Why is it that we doubt God even when He’s proved Himself time after time? January 5, 2010

That’s a question I just asked myself as I finished reading the emails and facebook messages from the people who have been praying and as I wiped the tears from my eyes.

It’s not that we’ve been completely doubting God for this month of prayer but rather that I doubted that it would have as much impact and that God may not speak or move as much because of my inability to get it organised as early as I did last year.

But once again God and His grace tell me that through obedience – no matter how late (although earlier makes things easier!) – God is faithful to see His purposes fulfilled. It reminds me of what He said last year before the first month of prayer – that if God asks you to pray for something, then there’s no way He would not respond to those prayers.

It’s such a challenge to me for the things God has put on our hearts for 2010. We need to not put them off or get too busy with the trivial things.

We want to thank all of you who have been praying so far. Some as near as around the corner and others as far aways as Namibia. You are all so precious to the people working here in Ireland and to those you have been praying for.

I am constantly reminded of the story in Exodus 17:10-13

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

There are so many things the Christians in Ireland battle against. The enemy certainly does not want this country to be won for Christ. We see evidence of that every day. But for all of us who live here and work here, we are SO encouraged by you people who are ‘holding up our arms’ as you pray for the battle here.

If you haven’t joined the prayer rota yet, there’s still plenty of time and plenty of space. Just drop Lyndsey a message or write on the Facebook group wall letting us know what hours on what days you can do. You wont be alone – we send out prayer ideas every day and at the end of each week, everyone will receive a message with news of how it’s been going.Also on the Facebook page, under ‘discussions’ there are some ideas of how to pray this month. If you can’t get to them, let me know and I’ll send you a copy.

Again, let me say what an incredible encouragement you are to us all here. I wish you could see the way everyone here has been uplifted since you guys started to pray on January 1st.

With all our love, The Christians in Western Ireland