Update from Julia Schatz - 3/15/22

Dear Father Mike,

I pray this finds you doing well! 
No, I'm not Irish ... but I sincerely enjoy reflecting on the life of St. Patrick. March 17 is the feast day of St. Patrick, a saint who is celebrated widely not just in Ireland but all over the world. It is a day of celebration that is marked by parades, bands, music, costumes, green lights and rivers that are all a feature of the celebrations. Yet behind all these externals, there is a the story of a remarkable man who faced a truly daunting task: proposing the Christian faith to the pagan Irish almost sixteen centuries ago.

Yes, St. Patrick was a missionary! So dangerous was the task that many questioned the whole point of going to where even the Romans had refused to invade; such was the uncivilized reputation of the Irish at the time. The outcome was one of the most remarkable success stories of the early Church, one that resulted not only in the Irish being converted to the faith but them becoming missionaries of the faith themselves. Disciples who made disciples!  I love that! Now you know why I want to say Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!  

God Bless You!!
Julia Schatz

Three other women and I are on our way to Turkey where we will spend five days meeting with others who do ministry in Central Asia. With God's help we will learn from each other about ways we can help each.  And we will pray together for the work God is doing in Central Asia through our ministries.

After our time in Turkey we will go to another Central Asian country for 12 days, where we will train churches in Trauma Healing and 4 Fields Church Planting. It is an amazing opportunity. We pray God will use us to help the church to minister to hurting people who need love and compassion and bring God's healing and wholeness into their lives. Ephesian 4:12.  
 
Thank you so much for your support! 
I'm grateful to God for you and for our partnership in God's work. 

I love these prayers.  My Bible Study Fellowship Facilitator. Brenda, emailed this to her class. They are so powerful and meaningful.  Praise God, we can be completely confident that hears our prayers and He is able!  May we be completely summited to His will in our lives!!

“Jesus looked to them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” – Matthew 19:26 
 
Adoration: Jesus, I praise You for the “upside-down” values of Your kingdom! You protect the exploited, exalt the humble, and welcome those least honored by this world.
Confession:  Lord, forgive me, when I, like the rich young man, fail to recognize my idols. Forgive me when I value what the world promotes more than I love what You love. 
Thanksgiving: Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Jesus. Thank you for the promise of eternal life for all who follow You. No one can imagine the delights You have prepared for those who love You! (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

Supplication:
Global:  Father, You can do the impossible to redeem lives, hearts, and even marriages. I pray Your Church will be a safe haven for those in painful situations. As believers, help us to trust You to both stand on truth and show compassion to hurting people.
Local: Jesus, You said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them …..” (Matthew 19:14) Father, I lift up those in my BSF class/online group and church who are ministering to children – so that even the youngest can accomplish great things for You. I pray they will see the power of the gospel at work as they pour themselves out in this worthy investment.
Personal:  Lord, no situation falls outside Your promise to work all things together “for the good of those who love You, who have been called according to Your purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Help me to find contentment and fulfillment in my current situation. I want a joy-filled life of radical commitment and complete surrender to You!
Write a list of people or things you sometimes place in your life before God. What needs to change in your life to put God before those things? Take your list before the Lord in prayer as you seek to more fully surrender these things to Him.