Michael Bates

Please pray for my family. We have been crushed by the Goliath power of the state for 5 horrible years. The outcome has been the signature of a man decreeing our God given children will be kept permanently by the state. Pray for Nikki 9 and a new Christian who lacks the capacity to grasp the finality of this grotesque overreach into our family. Pray for Lucy 16 who has lost her faith and is in a stress center for a second time in three weeks. Lucy is self harming and is dealing with suicidal ideation. She has unraveled over this 5 year period of separation and identifies as a lesbian. She wants nothing to do with God and feels abandoned and forsaken. Pray for Lane who suffers from multiple emotional issues. Lane has also lost his faith. Lane turns 18 in weeks and will be emancipated from the state. Pray he know he is loved. Our doors are open to him at our home and want him to return. All three children have been indoctrinated into a secular psycho analytical worldview that has left them more empty and confused than benefited. Please pray for my wife Lori and mother to our children. Her heart is ripped asunder. She possesses a beautiful spirit and love of Jesus. Her faith at times is tested so much that the will to live is questioned. I too suffer. Pray I remain focused and strong. I suffer from clinical depression and it is extremely difficult to find encouragement. Pray we find a church home. We are in many ways isolated. We need God’s peace. We need strength. We need hope. We believe God is great and sovereign even in matters so painful. We ask you pray for God to make some way where there simply is no way. All I can do is exercise the faith within and humbly come to others for sincere and earnest intercession. I know nothing else to do. Please brothers and sisters understand your prayers are the thing we need now and often. It is in knowing that others are going to pray that we find the glimmer of hope in this darkest time.

Received: August 24, 2022