next?"

Lord, What is next?

We're listening God. And we're admitting. You were right.

You told us this would happen.
You warned about loving things and worshipping money.
You warned, greed will break your heart.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don't put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right.
Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.

We were wrong to spend what we didn't have.
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor.
Wrong to think we ever earned a cent. We didn't. You gave it.
And now tell us Father, are You taking it?

We're listening. And we're praying.
Could You make something good out of this mess?

O course You can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery.
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond,
and water into sweet wine.
Took fractured lives, and by Your grace,
made them gloriously whole again.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we.

In Christ's name we pray,
Amen.

Remember...pray for one another, it is the most powerful weapon a person can possess!