Church of the Great God

Prayer Requests

Members wishing to have prayer requests posted should email David Grabbe.

New Prayer Requests:

11/07/2025 Simpson, Charme (Newborn)
11/07/2025 Montgomery, Sacha
11/07/2025 Montgomery, Emma
11/06/2025 Simkins, Verna (79)
11/06/2025 Keegan, Barbara
11/05/2025 Clinton, Deborah
11/03/2025 Fuhrer, Mike


   

Brethren in Jamaica

01-Nov-25

Jeff Lockhart writes,

It has been only 72 hours since Hurricane Melissa’s eye passed over Jamaica, leaving behind total destruction. One weather report compared the storm’s force to an EF 5 tornado, 20 miles wide.

Although Jamaicans are resilient and much progress has already been made, full recovery will take many months, and in some cases, years.

Kingston continues to face issues with power, water, internet, and cell service. However, the city was spared the worst of the storm’s effects. All of our members there are safe, with mostly minor home damage—except for one family whose roof has holes. Kingston has recovered enough to resume regular church services tomorrow, November 1, for those who can attend.

The situation around Montego Bay and to the west is much more severe. Flooding and thick layers of mud will take a long time to clear. We are still waiting to hear from nine members of the Montego Bay congregation, though the lack of cell service is likely the reason for no contact. Two families have had trees fall on their homes.

Members are slowly clearing debris around their homes and neighborhoods. Some with vehicles are driving to areas with cell service to reach other members. Roads on the western side of the island remain dangerous. One news report described drivers stuck for 24 hours because debris blocked the road.

We are grateful for the generous donations to Good Works to support our Jamaican brethren. Beyond the damage, many members cannot purchase everyday items, as most deliveries focus on building and infrastructure supplies. We are also hearing that some people will be without income, as their employers are delaying employees’ return to work.

Mark Cant writes,

Pastor Jeff Lockhart will travel to the Montego Bay area on Tuesday to deliver supplies and assess long-term needs. The Montego Bay airport is expected to be open on a limited basis by then.

Thank you for your continued prayers for the Jamaican brethren and all those affected by the storm, and please also keep Jeff’s upcoming travels in your prayers for safety, productivity, and encouragement to the brethren.

31-Oct-25

Jeff Lockhart, the United Church of God pastor of Jamaica, writes,

Jamaica was hit by the third most powerful storm on record. Hurricane Melissa came ashore on the Western side of the island with sustained winds of 185 mph and wind gusts over 200 mph. Our members were as prepared as they could have been before the storm. So far, there have been no reports of injuries to any of our members. However, we have not heard from about 11 members in hardest hit areas. Members have reported water and roof damage, and no power or fresh water. More reports may come in that some members will be suffering from loss of income and damage to cars due to mudslides and flooding. Overall, we can see God’s hand in protecting our members during this terrible storm and we should praise and thank Him for His mercy and blessings.

For those who wish to help, you can donate to the Good Works program which is collecting funds to help the members in Jamaica repair, replace and recover. https://www.ucg.org/give/128

Thank you for your continued prayer, not only for our dear brethren but for all impacted by this devastating storm.

27-Oct-25

Chuck Smith, the United Church of God senior pastor for the Caribbean, writes,

Please keep our brethren in Jamaica in urgent prayer as Hurricane Melissa approaches the island with potentially devastating impact. We have more members in Jamaica than any other Caribbean island, and many live in homes not built to withstand a major storm. They are preparing as best they can, but now they need God’s protection and mercy. “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:2).

Thank you for your earnest prayers for safety, strength, and God’s mercy over His people.

Clinton, Deborah

05-Nov-25

Debbie is very grateful to God and to you for all of your prayers on her behalf. Although her kidney problem has not changed, in spite of the numbers she is feeling very good right now. Her lungs have completed cleared up from the pneumonia and God has given her peace and hope. Thank you for continuing to keep Debbie in your prayers.

31-Oct-25

The doctors at the Mayo Clinic are preparing Debbie for dialysis but need to get her high blood pressure under control first. Debbie has noted that she considers life on dialysis grim but she also noted she is still holding onto God for the healing that only He can give. Please continue to keep Debbie in your prayers.

29-Oct-25

Debbie received bad news today, as the lab results came back showing her kidneys are failing to the point of needing dialysis. She has an evaluation appointment at the Mayo Clinic on Friday and is concerned the doctors may put her on a permanent dialysis regimen. Debbie would appreciate it if you would include it in your prayers that God grants her the peace and strength she needs not to panic and become depressed. Thank you for continuing to pray on Debbie's behalf.

26-Oct-25

Debbie writes this morning: “God has answered prayers and intervened for me...I was able to urinate 2 times through the night, so no hospital today!! God has lifted my heart and I have hope & so much peace! Thank you for your continued prayers for me.”

25-Oct-25

Debbie is in need of your prayers for God's immediate intervention. Debbie's kidneys are failing, and she is unable to urinate. If this continues, she will need to go to the hospital in the morning. Thank you for all of your prayers on Debbie's behalf.

Clinton, Jane (80)

01-Nov-25

Although Jane is better, she is still dealing with the bronchitis that began during the Feast and a lingering cough. Thank you in advance for your prayers on Jane's behalf.

DeBlair, Delicious

31-Oct-25

Karen and Delicious are pleased to report that they are both doing much better physically. They would appreciate your prayers regarding the logistics of hauling a truck that has been offered to them by Delicious' sister. The truck would be used for parts for the one they regularly use, but it is in New York, making for a hazardous trip if attempted during winter. They are asking for God's guidance in how to approach this. Thank you.

Fuhrer, Mike

03-Nov-25

An MRI showed that Mike did not have a stroke. The doctors suggested that he may be dealing with an infection in his inner ear, Eustachian tubes, or urinary tract. It is inconclusive why he is dizzy and having such difficulty walking; their best guess at this point is vertigo. He has been sent home and referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Thank you for your prayers!

03-Nov-25

It appears that Mike had a stroke this morning. He is being transported by ambulance to the hospital. Your prayers on his behalf would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Keegan, Barbara

06-Nov-25

Dave Maas writes,

Please thank everyone for their prayers and calls. Thanks to our heavenly Father, Barbara, Dave, and Julie are all feeling better. We appreciate our brethren!

25-Oct-25

Barbara, along with Dave and Julie Maas, has been sick with a pulmonary infection and Covid since the Feast. Although Dave has made about a 90% recovery as of today, Barbara and Julie are still sick and your prayers for a speedy and full recovery would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your prayers.

King, Arthur and Pauline

24-Oct-25

The Kings are asking for your continued prayers for God's guidance regarding employment, as well as His strengthening and encouragement. Thank you.

Montgomery, Emma

07-Nov-25

Emma has recovered from the strep throat, and the thrush has subsided. Her test revealed a genetic disorder where her body does not produce enough enzymes for breaking down food. This explains what her parents thought for years could be food allergies, acid reflux, and other stomach ailments. She will be supplementing digestive enzymes, which should greatly help if not take care of the symptoms altogether. Thank you for your prayers.

01-Nov-25

The Montgomery family writes,

We would like to put out a prayer request for Emma Montgomery. After returning home from the feast, she had what we thought at the time was just a head cold or strep throat. However, we soon realized she has thrush in her mouth. Over the last two weeks, we have been doing all we know to do. All of the white has gone away from her mouth, from what we can see. However, it has left her mouth and throat blood raw. It is very painful and she hasn’t been able to go without ibuprofen for more than a day or so. The worry is why or how does she have it. We are hoping there isn’t an underlying condition. We are waiting to hear back from a natural doctor in Harrison, AR and hope we are able to get her in to see her and hope she can help. Please pray we can figure out what is best for our sweet Emma and for us to make the right decisions. She has been anointed and we are keeping her diet simple, fresh natural food, lean meats, nothing processed or sugar to help it not to continue growing. (We let down yesterday on the diet and she woke up in severe pain and white blisters on the side of her mouth.) Thank you.

Montgomery, Sacha

07-Nov-25

Sacha is dealing with a number of conditions, including very low thyroid function, as well as insulin resistance (diabetes), PCOS, and high blood pressure. Sacha is doing all she can with diet and natural remedies and would appreciate your prayers for God's guidance. Thank you.

Simkins, Verna (79)

06-Nov-25

Verna is mostly comfortable but very weak. She has no appetite, and it is a struggle for her to eat. She is still dealing with intestinal discomfort. She has to be helped up and can only stand for a minute or so with a walker. The staff will be helping her do a little physical therapy each day, and in time, they want to move her to a rehab facility. But she will need to recover significantly more before that is possible. Thank you for your prayers.

Update: Verna's daughter and son-in-law received permission to bring in food for her, and she is starting to eat more. The physical therapist helped her take a few more steps, so there is some improvement.

05-Nov-25

The doctors at the hospital diagnosed Verna with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff.) colitis, which is a severe condition. She also has a high white blood cell count and her blood pressure is a little low. She is tired but resting peacefully at present. Verna and her family would appreciate your continued prayers for her recovery and God's guidance.

04-Nov-25

Verna is being transported to the ER. Your continued prayers would be greatly appreciated.

03-Nov-25

The antibiotics seem to have wreaked havoc on Verna's digestive and elimination systems, leaving her very weak and dehydrated. The greatest concern at the moment is urine retention. The situation is becoming critical, and she may need to be transported if there is not improvement within the next day. Please pray for the complete healing of her digestive and elimination systems, that she will be able to drink all she needs to drink, and that her bladder and kidneys work without difficulty. Please also pray for wisdom and guidance for her children so they can make the right decisions for her care. Thank you.

02-Nov-25

Ruth Friddle and the Grabbe family are requesting prayers for their mom, Verna Simkins. Some weeks before the Feast, Verna received a fairly severe gash on her ankle from her car door. The wound did not completely heal and became infected. During the Feast, she visited the local urgent care and received antibiotics for the infection because there was concern that the infection was bad enough that she could potentially lose her foot. After the first round of antibiotics, it was determined that she needed a second round of antibiotics to finish clearing out the infection. She has completed the second round of antibiotics but is now suffering from the use of antibiotics, leaving her very weak. She is having difficulty eating enough food and drinking enough water. Additionally, the big toe on the same leg as the ankle wound is purplish red and swollen, with a black band around it.

Please pray for the complete healing of the affected ankle and foot and for Verna's strength and appetite to return. Please also pray for wisdom and guidance for her children so they can make the right decisions for her care. Thank you in advance.

Cards may be sent to:
Verna Simkins
305 Moccasin School Rd.
Edmonton, KY 42129

Simpson, Charme (Newborn)

07-Nov-25

Charme is out of the ICU and is in an intermediate care nursery. She had a swallow study this week and it showed that she has vocal fold paresis. She is completely off the morphine and oxygen was discontinued. Charme will hopefully be discharged by next Monday with a feeding tube and an overnight nurse for supervision. Both parents ask for ongoing prayers and are grateful for the love and support thus far.

Suggs, Ann

30-Oct-25

Bonnie writes,

We’re so grateful for the answered prayers we've already seen. Mom is now settled into a rehab facility closer to home. She’s receiving physical, occupational, and speech therapy every day, and we’re seeing small steps of progress every day. She’s still experiencing some neck pain and confusion as she adjusts, but we’re hopeful that continued healing will allow her to return to her regular assisted living community soon. We appreciate every prayer, message, and word of encouragement - they mean so much to both her and our family. Thank you all!

24-Oct-25

Bonnie writes,

The surgery went very well [Thursday]. Over the next few days, the surgeon will monitor [Ann's] recovery and will make a plan for rehab. She will most likely stay in the hospital 4 or 5 more days. We are very thankful to have this first step behind us. Thank you all for lifting up prayers for her and our family.

Taylor, Patricia

25-Oct-25

Josie Cochran is requesting your prayers for Patricia Taylor, the mother of a dear friend, who recently suffered a heart attack. Although Patricia is doing better she needs the complete recovery that only God can provide. Thank you in advance for your prayers.

Wilhelm, Jeff and Tracy

24-Oct-25

Tracy writes,

We are asking for prayers for God's guidance and comfort for Jeff. He is trying to finish a very difficult build right now and the stress level is preventing him from sleeping. He doesn't know what the future holds for the business as he might be losing employees and there are not many upcoming jobs. He needs help to find the best path forward according to God's plan and will for him. Thank you.

Recent Requests (Last 2 Months):

Brethren in Jamaica
Clinton, Deborah
Clinton, Jane (80)
DeBlair, Delicious
Finklea, Trent
Freeman, Adalyn
Fuhrer, Mike
Green, Thelma (88)
Keegan, Barbara
King, Arthur and Pauline
Montgomery, Emma
Montgomery, Sacha
Sakala, Musonda
Schaeffer, Joseph
Simkins, Verna (79)
Simpson, Charme (Newborn)
Stoertz, Paula
Suggs, Ann
Taylor, Patricia
Wilhelm, Jeff and Tracy
Wood, Naomi