FAMILIES WITH AN EMPTY CHAIR

 

The holidays are always a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones, especially the first holiday season after the death.  There are families within our church and community, and within your circle of family and friends probably, who will have an empty chair at their Thanksgiving table or around the Christmas tree.  The joy of the season is mingled then with sadness, and the grieving process gets complicated.  You’ve probably already been praying for these families and individuals, but it’s especially important that you remember to intercede for them during this holiday season.  Pray the Scriptures for them. The Word of God promises His presence, peace, and comfort for them.

“Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her...”   -- Luke 7:11-13  (NIV)
 
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”   -- Psalm 23:4  (ESV)
 
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”   -- John 14:27  (NIV)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”   -- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5  (NIV)

WEEKLY PRAYER UPDATE –  November 19, 2025
Missions: 
Capstone Church, Helena, Montana – Caleb Groteluschen, pastor; Ben Quigg, worship leader
Senator Barnes & family –  East Asia Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for World Ventures
Juan Pablo and Sol Herrera –  Hispanic ministry in Ponder; new class began on Oct. 19
Stephen & Sabrina Marshall –  church planting in France
Church:
Ponder Kares for Kids
Staff search for permanent worship leader
This week’s worship service, Bible studies, and BodyBuilder groups
Trunk or Treat follow-up
Personal Needs:
Spiritual awakening in our community, in our nation
Salvation -- Those on your "Who's Your One?" list
Steve Simpson – had stroke behind left eye, affecting vision;  undergoing more tests
Grief:  Stan Brandon and family – death of his mother; funeral on Saturday, Nov. 22
          Lori Kleibrink & family – death of her mother
          Debbi Stack, Charlie Williams & families – death of their father, Jack Williams
Gary Carrington –  has begun chemo again for cancer in in multiple organs
Shelly Pope –  no longer taking trial treatment for liver cancer; still taking cancer medication
Susan Quigg – diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's
Gene and Judy Vaughan – pray for physical and mental healing  and mental well-being
Chary Horton – ongoing health issues requiring lots of care
Tim Johnson – doing well at home recovering from hip replacement surgery
Donna Nuckels (Don's sister-in-law) – auto-immune disorder caused by Covid vaccine
Justin McClain (Ponder resident) & wife, Maranda & 2 daughters –  continuing cancer treatment
John Frank's new great-niece, Maggie – has completed chemo treatments for cancerous tumors, and they have shrunk enough for her to have surgery to remove them
John Frank's mother, Justine – tumor growth has reappeared; will undergo more treatment
Halle Deaton (25 yr old former member from Krum) – diagnosed with breast cancer
Those in assisted living/nursing homes:  Barbara Nofziger, Carolyn Gillespie, Mary Alice Benton

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