On a trip to Israel I visited the Holocaust Museum. It was a very solemn experience as we moved silently through the rooms viewing the terrible scenes depicted there. One area was dimly lit by many flickering candles. As I passed through name after name was being softly and reverently read. These were the names of the children that had been annihilated by various horrifying means during the span of those devastating years. The atmosphere in the room seemed to say, "God hears every name." The feeling lodged firmly in my mind as I relived that moment again and again.

When the Daughters of Zion list in our local church grew longer and longer I felt as if we might be neglecting to pray for someone as we should. It was then the impression came to do as they were in Israel; reverently read the names to God in prayer so as not to overlook even one child. I personally did that and very often the Spirit interrupts me with a burden for a particular child. I stop at that point and pray for that child until the Spirit allows me to move on.

This way of remembering each child brought even more meaning when the Ladies Ministries presidents submitted the names of their children and grandchildren to be included in special prayer. Many times we do not know how, or for what, we should pray, but Paul told us how God takes over for us when we are unaware of what may be needed in a person's life.

Romans 8:26 ...for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

When God feels our burden He helps us and our prayers become much more effective as He sees each heart and knows every situation.

If it is challenging to know how to pray for each child on your list - This method of prayer may be the answer, it is for me.

God is doing great things through Daughters of Zion and will continue to do so if we are focused in prayer for our children. Remember, our main purpose is that our children come to know the Lord, that they take ownership of the faith at an accountable age and that they enter into the ministry of the Lord's harvest.

Send us your praise reports. Our testimonies strengthen the faith of others.

 

Editors note: Sister Oakes  serves as UPCI Ladies Ministries president. She and her husband, L. G. Oakes, pioneered the church in Bald Knob, Arkansas. The Oakes have four children and three grandchildren. She is a speaker at various ladies' conferences as well as a writer.

By Mary Loudermilk

One of the most difficult things for us to understand is why bad things happen to good people. At some point in your life someone has probably said, "How can a loving God allow such a terrible thing to happen?" You may ask this yourself. It is easier to blame God than to search for the good that comes through suffering. Yes, the Bible states that there is a purpose and ultimate good for our trials.
God's Word tells of many who suffered-some because of willful sin, others because of their stand for righteousness, and still others because it is just part of life. Job, who knew intense pain and suffering, said, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). It is the destiny of us all.

What truths would God have us discover about life's adversities? His Word teaches that: 

Perhaps the greatest knowledge that we obtain through our afflictions is a better understanding of the Lord's own suffering. Philippians 3:10 calls it "the fellowship of his suffering." It is difficult for the human mind to comprehend the agony the Lord endured to purchase our salvation. As we face pain in our own lives, it increases our awareness of the pain He endured that we might ultimately enjoy "the glory that should follow" (I Peter 1:11).

I heard of a friend's renewed battle with cancer and called to express my concern. She told me a little of her struggles, which had gone on for several years. There had been ups and downs through times of remission and then reoccurrence. Through it all, her faith held steady. It was during our conversation that one statement startled me. She said, "I thank God every day that I have cancer." She went on to explain that through her illness she learned to know the Lord in a way she never would have otherwise. She, like Job, could say, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee" (Job 42:5).

Most of us try to avoid pain and suffering. Yet suffering is like the refiner's fire burning away the dross to reveal pure gold. If there is no affliction-no trial-our faith is untried and we will never know if we are made of the "real stuff." Pure gold is 24-carat and is very soft and pliant. When the dross is burned from our lives in what Scripture calls the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10), we will be pliant and submissive to the will of God.

We may never understand why we suffer, but we can realize Who walks with us in our fiery trials. Like Job we can declare, "When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).