There’s a great story in 1 Samuel 7 that serves as the foundational meaning for this page. The Philistine army came against the Israelite army, and the Israelites “were afraid because of the Philistines”. Samuel told them, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us.” In other words: press in harder, wrestle with God, persist until He answers. Then the story says that Samuel “cried out to the Lord … and the Lord answered him.” Listening for God’s voice results in hearing God’s voice, which often results in seeing God do amazing things – for example: “the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.” Samuel prays, Samuel listens, God answers, God delivers miraculously, God wins.
But here’s the final piece. After God steps in and we get to see Him move, it’s time to remember and acknowledge Him: “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up … He named it Eben-ezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the Lord helped us.’” It’s a compound Hebrew word: eben (stone), ezer (help). To commemorate God’s deliverance, Samuel set up a “Stone of Help” as a testimony for future generations.
I want to hear your prayer requests, and even more, your reports of answered prayer. I’ll happily admit it: I’m a God-story junkie. I love to hear people tell their stories about how God has been moving in their lives. It encourages me, and hopefully encourages others, to keep trusting and keep believing Him. In Revelation, it says, “the accuser of our brothers [the devil] … has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Rev. 12:10-11)
This page is the web site’s Eben-ezer.
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Reports
- A woman had been struggling with hearing from God for years, bothered by doubts that she was only hearing her own thoughts. A relative of hers heard God say that she was going to be part of a group of people who would soon be working in the Spirit. Several weeks later, the woman reported that she had gone back to God and heard from Him clearly, and one of the things He said was “I’ve been preparing you for this.” Thank you, Father, for preparing our hearts to hear from you, even if we don’t always realize it at the time.
- A man was spending time in listening prayer before bed, when he was bitten by a spider on his leg. The bite made his leg itch so badly that he could no longer concentrate and listen to God. He told God, “hold on just a second”, laid hands on his leg where the spider had bitten him, and said “by the stripes of Jesus, I am healed – I speak to the poison in the name of Jesus, and command you to leave my body.” Immediately, his leg stopped itching, and he was able to continue praying and listening. Thank you, Father, that you care about the small things and even heal spider bites.
- A young girl was with her dad and siblings, playing baseball on a ball field. She told her dad she couldn’t run, because she had twisted and hurt her ankle earlier that day. Her dad and her siblings laid hands on her and prayed for God to heal her ankle. Though she didn’t say anything at first, 15-20 minutes later she was telling her dad, “look how fast I can run!”, and running across the ball field as fast as she could. Father, the limping ones cannot limp for very long after coming into your healing presence.
Requests
- Pray for a young girl (3 yrs old) with a very aggressive and terminal cancer. The doctors have said they can’t do anything except improve the quality of her life a little. Father, your name is ‘The Lord Our Healer’. We speak that name over this little girl now.
- Pray for a young man who has recently been getting impressions from God that he needs to make a career change, but has no idea how to begin. Father, you never command the impossible, and your name in Genesis 22 is ‘The Lord Who Provides’. Send your Spirit to guide this man into ‘all truth’, including the truth of which career you have chosen for him.
