Prayer for Deliverance

My trip out had its "highs" and "lows". But at least I got a fair bit done, and some which I hadn't foreseen.

My chip fryer has been busted for weeks. (I have no idea how anyone expects me to live without chips/french fries!) So, I was finally able to replace it today. And the reader may recall I had asked social services if they would provide me with a recliner chair to sleep in, as without going into specifics, sleeping in bed can be both hazardous and just plain foolish at times. But they no longer provide recliners. I had intended to contact some charities to see if they were willing to provide one. Then in the local shopping area, I saw one at a fraction of the price they normally are, so went and inquired about it. And also to see (seeing as its not electric or motorized) if my pathetic body was strong enough to handle it. And it was, so I left a deposit to secure it, and when the bank is open in the week, will pay the balance when I can get some cash out to do so. It should make my nights a lot more safer, and maybe waking up feeling "like death" fewer. (DV) and at times also help pain issues. So, tho I hadn't planned on spending a couple of hundred quid, I see this as a wise investment and a good thing to use savings on.

Whilst out my pain started to hit, and I did one of the stupidest things I can think of. I ignored it!! Within a short time, I could barely push myself around and was audibly groaning as I did, and the degree of it literally knocked me nauseous. So, I stopped and took my pills and waited for them to kick in. It was my own fault for doing what I know I shouldn't do and ignore it. As mentioned a few posts ago, the old maxim of its easier to stay out of pain than get out of pain is sure true.

On coming back, I unpacked, and then headed for my bed with a bunch of books. And also read some Scripture. I am currently as part of my private devotionals reading Ecclesiastes. I find its the wisdom book I go back to most often, tho perhaps people would expect that to be Job, yet Ecclesiastes to me has some magic about it where the imparting of wisdom is concerned. Some of my entire favorite verses in the Old Testament would have to include:

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

I read Chapter four, and somehow this spoke to my heart as it seemed to confirm all my worst fears about coping with the level of adversity and affliction I do, in Christian isolation. After reading it, I prayed to God to send me deliverance in the way of my isolation, as theres little else I can do. I saw a Christian friend earlier in the week, it was the first time I had been in Christian company for around four weeks. That level of isolation, especially in this level of affliction gives Satan inroads that most may not be able to imagine. Perhaps especially when ones only companions at times are of the world. It just makes for all kinds of conflicts and tumult, and of the often spoke of angst I sometimes post here. So, after reading the below, and also the commentaries (also below) I prayed to God for deliverance from this life of almost complete isolation, as it seemed to me its not His will for any one of His people to be so separated, and it makes me a sitting duck at times as far as being under spiritual attack goes.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken

Daniel, carried away in early years from his native land, followed in Babylon the good practice to which he had been accustomed in Judea, of religious society with his companions in bondage. He, and his three pious friends, by such means increased in wisdom, and became as remarkable for their spiritual health, as they were for their outward appearance, although fed on pulse, while they refused the delicacies of the king's table. Our Saviour had much private fellowship with his peculiar disciples; and they after his death met together for prayer, for praise, and for religious conference. Happy, my brethren, is the man, who finds Christian friends and associates: Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend; but wo to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. [Prov 27:17; Eccles 4:10] [Alexander MacLeod --True Godliness]

Reason. The ground hereof is because, as the joy of the Lord doth strengthen, so doth sorrow weaken the soul. How doth it weaken?

1. By weakening the execution of the functions thereof, because it drinketh up the spirits, which are the instruments of the soul.

2. Because it contracteth, and draweth the soul into itself from communion of that comfort it might have with God or man. And then the soul being left alone, if it falleth, hath none to raise it up, Eccles 4:10. [Richard Sibbes]

Eccles 4:10. They; one of them, the plural being put for the singular, as Jon 1:5; Matt 21:7; 1 Tim 2:15. Or both of them successively. Fall, in any kind, into any mistakes and errors, or sins, or dangers and distresses. Will lift up his fellow; hold him up if he be falling, or raise him up if he be fallen.

Eccles 4:11. They have heat; they will be sooner warm in a cold bed and cold season. How can one be warm alone? not so soon nor so thoroughly.

Eccles 4:12. Against him; against either of them. A threefold cord is not quickly broken; if a man have not only one, but two or more friends, he is so much the safer and the happier.[Matthew Poole]

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