I'm
sitting here in my room listening to one of the songs that I listen to on the
taxi ride to Patong every night [where we do our bar ministry]. I play this
song over and over, declaring the freedom
that these women [prostitutes] have in Christ Jesus. I truly believe God will
set them free.
Only one word in the beginning
Only one truth will prevail
Only one love brings a freedom
Only one man took the nails
And I'm singing to the God who brings redemption to the nations
Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise
And I'm singing to the God who wrote the book on our
salvation
To the one who covers me in grace
I'm singing praise
Praise to the Savior
Praise to the Lamb of God
Praise in all of His splendor
Praise for saving my life
I
decided not to go out to the bars tonight. It has been a really rough few days.
We met a lady last night who is in a terrible, terrible situation right now - one
that has completely shattered my heart. The things I found out last night just
broke me. I instantly carried the burdens and the weight that she must feel in
the situation that she is currently in. I want to scream. I feel trapped. I
feel helpless. We are definitely in a battle right now.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in this heavenly realm." ~ Ephesians 6:12
Because
of the extreme and dangerous situation she is in, I am not allowed to give her
name, tell the story or state ANY information related to this situation. I have
been up praying since yesterday and I am exhausted. I felt the extreme need to
post a blog to have all of my prayer warriors back home praying and interceding
on this woman's behalf. I wish I could explain how URGENT and important prayer
for this lady is right now. It is crucial. Critical. Life depending.
I have
been an emotional wreck. I have never ever felt a burden or weight this heavy
in my life. I cannot even begin to imagine how she must feel. I cannot stop
crying. I cannot stop praying. I can pray for hours and then I just can't pray
anymore. I get to a point where I feel numb. I feel nothing. The hope that I had
starts to vanish. It is a major battle. However, my team has been nothing but
prayer warriors and we have been speaking truth over each other and this
situation. We know that God has everything under control. He perfectly
orchestrated this entire situation. He allowed us to meet her and to intercede
on her behalf. PRAISE HIM! How GOOD He is. I try to hold on to the joy and the
hope that God gives me, but I still seem to feel nothing but pain and deep deep
sorrow at the moment. However, there is a cry deep in my heart and I know that
I must release the anguish and agony that is tearing me up inside. My flesh is
holding on to the pain as my spirit is fighting to hold on to the faith, hope
and trust that I have in Jesus Christ. I must stand firm.
"Therefore put on the full
armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." ~ Ephesians 6:13]
I choose
to bow down to God in awe and in praise and worship because He creates beauty
from ashes. He loves this lady and feels more for her than I ever will. He is
sovereign. He is holy. I surrender my self and my flesh to Him once again...knowing
that His will will be done.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed
me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness
for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of
vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who
grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil
of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of
despair." ~ Isaiah 61:1-3
okay will do. I'll keep this lady in prayer and continue to have you in prayer as well Steph.
2Posted by Denise Drake on 5/12/2009 1:20:05 PM
Remember Steph God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and LOVE and of a SOUND MIND. I rejoice with you that God has brought you and your team to this woman to point her to the truth and to have the chance to find freedom, for freedom is a person, our dear Lord Jesus. Whatever happens with our physical bodies, it is only our souls that are eternal. We will pray for her SALVATION and then pray that God would grant her the opportunity to be used as a testimony to His power and glory. Praying for you sweetheart. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might putting on the full armor of God that you may do battle for those who are in bondage. That's why you went and that's what God is allowing you to do. Love you so much.
Denise
3Posted by Meg on 5/12/2009 3:02:49 PM
I am sorry, Father, that I did not see this before, but we want to keep you and not us the center of our prayers. Yes, yu are sovereign, holy and beautiful. i am sure that the beautiful we see down here is nothing compared to you. it breaks my heart that Stephanie is so torn by this woman. I don't ask you to take Stephanie's fear or grief away but I ask you to help her surrender it to you and to replace it with deep and loving compassion for this woman and all women. You know this woman, where she is, what she looks like, everything. You know at this moment whether her heart is beating 125 beats a minute, whether she is breathing in or out, what words she is saying in her language, and where she is, whether she is sitting down or standing, asleep or awake, experiencing peace or turmoil the minute i am writing this. I have no idea what she is going through, and no way of knowing the team's hurt and what happened when they met her to interceed. But I interceed on her behalf. lord, please do something right now. I would never demand anything from such a holy God, but if this woman needs prayer right now at this second, the need must be urgent. please redeem her and help her repent quickly. not only so, but help her to live, and to live for you. Life is only a blade of grass but you choose when it ends. Don't let her perish. Help her to wake up in the morning free and redeemed. Help her to make wise choices and to know she is not alone in the decisions she makes. Take away the loneliness from her. Encourage and redeem her. Strip her of all fear and of herself and put on white clothes of beauty so that on the Last Day she may stand before you, my lord, as one who is part of your beautiful bride. we mean that. All of us who will read this thing mean it too. Please also don't let this woman feel blameworthy if Stephanie and the team no longer want to go to the bars, because of her. redeem this situation for nothing but good, just like Joseph. And now, since this is a comments section and we shouldn't take up too much space, I should go, but please hear my prayers and know what I am writing just as you know this woman. I do love you, lord. In your Son's Name. Amen.
4Posted by Ms. Patti on 5/12/2009 7:00:53 PM
PRAYING PRECIOUS ONE FOR HER AND FOR YOU! Remember to give these burdens to JESUS......we are not equipped to carry them BUT HE IS!
LOVE YOU STEPH!
5Posted by Karen Tomita on 5/12/2009 7:10:14 PM
Steph,
I join with you in prayer over this lady who is hurting and desperate in her circumstance. I ask that our Father will bring down the strong hold that hold this lady in bondage. I ask for freedom from the enemy in spirit and body. I pray for strength and endudrance for her and your team. Thank you for all of the scripture in your message today. I needed to hear those words from the Father. The battle is the Lord's and victory is coming.
Karen
6Posted by dixie on 5/12/2009 7:15:48 PM
I agree with the prayers above. Cast your burdens on Jesus, He has the strength and power and wisdom and has already won!! Praying.... (hollie's mom)
7Posted by Sue Draughon on 5/12/2009 8:23:48 PM
Aloha dear!
Isn't it ironic that we were able to chat on facebook this morning (as you were exhausted and going to bed). We never chat and the timing was perfect so that you could talk to me about things in life and also your exhaustion over your current ministry. I hope chatting made you feel better and as I said.... it is all in the good Lord's hands. I know this must be very overwhelming, something that I can't imagine. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during these challenging and tough times.
LOVE YOU! Mom
8Posted by Gerry on 5/13/2009 1:17:34 PM
Step,
As I began praying I could not begain without thanking God for you. In not going to the bar last night, I truly believe God was protecting and growing you, maybe not physically but emotionally. I thank Him that you were obedient to this prompting and were able to get on your face before Him. He is taking you to a new level of intercession and you have arisen to the call. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you, See darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the people, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you." Isaiah 60:1-2 There are some wonderful things that happen as a result of burden-bearing intercession.
God stirs and "shatters" our hearts for the things that have already shattered His heart. When God lays burdens upon our hearts, we have a responsibility to pray them back to God and in doing so our burdens will be lifted and a peace and joy will come. Pray on my friend and thank you for prompting us to pray in a more specific way. We can be praying along with you and believing God for victory!
In choosing the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair that deep sorrow you feel as you said "for the moment" will be lifted once you have prayed though this. Hang on to that hope. I Love you, Gerry
9Posted by jessica tucker on 5/14/2009 10:35:06 PM
hey Steph. i sit here with tears in my eyes reading the prayers that others are saying over you and this woman. thank God you are there,and know that i'll be praying. i'm eager to hear the results of prayer and God moving if you have a chance to see it.
love, jessica
10Posted by *WaRRi0R* on 5/14/2009 10:35:11 PM
My beautiful Savior&Lord,
Thank You so much for everything You have already done for us and continue doing for us. Lord, we surrender our lives to You that You may use us in any way to further Your beautiful Kingdom. Lord, I thank You so much for Your obedient servant and my strong sister, Steph. Lord, I pray that You would continue to use her for Your glory and honor. Let her be Your hands and feet, may Your arms reach this woman who is in need of You, Lord. Stretch out Your healing hands Lord, heal her spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Lord, be her Great Physician and heal her hurts and replace them with Your hope, love, and strength. May Your words be heard thru Steph and her team, Lord. I pray for them to put on Your FULL armor every single day so they may all stand on solid, firm ground during and after the battle. Lord, I pray for this womans freedom in You, I pray for her salvation. I pray that You would fill her with Your Holy Spirit and help her make the right decisions, decisions for Your glory and honor, Lord. Lord, I pray that all fear may be lifted up to You and that she and all of Your warriors on the teams and here back home may be filled with Your amazing hope. Thank You for Your victory and allowing us to stand in victory! We love You so much Lord, may everything we do be for Your glory and honor. In Your Sons' precious, might, and holy name we pray. -Amen
My Warrior,
here's one of my faaaavorite songs, which I think really fit your/our situation...
Beauty for ashes
A garment of praise for my heaviness
Beauty for ashes
Take this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yours
I delight myself in the Richest of Fair
Trading all that I've had for all that is better
A garment of praise for my heaviness
You are the greatest taste
Love you girl! Stand strong, always!
*WaRRi0R
11Posted by Heather Andreasen on 5/18/2009 9:32:18 AM
Stephanie, you don't know me but I will be in Thailand in July, the 19th specifically. Me and a team of 7 others are coming to work with SHE and pray for the salvation of the women in Thailand. I just want you to know that you are doing amazing things for the Lord and I am standing behind you in agreement for this beautiful woman. I will be interceeding on her behalf. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you.
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Denise
LOVE YOU STEPH!
I join with you in prayer over this lady who is hurting and desperate in her circumstance. I ask that our Father will bring down the strong hold that hold this lady in bondage. I ask for freedom from the enemy in spirit and body. I pray for strength and endudrance for her and your team. Thank you for all of the scripture in your message today. I needed to hear those words from the Father. The battle is the Lord's and victory is coming.
Karen
Isn't it ironic that we were able to chat on facebook this morning (as you were exhausted and going to bed). We never chat and the timing was perfect so that you could talk to me about things in life and also your exhaustion over your current ministry. I hope chatting made you feel better and as I said.... it is all in the good Lord's hands. I know this must be very overwhelming, something that I can't imagine. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during these challenging and tough times.
LOVE YOU! Mom
As I began praying I could not begain without thanking God for you. In not going to the bar last night, I truly believe God was protecting and growing you, maybe not physically but emotionally. I thank Him that you were obedient to this prompting and were able to get on your face before Him. He is taking you to a new level of intercession and you have arisen to the call. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you, See darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the people, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you." Isaiah 60:1-2 There are some wonderful things that happen as a result of burden-bearing intercession.
God stirs and "shatters" our hearts for the things that have already shattered His heart. When God lays burdens upon our hearts, we have a responsibility to pray them back to God and in doing so our burdens will be lifted and a peace and joy will come. Pray on my friend and thank you for prompting us to pray in a more specific way. We can be praying along with you and believing God for victory!
In choosing the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair that deep sorrow you feel as you said "for the moment" will be lifted once you have prayed though this. Hang on to that hope. I Love you, Gerry
love, jessica
Thank You so much for everything You have already done for us and continue doing for us. Lord, we surrender our lives to You that You may use us in any way to further Your beautiful Kingdom. Lord, I thank You so much for Your obedient servant and my strong sister, Steph. Lord, I pray that You would continue to use her for Your glory and honor. Let her be Your hands and feet, may Your arms reach this woman who is in need of You, Lord. Stretch out Your healing hands Lord, heal her spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Lord, be her Great Physician and heal her hurts and replace them with Your hope, love, and strength. May Your words be heard thru Steph and her team, Lord. I pray for them to put on Your FULL armor every single day so they may all stand on solid, firm ground during and after the battle. Lord, I pray for this womans freedom in You, I pray for her salvation. I pray that You would fill her with Your Holy Spirit and help her make the right decisions, decisions for Your glory and honor, Lord. Lord, I pray that all fear may be lifted up to You and that she and all of Your warriors on the teams and here back home may be filled with Your amazing hope. Thank You for Your victory and allowing us to stand in victory! We love You so much Lord, may everything we do be for Your glory and honor. In Your Sons' precious, might, and holy name we pray. -Amen
My Warrior,
here's one of my faaaavorite songs, which I think really fit your/our situation...
Beauty for ashes
A garment of praise for my heaviness
Beauty for ashes
Take this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yours
I delight myself in the Richest of Fair
Trading all that I've had for all that is better
A garment of praise for my heaviness
You are the greatest taste
Love you girl! Stand strong, always!
*WaRRi0R
God WILL get you both through this......
Love you!
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