Prayer for Rick Watkins

Desperate moments require strategic wisdom from above. My wife, Aneta, came to know Jesus Christ through the efforts of a wonderful American missionary by the name of Rick Watkins. (You can read her testimony here.) Shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain, Rick—and his growing family—embarked upon the call of the Lord to see God transform the nation of Poland, one life at a time. Both Aneta and I (and countless others) are grateful for the Watkins family and their influence upon the lives of so many for the kingdom of God.

Since 2009, Rick has been battling cancer, which has decimated his physical body in such a short period of time. This past Friday, January 8, many who love and respect Rick and his family, set aside this day to pray and fast for his recovery and healing. Please go to the website to learn more about his wonderful family and for updates regarding his health.

This morning Aneta had a remarkable dream that we feel is from the Lord.

Saturday, January 9, 2010
The dream is taking place on the day of prayer for Rick Watkins. Aneta is among a group of people who are praying for Rick—someone asks if anyone has a prophetic word for Rick. A little girl—approximately 4 or 5 years old—stands up. The girl said that when she looked at Rick, he looked like a diamond and that there was a LIGHT that was working inside of him. She proceed to say, “He needs at least one more week for the work to be finished in him.” As the little girl is sharing this, Aneta also “sees” the picture of Rick that the girl saw: Rick’s face and body is immersed in a diamond as the LIGHT is working within the diamond. [end of dream]

In the dream, the little girl said that Rick "needs at least one more week for the work to be finished." I think it's obvious that the work refers to the LIGHT that is at work within Rick. Furthermore, Scripture is clear that “God is light” (I John 1:5) and it's the LIGHT of God that will do the work. Therefore, I want to encourage those that know Rick to continue to stand with him during this challenging time. I’ve taken the time to compile a verse/passage for each day through next Friday to utilize these verses to proclaim over Rick.

January 8-15, 2010
Friday, January 8—this day was set apart to fast and pray for Rick.

Saturday, January 9
Genesis 1:2-4—Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be LIGHT," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.

Father, I pray that your precious Holy Spirit would continue to HOVER over Rick right now even as he’s in the hospital. I bless you Holy Spirit, and I thank you for hovering over this precious man-of-God. I declare in agreement with your Word, “Let there be LIGHT in Rick’s body right now where cancer has ravaged him. We speak to the places where the darkness of cancer has lingered and spread, “Let there be LIGHT!” Thank you Lord that your LIGHT causes the darkness to dissipate. Thank you for touching and restoring Rick's body.

Sunday, January 10
1 John 1:5—This is the message that we have heard from him and declare to you: God is LIGHT; in him is no darkness at all.

Monday, January 11
Psalm 4:6—“Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’ Let the LIGHT of your face shine upon us, O LORD.”

Tuesday, January 12
Psalm 18:28—“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into LIGHT."

Wednesday, January 13
James 1:17—“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly LIGHTS, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Thursday, January 14
Psalm 27:1—“The LORD is my LIGHT and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"

Friday, January 15
Job 33:28—“He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the LIGHT."

Please feel free to post and share any thoughts, insights, prophetic declarations, and/or prayers. Thank you!

In Christ,
Brian & Aneta

Derek Loux Memorial Service

On Wednesday morning December 23, 2009, Derek R. Loux (37), a husband, father, musician, and justice advocate, went home to be with the Lord after a fatal car accident in Nebraska. Derek, a faithful servant of the Lord, was husband to Renee Loux for 17 years and father to ten children, several with special needs.

The Louxes' two biological daughters, Sophia (12) and Michaela (9), were joined by five adopted daughters from the Marshall Islands: Telma (19), Teyolla and Keyolla (twins, 18), Leeann (15), and Sana (8). Of their three adopted sons from the Ukraine, Sasha (7), Ethan (6), and Silas (3), two have Down syndrome and one has spina bifida.

Late in the evening on December 22, after attending a training seminar on how to help children who are rescued out of the sex slave industry, Derek and his friend, Jonathan Oliver, began their return drive from Colorado. They hit a patch of black ice as they drove through a Nebraska snowstorm, causing their vehicle to spin out of control and flip several times. Jonathan and a witness of the accident immediately performed CPR on Derek while waiting for the ambulance. Derek regained a pulse, but his heart rate dropped as they were transporting him to a hospital and he passed away.

Derek was part of the senior leadership team of the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOP–KC) and served many areas of the missions base, including helping to pioneer Forerunner Music Academy. Before joining IHOP–KC, he served as the director of Indianapolis House of Prayer for four years. As a professional musician, singer, and songwriter, Derek recorded several CDs including Paper Religion and Fragrant Burning. He was also a worship leader and a frequent conference speaker.

Derek’s life passion was adopting and restoring orphans, particularly those with special needs. He pioneered the vision of the Orphan Justice Center, a haven of restoration for rescued orphans.

Kirk Bennett, director of IHOP–KC's justice department, worked with Derek and the Orphan Justice Center. “Derek was a joyful husband and father. He is one of the most amazing champions of justice, adoption, and life that I have ever worked with. He was intensely and personally involved in bringing justice to many; he demonstrated the value of life to people and individuals so that they could experience their own value and freedom," said Kirk.

Derek and Renee’s firstborn son, Josiah, a special needs child, passed away when he was 2½ years old. Josiah’s life and death opened the Louxes' eyes to a whole new world of love for children with special needs. As a result, one of their dreams has been to buy approximately 45 acres on Blue Ridge Boulevard, Grandview, to build a “mansion of mercy” and therapy center for special needs children and the staff caring for them. Renee and the Loux children plan to continue their current efforts to help children, fulfilling this dream even in Derek’s death. For more detailed information about the Josiah project and how you can partner with the Loux family, go to www.josiahfund.org.

Mike and Diane Bickle and the entire IHOP–KC staff will greatly miss Derek Loux, his excellent leadership, and his faithful friendship. Speaking of Derek, Mike Bickle says: “He was a faithful man who loved God and cared about people. He led worship teams, and helped start Forerunner Music Academy and the Orphan Justice Center. He was an integral part of our leadership and he will be greatly missed as a dear friend.”

Derek’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the IHOP–KC Forerunner School of Ministry building located at 12444 Grandview Road, Grandview, Missouri, 64030.

Service times are as follows: viewing, 10:00am–noon; memorial service (available by live webstream on IHOP.org/louxmemorial), 2:00pm–4:30pm.

If you would like to assist the family at this tragic time, you may do so by mailing your tax-deductible financial gift to:

IHOP–KC
3535 E. Red Bridge Road
Kansas City, MO 64137

Please make checks payable to “SCCF” and write “IHOP–KC Benevolence Fund” in the memo line.

Checks may also be brought to the IHOP–KC Business Office at 3535 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City. If you would like to make a credit card donation, please call: 816.763.0200 816.763.0200 x.2250.