Prayers and Permits

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

When you move an organization across a continent, there are bound to be some challenges along the way. The challenges that come up are often nothing more than God’s way of reminding us of just what a great God He is.

With trucks soon to arrive from Southern California, Jeff Blumenberg—a field representative of It Is Written ministries—who managed our cross-country transition, was prepared and organized. Jeff had laid out a comprehensive, time-sensitive plan of what needed to happen to facilitate the ministry’s move. Office space had been leased, and renovations were needed before staff, furniture, and equipment could move in. A carefully crafted timeline would have to be followed if everything were to happen as it should.

Local authorities had reviewed our plans and assured us the issuance of the necessary permits was merely a formality. We could move forward confidently with our plans to relocate the ministry.

However, some days after dropping off plans, forms, and our permit application, Jeff received a phone call requesting he visit with the Zoning and Planning Commission to discuss “some issues.”

“Even though your premises is a certain size, the total area of the building you’re in is ‘this’ size, and therefore, your blueprints have to be ‘stamped.’ You need to have this all reviewed by architects and engineers. Until you do, there’s no way we can give you the permit you’re asking for.”

Jeff ’s experience with this type of issue told him this would not only add to the cost of the project, but also increase the processing time by weeks—weeks we did not have! The staff was scheduled to arrive and would not be able to occupy the office. Semi-trucks full of furniture and equipment were scheduled and—it was not good. And Jeff knew it.

“But you previously told me—” he tried. “I’m sorry, Sir. There’s nothing we can do.”

However, Jeff could do something. Before turning to leave, he prayed a silent prayer. “Lord, it’s time for You to do something. We are in a jam here, and there is no way out. Please, I need Your help!”

The woman behind the desk looked at Jeff impassively. She would not be moved.

At that very moment, a man emerged from a back office. Jeff had not seen him during the conversation and did not know that the man was near.

“Um, excuse me, Sue,” the man spoke to the woman behind the desk. “But I wonder if there’s something we can do to help this gentleman.”

Jeff and Sue looked at the man quizzically. Jeff held his breath and prayed, “Lord, please…”

“I’m thinking that if we were to do this…” The man began, pointing to a paragraph printed on a piece of paper he was holding. “And if we looked at it from a different perspective, I wonder if we couldn’t give Mr. Blumenberg that permit right now. What do you think? I think we could do it.”

There was a brief pause—and more praying—before the woman at the counter smiled and said, “You know, I think we can do that!” Five minutes later, It Is Written had the permit we needed to complete our renovations and get our new premises ready for occupancy.

“I don’t even know who that man was,” Jeff told me later, “or why he bothered to get involved in our situation. That was definitely God moving on our behalf. That was nothing short of a miracle!”

This story, told by Pastor John Bradshaw, was taken from the book 'Get Ready For A Miracle,' published and distributed by Remnant Publications. It is reprinted with permission. To read more amazing stories like this, click here!

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World Church Prayer Requests

August 4 - 11, 2019

• PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for the International Pathfinder Camporee taking place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 12-17. The theme is “Chosen.” Pray for our young people to recognize that they have been chosen by God for a specific purpose. Pray that many will make decisions for Jesus.

• PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for the upcoming Generation of Youth for Christ mission trip to Iceland, August 8-18, 2019. Young people from all over the world will converge in Reykjavík, Iceland, to pass out GLOW tracks and to pray with citizens. Pray that God will open many doors and hearts during this mission trip. Pray also for the young people to have a special life changing experience with Jesus on this trip.

• PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for our young people who live in countries where there is religious persecution. Pray that they would stand strong for the faith, and that they would be mighty witnesses for God’s glory.

• PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for the young people who will be starting school in the coming week(s). Pray that even in their studies, they will grow closer to Jesus and have a strong desire to be a faithful witness for His glory.