Dear Family,

I have not posted for at least 3 months and I miss all of you.I need your prayers.I have been struggling with some uncertain things, that have surfaced in my marriage. God knows the details. My wife and I need to really focused on God. We are trying to start personal ministry and then we are planning marriage counselling also. May all of you pray from your heart as you are led. Thank you Steve for always being there for me. This message board has been a true blessing.

Thank You for your prayers in advance.

Dear John, sooooo very good to hear your voice While your current situation may seem uncertain, we can be sure that our God will work everything together for our good. If you have been struggling, it will prepare you for ministry to others who are struggling. Everything is a Victory for those who are in Christ Jesus! My prayer for you today is this: Father God, we bring John and his sweet wife to you, today, asking for Your grace to abound in their home. You know the stresses when the children are small; and when money is tight. You have promised to supply and to bear them up in Your arms; and, to never leave them alone or forsaken. So, Father, we ask You to overwhelm John with Your love today; and, intervene in his behalf in a most definite way. Grant that his marriage may be strengthened through their current difficulties and may come out as pure gold, refined in Your fire, united with You. We worship You and praise Your mighty Name. We thank You in advance for we know You both hear and answer our prayers. Trustworthy is our God!

Soteria,

While I miss your words. I just read your prayer and my heart felt your spirit. Thank you for always being their for my family and all the message board members and guess. You keep interceding for God and all things will be as well for you. Praise God for your faithfulness.

Keep praying for us John, Lorena, Evan 4 1/2, Joshua, 2 yrs 10months, Ryan 10 months old.

Lord, I lift up my family to you right now. I bind every scheme from Satan and I break every root that my wife and I are carrying. My we die to our flesh today and everyday so we can raise our family as God's ordaines us to. In Christ! I stand in agreement with your prayer.

Thank you my sister in Christ!

Dear John,

I have read your request, and I felt terribly sad, I've got difficulties in my marriage as well, I have prayed that both your marriage and mine gets restored, but then continues along side Jesus, I believe now that that is the only way a marriage will survive, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Kind regards

Carl Van Der Westhuizen

John - I'm proud of you for making your request known! This was an important step.

Heavenly Father, I lift up John and Lorena to You. I pray that You will draw them close and cover them with Your arms of protection and love. Grant them an extra measure of patience, wisdom and grace during this difficult time. I pray that You would keep the enemy from gaining even the slightest victory in this marriage. Let their testimony ring out and bring You glory for many years to come! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!!

John, my beloved brother,

How I have missed you greatly. You have been such a tremendous encouragement to me in the past.

As I read over the posts and draw from my own personal experience, one who helped me through, know that these situations and trials are to indeed help mold you and prepare you for the next phase of your ministry.

The road that both you and your wife chose to walk is a hard, narrow and difficult road. But a road that leads to many benefits not only to you both but to the countless others that God will place in your path to minister to.

One of the great things that God has shown me is that my life is to be a life that is full of His great love, compassion and mercy. I believe that He is growing these things in the both of you right now. Teaching you both how to draw even closer to Him in all you say and do.

As difficult as it may seem, impossible to do, or unrealistic to comprehend, God is challenging both you and your wife to count it all joy for these divers trials and situations as they truly are perfecting a work of endurance and patience in you so that you may exercise His grace to others in situations.

John, my heart is with you my brother. Know that I love you, your wife and family. Thank you again for being there for me when I need someone to listen, care and pray. It my priviledge to help you to the degree I can John.

Daddy,

Right now I lift to You my brother John, his wife and family to You. Father, John is in need right now. You know the need and that is sufficient. Lord, right now I come interceding on behalf of John and his family. Lord I ask that you release to them a garrison of angles for protection. Help them guard their hearts and minds keeping only those things that are good, lovely, pure and of a good report there. Lord may your tender mercy, compassion and love penetrate the hearts of this family and may they be drawn even closer to You as they walk through this time together.

Give them Your grace Father, to accept, embrace and grow from the issues that have surfaced and olet them embrace truth that enables them to grow and be able to minister to others in even greater ways.

Thank you Lord, for my brother John. I know You love him deeply. Please let him feel and know that love like never before. He needs a touch from You Daddy.

Thanks Father for hearing my cry and for loving us all so very deeply.

In Your the name for Your precious son Jesus,
Amen

I love you my brother. Please keep me posted and know that you are in my prayers.

Howie

Hullo, That is very noble of you and one thing i know about God is that he sees the desires of our hearts and judges our motives. Iam so persuaded that he is happy with the direction you've taken and he'll surely see you through it all,i believe it wont be long before you give a testimony, just stick to him and hang in there

John, I am standing in agreement with you in prayer for your marriage. I am believing that God will give you the strength to work through things.
Kim S.

John,

You are loved by all and have been extremely missed. My prayers will be with you each day as the Lord reveals Himself faithful to bring hope and encouragement, compassion and wisdom. What has become a challenge to your marriage, I pray will become one of the greatest blessings that will strengthen and hold your marriage together. May your hearts be softened to listen to Him. He knows the pain in your hearts and understands your deepest needs. May He comfort you with the love of a Father, the beauty of his care and the power that is within Him to make all things possible. May He raise your marriage up to be a living testimony.

NAU Isaiah 61:2-3 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord ...; To comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Bless you,

Chelki

Most Gracious and precious god I ask that you touch my brother and his marriage right now. Lord, please touch them right now with yuor loving arms. Lord we love out and we need you to intervene right now.

Amen

Thank You Lord for all the kindred prayers. I knew all I had to do is to listen to my spirit and ask my family here on the board to lift me up in prayer. It is so encouraging to know all of you take the time to intercede for your brothers and sisters in Christ. My wife saw every prayer and was touched. She also went to a conference this last weekend called Women of destiny. She said it was so awesome and she was in major prayer sessions all weekend. She came back glowing. One of the ladys that invited Lori said God spoke to her heart and said to invite my wife. This was a devine appointment for my wife. Praise God for sending her and allowing her to be redeemed, santified and cleansed.

May the Lord strenghten our hearts, minds and our relationship for his service and glory.

Keep praying for us!

God has everything in control.

John,

You are an awesome man of God and I am standing in the gap with you and your family. I too was away for a while and I am so glad that the two of us are back. If you are like me, I draw my strength from the Lord through the GDW family.

Please remember that God loves you and so do we.

All my love

John
I have been away from the message board too for a short while. I'm glad to see that you are back. I am trying to cath up on some of these posts and prayer requests but will start with yours. I will be praying for you and your wife. I will especially pray that your faith will not fail but you will use these problems to learn any lessons and draw closer to God and learn more than ever. May you both persevere and become stronger. you have been faithful to be there and pray for us here on the board. Be encouraged that we are praying fervently for you now. You shall reap from all the good that you have sown.

John, how are you guys doing? Terri

Dear John,

I too have been away from the board for a long time, and it is good to be back.

I stand in agreement with you and everyone praying for you, your wife and family. Father we come against all evil forces that Satan will bring against this family of yours and prayer for your arms to surrend them and protect them physically, mentally, spriritually and emotional. I pray that you will give them insight into the root of the problem and that you guide them to deal with whatever they need to to draw closer to you and each other. I thank you for the desire in their heart to serve you and to further you kingdom with their ministry, bless them Father and fill them with JOY, and let them just see your image in each other and the things that are causing problems no longer be a issue. Praise you Father.

John, love conquers all, just soak yourself in the Fathers love and let that love help you deal with issues that are a thorn in your flesh.

God Bless and God will richly bless you and your family for your faithfulness.

God Bless
Venessa
Durban, South Africa

Vanessa! What a joy to "hear your voice". So glad to know you too are praying. <3 lots, Terri

To all my family,

God has been doing his works in our relationship, by allowing us to learn on the issues that were at bay. We understand that we are as one but needed to communicate on our emotional needs. It is much easier to handle our burdens when you have Jesus in your heart. MY WIFE & I UNDERSTAND EACHOTHER MORE AND PRAY DAILY. We also spend more quality time alone. God is helping us see things more clear. Praise God for all the ones that pray for us daily. The Lord wants us to work together as a team, so we can raise our children, and train them the Lord's way. We are willing to make this work. In Jesus Name! Amen!

Thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13
Love
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails.13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

May the Lord continue to break the root of our problems and restore us for his works while still on Earth.

I love all of you!!!!

Please pray for my marriage. My hubby is having adultery. He is staying with the other woman now. It has been more than a year. Though he and I attend church service on every sunday but he still don't repent. We have 2 kids, they are now 3 years and 2 years respectively. I just accepted Christ in November 2004. I've been praying for my restoration of marriage but I still can't see any changes in my hubby. He don't feel guilty or bad towards us.I need your advise. Thanks. God bless you.

Jasaval,

I really had to change my ways,realizing how much I needed to communicate more with my wife.I forgave her,God knows the details.I told her I am in this marriage FOREVER. I have been in major prayer and in tune with God's spirit EVER SINCE WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS.Remember GOD KNOWS YOUR HEART AND HE WANTS YOU TO COME TO HIM. Father God you are above all things and no problem is too big for you. May you comfort your child while she seeks help.Heavenly Lord you know the situation and I ask for you to break this man so he can be restored.We can only pray that God enters this mans heart. He has to want to seek God and let go of his evil desires. God can change any one who is willing to submit them selfs with all of their heart.

You made the right step of giving your self to the Lord. Praise God!. You have to grow in the Lord daily and pray for God's direction in your life. He has a plan for your life. Your husband has a choice and I pray it is a choose that God would be the one guiding.

I will be in prayer for your well being and God's word regarding marriage. In Jesus Name! Amen!

I will be in prayer for you.

Thanks alot! Yes, I know God gives us choice to chhose. May I know if my hubby chhoses to live in that adultery ,is it mean that Goa will let him be? Therefore, I have to keep on praying for him or will never change at all? I dun want to divorce or seperate him. What should I do now? Why my prayer not answer? Is it that any hindrance?

Praise God, John! I am soooo very happy to hear what God is doing in your life. You are in my prayers. Ter

Dear John,
Reading your posts and the replies of others brought much encouragement to me. This is the temptation I myself am in the midst of struggling with. It seems the closer I press into ministry, the stronger the temptations.
I do not want to sin. My heart is truly desiring the Lords will, yet, the loneliness I've felt for such a long time in my marriage seems to be getting satisfied by this "other" person.
Even as I write, my mind knows this is only deceit and a lie from Satan. Only God can satisfy the lonely heart. Only God can heal my marriage. Nothing this other person has to offer can satisfy my longing. Only destruction. I know that, yet my flesh is still drawn....
Thank you for your transparency...

John -

How are you my brother? I just read your recent post and am praising God with you for the continuing restoration of your marriage. I am so very thankful to God for honoring your and your wife's prayers. It has been a true encouragement to me my friend.

I praise God too for both of your deteriniming and perservering spirits...for continuing to presson through to the high calling that is indeed in Christ Jesus. What you are walking through is not an easy thing but with Him in the center of all of it, you both will continue to be able to stand firm during this storm. It will result in your continual growth, strength and power that can only come through Him.

It has been 21 months since my marriage fell apart and I am still working through some things. It is incredible just how devastating divorce can be...it is no wonder God hates it so. But all I know to do is to trust in Him with my whole heart and not lean on my own understanding. It has been and is still a hard journey, but I truly take comfort in the fact that I do not walk the path alone. And I truly am encouraged when I see that God does work in the midst of these trials, but it takes all three to make it work.

God has truly changed my heart and is transforming my attitude towards all people and the way I am to walk with them. It has been incredible!!! Will have to share more with you later concerning this.

Anyway, God is awesome! He mighty and He is saving your marriage! Praise God, I am doing well! Things are truly moving in a positive direction and according to His plan.

Take care John and everyone. Will make a post soon to update and hopefully catch up with so many of you all. Know that I love you all and you are in my prayers.

Howie

It is hard to believe but I am almost finished with my first year at Circleville Bible College!!! God has truly blessed me with remarkable profs and classmates. He is teaching me so very much and I praise Him that I continue to grow in fatih and stature.

God has opened several ministry opportunities. Am actively developing an Altar Ministry Team at my church; have been invited by one of my profs to be on their leadership team as we lead their congregation through a reexaminination and personal growth series followed by a corporate refocusing ministry and finally God has blessed me with the opportunity to work with another church in a similar capacity. It is really awesome and I am so very thankful for God affording me these opportunities to be of service to Him and His people.

John, I have been away from the board as well. I hope all is much better....Father, in Jesus name, be glorified in this situation. Help us to remember that the devil is a liar. Help us to know
and rely on You and not our own understanding...Please lead,direct and guide their
path....may their children grow up in the fear and
the knowledge of the Lord through this witness and
growth....
Amen and Amen!

Jasval,

Sorry for the late response. If your husband is willing to go to the Lord and repent with all his heart asking you also for forgiveness, then it will be time for God to break him for the well being of his life. He has to understand God's principle regarding marriage. We have to stand against the desires of our flesh. The Lord knows your heart but he doesn't want you to be a door mat either. Satan will try to plant evil ideas in our minds; no matter how rigtheous we are. We have the authority to hold our thoughts captive and cast them out in the name of Jesus. In Genesis Chapter 39; It talks about when Joesph was confronted with this kind of problem. His Master Potiphar, placed him in charge of his house and his possessions while away on business. Photiphar's wife began to lust after Joesph, and then one day she asked him to "lie with me " Gen 39:7. Joseph could have followed his flesh an said I better do what may Masters Wife says. But Joseph knew this was nothing more than lust, and he put it right out of his mind. Joesph says " How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God. 39:9. Joseph Realized that lust was not simply a sin against both the husband and wife but against God. If you continue to read the story it gets more intense but Joseph continued to flee from temptation. The Lord was with him even after he got sent to prison.
We have to be like Joesph for the sake of our marriages and life here on earth.

May the Lord minister to your husbands heart and release him from bondage. May he open the eyes of his heart and allow for God to cleanse him and restore him. I pray that things change for the sake of your marriage and your well being.

Are you going to a local church? Do you have counsling at your church our around your area.

I will also keep you in prayer so God can search your heart and keep you from all evil. May he restore you for his service and glory! Amen!

Soteria, Diane, Howard & Lori,

Thank you all for your post's. I have been writing to my wife everyday with scriptures, words of encouragement, and love for the last 8 months. The Lord has me also praying with her in the morning, mid day and Evening for the sake of our relationship with God,our marriage,and our children. My wife and I know that Satan will test are morals and then try to destroy us.An Author once wrote a book talking about How to avoid the offense. He said Christ teaches us to resist Satan every step of the way. First, we can avoid situations that might get us into trouble. Second, we can avoid temptation by keeping our thoughts where they ought to be. The Prophet Isaiah said, You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.Isaiah 26:3 Every time satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he turned His thoughts to Scripture. Jesus use the Word of God to deal with satan. Third, we can resist temptation by applying God's word and put our lives in the eternal perspective. We need to think about the eternal consequences of what we are doing.

Diane,

I hope this helps.

My wife and I are spending more time with God and each other for his service and glory.

It is a learning and growing process but it is worth at the end.

I fix my eyes on the Lord and ask him to guide my eyes and heart so I may be example to my wife and children.

God Bless you all!!!!!!

Dear Message Board,

Please pray that I learn to be patient with my wife. I'm still healing but I become more hurt when I don't get the affection I need. I also have a hard time with rejection but God has really made an impact on her and her ways. The most important thing is she forgave herself then asked for forgiveness from the Lord and I. (God Knows the details). I realize now we have much to learn about ourselves. We need to be patient with each other, and allow God to teach us to trust him with our relat