Prayer: Peter Butler

Prayer is a loving way Christians can care for each other. Jesus, our great God, calls for those who trust him to offer prayers to him. He can respond to our prayers by saying “yes”, “no” or “soon” (Philippians 4:6; Matthew 11:28). We are also encouraged the Jesus is work in the world for the good of his people, no matter how grim the situation may seem (Romans 8:28).

It has come to my attention that my dear brother in Christ, Peter Butler, is experiencing some hardship in his life. Peter has recently undergone a triple bypass. I ask that we join in prayer and ask God to work in this situation. Peter has emailed me some information for us to pray about:

I first noticed it about 6 months ago, with a pain in the shoulder. A friend said it was heart related, so made an appointment through my GP with a cardiologist, who gave me a stress test, and diagnosed angina. He said I'd need an Angiogram, and booked me in at Liverpool Hospital, on 22nd Feb (just after my 64th birthday). The results showed the 2 major arteries were blocked, one at 70% and the other at 65%, and I'd need a quadriple heart bypass, so they kept me in hospital for a week.

There were several miracles on the way, including that they picked it up straight away - before I had a heart attack, which could have happened at any time - and they were able to do the operation on a Saturday, which is usually reserved for private patients, which I'm not. I was in hospital for a week then released, but a few days later had to be re-admitted, with severe hiccups (a result of the procedure which deflates your lung - they put you on a heart/lung machine during the procedure), blood contamination and liver malfunction, so I had to go on an anti-biotic drip. A week later I was released again.

I've been improving very well since, to the extent that I've been able to go out with friends (I can't drive for 6 weeks) for a coffee and picnic at George's River, which has done me the world of good. On top of all this, I have to vacate the house I've been renting for 9 years next weekend (26th), so I'm having a working bee and garage sale, if anyone can help! I'm on the public housing waiting list, which they're trying to push through, and in the meantime I'm staying with a friend. I've got a lot of good friends helping me and praying, for which I'm grateful.

Thanks, Peter Butler

If you would like to get in contact with Peter, please email me at vintagejc@hotmail.com.

Prayer: Connor Finemore

For the past two weeks, the Community Group my wife and I attend have been studying Paul’s amazing letter to the Philippians. In this letter, by the Holy Spirit, Paul writes:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6)

This has inspired me to encourage everyone who reads this blog to commit themselves to praying for certain things in your life and the needs in other people lives. In the passage above, Paul was encouraging the Philippian church to talk to God about their struggles and I now press this on your heart, why not take your burdens to Jesus, who loves us and listens to our every request. So why not I kick this off! Get pumped!

My little brother Connor was diagnosed with lymphoma about eight months ago. By God’s grace and healing hand, he is doing remarkably well. Unfortunately, he has been a little ill over the past couple of days. Due to the chemo treatment, his immune system is low causing his resistance to infection and sickness quite impaired. Please pray for Connor as he works to overcome the physical difficulties that come with this terrible illness.

My hope is for Connor to share his testimony with you in the latest “Owned” series when he regains his strength. It is a great testimony to the power of God- I won’t spoil it! Additionally, his rapid recovery I attribute to the power of prayer.

If you have a prayer request to share with the reading community, either post a comment to this article or email me at vintagejc@hotmail.com and i’ll post your prayer request as soon as possible. The aim is for you to pray for others while also requesting prayer for any of your needs.

I will leave you with the words of our God Jesus from Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.