My Prayer for Us as We Minister
Father, You tell us to love one another, and Your Son said, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).
Teach us to rely on Your Holy Spirit and guide our thoughts and actions as we minister. We want to be Your hands, Your feet, and speak Your Words, as Your holy instrument. Enable us to act as unto You.
Help others to see Jesus in us and guide us as we provide comfort. As the dying prepare to face You, grant them a willing heart to hear Your Truth.
Strengthen us when we feel weak and help us to wear every piece of armor. Do not allow the enemy access to us or to those to whom we minister. Reveal Your glory as You work in each situation.
Develop trust and the ability to acknowledge a need for You. Help each person You place in our path to know and experience Your love and ours.
I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen. -by Jo Anne Perez
Teach us to rely on Your Holy Spirit and guide our thoughts and actions as we minister. We want to be Your hands, Your feet, and speak Your Words, as Your holy instrument. Enable us to act as unto You.
Help others to see Jesus in us and guide us as we provide comfort. As the dying prepare to face You, grant them a willing heart to hear Your Truth.
Strengthen us when we feel weak and help us to wear every piece of armor. Do not allow the enemy access to us or to those to whom we minister. Reveal Your glory as You work in each situation.
Develop trust and the ability to acknowledge a need for You. Help each person You place in our path to know and experience Your love and ours.
I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen. -by Jo Anne Perez
Prayer for God's Help
Lord, as __________ prepares to meet You face to face, we praise You for all You have done and for Who You are. He trusts You in life. Help him trust You in his earthly death, knowing You have ordained the time and have a prepared place for Your children. This process is hard.
Help __________ sort out what to consider as important in this life in preparation for the next, and what needs done for those left behind. Give courage, patience, perseverance, and faith, to overcome the challenges, the doubts, and the fears. Lead us until we reach our eternal rest. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. -by Jo Anne Perez
Help __________ sort out what to consider as important in this life in preparation for the next, and what needs done for those left behind. Give courage, patience, perseverance, and faith, to overcome the challenges, the doubts, and the fears. Lead us until we reach our eternal rest. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. -by Jo Anne Perez
A Terminally Ill Prayer
Lord, I trust You with my life. I trust You with my death. I trust You to care for loved ones not graduating with me. I trust You with the details of my life and earthly death, and my loved ones’ lives. I trust You to winnow my path and guide my steps that I may complete all You desire for me to finish. I trust You in all things. I trust You to continue transforming Me until I meet You face to face.
Thank You for being my ever-present Help. I love You, Lord. Thank You for what You have already done in my life. Thank You for what You are doing in, and through me, for the rest of my life. Whatever days You have ordained that I have left, I thank You for being my Comforter and Teacher, that I might glorify You in my thoughts, in my speech, in my actions, in my finances, in my relationships, in my reactions to what others do to me, and for me, and every aspect of my life. I praise You and worship You, Almighty God, Creator of all things, my Provider, Comforter, and Lover of my soul.
I ask these things in the mighty and holy name of Jesus, without whom I could not have the hope of eternal life with You. Amen and Amen. -by Jo Anne Perez
Thank You for being my ever-present Help. I love You, Lord. Thank You for what You have already done in my life. Thank You for what You are doing in, and through me, for the rest of my life. Whatever days You have ordained that I have left, I thank You for being my Comforter and Teacher, that I might glorify You in my thoughts, in my speech, in my actions, in my finances, in my relationships, in my reactions to what others do to me, and for me, and every aspect of my life. I praise You and worship You, Almighty God, Creator of all things, my Provider, Comforter, and Lover of my soul.
I ask these things in the mighty and holy name of Jesus, without whom I could not have the hope of eternal life with You. Amen and Amen. -by Jo Anne Perez
GONE FROM MY SIGHT
By Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933) Public Domain
http://www.theribbon.com/poetry/gonefrommysight.asp
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
And that is dying.
Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
And that is dying.
'Til Heaven
© by Jo Anne Perez, 10/12/1998
I was lucky to have them as long as I did.
We knew they were dying. That truth wasn’t hid.
We each said, “I love you” before their last breath.
Our love transcends life, yes, even beyond death.
Both taught me lessons of courage and strength
To continue running the race – no matter the length.
Sometimes the pain that I have inside
Isn’t relieved by the tears that I’ve cried.
I’ll see them again. Of this, have no doubt.
That’s the promise of Jesus and what heaven’s about.
To each precious memory I still want to cling
’Til together we hear the great angels sing.
Pain and deep sorrow that now are inside
Will be replaced by joyous tears I won’t have to hide.
Infinite joy and love, I know will be found
On that wonderful, glorious day trumpets sound.
His face and the mansion I know I will see
Beyond wildest dreams! My heart fills with glee.
Thank You, dear Jesus, for dying for us,
For loving us so when we deserve Your disgust.
To be more like Christ is my goal, I pray,
To stay right on the mark of His loving way.
’Til heaven when I rejoice to see them once more
’Til heaven I’m thankful for my Lord, I adore.
It was in His plan that they die before me.
I must bear being apart . . . just ’til heaven, you see.
We knew they were dying. That truth wasn’t hid.
We each said, “I love you” before their last breath.
Our love transcends life, yes, even beyond death.
Both taught me lessons of courage and strength
To continue running the race – no matter the length.
Sometimes the pain that I have inside
Isn’t relieved by the tears that I’ve cried.
I’ll see them again. Of this, have no doubt.
That’s the promise of Jesus and what heaven’s about.
To each precious memory I still want to cling
’Til together we hear the great angels sing.
Pain and deep sorrow that now are inside
Will be replaced by joyous tears I won’t have to hide.
Infinite joy and love, I know will be found
On that wonderful, glorious day trumpets sound.
His face and the mansion I know I will see
Beyond wildest dreams! My heart fills with glee.
Thank You, dear Jesus, for dying for us,
For loving us so when we deserve Your disgust.
To be more like Christ is my goal, I pray,
To stay right on the mark of His loving way.
’Til heaven when I rejoice to see them once more
’Til heaven I’m thankful for my Lord, I adore.
It was in His plan that they die before me.
I must bear being apart . . . just ’til heaven, you see.
The Biker's Way to Heaven
March 2008 Transformsa.com © 2008 By Jo Anne Perez
Picture this. A giant of a man, arms covered by tattoos, multiple face piercings, and a full white beard, he wore a motorcycle vest covered with patches about Jesus. On his arm, was a beautiful woman of average height with long dark silken hair, piercings of her own, and the same style vest. Their arrival demanded attention.
I met Bear and Jes Salais when they needed prayer for Bear’s healing from an incurable liver disease. We laid healing hands on Bear, and God moved mightily. Bear received healing by God, and the medical community confirmed it. The doctor had him tested multiple times, thinking something was wrong with the testing process. Healed of hepatitis C that he contracted while working undercover, his new tests showed no indication of any liver damage!
Bear and his wife, counseled regarding the responsibility to give God the praise and witness to others of God’s glory, obediently shared their testimony.
Shortly, both received the calling to become pastors. At their graduation and ordination, we rejoiced, excitedly anticipating an incredible adventure for, and with, the LORD.
Ministering to the motorcycle community, Bear became the president of Crusaders for Christ chapter #925. The couple ministered in prison, detention centers and a retirement home.
Bear’s father passed away January 31, 2008. After making funeral arrangements the next day, Bear laid down to take a nap. Checking on her grieving husband, Jes found her husband dead and immediately called 911. The autopsy later revealed Bear died of a heart attack.
Bear’s death caught everyone off-guard. Not everyone receives the gift of foreknowledge regarding his or her impending death. God ordains our days, so it is important that each person prepare for his or her “graduation day.” Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
Believers, like ripples in the water, affect all around them. Sometimes we can’t see how we are making an impact, and other times God blesses us with that awareness. Fixing our eyes on Jesus with an eternal perspective, believers make a kingdom difference.
The day of Bear’s funeral, God comforted Jes and her family by allowing them to feel the love of hundreds who came to celebrate his home-going. Old and young, suits and bandanas, out-going and quiet, flamboyant and reserved, they all came to honor Bear, an “extra” ordinary man who was one of God’s ripples.
Bear left an incredible legacy. Generations will know of his life, transformed by God, used to reach others for the kingdom. He invited others to join him in the walk with Jesus Christ, Son of the God who healed him, who offers eternity to all who choose to repent and confess Him as LORD.
Think about the legacy you are preparing. Does your life affect others for Christ? How will others testify at your graduation? Is God using you as His vessel to transform others because they saw Jesus in you? What kind of ripple are you making for God’s kingdom?
Jo Anne Perez is a published writer, poet, and teacher who has been in ministry for 24 years, teaching on subjects such as ministry to the terminally ill, hospital visitation, anger management, and forgiveness. Jo Anne worships at Community Bible Church.
Originally published byTransformsa.com, The Biker’s Way to Heaven, March, 2008, © by Jo Anne Perez. Now referred to as CityPact.com, the link to the story was severed.
I met Bear and Jes Salais when they needed prayer for Bear’s healing from an incurable liver disease. We laid healing hands on Bear, and God moved mightily. Bear received healing by God, and the medical community confirmed it. The doctor had him tested multiple times, thinking something was wrong with the testing process. Healed of hepatitis C that he contracted while working undercover, his new tests showed no indication of any liver damage!
Bear and his wife, counseled regarding the responsibility to give God the praise and witness to others of God’s glory, obediently shared their testimony.
Shortly, both received the calling to become pastors. At their graduation and ordination, we rejoiced, excitedly anticipating an incredible adventure for, and with, the LORD.
Ministering to the motorcycle community, Bear became the president of Crusaders for Christ chapter #925. The couple ministered in prison, detention centers and a retirement home.
Bear’s father passed away January 31, 2008. After making funeral arrangements the next day, Bear laid down to take a nap. Checking on her grieving husband, Jes found her husband dead and immediately called 911. The autopsy later revealed Bear died of a heart attack.
Bear’s death caught everyone off-guard. Not everyone receives the gift of foreknowledge regarding his or her impending death. God ordains our days, so it is important that each person prepare for his or her “graduation day.” Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
Believers, like ripples in the water, affect all around them. Sometimes we can’t see how we are making an impact, and other times God blesses us with that awareness. Fixing our eyes on Jesus with an eternal perspective, believers make a kingdom difference.
The day of Bear’s funeral, God comforted Jes and her family by allowing them to feel the love of hundreds who came to celebrate his home-going. Old and young, suits and bandanas, out-going and quiet, flamboyant and reserved, they all came to honor Bear, an “extra” ordinary man who was one of God’s ripples.
Bear left an incredible legacy. Generations will know of his life, transformed by God, used to reach others for the kingdom. He invited others to join him in the walk with Jesus Christ, Son of the God who healed him, who offers eternity to all who choose to repent and confess Him as LORD.
Think about the legacy you are preparing. Does your life affect others for Christ? How will others testify at your graduation? Is God using you as His vessel to transform others because they saw Jesus in you? What kind of ripple are you making for God’s kingdom?
Jo Anne Perez is a published writer, poet, and teacher who has been in ministry for 24 years, teaching on subjects such as ministry to the terminally ill, hospital visitation, anger management, and forgiveness. Jo Anne worships at Community Bible Church.
Originally published byTransformsa.com, The Biker’s Way to Heaven, March, 2008, © by Jo Anne Perez. Now referred to as CityPact.com, the link to the story was severed.
