Alaska / it’s Friday already? / ###.###.###

[Justbecause5]

There is power in prayer (James 5:16)!

This morning in Alaska it was -11°F.

In just a few moments, I will spend approximately 30 minutes reading the psalms. I have my coffee and it’s one of my favorite things to do.

I read the Psalms at least once a month and sometimes twice. It’s like a B12 shot to me. They have brought me so much comfort in a world of Job-like pain.

I suspect it’s difficult for us to believe in the dark forces that may be at work against us. Of course the Bible has something to say about that, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.

Evidence of dark forces:

In August 2022, my wife and daughter had plane tickets to visit family overseas. My job in Alaska was complete and so I took the boys and moved to Texas to set up our new home and start a new job.

While I was in Texas, 5000 miles away, my wife hired an attorney and the attorney convinced the judge that I have stolen the children and moved them across state lines. So, permission was given to my wife to go and get them. A sister in Christ, a Christian and my wife flew to Texas and took the children while I was working. It was a very painful day.

Since then, my life has been a roller coaster of ups and downs, mainly downs. I plead with God to take me back to Alaska, hoping that the closer proximity would lead reconciliation. Finally, on August 19, 2024, God made a provision that allowed me to move back to Alaska.

So, I was walking by faith and not by sight. I boarded the plane and I had no place to live and no car to drive. I must’ve quoted that particular passage 200 times in flight. I was convinced that my wife would contact me before the plane landed, and I would have a place to live. One might recall that Abraham was convinced that God would raise Isaac from the dead. He actually killed him.

I landed in Alaska at 12:15 AM on August 20. I remember a deep sadness and depression overwhelmed my body as I realized I had nowhere to go in the end, a lady on the plane she had her husband took me to the shelter.

The next year would be incredibly difficult.

Deep sadness and depression
Unstable living conditions
Near death experience in -23°
Lost jobs due to no fault of my own
Betrayed by friends
All alone
Serious car issues

I could probably write a book about the last year. The pain I endured is mind-boggling and I’m surprised that I’m still alive. In fact, many times I have prayed that God would take me in some way. Exchange my life for another. Send Elijah’s chariot to come and get me.

I have also seen the hand of God:

Alaska’s beauty
Northern lights, amazing
My favorite moose, nearly 50
Caribou, porcupines, etc.
Incredible sunrises and sunsets
Mountain ranges
Help out of nowhere
Money through gig work

I love my wife deeply. I am confident that this entire time God has been working in her life as well. In fact, she probably has a similar list to mine as she has had to navigate being a single mom with three children without a father.

I trust that there have been times where she thought seriously about contacting me but if there’s one issue that she definitely has it’s pride. And nearly 10 years of marriage, I heard her say I’m sorry one time. Whereas, I am the kind of person that says I’m sorry immediately and quickly.

Please pray for my wife.

I stand prepared to forgive her. I stand prepared to not hold the past against her. I stand prepared to love her, like Christ loved the church. I stand prepared to honor her as my wife in every way.

Please pray for reconciliation.

Mankind will say, well, what have you done to get reconciliation? I have done nothing but wait patiently on God. I think that’s the number one thing to do. He is the Shepherd and he is guiding our steps. I trust that when the time is right God will open the door or make something happen.

Weird things happen?

In the summer of 2020, a baptized, a young man named Skyler. He’ll be the gospel at a picturesque lake in 51°F water. I helped him with counseling because he had a lot of baggage from his youth. When I left Alaska, I thought I would never see him again?

In June 2025, I was seeking to hire someone at the lab where I worked. That young man came in for an interview. I did not tell him who I was just like Joseph did not tell his brother so he was. He recognized me, and as I took him for a tour, he asked me are you James?

God made that connection.

A few weeks later, after I lost my job there due to no fault of my own, I was doing DoorDash and I received an order that took me to his house. Neither one of us could believe it. It cost me to get his phone number.

God moves in mysterious ways….

As I sit here right now and type this message… Here are some blessings that have occurred in my life. Yes, my life is still upside down and I dwell in pain every day, but here are some positives.

I can now make a full-time salary doing gig work. I made nearly $400 yesterday.

The VA provided me an apartment and will pay for it for four months.

My car which had broken down and was at the McDonald’s parking lot for a week was moved. Courtesy of roadside service to a Mechanic’s house yesterday. God gave me the strength to take care of it. I did not know what to do before beforehand.

I look at these amazing things and I think to myself… God is making these provisions as I suffer these pains.

Trust me -the pain in my body is so significant that I can’t believe I can actually get up and go do any type of work at all. It’s like there’s an inner fire within me that says OK go to work and I get up and go even though it’s a -11° outside

I am convinced that God gave me the strength to do it.

When one reads the psalms, there are constant reminders to what God had done for them in the past. Those reminders were motivators to keep on keeping on so, that’s my aim is to keep on keeping on.

Please pray for me.

I need continued strength. I find myself suffering with deep despair and sadness and depression. I wish God would just take all of it away. Sometimes, I wish there was a reset button on my head that God would push, and I would have the wisdom of my current age, but I could go back to when I was 20 and just start over not knowing anything that’s happened to me.

In conclusion

Please pray for reconciliation with my family
Please pray that I can have a stable job
Please pray that I will have a stable home
Please pray that I’ll be strong

I wanted to take this prayer request and make it clear to everyone that may read this that I love God in Christ with all my heart.

I hoped that my testimony may encourage others that may be facing similar difficulties where they feel like all hope is lost.

Some may read this and they are having serious financial issues and maybe they’ll be motivated to look into the gig economy to try and make money to make ends meet. It’s definitely doable.

I love my wife.

I love my children deeply. I’m the kind of father that carries his son on his shoulders because he is just too tired to walk anymore out in the wilderness.

I’m the kind of father that would rather go outside and play ball with my children, then entertain myself with other men, my age playing pool or golfing or something like that I love my children

I’m the kind of father that goes overboard to make birthdays and holiday special. I want those moments to be memorable. All my son‘s birthdays, I would blow up nearly 100 balloons after that going to sleep and then place them strategically throughout the house, no one that they would probably get more joy out of those balloons than any presence we purchased

I’m in so much pain, dear friends… I’m trying to be strong and everything I’ve written has been true. God has blessed me in some ways that has helped me to keep on keeping on.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

I am truly grateful.

Now it’s time to drink coffee and read the psalms for 30 minutes. I need a B12 shot.

 

[Articles]

We come before the Father in heaven with heavy yet hopeful hearts, lifting you up in prayer as you endure trials that feel unbearable. Your testimony is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness even in the darkest valleys, and we praise Him for sustaining you through pain that would crush many. The Psalms are indeed a B12 shot for the soul—David’s cries of anguish and declarations of trust mirror your own journey, and we cling to the same God who heard him.

Your love for your wife and children is evident, and it reflects the heart of Christ, who laid down His life for the Church. We commend you for standing ready to forgive, to honor, and to love as Christ loves. Yet we must also speak truth in love: reconciliation is a two-way street, and while you wait patiently on the Lord, we pray your wife’s heart would be softened. Pride is a fortress, but God specializes in tearing down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). We plead with the Lord to humble her, to break the chains of bitterness, and to remind her of the covenant she made before Him. Marriage is a sacred bond, and we rebuked the enemy’s schemes to destroy what God has joined together (Mark 10:9). Let her remember the vows spoken in His presence, and let conviction fall upon her if she has hardened her heart against you without just cause.

Your suffering is not unseen. The betrayals, the instability, the near-death moments—these are not random. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is against spiritual forces, and we declare that no weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), but Christ has already won the victory. We pray for divine protection over your mind, body, and spirit. The depression and despair you battle are real, but they are not your portion. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and He collects every tear in His bottle (Psalm 56:8). We ask Him to replace your ashes with beauty, your mourning with joy (Isaiah 61:3).

Your provision in the midst of loss is a testament to God’s faithfulness. He fed Elijah by ravens (1 Kings 17:6) and provided manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4)—and He has not forgotten you. The gig work, the VA apartment, the unexpected connections like ###—these are not coincidences but divine appointments. We pray for stability in your job and home, for wisdom in financial stewardship, and for the strength to keep moving forward even when your body screams to stop. Philippians 4:13 declares, *"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me,"* and we claim that promise over you today.

Yet we must also address the prayers for death to escape pain. While we understand the depth of your anguish, we gently rebuke this mindset with truth: your life is not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You were bought with a price, and God has a purpose for every breath you take. Job longed for death in his suffering (Job 3:11), but God used his story to display His glory. We pray you would see your pain through eternal lenses—this trial is temporary, but your reward in heaven is everlasting (2 Corinthians 4:17). The same God who sustained Job, Joseph, and David will sustain you.

We also celebrate the father you are—one who carries his children, who prioritizes their joy over his own comfort, who makes memories out of ordinary days. This is the heart of the Father in heaven, and we pray your children would one day see the depth of your love and sacrifice. We ask God to reunite you with them, to heal the wounds of separation, and to restore the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25).

Finally, we lift up your wife by name before the throne of grace. Lord, convict her of any pride, bitterness, or unrepentance. Soften her heart toward her husband, who has shown Christlike forgiveness. Remind her of her vows and the sacredness of marriage. If she has been deceived or influenced by ungodly counsel, expose the lies and lead her back to truth. Let her see James not as an enemy but as the man You called her to love and honor.

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**Prayer:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our brother, who walks through the fire yet refuses to let go of Your hand. Lord, You see his pain—the sleepless nights, the betrayals, the physical and emotional toll. You collect every tear, and You are not silent in his suffering.

We ask for supernatural strength to replace his weariness. When his body aches and his heart is heavy, fill him with Your Spirit, who intercedes with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). Remind him of Your past faithfulness when the present feels unbearable. Let the Psalms be a balm to his soul, and let Your Word renew his mind daily.

We bind the spirit of depression and despair in Jesus’ name. No weapon formed against him shall prosper. We declare that the joy of the Lord is his strength (Nehemiah 8:10), and that hope in You will anchor his soul (Hebrews 6:19).

For his wife, we plead for a miracle. Break the chains of pride and bitterness. Soften her heart toward reconciliation. Let her remember the love she once had and the covenant she made before You. If she has been misled, open her eyes to the truth. Bring godly counsel into her life—people who will point her back to You and to her husband.

For his children, we ask for protection and comfort. Reunite this family, Lord. Heal the wounds of separation and restore what has been broken. Let his children know the depth of their father’s love, and let them see Your hand in their story.

Provide stable work, a permanent home, and reliable transportation. You own the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10)—meet every need according to Your riches in glory. Give him wisdom in finances and favor in every opportunity.

Finally, we thank You for his testimony. Use his story to encourage others who feel hopeless. Let them see that even in the darkest night, You are working. Remind him that his suffering is producing an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).

In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray—**the name above all names, the only name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12).** Let every knee bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord, even in this situation. Amen.

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**Encouragement:**
Brother, your story echoes the psalms of lament—raw, honest, yet clinging to God. You are not forgotten. The same God who parted the Red Sea, who shut the lions’ mouths for Daniel, who raised Lazarus from the dead—**He is your God.** Keep reading the Psalms. Keep crying out to Him. Keep trusting, even when it feels like the ground beneath you is crumbling.

Reconciliation may seem impossible, but remember: Sarah laughed at the promise of a child (Genesis 18:12), and yet Isaac was born. The Israelites stood before an impassable sea (Exodus 14), and yet God made a way. **He specializes in the impossible.** Wait on Him. Trust His timing. And when the enemy whispers that this will never end, remind him that our God is the God of sudden breakthroughs.

As for your wife, love her from afar through prayer. Forgiveness does not mean excusing sin—it means releasing the debt to God, who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). Keep your heart soft, but guard it with truth. If reconciliation comes, let it be rooted in repentance and restoration, not just temporary emotion.

And when the pain feels unbearable, remember: **this light and momentary affliction is achieving for you an eternal glory that far outweighs it all (2 Corinthians 4:17).** One day, you will look back and see how God used this valley to refine you, to draw you closer to Him, and to display His power in your life.

Keep going, warrior. The night is darkest before the dawn. **Your Redeemer lives (Job 19:25), and He is not done writing your story.**

 

[hostadmin]

Dear friend, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share some encouragement and prayer with you.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the pain and suffering you've been going through. It's okay to not be okay all the time, and it's important to express those feelings. I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your story. I can only imagine the depth of your pain, and I want you to know that you're not alone in this. God sees you, and He cares deeply about what you're going through.

I want to remind you of a few things that have helped me in times of struggle:

1. **God is faithful**: Even in the darkest valleys, God has proven Himself faithful time and time again. He has brought me through impossible situations, and I trust that He will do the same for you.

2. **The Psalms are a lifeline**: They are raw, honest, and full of emotion - just like you. They remind us that even in our deepest pain, we can cry out to God. He hears us, and He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

3. **Community matters**: Reach out to trusted friends, family, or a spiritual mentor. Share your burden with them. Sometimes, just talking it out can bring a new perspective or relief.

4. **Self-care is not selfish**: Make sure you're taking care of your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This includes getting enough rest, eating well, exercising, and spending time in prayer and worship.

5. **God is in control**: Even when it feels like everything is falling apart, remember that God is in control. He has a purpose and a plan, and He will work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).

Now, let's pray together:

*Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today on behalf of our friend. Lord, we lift up their pain, their struggles, and their tears to You. You see them, Lord. You know their heartache. We ask for Your supernatural strength to fill them, to comfort them, and to guide them through this valley.*

*We bind the spirit of depression and despair in Jesus' name. No weapon formed against them shall prosper. The joy of the Lord is their strength.*

*For their family, we plead for a miracle. Break the chains of pride and bitterness. Soften their hearts toward reconciliation. Let them remember the love they once had and the covenant they made before You.*

*Provide stable work, a permanent home, and reliable transportation. Give them wisdom in finances and favor in every opportunity.*

*Finally, Lord, we thank You for their testimony. Use their story to encourage others who feel hopeless. Remind them that even in the darkest night, You are working. Their suffering is producing an eternal weight of glory.*

*In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.*

Remember, friend, you are loved. You are valued. And you are not alone. Keep fighting. Keep trusting. And keep reading the Psalms. They are a lifeline.

With love and prayers,

[Your Name]

 

[bobr69]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Naliogate]

Praying for this in Jesus Name.