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Introduction
In Leviticus
God gave a variety of laws and
amongst them was one having to do
with making rash statements. It
says, “Or if a soul swear,
pronouncing with his lips to do
evil, or to do good, whatsoever it
be that a man shall pronounce with
an oath, and it be hid from him;
when he knoweth of it, then he shall
be guilty in one of these” (Lev.
5:4). The individual made a
statement, a promise to do something
and possibly through neglect,
forgetfulness, or the business of
life, promptly forgot about what
they had pledged to do. Later, they
are reminded it was a sin of which
they are guilty.
It is ofttimes
heard after a traumatic happening in
personal or public life, whether it
be the sudden severe illness of a
loved one, a death, or a financial
loss, someone says, “I will pray for
you” or “Our thoughts and prayers
are with you”. Sadly, almost
immediately it is forgotten about.
Two years ago
I was exceedingly ill with kidney
and heart failure. I assure you, I
was
greatly
encouraged by these expressions, and
no doubt there were those who really
did pray for my recovery, and for
that I am grateful. I am just as
sure that due to the business of
life there are others who said it,
and while they may have remembered
from time to time to “say a wee
prayer”, it was almost forgotten
about. I have no doubt that the
Lord was gracious in that those
prayers were answered, and I believe
in the God who does answer prayer.
As I lay there week after week, test
after test, there is the feeling of
helplessness, especially after being
seen by numerous doctors and they
did
not know what the problem was.
What can an individual pray for?
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One of the things which I experienced was the power of Satan in
a very frightening way. As an individual lies there in the
almost silence of the hospital room with little other than the
low hum of the instruments and the flashlight of a nurse doing
her check ups every so often, the devil can work with the mind.
How do you know there is a God? Are you really saved? Is this
whole spiritual data just an intriguing fairy tale? What is
heaven like? Will I see my grandchildren grow up? But, the
worst is the spiritual conflicts and confusion of the mind with
heavy medication. What can we pray for when we see others in
this situation? |
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a) |
Pray for the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical healing
and restraining work of God. Restraining in hindering the
attacks of Satan in the hours of darkness and aloneness. Pray
that the High priestly work of Christ will be known by the
individual in the storm and the presence of the Lord as He was
with the disciples in the boat. As the Lord lay asleep in the
boat and the storm raged, it seemed the Lord was not aware of
their plight, and that can happen so easily and quickly.
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b) |
Pray for the spouse and loved ones of the family for very often
it is harder for them than the individual in the hospital bed.
They also do not know what is happening to the one they love.
From time to time the dark thoughts of death and how can they
carry on, the devastation of the funeral arrangements when one
is numb and just functions mechanically, the going home to an
empty home, an empty chair, even if it is only for an extended
hospital stay.
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c) |
Pray for help to accept the changes in life. Having spoken to a
number of people who have had heart surgery or heart attacks,
they have nearly all noticed a change in themselves. Some
became more emotional at things, others got agitated more
easily. Often doctors do not tell these things and the
immediate family cannot understand what has happened. I know
with myself I was quite stoic but after I would find myself
having a little weep at things which would never have affected
me before. That was hard to accept as was the change in ability
to function as I once did. At one time I could have worked for
hours in the garden or in my studies of the scriptures,
but not now. Apart from the fact that I am older (75), my
strength and energy is not near what it once was. That can be
very frustrating and prayer is needed to accept the new
normality.
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d) |
Pray for those of the medical world whose expertise they are
dependent on. Let us not forget that doctors treat illnesses
but only God can heal, and thank God He is still in the healing
business. Those doctors, specialists, nurses and ambulance
personnel also have traumas to face daily. Sometimes they treat
a little child and other times an elderly individual.
Sometimes patients can be disgruntled and other times people who
are just frightened in the hospital environment. Sadly there
are those times when they do all they can and then have to make
the decision that there is nothing more they can do, and then
bring the family into a secluded area to tell them, “Sorry, we
did everything we could but the loved one did not make it”. If
it is an elderly person that is bad enough, but what must it be
like to have to tell the parents of a little child that news.
They need prayer. When doing surgery, doctors and nurses need
alertness and calmness of mind when things do not go as expected
or planned.
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e) |
Pray that the individual may be able to get a good restful
sleep. The human body needs a restful sleep even when it is
well and healthy. How much more when it is in a weakened
state? The scriptures inform us that it was the Lord who caused
the first man to fall asleep (Gen. 2:21). It is a good and
perfect gift (Jam. 1:17), applicable even today. The scriptures
state, “He giveth his beloved sleep” (Psa. 127:2).
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f) |
If the one who is ill is the main provider in the home but due
to the illness may be unable to work for a considerable amount
of time, help may be needed financially. If it is a wife who is
ill and the husband works, they may need help with the children
or in the provision of meals. I recall when my daughter was so
ill after she gave birth to her little daughter, the women of
the church rallied round and provided a hot meal for her husband
and children every day, not only when she was in hospital, but
also for a time afterward. No one will know how much that was
appreciated.
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g) |
Pray for acceptance of the family, especially if the individual
had been seriously burnt due to a fire, or perhaps marred for
life from a serious accident. There are times when the loved
ones cannot look at the individual because the face is so badly
marred or do not know what to say. This is a time where a
support system is greatly needed so that they are assured of the
family’s love and care. The sick one may feel they are a burden
and this concern hinders their getting better. Reassure them
they are not a burden and that caring for them is an act of love
not necessity. When I was so ill, at separate times my son
Rowan and daughter Esther both took two weeks of their holidays
to come from Edmonton, and my daughter Heather came from Florida
for ten weeks to care for their mum and myself. I shall never
forget that. I needed that support from all my
children, and I got it. |
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The apostle John wrote, “My little children, let us not love in
word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 Jn.
3:18). Prayer is a deed of truth and love. May the Lord
graciously help us in the storms of life. |
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