Prayer of Encouragement, Voices of Youths, 2022

The Prayer of Encouragement for 5 February

Deacon Arlene Burton offers the Prayer of Encouragement for 5 February 2021 for our country, businesses, frontline and other workers.

 My Brothers, Sisters and Friends, I pray that you are well. If not, please send us your prayer request through our website. You know, we give God thanks for His love, His goodness, His mercies. It is a privilege to be His adopted child, to share in His kingdom. 

We serve an awesome God! He delivers even though we may only experience this according to His way and timing. Nonetheless, He walks the journey of life with us. He becomes strength to those who receive it. He becomes a banner to those who lean on Him. God fills those who draw close to Him. He is awesome! Hallelujah! May the one and only true God endow you with His power, cover you with His mercy and fill you with love.

Brethren and Friends, I felt that there is a need to continue talking about perseverance. I have gotten to the point on a number of occasions where I concluded that life can get rough and at times it does not seem to give us a break. I learn to become quiet and try to understand what God is doing or saying. You may know that my car was in an accident. The insurance company has done a complete write off because it is not economical to repair the vehicle. Yep, that is what happened.

The insurance company gave me the option to buy the remains and receive an adjusted compensation or a fuller adjusted compensation. I opted for the latter after consultation in prayer and assessing the advice of others. I went to the bank that had a lien on the vehicle. They also had the original title which would indicate that they had a lien on it. 

I went and requested the title so that the lien could be removed and a new title issued for submission with other documents to the insurance company. I wrote to the Bank and they requested my documentation. So I emailed the copies. I did not hear anything further from them after a couple of days so I wrote asking for an update. They told me that they misplaced the title. Oh yes, that is exactly what I was told. It was misplaced.

When a motor vehicle title is misplaced or lost, you go through a painful, long-awaited experience. The Bank has agreed to pay for the replacement and reports. They also provided me with letters to take to the relevant authorities. I went to the Tax Office to ensure that they collected the title. I received a slip of paper with the date and the name of the Bank that collected it. The Bank collected it! One more thing, in the letters that I got from the Bank, they referred to me as the “Bearer.”

My next stop was to join the main (long) line at the Tax Office and pay for the police report. Then I had to go to the Police Station with the receipt. I submitted the letter addressed to the Police, the Certificate of Fitness, Registration Certificate, Insurance Certificate and my driver’s license. The Police completed a report, a ready format, signed and stamped it.

My next stop was back to the Tax Office to complete a replacement form and submit the relevant documents along with the police report. I was in a line which went by a numbering system. The numbering was at 37 and my number was 51. Most of the time no one seemed to be working in that area or maybe they were working behind the scene. I do not know. I know it was a long wait. The purpose of that wait was for them to check to see if I have all the relevant documents.

I eventually got served. At the end I was told…that…I must go join the main line to pay for the replacement and…it will be processed between six to eight weeks. I am not joking! I mean six to eight weeks. So I asked the person if there is a way of expediting the process. I was advised to write a letter and explain my situation, and they will call me when it is ready. I asked if THEY would call ME. The person said they have my number. I wrote the letter, made the payment and left.

I have not said a word to the Bank, I am not sure that it is a good idea for me to do so. Someone told me that I should write to them and voice my disappointment and let them give me a car to drive. I have gone through the process of praying for strength and calmness of spirit and surrendered it to God. I mean surrendered it. God has not given me the go-ahead to say anything as yet. I am not sure what is in me and if what is in me can be put in writing. Therefore, I am asking God to ensure that what is in me is pleasing to Him. If that is not the case, He is to get me to that place. I remain silent.

If perseverance is doing its work in me, then I must have hope that it is taking me to a higher place. I will benefit from this experience and not lose. I remind us about what James said. He said “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV). James is telling the Brethren that the work that is being done through the tests is not in vain. It gives rise to or bears fruit. We should be joyful for what we are going to receive having been tested.

After James spoke, it felt like Peter gave a tap on the shoulder and said; “…If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:13, NIV). Peter seemed more inclined towards the Christian suffering because we bear the name of Christ but I am of the view that such a warning is necessary for any kind of suffering that we face. We have to be mindful of the way we respond and the reason for our sufferings. Even in the midst of our suffering, we must not lose hope, faith nor our integrity. 

You know, the tension downtown resulted in a smaller crowd at the Tax Office. Also, I was the only person at the police station when I went. They took their sweet time but I give God thanks. I give God thanks for renewing the right spirit within me as I take this journey. I thank Him for strength, provision, protection and peace. Also, I am required to return the car that I currently use but I am really thankful for the time I have it. Thank you, Lord.

I pray that you will be encouraged to persist in the midst of trials and tests as you face these unusual times, knowing that the fires of life will not burn you up and the waters of life will not drown you. May you feel the presence of God in all you say and do.

What say you?

As you meditate, let us pray:

Our Father, we praise and honour You. Although our paths may get rocky, You are still in control. We thank You for providing, protecting and guiding us. We thank You for the air that we breathe, for the strength that You give and the peace that causes us to live with a sound mind.   

Most Holy God, we come in the name of Jesus Christ asking that You search our hearts and test our thoughts. See if there are any wicked ways in us, forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Out of the depths of the earth Lord, we cry unto You. Hear our cry O Lord and attend unto our prayers as we intercede on behalf of our families, churches, communities, government, political directorate and the private sector. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, we ask that You have mercy on our leaders in every sphere of life. Cause it that our hearts and minds turn to You. Grant us the courage to make the right decisions though they may not be popular. Grant us also the compassion, resources and wisdom to act in the best interest of those whom we serve. Give us the strength to persevere, and peace that transcends through our hearts and minds. Also, grant us creative minds and the boldness to operate outside of a boxed-in mentality and framework. Therefore Lord, cause us to seek You with all of our hearts for answers and directions.

Lord, we lift up our local leaders in particular; leaders of churches and associations and related institutions, the Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, Minister of Health and Wellness, Christopher Tufton, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Nigel Clarke, health workers and support staff, Minister of Education, Youth and the Environment, Fayval Williams; Minister of National Security, Horace Chang and his team, Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, and the leader of the opposition Mark Golding and his team. We also remember the judges in our congregation, Paula Blake Powell and Grace Henry McKenzie.

Lord, we also present to You the business leaders in our congregation:

Ewan and Maxine Oliver; Lanna and Desmond Bennett; Warrick Bogle, Carol and Leroy Blake, Marcia Leair, Robert and Bevelin Smith, Paulette Dixon, Kemorine and Karl Henry, Ava Comrie, Catherine Barkley and husband, Cornel Richards and family, Everton Lewis, Pauline and Mark Garvey, Brother Astley Hall, Maxine and Benedict Ranger, Melva Knight, Nicole Fender, Sharon Baldie, Karl Jones and others.

Lord, we lift up to You the leaders of criminal activities, schemes, resources, support personnel and ask that You nullify and confuse their efforts and sap their energy. Also, cause it that indisputable evidence is held and used against them.  Lord, we also ask that You provide comfort and strength for the family of the lady recently gunned down in the church. We pray for the perpetrators, that You turn their hearts to you. Heal our brokenness as a country and grant us the spirit to forgive those who hurt and carry out all manner of evil against us. Lord, let not evil overpower us but rescue and deliver us. Hear O Lord and have mercy.

Lord, we ask for your continued protection and provision for us as a country. Cause it that as a people we act wisely, act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You, especially as it relates to the Covid-19 Virus. O God, have mercy on us. Lord, there are so many persons on the frontline and those made vulnerable because a family member has the Virus. Help, Lord. Grant wisdom, knowledge, compassion, the relevant resources and strength to them.  

We also pray for the frontline workers connected with GMC: Medical Doctors: Asana Anderson Wilks and Rohan Wilks, Kahlete Falloon, Tina Kong, Vernon Jones, Leighton Logan; Esther Reynolds (final year medical student). Dentists: doing emergency cases; Jhenelle Black, Dania Jones, Eleanor Reynolds; Pharmacists: Sandra Bucknor-Jones, Viveen Watson; other doctors and nurses from GMC or in connection with members and adherents of GMC who are working on the frontline (for example Dr Richard Reynolds) and their families.

Lord, remember those who are emotionally and physically hurting. Fill them with the oil of gladness and put a coat of praise over them. Lord, identify and heal the specific area, system or organ in the body that is hurting or operating in an irregular fashion at this time. Lord, send forth your word, your power and heal right now we ask, in the name of Jesus Christ we pray, with thanksgiving.

Amen.  


Our Prayers of Encouragement are for everyone. Therefore, if you are also in need of prayer or comfort, please contact us with your request. We would be so very happy to share with you.

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