Attendees: Blanca, Diane, Donna, and Gioconda
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Many of the women who have attended the retreat say that sending their kids off to college in the US is one of the hardest sacrifices they make in being cross-cultural workers. It is a time of difficult transitions for the entire family. Parenting these kids long-distance is a real challenge. This can quickly feel negative. Lord, we ask for Your comfort when anxieties overwhelm them. Guard their minds with Your truth and may they have Your strength to reject lies with which Satan would like to paralyze them. We ask for consistent and honest communication. Please provide healthy relationships and an intimate wholistic journey in Jesus for each of these young adults.
As mothers, free the women from anxiety about their adult kids so they can have peace. Reaffirm to them that You are greater than anything they face. Help them not to blame themselves for things that go wrong in their kids’ lives. Redeem parental mistakes and release them from guilt. Help them forgive their kids for things they’ve done that hurt or disappoint them. Help them forgive anyone who has hurt their kids in any way. Give them faith to believe and patience to wait for the answers. Their heart’s desire is that each one walk intimately with Jesus.
We lift up Bolivia to You today, Lord. They are just beginning to experience democracy and freedom. These benefits are only now reaching the Amerindian majority that has long been mired in poverty, exploited, and politically marginalized. We pray for courage and moral integrity for the national leaders as they grapple with the economic inequalities and social ills of society, including the cocaine ‘industry’. (About 50% of the world’s cocaine is grown in Bolivia.) We pray that the Bolivian Christians may live holy, exemplary lives as they seek to bring change for the good of their land. We pray for the believers that have compromised their faith; give them strength to overcome this stronghold in their lives. We also pray for those who have stood against the pressure and are impoverished as a result. Please, O God, meet their physical and emotional needs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
©2015 Thrive.