Category Archives: Prayer

Freed American Pastor Andrew Brunson Prays for President Trump

The story below from Fox News tells details, but we want to say just how awesome this scene is and the fact that it happened in the Oval Office of the White House absolutely thrills us.

Freed American pastor Andrew Brunson met and prayed with President Trump in the Oval Office Saturday, thanking him for having “really fought for us” — a day after his release from house arrest in Turkey.

Brunson, from North Carolina, arrived in the U.S. earlier Saturday after stopping in Germany on Friday. Brunson was imprisoned in October 2016 due to his alleged ties to an outlawed group as part of a crackdown on a failed coup in Turkey against President Recep Erdogan’s government. A Turkish judge on Friday ordered him freed from house arrest on Friday after sentencing him to time served on terror and treason charges.

Brunson thanked Trump in the Oval Office, saying “you really fought for us, unusually so, from the time you took office.” He also thanked members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who had worked for his release.

“We’re so grateful to so many people in Congress who stood with us, who prayed for us, who fought for us,” he said.

In a dramatic moment, Brunson knelt down and prayed with the President — asking God for “supernatural wisdom to accomplish all the plans you have for this country and for him.”

In his remarks, Trump said it was a “great honor” to have Brunson in the White House and thanked a number of lawmakers and members of the Cabinet for their assistance in securing Bunson’s release.

You can read the remainder of the article by going here.

Plea From Samaritan’s Purse

From Franklin Graham:

As I write this, Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief units are on the way to the Florida Panhandle and other hard-hit areas that were ripped apart and flooded by Hurricane Michael’s destructive winds and rain. This was one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States in the past 50 years. Thousands of people are facing unimaginable devastation, and they need our help. 

In the days and weeks to come, our teams will be helping these hurting homeowners by clearing storm debris, tarping roofs, and mudding out inundated houses. Most importantly, they will be sharing the hope and comfort of the Gospel with those who feel desperate and helpless in the wake of this catastrophic storm. 

Even as we rush help to those who are suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, we are still working hard to assist homeowners struggling to recover from Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas and Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

Your support is critical to this effort. We need volunteers who are willing to serve with us in Jesus’ Name. Above all, please pray for these storm victims, many of whom who have lost virtually everything. 

Thank you and may God bless you.

“In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge until the storms of destruction pass by”
Psalm 57:1 (ESV)

Use this link to go donate to or volunteer for Samaritan’s Purse.

Prayers Answered – Amy Is Home

After being at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis since Wednesday morning at 9:00 am, I’m happy to report that Amy is now home recuperating from two separate heart procedures.

Wednesday, she had a cardiac ablation performed to help correct an AFIB condition that wasn’t being controlled with medication.

Thursday, they placed a pacemaker to assist Amy with an extremely low heart rate that regularly ran in the 30’s.

The doctors have told us that both procedures were highly successful and they expect a full recovery with results that will improve Amy’s overall health.

She is on full restriction for two weeks or until after her follow-up on the 20th.

After that, she is still on partial restriction for another two weeks, with no driving until after all restrictions are completed.

She has to be very careful with her left arm, which is the side the pacemaker is on, with a 5 lb weight limit for now – no reaching, stretching, back scratching etc.

She is still in quite a bit of pain, but they sent her home with pain meds and we are hopeful that will work out for her.

Love and blessings to you all and thank you again for the prayers already sent and the ones you continue to give for us.

Pastor Ed and Amy Boston

Asking for Prayers: Amy Boston To Have Heart Procedure Done Wednesday

The better half of Pastor Ed Boston will be having a heart procedure done on Wednesday.  Amy is scheduled to have a cardiac ablation done at IU Methodist Hospital.

There is a possibility that she will have a 2nd procedure done later in the week.

We are asking that all those who believe in the power of prayer to lift her up, as well as her doctor and all of the medical staff that will be taking care of her.

We are believing in complete healing and comfortable recuperation!

Thank you all for your support.

The 55th Anniversary of MLK’s “I Have A Dream” Speech

Is Dr King’s dream still alive in 2018?  I sure hope so, but I know God’s will on this topic  certainly is:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

Presidential Message on the 55th Anniversary of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, “I Have a Dream” Speech

Issued on: 

Today, our Nation commemorates 55 years since the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March for Jobs and Freedom, and spoke passionately for his dream of equality and justice for all.

On August 28, 1963, Dr. King addressed a sea of marchers from across our Nation and spoke to the conscience of all Americans.  He told the crowd about his dream.  “I have a dream,” Dr. King declared, that the United States would fulfill its creed and treat all people as having been created equal; that people would form bonds that overcome racial injustices; that race would be irrelevant to social status or position; and that freedom and justice would prevail throughout the Nation.  Dr. King ended his speech with a vision of enduring freedom: “When we allow freedom to ring—when we let it ring from every city and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing…: ‘Free at last, Free at last, Great God almighty, We are free at last.’”

More than half a century after his speech, our Nation reaffirms our commitment to protecting the promise of America for all our people.  For this reason, my Administration is continuing to create an environment where the American Dream—and its many opportunities—are available for all hardworking Americans.  As a result, for example, we have already seen the unemployment rate for African Americans reach a record low.

As we mark this historic milestone, we remain ever optimistic of our shared future as children of God and citizens of this great Nation.  May the memory of Dr. King, and the efforts we have made to fulfill his dream, remind us of the bonds of love and mutual respect that unite us.

Statement From STRYPER About Oz Fox

The Ed Boston Podcast Network along with other media outlets have been notified by reps for Stryper via press announcement that Stryper band member Oz Fox has suffered a “medical emergency”. We send our thoughts and prayers. Please see full statement below:

Official Statement from STRYPER Regarding Band Member Oz Fox

Sunday, August 12, 2018 — News began circulating this morning that Stryper’s Oz Fox suffered a medical emergency on stage in Las Vegas overnight. In order to provide accurate information and dispel any rumors, the band has issued an official statement:

Our dear friend and lead-guitarist Oz Fox fell ill Saturday night while performing in Las Vegas with a side project that he sometimes plays in when not touring with Stryper. Oz suffered a seizure causing a fall on stage. After performing an MRI, doctors discovered an area of concern near his brain which they are now running a biopsy on. The doctors have instructed him not to drive or fly for 90 days. No additional information is available at this time. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and we will communicate additional information as it becomes available. 

The logistics and options for current tour dates are being discussed with the respective promoters. U.S. tour dates will play as scheduled and in anticipation of a full recovery will include Oz Fox. The upcoming Australian tour will be performed as a trio (with the blessing of Oz), and will include Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Perry Richardson. For our fans in Japan, please await an announcement from the concert promoter there as to the plans for the Japan tour.

New information will first be communicated via Stryper.com and Stryper’s official Facebook page. 

Rocking since 1984, STRYPER is responsible for such classic ’80s metal albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell with the Devil and In God We Trust. In fact, STRYPER is the first band to ever have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously with their hits “Free” and “Honestly.” After a sabbatical for much of the 1990’s, STRYPER returned strong in the early 21st century. Their latest album, God Damn Evil (Frontiers Music srl), was released in April. To date, the Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated band has sold over 10 million records worldwide.

For more information, visit www.Stryper.com.

All media requests should be directed to Brian Mayes at Nashville Publicity Group, brian@nashvillepublicity.com or 615-771-2040.

Some Thoughts About Prayer

This weekend, Amy and I will be attending a Church Family Camp. I’m very excited for the opportunity to go and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, and to refresh my spirit and return even more on fire for the Lord.

On the first night of camp, I’ve been asked to speak about “Why and How We Should Pray”. While studying for my topic, I came across the following 5 tips that were written by Betsy de Cruz, a Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer.

If all the technology things work out correctly, I will post a video of my talk when we get back from camp.

You can find the entire article at Crosswalkcom by going here.

Here are her 5 tips:

Tip 1: Pray Simply

We might think we have to pray passionate, persuasive words for God to hear us, but in reality, He listens even to our shortest “SOS” prayers.

“The fewer the words, the better the prayer,” said Martin Luther. Isn’t that reassuring? We can talk to God in everyday language, just like we talk to a friend. We don’t have to pray long. God delights in a simple word of praise, like “Lord, I love you.” He treasures the anguished prayer of a mother when she calls, “Heal my child.”He answers the simplest request: “Lord, give me strength for today.” 

Tip 2: Read the Word

Have you ever had a one-sided conversation with someone who talked continually without listening to you? The conversation didn’t go very far, did it? We do the same thing to God when we pray without reading the Bible, His eternal letter of love and wisdom to each one of us on earth. Reading Scripture helps us get to know God. It brings life to our prayers.

If you want to have a more effective conversation with God, read Scripture. Let David’s words in the Psalms enliven your prayers. Stop in the Gospels to pray over a verse that strikes you, asking God to work that truth into your heart. Let the words of Paul’s letters give you specific prayer requests for yourself and the people you love.

Tip 3: Make Prayer Active and Multi-Sensory 

Prayer grows dull when we turn it into a purely mental exercise. God made us creative beings, so why don’t we bring creativity to our prayer lives? Lighting a fragrant candle can send a signal to our brains: “It’s time to pray.” It can bring a sacred sense of awe to a few minutes of prayer. Listening to music can help us focus on God. Many people enjoy doodling, drawing, or painting while they pray.

I help my ADHD-plagued brain focus on prayer by keeping a prayer journal. Making a list of requests keeps my mind alert; I stop to pray for each petition after jotting it down. Occasionally I write out longer prayers like a letter. A prayer journal builds faith when you look back over your petitions and recall God’s answers.

Remember you don’t have to sit quietly to pray. My best prayer times happen out on the walking trail. Praying aloud also helps me keep my mind engaged, but I save that for prayer times at home.

Tip 4: Make Prayer an Integral Part of Your Day

This verse baffles me: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;” (1 Thess. 5:16-17) Is it really possible to pray without ceasing?

How about trying an experiment? Start and end your day with prayer. Lift up short prayers to God as often as you can throughout your day. Pray over your schedule. Ask God to help you with your to-do list. When you hear a troubling news report, lift the situation up to God. Say a prayer for your spouse or child as you give him or her a hug. Pray for the person you’re talking to. A friend of mine gives thanks whenever she stops at red lights while driving. Look for prayer moments that work for your life.

Tip 5: Pray Expectantly

Prayer becomes a lifeless exercise when we’re not looking for answers. Jesus invites us to expect God to work. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

How much more exciting prayer becomes when we keep our eyes open to watch for God’s answers. Sometimes I wonder how many answers we miss because we don’t really expect God to respond.

Remember Colossians 4:2: “Devote Yourselves to Prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 

How about getting started today? Don’t get discouraged if you get distracted like I do. Just get back on track. Pray and watch for God’s answers, so you can thank Him. He might answer differently than you expect, but His answer will always be better than what you had in mind.