Special Requests

I haven't gathered up the prayer requests for this month and posted them yet, so I'm going to offer them up this way for a change. There are two new ones, one for a single mom and one for us.

• I received an e-mail from a mom tonight that due to an injury and work hours being cut back she is short on her rent this month by a few hundred dollars. She's raising her two kids on her own and for the three (about) years she's been single, she's done really well providing for them. Please pray for God's provision and that when I follow up with her she will hear only her Abba loving her. There is a former mutual church associate I'm also considering contacting that may know of a way to assist her, but I'm praying for God's wisdom on whether to proceed or not.
• For our family, we're seeking direction for the future. It is becoming clear with each passing month that to continue renting at our current location is not financially feasible. We're seeking God's wisdom that I know He will provide. We pray He'll lead us to where He wants us to be and that the transition will go well for the kids. Our current lease isn't up until February, so we have some time before decisions have to be made. But we're feeling the pinch as it tightens more and more so we're completely open to whatever and wherever He leads us.

One praise:

• Mom of 4 received first child support check from her ex and she and the kids are adjusting well to their move to Florida.

For the First Time

I occasionally receive comments to blog posts from people I do not know and will probably never meet this side of Heaven. The diversity of the lifestyles by these readers thrills me to no end! It is absolutely one of my deepest joys to know that God used His words through me to speak to someone's heart.

Tonight, I've had a first though...a prayer request from an anonymous reader. I don't normally post requests from someone I do not know or with whom I've not at least had some e-mail or other correspondence. I did publish the request to the post that the comment was made, but I have a feeling the person that took the time to ask, probably wanted to know that others would be offering up the request too.

After first hesitating to repost it, my subsequent thought was...who am I to judge if someone needs prayer...then someone needs prayer. After all, that's why we're here isn't it? So although I don't know the author by anything other than their blogger moniker of Rocky2, here is their request and I do praise God that someone felt comfortable enough to ask.

"Praying for you all. Here is my request. Lord bless. A Christian minister with a broken heart asks for prayer for his only child - a wayward daughter on the West Coast of the US who's been living with an older man. On Sep. 24th she is having surgery to save her life from what appears to be cancer. PLEASE PLEASE pray that Jolene will survive and finally be drawn to Jesus! (The same minister has an aneurysm near his heart that needs a healing miracle.)"

Abba-

You amaze me at how Your Spirit leads us to one another when we need it. And right now, I pray for the one whose heart desires what is best for Jolene. Jolene needs you...desperately! She needs your healing touch...first for her soul and then, also her body. We know it is Your will than none would perish and I confidently claim that we know You are drawing Jolene to You. The minister who is parent to Jolene sounds burdened beyond their own strength. I praise You that they do not have to carry this burden at all. I thank You that they can heave it into Your open arms. Lord, the minister needs healing as well...of body and heart. We know You are capable of all these things we ask. I also pray Lord that over the coming days Your Holy Spirit will remind me of Jolene and her parent. I pray that when You bring them to mind I will once again call upon You confidently on their behalf. I am humbled and awed at the opportunity to pray for them and I pray for the faithfulness to do so when You ask. I love You Lord and I am thrilled to be Your child. I pray that same relationship and even more for Jolene.

All praise, honor and glory to You alone! Amen!

Prayer Requests and Updates

Here's the link to our Prayer Requests and Needs Page

Thank you for continuing to pray for those who often feel like they have no voice. Every need represents a mom, her children and those with whom she comes in contact every day. The ripples of your prayers do have eternal effect. I am humbled by what God does when His people pray.

Amen!

Special Requests for a Mom We Know

Sometimes God blesses us with an opportunity to be His hands and feet for someone that has carried a heavy load down a road they never dreamed they'd trod and it's been so long that the end seems out of reach. I know a mom in the midst of battles on many fronts. I do not know her well, but I've seen enough to know she gracefully, faithfully serves others without much thought for herself...and right now, she needs you...the brother or sister who shares her faith in Jesus to intercede for her. When God brings this mom of four to mind, would you please pray as His Spirit leads you?

I always attempt to be as anonymous as possible and although this lady has given me permission to share her requests, some of what I post may hint at who she is. If you know her, love her or even are fortunate enough to call her friend...if the Holy Spirit leads you to do something for her...by all means obey Him. But I am asking that unless He directs you to the contrary...please give anonymously and out of love. I can confidently share that she will be grateful and thankful to the One who led you to give. She will also be blessed to have you first and foremost call upon our God's assistance on her behalf.

• Thinking that her divorce would be finalized today, she discovered that only a motion to file for the final date was being submitted. She had to rearrange work schedules, etc. to accommodate a trial that did not take place.
• She needs the divorce to finalize so that access to financial assistance from her ex will be available to her. She has severe financial difficulties that need taken care of soon.
• She has never pursued child support for her oldest child, but is in desperate need of it now. Please pray that the process toward receiving the support will be swift.
• She has recently put her youngest three children in public school for the first time, and they have adjusted well from being home schooled. Although, they have been having some bouts of illness which the doctor has forewarned may occur often this first year in school.
• Mom has returned to school as well and had to miss class today to stay home with the sick children. She's excited to be in school working toward a degree, but juggling work, school, the kid's homework, daily life and her volunteer schedule leaves little time for her to unwind. Moms need downtime to be rejuvenated, refueled and find direction and love from their Abba.
• Because she's returned to school, she interested in finding a laptop. Cost is the prohibitive factor. She currently only has a desktop PC in an open space shared with the family. For example, this makes it difficult to complete a test she'll miss this Tuesday that the professor has graciously agreed to post online. Taking a test with three elementary aged kids running around is not ideal. Any leads on discounted refurbished laptops would be great.
• Finally, and most urgently, on Tuesday between 9 and noon (EDT), please pray for her ex's sentencing hearing. This has been a long, arduous, bitter road but God has been faithful to provide her with peace, confidence, wisdom and love. Please pray that she will feel a special outpouring of His Holy Spirit. She will have to testify against her spouse and will be with him in the same room for the first time in over a year. Mom is also praying that the sentence to be served will be long enough to protect her young children until they reach adulthood. Pray she will allow God's Spirit to remind her that she is only responsible for speaking the truth and not how her ex or his family may respond to it.

Thank you, prayer warrior! Even as you've read over this list, I am confident that God's Spirit has been interceding on behalf of this family. When our words fail...He speaks for us with groans and utterances we cannot express. (see Romans 8:26)

Amen!

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Updates

Here's the link to our beginning/end of month Prayer Requests and Updates

If you would ever like to join us as a Prayer Partner for Boundless Ministries, send me an e-mail with "Prayer Partner" in the subject line. Prayer Partners are an integral part of all we do.

Pleading for the Widow

Here it is as promised in the previous post (see Isaiah 1) my conviction to "plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). This is the list God was already laying on my heart before I even read this verse. And the image above is one I found online. It's an artist's interpretation of Jesus pleading...somehow I think it's appropriate since I know He lives to intercede for us before the Father and I know His Holy Spirit prays for us with words and groans that we cannot even express when we don't know how to pray. (see Romans 8:25-27) Please don't just read over this list...please plead to your Abba on behalf of these ladies who most often would never plead to us on their own behalf. Ask Him to lead you in how you should pray for each.

• Mom of one has court date 7/31 where she will most likely discover she will be receiving less child support. 
• Mom of one has begun looking for new apartment in the Florence, Burlington or Hebron areas. She needs rent to be $600 a month or less. Current lease is up in October.
• Mom of four has final court date for her divorce on 8/10. She and her children are moving to Florida 8/12. She needs peace from the stress and strain too.
• Our neighbor, a mom of two who has been unable to find a teaching position because she holds her master's degree and her boyfriend will probably lose his job with a small airline this fall.
• Mom of one has been feeling empty and bears heavy load of caring for her mother who has dementia also.
• Mom of one lost her usual summer part time job and has been experiencing financial difficulties as a result.
• Mom of three is getting married and moving to Wisconsin from the Northern Kentucky area.
• Mom of two moved to Arizona recently. Pray for them during this transitional time of adjustment.
• Mom of three experiencing financial strain has started a home-based business and looks for opportunities to earn money from home.
• Mom of one may be going back to school. Pray for wisdom about financial aid and college choices.
• Mom of three has experienced difficulty with son and his emotional strain. Pray for them as they head into the next school year.
• Mom of five, four still at home, has had several rocky years as she has attempted to leave an abusive and controlling husband, find her own employment (which she now has) and begin life without being dependent on her ex.
• Mom of four has had a difficult year and a half. She is self-employed and has previous asked for prayer regarding the finalization of her divorce and her ex-husband's plea bargaining process.
• Mom of one is expecting and has a rocky relationship with her boyfriend.
• Mom of a newborn, just born last week, needs physical recovery and rest. She will need much assistance in the days to come.
• Mom of four is expecting a child this fall. She has expressed a need for some baby furniture.
• Mom of two in Indiana is having severe financial difficulties and she cannot find a job in her chosen profession.
• Mom that is new to homeschooling will need peace as she juggles home, work and schooling responsibilities.
• Mom of three in Indiana has expressed concern over health issues recently.
• Mom in Indiana has son receiving college interest for playing basketball as he heads into his senior year. Pray for wisdom and God's leading.
• Mom of two lost her son through a violent act last year and as expected still grieves his loss.
• Nine other moms that we have loose affiliations with that are at varying places in their journey. Some still have children at home, but are also grandmothers or have children at the age where they're getting married. 
• All of the moms we know at one time or another have had custody or support disputes and regular issues with security...either financial, emotional or even physical.

Thank you for pleading for the widows of our society...the single moms and their families. Ask God to reveal to you the women in your life and circle of influence that also need someone to plead for them.

Amen!

Bi-monthly Update for Prayer Requests and Needs

Here's the link to the Page for our Prayer Requests and Needs.

Thank you for praying for Boundless Ministries and the single moms we know or whose requests are passed on to us. I continue to be astounded at how amazing God is and how He puts things all together for our good and His glory.

If you'd ever like to become a Prayer Partner and receive bi-monthly e-mails with the link to the Prayer Request Page, just send me an e-mail at a.barthauer@gmail.com with "Prayer Partner" in the subject box.

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Needs

Here's the latest update to the Prayer Requests and Needs. Please also click on The Families We Know Page and pray for each mom and her children.

As always, if you'd like to become a Prayer Partner for Boundless Ministries, you can either e-mail me at a.barthauer@gmail.com or comment to this post and request to be added to the bi-monthly e-mail. Our Prayer Partners are absolutely vital to anything that God does through Boundless Ministries. From the beginning, we believed we would see Him do amazing things that would leave us speechless when His people call upon His name and believe that He can still do wonders in our world!

Amen!

Special Concerns

Since God is always faithful to lead, guide, protect and bless when we pray...I'm asking for some additional prayer on behalf of some women I know. You can see some of these on the Prayer Requests and Needs Page, but I'm going to put this additional "plug" in (for lack of a better word) because it just seems to be abundantly overwhelming for each of them, and I know they'll appreciate knowing that others are interceding for them.

All four women are either in a custody battle, finalizing divorce and custody issues or seeking back child support. And just in case you weren't already aware, although I'm certain most people are, the stress of fighting, the pain of abandonment, the fear of loss and the depression of uncertainty do not cease the day that a marriage or relationship dissolves. Unfortunately, for many single moms their ex-partner will often return...sometimes many years later...with a new, fresh round of "let's see how much I can mess up your life now". Obviously, not only are the feelings I've mentioned above those that are experienced by mothers...their children understand all too well the grief also.

So please...as God's Holy Spirit faithfully reminds you to pray for these ladies...I additionally ask that you pray that when this latest battle is over...it will have been the last!

1. Mom of 2 has trial May 31st. Ex is seeking full custody.
2. Mom of 4 is concerned about ex's intentions regarding custody when divorce is finalized later this summer. He is attempting to still control her choices regarding working and educating the kids. His motivation does not appear to be his concern for the children.
3. Mom of 1 has court date in June. Ex is attempting to pay less in back support stating that she doesn't need as much as he is responsible for paying.
4. And the last one, I don't have many details, but this I know: Mom of 1 in very stressful position of caring for mother, has her ex seeking to take away increasing amounts of time with her child. She has already lost significantly in an effort to protect her child from the fighting, but the ex continues to demand more and more.

I do not know all of these ladies well, but a few of them I do. I can attest that none of them are verbally or physically abusive to their children and each of them has done a marvelous job raising their children mostly alone. No good mother deserves the threat of having her children taken away and none should ever have to wonder if she'll receive the time or financial support she deserves just because she can't afford an expensive lawyer.  I support a man's right to be with his children also. I will never support someone that just wants to be a bully. I'm just a little rebellious that way I guess.

Please pray!

Thank you.

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Needs

Please click on the Prayer Requests and Needs Page to find the latest updates to a few of the recent requests.

Archived November 2011 Prayer Requests

11/14/11: In the process toward filing for non-profit, tax-exempt status for Boundless Ministries, there are a few forms to file and fees to pay. We are so thankful for the accountants that sat down with us to explain the process and who took personal time to research the information. Please pray for us to follow God's leading on the timing for when to file (the fee could change soon). We also have to trust His Provision for this fee. There are also a few details regarding the setup of the "board" that we are seeking His wisdom. We know He will lead and guide and pray for our openness and obedience to Him!

11/9/11: Mom of 4 needs several car repairs for which she has no funds. Please pray for God's provision in His perfect timing. Also please pray that her car will not have any major malfunctions before the repairs/maintanence can be completed. 11/13/11: Mom received a very large gift that covered her car repairs! God be praised!

11/9/11: Mom of 1 is starting a new business which can be financially draining at times. She also has a rental home in which the occupants are behind in their rent. Please pray for the Holy Spirit's wisdom and discernment as she works through both situations. She wants to do the right thing by her tenants who do take good care of the property, but it is reaching a point where a decision will soon need to be made.

11/7/11: Expectant mom has been put on bedrest due to high blood pressure. Pray this doesn't develop into pre-eclampsia and that the baby arrives healthy closer to her due date of November 30th! 11/13/11 Update: Baby is still not here, but Mom has been in and out of hospital for the last week. Please continue to pray for her health and the baby's!

11/3/11: Mom of 3 is four credit hours short of completing her Associates Degree and she has exhausted all government grant money for it. At this point, she will either have to come up with the money on her own to complete her degree. Please pray that God's will be done. If she is to complete her degree, please pray that God will miraculously provide the money or show her how to obtain the funds herself. 11/5/11: I don't have all of the details for this yet, but Mom found out her college is giving her an extension to complete her degree! Wow! What a God we serve!

11/1/11: Single expectant mom has been sent home from work until the delivery of her baby. Her due date is 11/30/11 so she is still over 4 weeks away. But the baby is showing signs of being near delivery so the doctor has told her to stop work and rest. Please pray that the baby stays put until her lungs have had time to develop and she can be delivered healthy and strong. Also, the additional financial burden of not working is ill-timed for the struggles this mom is currently facing. Please pray for God's provision throughout the next few weeks.11/7/11: See updated request for this day.

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Updates

Here's the latest update to the Prayer Request Page
Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for the single moms we know that this ministry that attempts to serve them in the name of Jesus.
Amen!

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests

There have been some updates to the Prayer Request Page and this is the latest.

Please be in prayer for the moms that are facing custody and final divorce proceedings. They need peace, wisdom and above all to experience an overwhelming confidence that God's Presence is near!

Thanks for praying...it does make a difference.

Bi-monthly (mostly!) Prayer Requests and Updates

You'll find the latest on our Prayer Request Page. Things have been a little slow lately, due in large part to my feeling out of touch with many of the moms we know because I have been working between 20-35 hours a week. But tax season will soon be over and has already slowed down, so an additional request is that we'll be able to fall back into what's "normal" for us very soon.

As always, thank you for partnering with us in this ministry through prayer and petition on behalf of those often overlooked in our culture...the single moms who courageously face each day serving and sacrificing for their families. If you'd ever like to join this ministry as a Prayer Partner and receive bi-monthly updates and prayer requests through e-mail, please send an e-mail to me at a.barthauer@gmail.com with "Prayer Partner" in the subject line. I fervently believe that the most productive work any of us can do on behalf of single moms and their families is to pray for them confidently and boldly in the name of Jesus. Please consider joining us in this amazing act of service.

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests

February is underway and I am swamped by 1040's! But here's the latest updates to the Prayer Requests and Needs Page.

Urgent Need for New Housing Options

A mom of 3 is in immediate need of new housing options. Please pray for God to lead and guide the process and to make the transition smooth for her children. This is not her desire, but her landlord is giving her no option. Please pray that affordable housing becomes available soon.

Is God to Blame?

What an amazing book! I finished it a few days ago, and I'm still processing all that I learned. I previously posted about it (see Resignation vs. Revolt) so I won't repeat anything from that post. But what I was drawn to now more than at any other time in my life was Boyd's teaching on prayer.

When we adopt the warfare worldview over the blueprint worldview that most of us have been fed, we realize just how important...how vital...how urgent our prayers are. After all, when there are evil forces that are contending with God's agents and free will of choice is on the line...your prayers really do matter.

And just a few moments ago, I reread through a post from August when God's Holy Spirit spoke to my heart that He set up Boundless Ministries the way that He did because when all I can do is pray...He receives the most glory because there's no other explanation. In the past this made me feel like "There's Not Much I Can Do"... but since reading Boyd's book and being reminded of the blessing...the gift of interceding for others...I'm sensing the urgency to pray more...and more...and more.

I no longer think of this as "not much", rather, I'm beginning to see it as mighty work...an opportunity to participate in God's divine work on earth...that's a privilege I am amazed to have!
Amen!

Mentioned in this post:

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests

Here's the latest updated Prayer Requests for Boundless Ministries and the single moms we know.

If you'd ever like to become a Prayer Partner for Boundless Ministries, just send me an e-mail at a.barthauer@gmail.com with "Prayer Partner" in the subject line. We e-mail reminders twice monthly and the occasional urgent request will be sent out in addition to these.

From the beginning of the Holy Spirit laying this ministry upon my heart, I knew prayer was going to be the single most important part of what we do. Our Prayer Partners share in our journey...they just happen to journey on their knees! If you'd like to be a part of this amazing ride in any way, we'd love to hear from you!

Angela

Special Prayer Request

If you've been reading this blog very long, you know that most months we post an update to prayer requests for single moms and this ministry on the Prayer Requests and Needs Page on the right side. We do this bi-monthly. But today, I want to preempt my standard practice and ask for a little extra prayer for a friend of mine.

As of today, a lady I know with three boys that call her "Mom" is nearing the end of her educational journey. She has only 17 days left and these will be some of the most pressure-cooked and stressful ones to date. Add to this the normal ups and downs of being a single mom and some additional financial burdens and you can imagine the stress levels she's dealing with.

Please pray for God's unexplainable peace in the midst of the storm and that all of the preparation and study she has done over these many months will give her confidence and assurance that she is right where God has placed her for this time. Pray that she'll actually have occasion to enjoy these last days and revel in the journey that God has brought her through. Also, please beseech God to provide for her financial worries during this time...that's one burden she just doesn't need to carry right now.

Thanks prayer warriors! Your prayers do make a difference!

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests

I am a little late getting these posted because I wanted everyone to have an opportunity to submit their updates and requests that could. The holidays slow things down a little as far as replies, etc. Nonetheless, here they are...and as always, God continues to be faithful!

Praying God's best for you in 2012!

Prayer Requests and Needs

If you would ever like to become a Prayer Partner for Boundless Ministries, just send an e-mail to a.barthauer@gmail.com with "Prayer Partner" in the subject line. The requests are e-mailed twice monthly usually close to mid- and end-month.