Do you hear what I hear?

What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.

~ Isaiah 46:11

Following the 4-steps of prayer model is very helpful in keeping our focus on speaking to God. I wonder, though, if we should insert reminders on our prayer sheet to listen to God.

This week, I'm using the filled-in prayer sheet with the attribute "Master Planner". As I read the above verse, the thought came to me, God is not a dad who makes time to listen to us when he gets done with his work. We, and the stuff we are praying about, are his work.

One of the significant aspects of praying with others is the gift of experiencing unity in our prayers. Not unity of like-minded moms, but unity as only the Spirit of God can create. When I pray alone, I can listen to God and sense his presence but it is not the same as knowing that someone else is also hearing what I hear from God. 

Our prayers are filled with hope and power when we realize that we're not interrupting God with our stuff. He has a master plan which includes our stuff. All we need to do is listen to him. 

Confession should not be the only intentional silent time in our prayer groups. When we praise him, let's listen for his response. Allow the Spirit to whisper reminders of Thanksgiving. And wait on God to guide your prayers for your children and the schools.

What you hear may surprise you. It may seem strange to have a sense of knowing the need of someone you do not know personally. But God will tell you how to pray if you take time to listen.

Listen. Do you hear what I hear? If so, it's most likely from God. He is letting you and me in on his master plan. How exciting is that!

Message from MITI Great Lakes Regional Director

On Nov 18, 2008, Lynn Niedenthal wrote:

Dear Ohio MITI Group Leaders and Members,

Our nation is in the midst of a financial “storm” which has impacted many of us, including the ministry, Moms In Touch International. We trust the Lord to see us through this time and that the ministry will continue to be strong. Accordingly, MITI Headquarters has placed a freeze on all spending. This encompasses all usual expenses incurred by state coordinators (SCs) and regional directors (RDs) as we volunteer and serve, including copying, phone, postage, office supplies and travel.

The impact of this cut back is also effecting the SC annual getaway scheduled for February 2009 where all the SCs, RDs and MITI HQ Dept. Managers gather in California for a time of equipping and encouragement. Because of many exciting changes that are on the horizon for Moms In Touch, it is vital for all of us to attend. This travel has always been covered by the ministry; however, current circumstances call for us to be prayerful and creative in order to maintain the financial stability of the ministry. So, MITI has requested that all those attending involve the women in their states to give them the opportunity to participate by donating financially or with Frequent Flyer Miles specifically towards this need.

Would you consider investing in the future of MITI in Ohio and our Great Lakes Region by making a donation to help cover Joanne and my expenses to attend the SC Getaway? If you feel the Holy Spirit’s tug to provide Frequent Flyer miles or to give financially towards our getaway travel along with the other expenses mentioned, please let myself or Joanne know. You may make the check out to Moms In Touch International sending it either to myself, to Joanne or directly to Moms In Touch International, PO Box 1120, Poway, CA 92074-1120. Please note on the check that it is for Joanne Harris or Lynn Niedenthal and how it is to be designated. They will keep us informed of the amount so that we know when enough has been raised to buy our tickets.

I realize this letter may find you and your family in dire financial needs and so I pray that you will not be offended by this letter – please do not have any guilty feelings if you just delete this.

Often when I receive donation requests, I feel that the little I can give is not enough. I want to encourage you to read 2 Kings 4:38-44. A man came with a donation for the man of God and the prophets. 100 men were hungry! The donation was enough to satisfy a few, but not all. Elisha wasn’t interested in just feeding himself and his inner circle. He insisted in putting the food out to all the men. The servant questioned the command to put it out in front of the 100 men but Elisha repeated the command and gave a promise. God will make it be more than enough. The promise of God enabled the servant to obey. “So he set it before them.” Your little amount in righteous, obedient hands is all God needs to meet the needs of many. Give the little bit you have even though you know it’s not enough. The Lord promises it will be more than enough.

My God will meet all your (and mine and Joanne’s) needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:19

Thank you In the name of our Jehovah Jireh,
Lynn & Joanne

Joanne Harris
Ohio State Coordinator
mitiOH@MomsInTouch.org

Lynn Niedenthal
USA Regional Director - Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH & WI) 

mitiGreatLakes@MomsInTouch.org
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UPDATE:
From: Lynn Niedenthal 
Date: December 3, 2008

Hi ladies,
I just heard today from a couple in IL who are able to donate all their United miles to me for my flight so I am taken care of – PTL! (The IL SC’s husband had already bought her ticket so she is praying for monetary donations).

So, Lisa, you can edit the letter to just reflect needing support for Joanne’s flight.

Lynn

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Moms In Touch International 

Our Mission

Moms In Touch International impacts children and schools world wide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray

Our Vision

Every School in the world would be covered in prayer