RIVERSIDE PRAYER

To all prayer warriors and members at Riverside,
Below is some e-mails I have recently recieved from Philip in Uganda. As you can see from these, he is under constant and strong attack. The enemy does not want us to be successful in God's plan with these children. My response of encouragement to Philip and a prayer for him follows after the his emails. Please read these and enter into this battle in whatever way the Lord leads.
God Bless
John

Fw: please pray for usHello everyone: dear friends, helpers and partners in heart!

Sunday, January 18 I have been watching God at work in us today. I listened to a sermon last night by Matt Chandler called Divine Love. It is a message based on Luke's account of the sermon on the mount. We all know that we are to love our enemies. Most of us, however, don't have any real enemies in the flesh. We have imagined ones like our siblings or spouses and maybe a boss or irritating coworker. But - we usually don't have anyone set on hurting us or destroying our work. Here in Uganda life is different. I have compared it in the past to the old west. The law and authority can be and usually is bought or at times engages in extortion. It is often not the rule of law but the rule of money. This morning I preached about radical love. I made reference to our experience last Sunday night with the village security man. (I continue to learn more about that issue which centers around the fact that our children are not from here and everyone thinks I am a walking bank.) We all have struggled with how to respond to this challenge (the kids told me today about 3 more random visits this week). Our last memory verse was Romans 8:28. One of the kids, came up to me the other night after all the verses were quoted and repeated that verse to me personally. It was like I was watching God put His hand on a child and direct them to me. I asked what that was for and she shrugged her shoulders as if to say, “I don't know, but you do”. I ate breakfast with the kids (consisting of porridge made with corn flour and small 2” diameter fried cakes). I watched them help each other get ready for church and give me extra fried cakes. While they continued the random quoting of scripture, God woke me up. Ephesians 6! Satan had been trying to derail this ingestion of God's word. As long as we are just doing the social thing – there is not much opposition. Don't get me wrong, the feeding and general welfare of orphans is part of the scriptural mandate – but not the focus. The opposition comes when we do spiritual feeding and training. This is humbling. To be personally responsible for the spiritual well-being of a hundred children. Wow! I have to die and let Him direct me carefully or I lose attention to the real issue.

Thursday, January 22 The challenges have exhausted all of us – so glad our strength is in Him! Financial struggles this week and now our own health. Today, Susan (our director and my right hand helper) was rushed to the hospital in severe abdominal pain. After spending the day on IV's and several injections she went to her mothers' to rest. I arrived at home about 8pm with the girls in the truck and started having pain in my lower back on the right. In only 10 min. I was on the floor and the girls were in tears praying. Susan and her mother came with the car and Ibra helped me get in. On the way I started having pain like I have never known. I was in tears, hoping to die. When we got to the clinic, the doctor gave me two shots and started testing my blood. No malaria or anything else was apparent. After an hour – I felt ok, just very tired. I am home now and Ibra is staying the night across from me. Jessica is watching over Susan. Pray for all our strength and courage. Jessica, our cook and caretaker for the girls; Mohammed and Falida our security man and his wife who cooks as well; Moses, my security man; Ibra, indispensable helper to me and Susan; Esther, my house keeper and helper with the girls; and Susan, our organizer, buyer, and my right hand. God is our provider and healer – Praise His Name! Right now - we need help - it is January and Christmas always takes a toll on giving. Thanks so much for your help in the past and - as God directs - even now.Blessings to all Phil

My response and prayer for Philip:

Philip,
Brother, You are walking on the straight and narrow path of the Kingdom. Our prayers are more and more feverent for your welfare and the battles that are raging around you. Know that you are loved and that we are aware of your struggles. How true is it that so many of Jesus' Words are not relevant to us, because we do not live in places where the enemy's attacks are so unrestrained in physical realm. Philip, know that I am posting this email on the Riverside website and sending out the clarion call of response to our entire community. God Bless.
Sincerely
John


Dear Father God,
We call out for deliverance and protection from the attacks of the enemy against your plans for these children in Uganda. We call down blessing from heaven upon Philip and his team (your team) who are doing your will. Bless them with comfort. Bless them with peace. Bless them with your presence. Bless them with the joy of your Love. Bless them with the continuous filling of your Holy Spirit. Bless them with divine protection. Place a hedge of angels encamped around them, that even their enemies will know that there are more with you than they are against you. Bless Philip with the knowledge that he is not alone, but that all of the saints stand with him and pray for the manifestation of God's will to be done. We call down blessings upon all of these children who you have chosen to be your children. Bless Philip with a taste of the portion of heaven that his faithfulness is bringing not only to these children, not only to Uganda, but to the entire world! May the Truth of your purpose and your plan be as sweet as the sweetest honey on Philip's lips as he speaks your Word. May the fullest of the life which flows from these Words find deep root in their hearts. We know that generations and generations to come are being set free from death by Philip's obedience to your heart. Thank you Jesus for only you bring true life. Amen. Amen