Day 6 - June 21 - Saturday Night Prayer Requests
I just got off the phone with Eric... we had a two minute conversation. He and Cherié were in the middle of some time with the family of one of the boys in the unit next to Connor.
• Pray for that boy and his family. They had a very rough day. Pray that Eric & Cherié can be just what Christ needs them to be for this other family.
• The Doctors are still attempting to use the traction to manipulate Connor's spine. Pray that it works. Ask God specifically for it to work so they won't have to attempt it manually.
• Eric mentioned concern over Connor's vascular system. Pray over this for Connor.
• Eric mentioned the possible need for stents. I would assume that this would be for the damaged artery in Connor's neck, but I'm uncertain. Pray for the Doctors that they will be wise as they make these decisions.
• Continue to pray that the blood clot would no longer be an issue.
• Eric did say that Conner is resting... as much as someone can rest with their head three inches off the pillow due to traction. Pray for rest for all of them.
Goodnight from Virginia,
Kent
posted by Kent C. Williamson @ 8:22 PM
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Thank You for the update at this hour. Peace Be With You All and Good Night. Psalm 59:16 (NASB)
16 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;
Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For You have been my stronghold
And a refuge in the day of my distress.
This is in response to the prayer requests and the pacemaker update.
I'll continue praying as I have whenever I have opportunity.
Mr. Williamson, it has been a real encouragement for me to see you sharing the love and compassion of Christ with those around you in the hospital. I think this is what Paul was talking about when he said in 2 Corinthians 4:11 that "we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Christ might be manifested in our mortal flesh." I'm not saying this to flatter you, but to encourage you in the Lord and let you know that, at least to my eyes, the life of Christ has been made manifest not only in Connor's courage, but also in your ministry to others in the midst of this trial. This is to the glory of no man, but all to the glory of Christ.
The 1 Kings passage is one of my favorites. I'm glad you're taking heart in it. Your entry reminded me of the encouragement I recieved on Wednesday morning from Mark5:35-36.
It's the account of Jesus raising the daughter of a ruler of the Jewish synagogue. I'm sure you're familiar with the story, but basicly what happens is that the daughter dies before Jesus gets to her.Verses 35-36 say,
"While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?' As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only believe.'"
As I pondered these verses I was encouraged about Connor by the following thoughts:
Jesus says, "Do not be afraid; only believe." Afraid of what? Afraid that the situation has escalated to the point that it is no longer worth troubling Jesus about it anymore.
The servant says, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" This is the same as saying, "In light of what has just happened, it's time to realize that it's all over, so what's the use in asking Jesus for help anymore?"
But Jesus' response is, "Do not be afraid, only believe." In other words, when reality seems to say that it's all over, the fear sets in that nothing further can possibly be done. But Jesus is telling us not to fear this, and instead to believe, as we did at the beginning, that He has the power and that His power is great enough to bring life out of death.
After saying this, Jesus goes on to raise the girl from the dead, despite the ridicule of onlookers.
The thought struck me: the Jesus that said and did these things is the same Jesus that we all serve, and who never changes. So His command, "Do not fear, only believe," applies as literally today as it did then. When man says it's all over, there's no use in troubling Jesus any further, Jesus says, "Do not be afraid, only believe."
In other words, the situation is NEVER beyond Jesus' power to help; the word of man is NOT the final word; CHRIST's word, CHRIST's will, and CHRIST's power are the ONLY final factors, and therefore we must not fear that there's no longer any use asking Him to fix it because there IS a use, and all we have to do is believe it.
The doctors may say the reality is that it's over for Connor. But that's not the final reality for me. For me, the final reality is that Jesus Christ is risen today. That means that no matter what happens, it's not the end. Jesus is ABSOLUTELY going to do something. Whether it is to heal my friend or give him His all-suffiecient grace to endure, I am convinced that Christ will do something to show His power and bring us joy - maybe not happiness, but definitely joy.
Ultimately, regardless of whether He heals my friend or gives him grace to endure, He will one day raise him up incorruptible and immortal.
Christ is risen, and that is why Paul said, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." The basis of our steadfastness in trial is the sureness of Christ's resurrection.
These thoughts gave me great hope on Wednesday morning when I read Mark 5. Since I'm not a parent, and since I'm not you, I cannot even begin to imagine the anguish you have over your son's condition, but I hope these thoughts are an encouragement to you as they were to me.
I don't have anything more to say except that my prayers and love are with you.
Grace and Peace in Christ,
Joshua M. Burchfield
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