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InternationalWomen’sDayofPrayer

March3,2018

GODUNDERSTANDS

ByChantalKlingbeil

PreparedbytheGeneralConferenceofSeventh-dayAdventistsDepartmentofWomen’sMinistries

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October18,2017 DearSisters:Joyfulgreetingstoeachofyoumysisters.HaveyoueverexperiencedatimewhenyoufacedaproblemsodifficultitseemedasifGoddidnotknowyourdistress?Youprayedandprayedandyettherewasnoresponse.YoumayhaveevenquestionedifGodcaredaboutyouorevensawyourdifficulties.AttimeslikethisSatanwhispersdoubtintoourearsthatcanlodgeinourheartandmind.ChantalKlingbeil,ourauthorforthisyear’sInternationalWomen’sDayofPrayerresource,quotesthefollowingfromthebook,StepstoChrist,“WemayhavenoremarkableevidenceatthetimethatthefaceofourRedeemerisbendingoverusincompassionandlove,butthisisevenso.WemaynotfeelHisvisibletouch,butHishandisuponusinloveandpityingtenderness”(EllenG.White,pp.96,97).OverandoverintheBiblewereadGod’spromisestobewithus—Deuteronomy31:6,8;1Kings8:57;Psalm37:28;Isaiah42:16;Hebrews13:5,6,andmanyothers.Yetattimesofgreatdespair,wefindourheartsdoubtingtheseverypromises.Whydoesthishappen?Howcanweovercomethesetimesofdoubtanddistress?OursermonforthisspecialdayofprayerwillanswerthosequestionsandremindusthatGoddoescareandHeisalways,alwayswithus.Ourprayer,inGeneralConferenceWomen’sMinistries,isthatthisspecialdaywillbeatimetorememberthatweserveaGodwholovesusintensely,feelsourpainandhurtdeeply,andwantstoabidewithuseternally.Blessingsandjoytoyou,

Heather-DawnSmallDirector

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TableofContentsDivisionPrayerRequests...................................................................................................................4AbouttheAuthor..................................................................................................................................5IntroductiontoProgramMaterials................................................................................................6GeneralIdeasfortheProgram.........................................................................................................7SuggestedOrderofDivineService..................................................................................................8Children’sStory.....................................................................................................................................9Sermon:GodUnderstands...............................................................................................................12BulletinIdeas......................................................................................................................................17Children’sStoryhandoutoptions................................................................................................19Activity#1:WhoAmI?.....................................................................................................................21Activity#2:PrayerfortheDiscouraged......................................................................................26

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DivisionPrayerRequests

Inanefforttomakeourprayersmorespecific,wehavedesignatedcertaindivisionsandprayerneedsforeachyear.Wehopethatyouwillworktheseintoyourprogram.Ifyouhavewomeninyourcongregation,orwhocanvisityourchurch,fromthesedesignateddivisions,itwilladdtotheenjoymentandeducationofyourday.PrayerEmphasisfor2018World-wideconcernstoprayforspecifically:

• Womenlivinginwarzonecountries.• Womenreachingoutonetoone,participatinginTotalMemberInvolvement(TMI).• Womenofthechurchnurturingoursisterswhonolongerattendchurch.

Divisiontoberememberedinprayer:East-CentralAfricaDivision(ECD)TheEast-CentralAfricaDivisioniscomprisedof11countries:Burundi,DemocraticRepublicofCongo,Djibouti,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Kenya,Rwanda,Somalia,SouthSudan,Uganda,andtheUnitedRepublicofTanzania.Amidapopulationof371million,theSeventh-dayAdventistChurchcountsmorethan3.3millionmembersworshipingatabout15,000churches.Prayforwomen’sspirituallifesothattheybecomestrong.Insecurityinterritorieswherewarpersistsmakesourworkharderandwomenbecomeweak.Prayforwomenandchildrenwhoarethemostvulnerableandveryexposedincountriesofthedivisionthatstillhaveareasoccupiedbyrebels.Prayforrevivalamongwomenandtheirtotalinvolvementinthemission.PrayforwomantowomanrelationshipsinIslam(andotherdenominations)thataremissionoriented.Prayforchurchleadershipatlocalchurchleveltovaluechildren,foractiveinvolvementofourchildreninchurchlifeandmission;andtogiveprioritytothisdepartmentinbudgetingandchoosingrightpeopleforleadership.

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AbouttheAuthor

ChantalKlingbeilcurrentlyservesasanAssociateDirectoroftheEllenG.WhiteEstateattheGeneralConferenceofSeventh-dayAdventistsinSilverSpring,Maryland,U.S.A.SheearnedanM.Phil.degreeinlinguisticsfromStellenboschUniversity,SouthAfrica,and,overthepasttwodecades,hasservedasmother,author,homeschoolmom,highschoolteacher,universityprofessor,andtelevisionhost.ChantalJ.KlingbeilwasbornandraisedinSouthAfricathoughshelivedinseveralothercountriesbeforemovingtotheUnitedStateswithherhusband,Gerald,andherfamily.Inbothacademicandpopularcontexts,herarticleshaveappearedinmanyjournalsandmagazines.Chantalispassionateaboutreachingchildren,youth,andyoungadultsforJesus.InherworkattheEllenG.WhiteEstateshedevelopsmediaandmaterialstobringAdventisthistoryandtheministryofEllenG.Whitetoanewgenerationthatisthoroughlyathomeinthedigitalage.Thismulti-lingualauthorofthe2018InternationalWomen’sDayofPrayeremphasispacketbelievesthatGodhasdoneamazingthingsinherlife.HerfavoriteBibletextisPsalm37:4.“TakedelightintheLORD,andhewillgiveyouthedesiresofyourheart”(NIV).’’

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IntroductiontoProgramMaterials

Weenjoythoseseasonsinlifewhenallseemstobegoingwell.Whenwearethriving.Reachinggoals.Familymembersareingoodhealthandgettingalong.Ourdailyneedsarebeingmet.Wefeelconfidentinwhoweareandwhereweareheaded.Lifeisgood.GodisonHisthrone.Andthen...Theunexpectedoccurs,sometimesovernight.Anautomobileaccidenttakesthelifeofalovedone.Medicaltestresultsgiveafrighteningnametosymptomswe’vebeenexperiencingandthenissueagrimprognosis.Amarriagebreaksup.Achildorgrandchilddisappearsintotheunderworldofdrugs.Asevereweathereventsweepsawayourlivelihood.Thoughalmostunconsciousofthesubtlechange,webeginfocusingmoreintentlyonthestrugglesthatlifethrowsatusmorethanwefocusontheGiverandSustaineroflife.Sothelightinwhichwethoughtwewerewalkingnowbeginstodim.Yet,asthestoryoftheprophetElijahremindsus,ourlovingSaviorisneverfarfromusnomatterwhatourdistressingsituation.ThoughwecannotpersonallyseeHim,JesusisnearjustasHepromisedHewouldbe(John14:12-18).Wearenotalone.Evenwhenourprayersgrowweak,despiteobviousevidenceofHisblessingsinourlives,Jesusstillremainsbyourside.“ForHeHimselfhassaid,‘Iwillneverleaveyounorforsakeyou’”(Hebrews13:5).ThoughthefailureanddepressionofElijah’sexperiencerevealthefrailtyofhumanresolve,thecontinuing,unseenpresenceofGodwithElijahrevealsGod’spatientpursuitofourheartsaswell.Mostofall,Hispresenceconfirmsthatwhate’erbefall,eachofusisstillHisbeloveddaughter—individuallyunique,deeplyvalued,highlyesteemed,andtreasured“abundantlyaboveall”thatwecouldeverimagine(Ephesians3:20).

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GeneralIdeasfortheProgram

ThesuggestionsinthePrayerActivitiesSectionofthispacketallcenteronthethemeofGod’spresencewithus,especiallyintimesofdiscouragement.Itisimportanttoknowwhoweare,especiallywhendepressionwantstosetin.ProgramIdeaActivity#1willleadparticipantsthroughtheprocessofdiscoveringwhotheyare.Afterpeelingbackthelayersofwhotheythinktheyare,participantswilldiscoverthesecretforknowingwhotheyreallyare.Theywillalsolearnto“act”onthissecretsoitbecomesalivingrealityintheirlives.WhenweknowwhoweareinChrist,thentheHolySpiritisfreetoleadusintoministryforthosewhoaredealingwithlife-changingchallenges.ThepurposeofProgramIdeaActivity#2istohelpattendeestobemindfulthatwhendiscouragedpeopletaketheirfocusoffofGod,Hecancontinuetopursuetheirheartsthroughus.AndthatGod-in-human-touchisoftenwhatdrawsthoseindarknessbacktothelight.Whenbrothersandsistersprayandthenworktogetherforthesalvationofsouls,theydrawclosertooneanotherinheartandspirit.TheyareactuallyansweringtheprayerChristprayedforthemintheGardenofGethsemanewhenHesaid,“...Iprayalsoforthosewhowillbelieveinmethroughtheirmessage,thatallofthemmaybeone,Father,justasyouareinmeandIaminyou...”(John17:20,21,NIV).[Notetofacilitator:remindparticipantsnottosharetoomuch,orinappropriate,information

aboutthosewhosenamestheyareplacingonachurchprayerlist.]ChurchdecorationideassupportingtheInternationalWomen’sDayofPrayeremphasisthemecouldincludeartfully-drapedsee-throughfabricsrepresentingtheveilthatseparatedtheHolyfromtheMostHolyplaceinthetemple,anincenseburner,thefaintfragranceofincenseorsomeotherappropriatefragrance.Thescentsrepresent“themeritsandintercessionofChrist,Hisperfectrighteousness,whichthroughfaithisimputedtoHispeople”asheintercedesforusintheheavenlysanctuary”(EllenG.White,PatriarchssandProphets,p.353).AChildren’sStoryhandoutcouldbeoneofthesuggesteddrawingsattheendofthispacket.Anotherchildren’sresourcewouldbetoGoogle“freeBiblecoloringpages”onlinewhereonecanfindotherartsyprayerresources.Thecoloringpagesunder“TheLord’sPrayer”atministry-to-children.com/time-to-pray-coloring-page-for-childrenaremoreethnicallydiverseindepictionofchildrenthandrawingsonsomeoftheothersites.

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SuggestedOrderofDivineService

InternationalWomen’sDayofPrayerMarch3,2018PreludePlatformparticipantsenterDoxologyInvocationOffertoryOfferingResponseOffertoryPrayerHymn:“AnywherewithJesus”[#508]ScriptureReading:Psalm103:11-14,NKJV

Forastheheavensarehighabovetheearth,SogreatisHismercytowardthosewhofearHim;

Asfarastheeastisfromthewest,SofarhasHeremovedourtransgressionsfromus.

Asafatherpitieshischildren,SotheLORDpitiesthosewhofearHim.

ForHeknowsourframe;Heremembersthatwearedust.

IntercessoryPrayerChildren’sStory:“LostintheMarket”SpecialMusicSermon:GodUnderstandsCongregationalHymn:“OLoveThatWillNotLetMeGo”[#76]Benediction

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Children’sStory

LostintheMarketWrittenbyCarolynR.Sutton[Notetostoryteller:feelfreetosubstituteaboy’snamethatwouldbemoreappropriatefor

thelocalcultureandtowhichthechildrencouldmoreeasilyrelate.]Four-year-oldNinawasshoppingwithhermother.Ninalovedtolookatthepicturesthatdecoratedthecansandboxesoffoodinthesmallneighborhoodmarket.GrandmotherwasbabysittingbabybrothertodaysoMothercouldgogroceryshoppingbeforeDaddygothomefromhisdayofteachingatthenearbyChristianschool.“Nina,dear,”saidmotherfromatthefarendofthefoodaisle,“besuretostayclosetome.Idon’twantyoutogetlost.”“OK,Mommy,”saidNina.Ninatorehergazefromtwofriendly-lookingcowsonacartonofmilk.Hershortlittlelegsreluctantlycarriedherpastboxesoffoodtohermotherwhowascheckingoffitemsonhershoppinglist.“That’sagoodgirl,”saidMothersmilingdownather.“Nowwejusthavethreemorethingstofindandputinourshoppingcart.Thenwe’llbereadytogohome.”Ninahadanidea.“Mommy,canwehaveanicecreamconetodaywhilewe’reintown?”Motherglancedatherwatchandreplied,“Ithinkwemighthaveabitofextratimetodothat—ifwedon’ttaketoolonginthestore.”“Hello,Mrs.Sanchez,”someonecalledout.Ninalookeduptoseeanolderwomanwalkingtowardthem.SheandNina’smotherhuggedeachother.“Howdelightfultoseeyouagain,Rosa!”saidMother.“Wehavereallymissedyouinourneighborhoodsinceyoumovedaway.Howhavethingsbeengoingforyou?”Astheconversationcontinued,Nina’slegsgottiredofhavingtostandsolongonthehard,coldconcretefloorofthemarket.Moreandmorepeoplewerecominginastheafternoonwasgrowinglate.Shelookedforaplacetosit.Thenshesawit!Thebottomshelfofalongdisplay

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rack.Evidentlypeoplehadpurchasedallthefoodfromthatshelfandithadnotyetbeenrestocked.Ninasatdownonthelowshelf,althoughshehadtolowerherheadsoitwouldn’tbumpthenextshelfup.AsMotherandherfriendcontinuedtotalk...andasmoreandmorepeoplewalkedby...Ninabecamebored.Shedecidedtoseewhatwasonthenextshelfup,soshecrawledoffherlowshelf.Itfeltgoodtostandupstraight!Ninaspottedapictureofahappylittlegirl,curlsbouncingandsheranthroughflowerswithaboxofsaltinherhand.ThenNinanoticedthat,withalltheidenticalboxesinarow,thereweremany,manygirlstolookat.Itlookslikelotsandlotsoftwins!thoughtNina.Iwonderhowmanythereare.IthinkI’lltrytocountthem.One,two,three,fourgirls...five,six,seven,eight,ninegirls...whatcomesafternine?Oh,look,therearethosecowsagainthatIsaw.AndoverthereIseeahappymommyonaboxofcereal.Oh...manymommiesonmanyboxes!I’llcountthemtoo.Ninawanderedfromoneaisletothenext,lookingatpictures.Seeingyetanothercutepuppyonabagofdogfood,Ninalaughedoutloudandsaid,“Mommy,lookatthatlittlepuppy!”WhenMotherdidnotanswerher,Ninalookedup.Allshecouldseewerepeoplearoundher.Peoplethatshehadneverseenbefore!Strangers!Motherwasnowhereinsight.Suddenly,agreatterrorfrozeNina.Shewasallalone!WherewasMother!Shetriedtocallforhermommy,butshecouldn’tmakeevenatinysoundwithhervoiceshewassoterrified.Shestartedtorundownanaislebutherlegsdidn’tworkright.Shebumpedintoastranger’sshoppingcart.Whenshetriedtogotheotherdirection,anotherstrangerhadrolledacartintothatsameaisle.Withoutanywarning,greatsobsexplodedfromNina’sthroat,andshefinallyfoundhervoice.“Mommy!Mommy!IwantmyMommy!”Shoppersstoppedtolookather.“Mommy,whereareyou?”Ninawasnowtremblingasshescreamed.Shehadneverfeltsoaloneorabandonedinherwholelife.Whatwouldhappentoher?Wouldthesestrangershurther?Wouldoneofthemtakeheraway?Thenthroughtheconcernedconversationaroundher,Ninaheardthesweetestsoundever.Mother’svoice!“Nina!Nina!I’vebeenlookingeverywhereforyou!”AndtherewasMother,sweepingupNinainherarms.AllthelittlegirlcoulddowasburyherheadinMother’sshoulderandsob.Whenhersobbingsubsided,shemanagedtosay,“Mommy,Ifeltallaloneinhere.Wheredidyougo?”Mommysmiledandsaid,“I’mnottheonewhowanderedaway,child.Youdid.”SuddenlyNinawasafraidthatMotherwouldpunishher.InsteadMotherhuggedheragainandsaid,“Let’snotgetseparatedagain,OK?”

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Overicecreamafewminuteslater,Mothersaid,“Nina,youtoldmethatyoufeltallaloneinthemarketwhenyoucouldn’tseeorhearme.Butyouweren’tallalonebecauseIwasinthestorelookingforyou.Nina’seyeswereonMother’sfacethoughshecontinuedlickingathervanillaicecreamcone.“Buthere’ssomethingveryimportant,”Mothercontinued,“thatyoumustalwaysremember.EvenifIhadn’tbeeninthatstorelookingforyour,youstillwerenotalone.Jesuswaswithusinthatstoretoo—justasHeiswithusrightnowaswe’reeatingthisicecream.WecanalwaystrustHimtobewithusandhearourprayerswhenwecalltoHimforhelp.Remember,Nina—youarenever,everalone.”Children,aren’tyougladthatwecantalktoJesusaboutanything?Aren’tyougladthatHeneverleavesusbyourselves?WewanttobecarefulthatweneverwanderawayfromHimeither.Let’stalktoJesusrightnow.Wouldoneofyouboysorgirlsliketoprayforallofusaswefinishthisstorytimetogether?

[Notetostoryteller:Ifnochildvolunteers,sayaspecialblessingoverthechildreninprayer

anddismissthemtoreturntotheirseats.]

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Sermon:GodUnderstands

WrittenbyChantalKlingbeilIntroductionToday,wefocusparticularlyonprayer.TheBibleisfullofexamplesofgreatandpowerfulprayersandwonderfulanswerstoprayer.Thismorning,let’stakeabrieflookatoneofthemostpowerfulprayersinhistory.Let’sturnto1Kings18.Webegininverse30.

30ThenElijahsaidtoallthepeople,“Comeneartome.”Soallthepeoplecameneartohim.AndherepairedthealtaroftheLORDthatwasbrokendown.31AndElijahtooktwelvestones,accordingtothenumberofthetribesofthesonsofJacob,towhomthewordoftheLORDhadcome,saying,“Israelshallbeyourname.”32ThenwiththestoneshebuiltanaltarinthenameoftheLORD;andhemadeatrencharoundthealtarlargeenoughtoholdtwoseahsofseed.33Andheputthewoodinorder,cutthebullinpieces,andlaiditonthewood,andsaid,“Fillfourwaterpotswithwater,andpouritontheburntsacrificeandonthewood.”34Thenhesaid,“Doitasecondtime,”andtheydiditasecondtime;andhesaid,“Doitathirdtime,”andtheydiditathirdtime.35Sothewaterranallaroundthealtar;andhealsofilledthetrenchwithwater.36Anditcametopass,atthetimeoftheofferingoftheeveningsacrifice,thatElijahtheprophetcamenearandsaid,“LORDGodofAbraham,Isaac,andIsrael,letitbeknownthisdaythatYouareGodinIsraelandIamYourservant,andthatIhavedoneallthesethingsatYourword.37Hearme,OLORD,hearme,thatthispeoplemayknowthatYouaretheLORDGod,andthatYouhaveturnedtheirheartsbacktoYouagain.”38ThenthefireoftheLORDfellandconsumedtheburntsacrifice,andthewoodandthestonesandthedust,anditlickedupthewaterthatwasinthetrench.39Nowwhenallthepeoplesawit,theyfellontheirfaces;andtheysaid,“TheLORD,HeisGod!TheLORD,HeisGod!”(NKJV)

Itwasn’taverylongprayerorparticularlyelegant,butGodheardElijah’sprayerandsentfiredownfromheaven—averyrealandveryvisibleanswertoprayer.Andthatwasnottheendofpowerfulanswerstoprayer.Inverse42ElijahagaingoestothetopofMountCarmel.Thistimehebowslowandprayssilentlyforrain,becauseIsraelhassufferedathree-yeardrought.Thistime,however,theanswertohisprayerdoesn’tcomeimmediately.Elijahmustwaitandpersist.Theprophetpraysseventimesbeforeheseesthefirstsignthathisprayerforrainhasbeenheard.Itmayonlybealittlecloudaboutthesizeofaman’shandrisingoutofthesea,butitis

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enough—Elijahknowsthathisprayerhadbeenanswered.Withinminutes,theskiesseemtoopenandthereisaheavydownpourofrain.Elijahknewaboutprayer.Heknewhowtoask,heknewhowtopersist,andheknewhowtowait.PerhapsyoutoohavehadmomentsinlifewhenyoucanidentifywithElijah.TimeswhenyouprayedforsomethingorsomeoneandyousawGodanswerinamightyandwonderfulway.Thenagain,perhapsyoustruggletoremembersomebiganswertoaprayer.Perhapsthepersonyouwereprayingfordidn’tgetbetter.Perhapsyoudidn’tgetthejob.Perhapsyouarestillchildless.PerhapswecannotallidentifywithElijah,thegreatprayerwarrior,butIthinkthat—atsometimeinourlives—wecanallidentifyourselveswithElijahafterthegreatdayonMountCarmel.OnsetofdepressionElijahwascompletelydrained,emotionallyandphysically,aftertheMountCarmelexperience.HehadalreadyfallenintoadeepsleepwhenthemessengerfromQueenJezebelfindshim.Thisrudeawakening—withadeaththreatfromthequeen—servesasthetriggerforElijah.Thetriggerforasuddendescentintoadeep,darkdepression.Sometimesadepressionstrikesquicklyafteraparticularlydrainingemotionalorphysicalevent.Atothertimes,wedon’tevennoticeithappeningbutafterweeks,months,orevenyearsofaseeminglydryspiritualtime,depressioncanslowlyandquietlytakeholdofus.Werecognizeitonlywhenittightensitsgrip.Let’sseehowElijah,thisgreatmanofGod,reacts.In1Kings19,welearnthatElijahbeginstorun.Thefirststep,whendepressionbeginstocreepin,isalwaystheinevitablerunning.Sometimesweruntotherefrigeratorandtrytoeatourselveshappyagain.Sometimeswetrytosleepouremotionalexhaustionaway.Sometimeswelookforanewrelationship,job,orlocationinourquesttorunaway.Andsometimesweburyourselvesinmorework,moredeadlines,andappointmentsaswetryhardertorunawayfromthenamelesssomethingthatisdrainingawayourjoyandhope.SoElijahruns.Herunsandheruns—longandhard!Heruns90miles(150kilometers),allthewaytoBeershebaandthenaday’sjourneybeyondthatintothedesert.Butfinally,aswithussometimes,Elijahgetstotheplacewherehejustcan’trunanymore.Hefindshisbreakingpointunderabroomtree.Nowguiltcomescrushinginonhim.HerealizesthathislackoftrustinGodhashijackedwhatcouldhavebeenagreatopportunityforreformationinIsrael.Herealizesthathehasdisappointedthosewhoneededhim.Andnowheispowerlesstodoanythingaboutit.

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It’salltoomuchforElijah.Hesays,“Ihavehadenough,”andthenthegreatprayerwarriorpraysagain.Thistimeitisaverydifferentprayer.Let’sreaditin1Kings19:4,“Buthehimselfwentaday’sjourneyintothewilderness,andcameandsatdownunderabroomtree.Andheprayedthathemightdie,andsaid,“Itisenough!Now,LORD,takemylife,forIamnobetterthanmyfathers!”Elijah,ourgreatprayerwarrior,praystodie!Heissoremorsefulabouthisfailurethatheisreadytogiveup.Canyouidentify?CanyouidentifywithElijah’sprayerofdesperation?Haveyoueverfeltlikegivingupspirituallyorevenphysically?Haveyoueverfeltthatyouhavemessedupsobadlythatthereisnopointintryingagain?Haveyoueverfeltsotired—sotrappedandoutofoptions—thatyoudidn’twanttogoon?Ifso,youareingoodcompany.Manyspiritualgiants—andevengreatprayerwarriors—havefeltthiswaytoo.Yetthereisgoodnews!GodknewjusthowtodealwithElijahandGodknowsjusthowtodealwithyou.God’sunderstandsDespitehowtheprophetfeels,Godhasnotrejectedhim.Goddoesnotcondemn.HesendsElijahanangelmessengertoshowGod’sempathy.Inverse7,themessengergentlystatesthat“thejourneyistoomuchforyou.”Goddoesn’tcondemnHisprophet,andHedoesn’tcondemnus.Heunderstandssomuchbetterthanwedowhatweareupagainst.Heunderstandswhathasbroughtustothispoint.WhenweareatourlowestGodisreallytheclosesttous.Listentothiswonderfulquote.“WemayhavenoremarkableevidenceatthetimethatthefaceofourRedeemerisbendingoverusincompassionandlove,butthisisevenso.WemaynotfeelHisvisibletouch,butHishandisuponusinloveandpityingtenderness”(EllenG.White,StepstoChrist,pp.96,97).Godalsodoesmorethanjustempathize.Heprovidespracticalshort-termhelp.InElijah’scasethisistheheavenlymessengerpreparing“acakeofbreadbakedoverhotcoals,andajarofwater”(v.6).Godwillalsoprovidehelpformeandyou.Thehelpcouldbeafriend,acounselor,orafamilymember—someonewhosewordsandactionsshowyouthatGodcaresaboutyou.Godalsoprovidesrest.HeknowsthatalltherunninghasmadeElijahtired.Godalsoknowsthatmorethanbeingphysicallytired,hisprophetisemotionallytiredandcarryingatremendousloadofguilt.GodwipestheslatecleanandprovidesrestforElijah—hecanfinallyreallysleepandberefreshed.

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WhenwetrulyacceptthatGodhasforgivenusandthatwedon’thavetodragaroundaloadofguilt—forGodhasliftedit,wecanbegintofindrest.HealingtakestimeEvenafterangelfood,Elijahisn’tinstantlybacktonormal.Godremembersthatweare“dust”(Psalm103:14,NKJV).Hedoesnotrushhealing.GodgivesElijahtimetorecover.Recoverytakestime.WeneedthosequietmomentsalonewithGod.WeneedtimewithHisWord.WeneedtotakethetimetospeaktoGodevenif,indoingso,wedon’tfeelimmediatechangesforthebetter.Godunderstandsthatlifeinthissinfulworldcanandwillcausedepression.Heunderstandsourimpulsetorunfromitspain.YetHewantstoredirectourrunning.Insteadofourrunningtoself-destructivecopingmechanisms,GodwantsustoruntoHim.Andthere,inHispresence,HewantstoteachustolistenforHis“gentlewhisper”(v.12,NIV).TherestofthestoryButlet’sgobacktoElijah.Heisstillunderhisbroomtree.Fromverse6,welearnthatElijaheatsangelfoodandthengoesbacktosleep.Howlonghesleepswedon’tknow.Thentheangelawakenshimandserveshimyetanothermeal.Thistimesomethingspecialhappens.“AndtheangeloftheLORDcamebackthesecondtime,andtouchedhim,andsaid,“Ariseandeat,becausethejourneyistoogreatforyou.”8Sohearose,andateanddrank;andhewentinthestrengthofthatfoodfortydaysandfortynightsasfarasHoreb,themountainofGod”(vv.7,8,NKJV).ElijahhadnoenergytolifthimselfupandmakethejourneytomeetGod.Whenthemomentwasright,however,itwasGodthatprovidedtheenergyforthiscrucialmeeting.WhenElijaharrivedathisdivineappointmentplacehestillhadtopatientlywaitandrelearnwhatprayerisallabout.Godisn’talwaysinthebigevents.Hedoesn’talwaysprovidespectacularanswerstoourprayers.Therewon’talwaysbeabrightflashandfirerainingdownfromheaven.AsElijahwaited,“agreatandstrongwindtoreintothemountainsandbroketherocksinpiecesbeforetheLORD,buttheLORDwasnotinthewind;andafterthewindanearthquake,buttheLORDwasnotintheearthquake;12andaftertheearthquakeafire,buttheLORDwasnotinthefire;andafterthefireastillsmallvoice”(vv.11,12,NKJV).Andthisiswhatallprayerwarriorsmustlearntotunetheirearstohear—thatstillsmallvoice.AsElijahlayunderhisbroomtreeandwishedtodie,hetrulybelievedthathisbestdayswereover.Godsawthingsdifferently.HeknewthatbetterdayslayaheadforElijah.Therewerestillkingstobeanointedandapropheticsuccessortobechosen.GodalreadyknewaboutElisha,thesuccessor,whowouldbecomeasclosetoElijahasason.Godknewthat,infaith,Elijah

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wouldagaincalldownfirefromheaven.ForElijahtherewouldbenodesperatedeathunderabroomtreebutratherafierychariotridetoheaven—andwithoutexperiencingdeath.Yetletusrememberthis.

“ItisatthetimeofgreatestweaknessthatSatanassailsthesoulwiththefiercesttemptations.ItwasthusthathehopedtoprevailovertheSonofGod;forbythispolicyhehasgainedmanyvictoriesoverman....SowithElijah....“Andsoitistoday.Whenweareencompassedwithdoubt,perplexedbycircumstances,orafflictedbypovertyordistress,SatanseekstoshakeourconfidenceinJehovah.ItisthenthathearraysbeforeusourmistakesandtemptsustodistrustGod,toquestionHislove.HehopestodiscouragethesoulandbreakourholdonGod....“Despondencymayshakethemostheroicfaithandweakenthemoststeadfastwill.ButGodunderstands,andHestillpitiesandloves.Hereadsthemotivesandthepurposesoftheheart.Towaitpatiently,totrustwheneverythinglooksdark,isthelesson[we]needtolearn.Heavenwillnotfail[us]in[our]dayofadversity.Nothingisapparentlymorehelpless,yetreallymoreinvincible,thanthesoulthatfeelsitsnothingnessandrelieswhollyonGod”(EllenG.White,ProphetsandKings,pp.174,175).

Whereareyoutoday?IfyouareElijahonMountCarmelcallingfiredownfromheaven,praisetheLord!Butpleaseremembertherewon’talwaysbemountaintopexperiences.Don’tlosethesoundofGod’sstillsmallvoice.IfyouareElijahrunningawayordoingthingsthatyouknowdon’tsolvetheunderlyingproblems,orElijahlyingunderabroomtreefeelinglikeafailure,thereishope.Godseesthingsdifferently.Godunderstands.Godwantstofreeyoufromguilt.Hewantstoworkthroughotherstoprovidepracticalhelpforyou.AndHewillnotfailtogiveyoutheenergytomeetwithHimagain.Yourbestdaysareyettocomeasyoulistento,andfollow,thatstillSmallVoice.GodunderstandsandHeisreadytoblessyoutoday.Areyouready?

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BulletinIdeas

PrayerRequestTear-offSlipTocoordinatewiththetheme,plantodedicatesomespaceinthebulletinforpeopletowriteintheirprayerneeds—especiallytheirprayersofintercession,bothforthemselvesandforothers.Youcanputthis“prayerspace”atthebottomofabulletinpagesoitcanbedetachedeasily.PerhapstheWomen’sMinistriesleadercouldstandupinfrontbeforethecongregationalprayerandinvitethepetitionerstocomeforwardandputtheirprayerrequestsinheropenBible.Shecouldassurethecongregationthatthechurch’sWomen’sMinistries(andPrayerMinistries,ifapplicable)willdailyliftupeachrequestforthenextmonth.PrayerQuotesElijahwasamanwithanaturelikeours,andheprayedearnestlythatitwouldnotrain;anditdidnotrainonthelandforthreeyearsandsixmonths.(James5:17,NKJV).ItcametopassthatJesusalsowasbaptized;andwhileHeprayed,theheavenwasopened(Luke3:21,NKJV).AndtheLORDrestoredJob’slosseswhenheprayedforhisfriends.Indeed,theLORDgaveJobtwiceasmuchashehadbefore(Job42:10,NKJV).God’splansarebiggerthanyourmistakes.Prayforwisdomandnewdirection.*PrayerchangeseverythingbecauseitreleasesGod’swisdomintoyourcircumstances.Ichoosenottobeaproductofmycircumstances.Ichoosetobeaproductofmyprayers.Godisbiggerthanmycircumstances.DearGod,helpmetohavewordsthatareupliftingandencouragingtoothers.Ifwedonotallowprayertodrivesinoutofourlives,thensinwilldriveprayoutofourlives.Prayeristhekeythatunlocksdoors.Goddoesnotalwaysmovebasedonneed;Hemovesbasedonprayer.Moldme.Shapeme.Changeme—untilIamlikeYou,Lord.Godisneverblindtotears,deaftoprayers,orsilenttopain.Hesees,hears,anddelivers.Lord,helpmedailyseekyourwisdom,yourwill,andyourstrength.

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God’sdelaysaren’tnecessarilyGod’sdenials.Sorrowlooksback.Worrylooksaround.Faithlooksup.Thechurchmaybecomposedofthosewhoarepooranduneducated;butiftheyhavelearnedofChristthescienceofprayer,thechurchwillhavepowertomovethearmofOmnipotence(EllenG.White,SignsoftheTimes,September11,1893). UnceasingprayeristheunbrokenunionofthesoulwithGod,sothatlifefromGodflowsintoourlife;andfromourlife,purityandholinessflowbacktoGod(EllenG.White,StepstoChrist,98).TheLordhasheardmysupplication;TheLordwillreceivemyprayer(Psalm6:9,NKJV).Wewillgiveourselvescontinuallytoprayerandtotheministryoftheword(Acts6:4,NKJV).*AllquotationsnotfromtheBibleorthewritingsofEllenG.WhitearefromPositivePrayers.comandsdadivinelerts.com.

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Children’sStoryhandoutoptions

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Activity#1:WhoAmI?

WrittenbyChantalKlingbeilMaterialsneeded:amirrorlargeenoughforeveryonetosee,twosheetsofpaperforeachparticipant,andwritingimplementsforthosewhodon’thaveanyWelcomeGoodafternoon/evening.Welcometothe“WhoAmI?”seminar.Beforewebegin,let’saskthattheHolySpiritbeinourmidstaswediscussthisveryimportanttopic.OpeningPrayerWarm-upactivityLet’sdoalittlewarm-upactivityaswebegin.Iamgoingtogiveyouthreeminutestojotdownonasheetofpapertheanswertothisquestion.Iseveryonereadytoanswerthequestion?Good!Allright,hereisthequestion:“WhoamI?”Pleaseanswerthisquestionascompletelyaspossible.“WhoamI?”

[Allowthreeminutesforactivity]Nowthatyouhaveansweredthequestion,“WhoamI?”hereiswhatIwouldlikeforyoutodonext.Iwillgoslowlyandgiveyouenoughtimetofollowthedirections.First,crossoutyourname.Second,crossoffanyreferencetonationality,placeororigin,orlocation(suchas,“I’mfromCanada”or“Ihavelivedhereallmylife.”Or,I’moriginallyfromLondon)Third,crossoffanyreferencetofunctionsorworkyoudo(suchas,“Iworkatadaycarecenter”or“I’manofficeassistant,”or“I’mastay-at-homemom)Fourth,crossoffanyreferencetoajob,profession,orrelationship(suchas,I’manuclearscientistor“I’mamom/aunt/grandmother”or“I’msingle)Nowlookcloselyatyoursheetofpaper.Whatisleftofyouridentity?Ihopeyou’renothavinganidentitycrisis!Sometimes,even,whenwepassthroughdifferentseasonsofourlives,wearechallengedtolookagainatwhoweare.Doyourememberyouradolescenceyears?Someofusmighthavealreadygonethroughourmid-lifecrisis.Whatabouttheemptynestsyndrome?Andretirementcanprecipitateanidentitycrisis.

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DangersduringidentitycrisesWhenwegofromoneseasonorperiodinourlivestoanother,wecanbecomevulnerable.Itisalltooeasytoloseourselvesbecausewearenolongeroperatinginourpreviousrolesorresponsibilities.Howdowereacttotheseidentitycrises?Well,someindividualsworkthemselvestothepointofburnoutinanattempttoproveorre-establishtheirworth.Othersmayhavebecomesoattachedtotheirrolesthattheyrefusetochangethemforfearthattheywillnolongerhavevalue.Somepeoplerefusetoretirebecausetheiridentityissowrappedupintheirprofessionallifeorjobthattheyfearnothavinganidentityoutsideofthatvenue.Otherdangersexistwhenwearetransitioningthroughlife’s“identitycrises.”Whenwearesuddenlynotsureofwhoweareanymore,wemay...

• LosesightofGod• Loseourmostimportantfamilyrelationship• Loseourselveseven

Otherdangersmayfromnotreallyknowingwhowearecanresultinbehavioralchanges.Wemaybecomefrustratedanddisillusioned.Andwhatatragedyifweenteroursenioryearswithconfusionaboutourtrueidentity!Godwantsustobejoyfulandproductiveinourlateryears.InPsalm92:13,14,wereadthat“ThosewhoareplantedinthehouseoftheLORDshallflourishinthecourtsofourGod.Theyshallstillbearfruitinoldage;Theyshallbefreshandflourishing”(NKJV). Ifwearen’tsureifwe’replantedinthe“houseoftheLORD,”werunsomeotherdangers:

• Wemaybecomestrangerstoourchildren.• Wemayliveparallellivesasspouses.• Wemaybegintoask,“WhoamI?WhathaveIdonewithmylife?WhatamIdoingwith

itnow?”BiblicaladviceIfanyofusisgoingthroughanyoneoftheseidentitycrisisseasonsinourlives,Godhassomesoundadviceforus.WefinditinaprayerfromthePsalms:“Soteachustonumberourdays,thatwemaygainaheartofwisdom”(Psalm90:12,NKJV).Truewisdombeginswiththeknowledgeofwhowereallyare.Itisveryimportanttounderstandthatwearenotaroleandwearenotafunction.Wearesomuchmore—wearebeingscreatedbytheMasteroftheuniverse.Infact,wewerecreatedinHisimage!

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CasestudyLet’stakeafewminutestolookatacasestudy.Letmestartbyaskingyoutoimaginesomething.

• Imaginebeingabelovedandevenspoiledchild.[Notetofacilitator:Pausebrieflytogiveparticipantsamomenttothink]

• Nowimaginehowitwouldfeeltobeaslave.• Nowimaginehowitwouldfeeltobetheobjectofnotjustsexualdesirebut

inappropriatesexualdesire.• Finally,imaginehowitwouldfeeltobetheprimeministerofthemostpowerfulcountry

oftheworld.Someoneactuallydidlivethroughalloftheseveryconflictingrolesandidentities.HisnamewasJoseph.Let’stakeamomentnowtoreadabouttherolesandcrisesthroughwhichhehadtonegotiate.

• Firstofall,inGenesis37:2-5• Nowlet’sreadGenesis37:23-28.• NowGenesis39:1,7-11,20• Finally,Genesis41:39-43

Howonearthcouldhe—oranyone—havesurvivedallthedramaticidentityandrolechangesthatJosephdid?Here’sabitofinsightfromtheSpiritofProphecy.Joseph’ssurvivalsecretwasthathemadeadecisionatthebeginningofhisunexpectedandtraumaticjourneytoEgyptafterhisbrotherssoldhimtoslavetraders.EllenG.Whitewrote,[Joseph’s]soulthrilledwiththehighresolvetoprovehimselftruetoGod—underallcircumstancestoactasbecameasubjectoftheKingofheaven.HewouldservetheLordwithundividedheart;hewouldmeetthetrialsofhislotwithfortitudeandperformeverydutywithfidelity”(EllenG.White,PatriarchsandProphets,p.214).JosephgrewinhiscommitmenttoGod.Actingas“asubjectoftheKingofheaven,”Josephsuccessfullypassedfromone“identity”tothenext.TheJoseph(thebelovedandspoiledchild)whowassoldinCanaanwasnotthesameyoungmanofspiritualfortitudewhoreplied,“HowcanIdothis?”totheopensexualinvitationofPotiphar’swife.LivingasasubjectoftheKingofheaven,Josephresponded,“HowthencanIdothisgreatwickedness,andsinagainstGod?”(Genesis39:9,NKJV,italicssupplied).TheSpiritofProphecysharesthat“IfweweretocherishanhabitualimpressionthatGodseesandhearsallthatwedoandsayandkeepsafaithfulrecordofourwordsandactions,andthat

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wemustmeetitall,wewouldfeartosin”(PatriarchsandProphets,p.217).Inotherwords,weshouldpracticethepresenceofGodinoureverydaylives.ApplyingthesurvivalsecrettoourowncrisesSohowcanthisconcept,practicingthepresenceofGod,helpmetoknowwhoweare?Wecanpersonallyaffirmthefollowingtruthsinourlives,using“I”statements.SinceIhavechosentobeachildofGod,IbelongtoHim,nevermindthefunctionoridentityrolethatIamcurrentlylivingout.Atanygiventime,Icanpersonally“claim”thedivineloveofGod—JesusdiedformepersonallyChrist’sloveformeisnotsomethingthathappenedalongtimeago.Itisfreshandneweveryday.TheapostlePaulwrite,“Iaffirm,bytheboastinginwhichIhaveinChristJesusourLord,Idiedaily”(1Corinthians15:31,NKJV).Furthermore,wecankeepthreespiritualrealitiesfirmlyinmind,againphrasingthemin“I”statementswhereappropriate.“Therearefewwhorealizetheinfluenceofthelittlethingsoflifeuponthedevelopmentofcharacter.Nothingwithwhichwehavetodoisreallysmall.Thevariedcircumstancesthatwemeetdaybydayaredesignedtotestourfaithfulnessandtoqualifyusforgreatertrusts”(PatriarchsandProphets,222,223).Iwillpayattentiontothedetailsinmylife.EverymorningthatIlookatmyselfinthemirror,Icanhavetheassurancethatmysinsofyesterdayhavebeenforgivenbecause“mylifeishiddenwithChristinGod”(Colossians3:3,NKJV).IhavevaluebecauseIamachildofGod.

[Notetofacilitator:Atthispoint,youmightwanttoactuallymodelthesetruth-empoweredbehaviorsfortheattendeesoraskforvolunteers.

Holdupamirrorandaffirmsomeofthemainpointsdiscussed.Forexample,youcouldreferencesomeorallofthefollowing:

• ThedetailsinmylifeareimportanttoGod.• Iammorethanjustsomelittleoldlady/singlemom/disabledwidow.• IammorethanjustwhatIdotomakealivingorraisechildrenorcarefirmyelderly

parents.• IamabeautifuldaughterofGod.IamawarethatHeiswithmeandwantsmeto

“claim”Hisloveforme.Knowingthismakesmecourageous.• NowIdon’thavetobeafraidofmyworkloadorofwhatothersmightsayaboutme.

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• IwascreatedintheimageofGodforcompanionshipwithHim.• WhenIdiedailyandamhiddeninHimthroughouttheday,IamconfidentthatHewill

guidemystepsanddecision-making.”DearMirror(closingactivity)Beforewecloseourseminar,I’dliketorequestthatyoudoonemoreactivity.Onyoursecondsheetofpaper,Iamaskingyoutowritealettertoyourselftotapeorhangonyourmirrorathome.Thinkingaboutwhatyouhavelearnedhereinourtimetogether,IwouldlikeforyoutowritedownwhoyoureallyareinGod’ssight.Ijustdidalittlemodelingofthatforyou.Nowitisyourturntostartwiththewords,“DearMirror,Iam....”Wewilltakeaboutfiveminutesforyoutostartonthis.However,Iamsurethatwhenyougethome—andasyouspendtimewithGodthroughouttheday—youwillbeabletoaddtothisletter.Let’sdosomeletter-writingnowforafewminutes.

[Allowfiveminutesforwrittenactivity]

[Notetofacilitator:Ifthereistimeattheendoftheactivityanditseemsappropriate,youmightaskforsomevolunteerstoreadwhattheywroteasthismayhelpothersbetterprocesswhotheyareinChrist.

Besuretoaffirmthemwhereveryoucan.]ClosingIwanttothankyoufortakingtimetoparticipateinthisseminar.Myprayeristhat,asaresultofourtimetogether,youhaveaclearerpictureofwhoyouareinChrist.Wehavepeeledawaythelayersofwhowethoughtwewereanddiscovered—throughJoseph’sstory—thesecretforknowingwhowereallyare.Goingforward,let’scontinuetoencourageoneanothertoapplyJoseph’ssecretforsuccessfullifetransitionsinourownlives.AndletusalwaysrememberGodneverleavesusalonetomakethejourneyhome.Heisalwaysbyoursides.MayGodstrengthenandgiveyoucourage.MayyoualwayswalkintheassuranceandpeaceofknowingwhoyouareinHim.Godblessyou.Closingprayer

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Activity#2:PrayerfortheDiscouraged

WrittenbyCarolynR.SuttonSongServiceScriptureReading“Confessyourtrespassestooneanother,andprayforoneanother,thatyoumaybehealed.Theeffective,ferventprayerofarighteousmanavailsmuch.James5:16(NKJV)OpeningPrayerWelcomeandProgramIntroductionProgramfacilitator:Goodafternoon/evening.Thepurposeofourgatheringistocometogetherasabodyofbelieversand,rightnow,asintercessors.Manypeoplethatweknowarestrugglingwithdepressionanddarknessintheirhearts.Oftentheyopenlymasqueitbylonghoursofworkorsuchafullpersonalschedulethatnotimeisleftforthinkingabouttheirissues.Otherssecretlymasquefull-blowndepressionbygivingintoaddictivebehaviorswhetherthatbemisuseofmedication,overeating,bingetelevisionviewing,orsleepingawaymuchoftheirdays.Itiseasyforthoseofuswhoareenjoyingourcurrentlifeseasonstowonderwhy“they”justcan’t“snapoutit.”Orwequietlyjudgethem,thinkingtheyjust“don’thaveenoughfaith.”Yetchronicdiscouragementanddepressioncanhaverootsinlifeexperiencesandstrugglesofwhichweknownothingabout.OnlyGodcantrulyunderstandaperson’spainbecause“theLORDdoesnotseeasmansees;formanlooksattheoutwardappearance,buttheLORDlooksattheheart”(1Samuel16:7,NKJV). Onewoman’sjourneyWhendespondencyordepressionhasovercomesomeoneweknow,Godcallustoreachouttothem.WhenadepressedpersoncannotseeGodatworkinherlife,shecanstillseeoursmilesofacceptanceandempathy.Shecanfeelourhugsandanswerourquestion,“HowcanIhelp?”WhenonestrugglinginpainbeginstoseeGodinus,shecaneventuallyseeGodinherlifeonceagain.AsIreadyouthisbrieftestimonybyEricaJones,soontobepublishedintheupcoming2019GeneralConferenceWomen’sMinistriesdevotionalbook,thinkaboutsomeoneyouknowwhoisgoingthroughadepressingperiodinlife.PrayerfullylistentoErica’sstory,“ALightintheDarkness,”andaskGodhowyoumightbestshowHislovetoyourfriend.

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EricabeginsherstorybyquotingJohn8:12.“WhenJesusspokeagaintothepeople,hesaid,‘Iamthelightoftheworld.Whoeverfollowsmewillneverwalkindarkness,butwillhavethelightoflife’”(NIV).Ericawrites...

“Thinkaboutthedarkestplaceyou’veeverbeen.Spelunkinginacave?Divinginthedeepocean?Hidinginacloset?Asachild,darknessisoftenassociatedwithbeingfrightened—weareafraidofwhatwecannotsee.Aswematureintoadulthood,darknessoftenbecomeslessaboutourenvironmentandmoreaboutourinnerself.“Twoyearsago,Ifoundmyselfindarkness—notinacaveoracloset—butinastateofbeing.Ihadbeenstrugglingwithanxietyandpanicattackswithoutevenknowingit.Ihavealwaysbeenahappy,upbeatpersonwhohandlesstresswell.Unbeknownsttome,Iwasstrugglingwithadisorderandcopingbyignoringthesymptoms.“Asmyanxietygrewandmypanicattackshappenedmorefrequently,Islowlyslippedintotheabyssofdepression.Tomyfriendsandfamily,Iseemedlikeacompletelychangedperson—thejoyinmyhearthaddisappearedandtheyfelthelplessasnothingtheydidbroughtcomforttome.Inthoseweeks,Itrulyfeltasiflifewouldneverbethesame.IdesperatelyhopedthatIwouldfeelhappinessagain.“Coveredinadarkcloud,IfinallyconfessedtoafriendthatIcouldn’tfindthewordstopray.Shegentlyplacedherhandonmyarmandassuredme,‘Godunderstands.Youhavefriendsandfamilywhoarecontinuallyprayingforyou.’IthankGodforhearingandansweringthoseprayersofpetition.WhenIcouldn’tfindmyvoice,Heheardtheirsand,Ibelieve,thesilentprayersofmyheart.“Overthecourseofseveralweeks,thedarkcloudbegantoliftandIslowlybegantofeellikemyselfagain.Myprayerswereoftenshortandconversational:‘Ican’tdothiswithoutYou.Walkwithmetoday.“AndHedid.Thecloudspartedandthesunshonethrough.“IamforevergratefulfortheprayersofthosewhoaskedformyhealingwhenIcouldnotandformyFatherwhoseloveformeshonelikealightinatimeofdarkness.”

Thisisaverycourageoustestimonyandatestamenttothepowerofprayer.However,thisauthorisnotaloneinhavinggonethroughatimeofdarknessinherlife.Someofuscanprobablyrelatetoherexperience.EllenWhitewrote,“Intotheexperienceofalltherecometimesofkeendisappointmentandutterdiscouragement—dayswhensorrowistheportion...;dayswhentroublesharassthesoul,tilldeathseemspreferabletolife....CouldweatsuchtimesdiscernwithspiritualinsightthemeaningofGod’sprovidencesweshouldseeangelsseekingtosaveusfromourselves,strivingtoplantourfeetuponthefoundationmorefirmthantheeverlastinghills”(EllenG.White,ProphetsandKings,162).

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AndoneofthemostimportantwaysGodseekstosaveindividualsfromtheirdepressionandlossoffocusonHimisthroughus—whenwereachoutwiththoughtfulnessandkindwords.TheBibletellsusthat“Pleasantwordsarelikeahoneycomb,Sweetnesstothesoulandhealthtothebones”(Proverbs16:24,NKJV).Anotherversionputsitlikethis:“Graciouswordsare...healingtothebones”(NIV).Whomdoyouneedtophoneore-mailorvisit?Whoneedstohearyoureassurethemthatthattheyarestill“belovedofGod”(Romans1:7,NKJV)?WhoneedstoberemindedthatGodpromisesinRomans8:28touseallthingsforgood—evenpain,loss,andboutsofdeepdiscouragement.GodwaswithJoseph,andHeiswithyouandme.Accordingtothispromise,Goddoesn’twasteanyofourlifeexperiences—eventhepainfulandchallengingones.Hehasaredemptiveuseforthem,andHelongstoredeemusfromourdespondency.HewantstoremindusthatweareHischildren.OurjoyandourvaluelieinourrelationshipwithHim—becauseofHisgreatsacrificial—andever-present—loveforus.SmallgroupprayerAtthistimewewilldivideupintosmallgroupsforaseasonofprayer.Inparticular,wewilllifeupthosewhoaregoingthroughdifficulttimesandwhoneedtoberemindedofGod’sgreatloveforthemandpurposefortheirlives.Despitedivorce,illness,chemicalimbalance,changingseasons/fortunesinlife,emptynestsyndrome,excessivecaregivingorstress.Iwillsignaltheendofourcorporateprayertimewithabriefpublicprayer.

Closingsong “ToGodBetheGlory,GreatThingsHeHathDone”Benediction

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