Church of the Great God

Prayer Requests

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

New Prayer Requests:

11/15/2025 Simkins, Verna (79)
11/15/2025 King, Arthur and Pauline
11/14/2025 Benefiel, Shirley
11/14/2025 Green, Thelma (88)
11/11/2025 Bowling, Sandy (65)


   

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.

Brethren in Myanmar

10-Nov-25

Shortly after the Feast, brethren with the Living Church of God (along with many others) were forced to flee their village in Myanmar as the military began occupying the area. Their village has since been burned, and those unable to escape were tragically killed. The military now controls communication and has cut off both internet and phone lines, making contact extremely difficult. Some brethren are sheltering with others, some are hiding in the countryside, and others are unreachable. Please pray for their safety, strength, and God’s protection during this time of great danger for them. Thank you.

Benefiel, Shirley

14-Nov-25

Shirley is experiencing extreme and debilitating pain; she is unable to stand for much more than a minute, let alone do much of anything else. She would greatly appreciate your prayers for God's intervention in relieving the pain. Thank you in advance for your prayers.

Bowling, Sandy (65)

11-Nov-25

Sandy has returned home from the hospital without experiencing any paralysis. He is currently on medication and will need to rest for at least a week before thinking about returning to work. Your prayers are truly appreciated!

09-Nov-25

Ted Bowling and Jackie Eggers are requesting prayers for their brother, Sandy Bowling (65), who suffered a stroke. He has been admitted into the hospital and doctors are performing tests today. Thank you in advance for your prayers on Sandy's behalf.

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.

Clinton, Jane (80)

10-Nov-25

Jane reports that God has truly answered prayers in giving Debbie and herself great peace and rest throughout their most recent health issues. Although she is completely over the flu Jane would appreciate your prayers that God would give her relief from the severe allergy she has that is causing her to cough and be greatly fatigued. Thank you in advance for your prayers.

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.

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.

Green, Thelma (88)

14-Nov-25

Rex reports that his mother died early this morning. Thank you for your prayers on her and his behalf. Please remember Thelma's children during this time of grief.

13-Nov-25

Rex reports that his mother's vital signs are dropping and she has stopped eating. He is making arrangements to travel to see her. Your continued prayers for God's guidance are appreciated.

09-Nov-25

Thelma was taken back to the hospital because she is not doing well. Before the Feast, she had been making some rehabilitation progress, but last week she came down with a cold and her congestive heart failure is getting worse. Rex's niece has suggested that Rex should consider visiting his mother now rather than waiting until Thanksgiving. He is asking for your prayers for God's intervention on his mother's behalf, as well as God's guidance and wisdom for the situation (including housing and weather considerations). Thank you in advance.

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!

King, Arthur and Pauline

15-Nov-25

Arthur reports that some small work projects have come his way, and he is grateful to God for His guidance and providence. While the family does what it can to eat healthfully, the family cannot always afford the best food, and as a result Arthur is suffering with edema and cellulitis. He would appreciate prayer for God's mercy in lifting these terribly debilitating conditions. 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)

15-Nov-25

Verna's doctors performed a number of tests after she finished her last course of antibiotics. Thankfully, the tests showed that she is now clear of the life-threatening C. diff., and that her white blood cell count is back to normal. Her vital signs are good. She is still weak (though progressively getting stronger), and her family is working on replenishing her gut flora. Thank you very much for your prayers!

13-Nov-25

Verna's appetite continues to grow and she has been able to keep herself hydrated. She is regaining some strength and advancing in her physical therapy. Her family is encouraged by her progress and would appreciate your continued prayers for God's wisdom and guidance. Thank you.

09-Nov-25

Verna has been moved to a rehabilitation facility. She has settled in, is eating more, and doing physical therapy. She is no longer on an IV for fluids, so it will be important for her to stay hydrated on her own, which has been a challenge. She is also discouraged by her circumstances. Your ongoing prayers are appreciated.

The rehabilitation facility address is:
NHC Healthcare
109 Homewood Blvd.
Glasgow, KY 42141

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.

Recent Requests (Last 2 Months):

Brethren in Jamaica
Brethren in Myanmar
Benefiel, Shirley
Bowling, Sandy (65)
Clinton, Deborah
Clinton, Jane (80)
DeBlair, Delicious
Finklea, Trent
Fuhrer, Mike
Green, Thelma (88)
Keegan, Barbara
King, Arthur and Pauline
Montgomery, Emma
Montgomery, Sacha
Simkins, Verna (79)
Simpson, Charme (Newborn)
Suggs, Ann
Taylor, Patricia
Wilhelm, Jeff and Tracy
Wood, Naomi