The Public Servants’ Prayer

Matthew November 13th, 2007

September, 2006

Greetings!

It has been several months since I have given an update. For that I apologize. So much has transpired in the past couple of months that now we will have trouble telling it all! Feel free to call any time for more details ☺.

Prayers Answered!

Many of the prayer requests mentioned in our last newsletter have been answered, PTL! The biggest of these has been our house situation. God sold our house (for full asking price!) and we had 60 days to find another house. We put offers in on several houses, but each time God closed the door in one way or another. Two of the houses we put bids on had not seen a bid in over a year, but were bought out from under us by the next morning. God certainly was protecting us, but it was difficult because we still didn’t know where he wanted us. To further complicate the house-hunt, HONDA announced plans to put a plant in Greensburg, and real estate became a tight commodity. We began to explore alternative housing options, from pitching a tent ☺to renting. About 2 ½ weeks before we needed to be out of our house, I had just about decided to put our belongings in storage. Even though many of the people who were praying for us told us that God had something wonderful for us, I began to have my doubts. Finally God convicted me of not fully trusting Him and I repented and put it back in His very capable hands. That same day we put an offer on a house that was accepted within two hours, even though it was significantly lower than asking price. God’s timing and ways are certainly not ours!

Our new house is not just any house. We couldn’t have ordered it any better. If you talk to us, Miriam will tell you all her dream house and I will tell you all about the barn. But you’ll just have to come out and see it for yourself. The house is located just west of Greensburg, 45 min. from the statehouse, cutting my previous drive time in half, PTL.

Legislator Bible Study

On August 10^th Miriam and I had the wonderful privilege of sponsoring a legislator Bible Study hosted by Rep. Gary Dillon and his wife Ann in Northeast Indiana. Thank you all for your prayers for this time, as the Holy Spirit accomplished much that evening in ways that I could not have imagined. Please continue to pray for this effort, as we hope to do more of these meetings in other parts of the state.

Prayer Requests and Praises

Please pray for all elected officials as this is a very busy season for them, and remember to thank the Lord for their dedicated service. Some will be seeking reelection, some are resigning and some will lose their seats. Please pray that God would impart his wisdom and direction to them. Here are a few specific prayer requests from the statehouse.

A senator’s wife’s cancer has come out of remission. Please pray for them and their family.

I was able to pray personally with a senator regarding a serious health condition with his mother. He called back later and said that a miracle had happened and his mother was doing much better. PTL!

Another elected official’s daughter has recently been diagnosed with cancer. She has small children. Please pray for her and her family.

There are many more such needs in the statehouse, because these leaders are people just like you and I. As you continue to “pray for all those in authority”, please pray also for me as I meet, pray with and pray for these leaders. Pray that God would continue to grant me favor as I seek to serve the Lord in this capacity.

News from the Home front

Miriam is still sorting through boxes, the children are enjoying a bigger play area, and home education has started. We are also spending much time updated our “new” 1920’s house.

Thanks!

In closing, I also want to thank each one of you for caring, praying and giving so generously of your time and financial gifts. We discovered moving is a very expensive proposition. But God, through you, has met every one of those needs, and we are truly grateful.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,

Rev. Matthew Barnes

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