When Prayer is Difficult

Renée Beyea, Asia Region Prayer Coordinator

Do you ever find yourself at a loss for words in prayer?  Following the successive disasters in Japan—earthquake, tsunami, ongoing nuclear crisis, and widespread devastation—I have found myself nearly speechless on my knees, my prayers summed up in three words, “Lord, have mercy.”  At those times I am comforted by Romans 8:26, knowing that the Spirit himself intercedes with groans that words cannot express.

Yet, how do we pray in times like these?  What do we ask for?  Where do we begin, when there are so many to pray for?  Rescue workers, refugees, power plant operators, aid organizations, missionaries, orphans, churches, the grieving, injured and missing, and that’s only the start of an unending list.  The sheer need is overwhelming.

In one of our local PWOC studies, “Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days,” author Kay Arthur reminds us to pray according to God’s name, that is, according to his character and attributes.  When we turn our eyes upon our Lord, search the Scriptures for how he has revealed himself, and then praise him, our petitions follow naturally.

For example, praise God because he is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals, then pray for all those in need of healing.  Praise God because he is almighty, then pray for his supernatural strength to sustain those who bring relief and hope.  Praise God because he is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide, then pray for him to supply needs.  Praise God for his patience in not wanting anyone to perish (2 Pt 3:9), then pray for the gospel to bring many to repentance.  Praise God, for whom nothing is impossible, then pray for miracles.

When we pray in this way, our prayers are not guided by our own limited perspective, but by the Holy Spirit.  When our prayers are based in his Word, they are ordered according to his will.  When our prayers are focused on God, we grow in knowledge of him and in faith that the One to whom we pray is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine (Eph 3:20).  Whether we are interceding for Japan or for the needs in our own lives, turning our eyes to our Father in heaven is the first and best place to start. 

Retreat Update

If you've paid for April's retreat and would like a refund etc. Please email De'Etta .  I've been assured we will work this out - though the process will have to be determined. Typically the CTOF is not allowed to give refunds.

 Decisions about the retreat will be made in the next couple of weeks. We are assessing the situation. We need to let the dust settle, see who is still here, and consider the NEEDS of our women - rather than marching bravely along with our plan.  I will announce final plans at PWOC studies, on FB and the blog when they have been reached.

March Facilitator Training

If you are currently leading a Bible study or have any interest in possibly leading a study somewhere down the road, we would like to encourage you to attend Facilitator Training on March 19th.

When: Saturday, March 19th, 9am-11:30am
Where: Susane's house (email for directions)
RSVP: Please email Tara if you plan on attending

Sweet Night - Recap

Last weekend Carol Summar Simpson was a guest on Misawa. Carol is known to have a big heart for women and an engaging way of presenting her  message. Carol tours military bases as a Christian Comedian. 

Misawa's PWOC board invited Carol to be our guest speaker in February. We chose to have dessert and drinks and make it a "Sweet Night for Wives of the Deployed".  During the planning  7 of our10 board members were deployed spouses themselves. Twyla's heart of mercy and vision for deployed spouses made this event SHINE. 

We envisioned a night of pampering for our spouses and HUMOR. What a blessing! It's good for the weary to laugh. We had 79 people in the building. Everyone was treated to a variety of decadent and elegant homemade desserts. Each woman had a pretty setting, flowers and a chocolate rose.

Carol shared the adventure of her trip from CA to Misawa. She had us laughing as we remembered our first impressions of Japan. She had some of us crying with her lessons learned from deployments..."I DO snore", "No matter how deep I burrow into the covers no one else will let the dog out", and more. She encouraged us to maintain faith on behalf of others through the story of the four friends who brought their friend to Jesus, doing whatever it took to get him to Jesus. 

 The deployed wives were gifted with a handmade pillowcase - Twyla rocks! These were made from Japanese fabric. 

An event like this is a huge undertaking. Some baked desserts, planned for children, decorated, cut up desserts, set up tables and chairs, took down tables and chairs, advertised, served as tour guides and the list goes on. On behalf of Misawa PWOC Board, thank you to all who contributed to make this event a blessing to so many. 

Our prayer is that each deployed spouse left feeling pampered, loved, supported and encouraged. 

Leadership Selection 2011/2012

Hello ladies, have you been hearing God's still small voice urging
you towards taking up leadership in PWOC for next year? Now is the
time to put in your application to be a part of the executive board of
PWOC for 2011/2012. Applications are available at the chapel (in the
rack just outside the sanctuary) or you can download a form here.

Turn in your applications to any member of the leadership selection

team (Mary, Renee, Christina, Erika) or to our Titus 2

advisor, De'Etta. All application material is kept

confidential. The deadline for applying is Feb. 20.

PWOC is such an incredible ministry that touches the lives of so many
women here at Misawa, but to keep the ministry going we need women to
step forward into positions of leadership. Is God calling you? Maybe
you feel inadequate for a position of leadership. Look in your Bible
at the stories of Moses, Gideon, Mary and many more. They didn't feel
prepared, but God gave them all they need to fulfill his calling. So
I ask again, is God calling you? If the answer is yes, I encourage
you to step forward in faith to see what God will work through you.

If you have any questions, please contact anyone from the leadership
selection team.

Thank you,
Mary

Asia…. A Region in Need of Prayer

By De’Etta Goecker, Asia Region President

God has sent many of us to Asia to be watchmen. We dare not be asleep on the wall.

In 2009 God spoke “Watchman” to me as a focus word. "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem (Asia); they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem (Asia) and makes her the praise of the earth." -- Isaiah 62:6-7 (emphasis totally mine)

Prayer, communication with our Father, is key to who we are and what we seek to accomplish at His call. Prayer allows us to partner with God’s kingdom purposes. It’s time to be intentionally radical in our prayers. I am NOT suggesting we neglect our focus of leading women to Jesus on our own installation, I suggest we broaden our vision to encompass our role in our host nation.

Japan needs Jesus. Pray for the breaking of spiritual bondage. I have heard a strong call to pray for the spirit of unforgiveness of past generations to be broken so that revival can rush in.

1% or less of Japan is Christian

1 Protestant church for every 16,288 people

1 missionary for every 53,285 people

Korea – Pray for the breaking of spiritual and political bondage in Korea. We need to pray for continued revival in South Korea and revival in North Korea.

In our region pray for safety for families, new PWOC’s currently being birthed, and continued implementation of a regional vision.

Asia Region (and others led by God), will you commit to help your board cover Asia in daily, intentional, radical prayer and fasting? I’m asking each installation to note the day you are assigned to especially pray and/or fast. By all means, DO pray as led. Be sure to check the soon-coming Prayer Corner on our regional blog and our regional Facebook page for updates. Feel free to post your insights during prayer on our Facebook page – let’s make the technology work for us! If our ladies pray on specific days, there will not be a day in which God’s daughters are not praying and fasting for Asia. That’s powerful!

Yongsan – Monday, Yokota – Tuesday, Kadena – Wednesday, Camp Zama and Osan – Thursday, Camp Casey and Misawa – Friday, Daegu – Saturday, Camp Humphreys and Yokosuka –Sunday.

“We Speak to Nations” by Israel Houghton my personal anthem.

We speak to nations
Be open
We speak to nations
Fall on your knees
We speak to nations
The kingdom is coming near to you

The song is on YouTube; let it serve as a battle cry for Prayer! We are Asia, a region in need of prayer!

Facilitator's Workshop

What: A great time to fellowship, connect with PWOC’s teaching team, sharpen your leadership skills, and explore the possibility of being a co-facilitator or facilitator with PWOC.

When – Saturday, 8 January

Where – Renee B’s (email for house number)

Time – 0900 – 1130

Light breakfast will be served

If you are currently facilitating or co-facilitating a PWOC Bible study, attendance is STRONGLY encouraged. If you are willing to co-facilitate or sub as needed in a PWOC Bible study this semester, attendance is greatly encouraged. We’d love to have you join us if the idea of facilitating a Bible Study “someday” intrigues you.

We will not be able to provide child care/ministry. PLEASE RSVP to De’Etta by 4 January to insure enough breakfast and handouts!