Saturday, May 28, 2011

Prayers

I've grown up being taught that prayer is powerful.
And now more than ever I'm holding onto that belief.

Many, many years ago I went away to school. I was fifteen years old and went to the boarding school during the summer so I could work for several weeks before school started. It was good in many ways because I was painfully shy and so I could become familiar with people one at a time as they came to work and then drifted into school in the days before registration.
But the problem was - I'd never been away from family before and I was painfully homesick.
There was another girl staying the summer there. She was going to be a senior and from my experience most seniors didn't hang out with lower classmen. But she was willing to room with me that summer and even agreed to be my roommate for the next school year. 
Her name was Christine and I looked up to her quite a bit that next year. She taught me to french braid, to work in the Arkansas heat and to enjoy having devotions. She was always cheerful no matter what happened. I remember quite a few times that I was headed in a wrong direction and she knew it. She wouldn't critisize or talk down to me. Somehow she would point my stubborn head in the right direction without getting my sensitive little feelings hurt. And let me tell you, that took some talent. =)
She graduated and I had many other roommates, but I never forgot how wonderful she was that first year away from home.
Facebook and the internet allowed us to keep in contact somewhat and my dear roommate is now married with an adorable little boy. 
This past week I found out that she has a brain tumor and because she is about 12 weeks pregnant the doctor wants to "wait and see". From what I've been told her prognosis isn't all that great.
I am very, very worried and upset. And I know that her family is even more so.
But here is the thing - God is amazing! He knows what is best for Christine and He knows what the outcome will be. He loves to help us and if it's His will He's going to make miracles happen.

There are several verses that keep running through my head right now. 

Mark 11:24
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.

James 5:14, 15
Are any of you sick? . . .a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick and the Lord will make you well.

I sent out a mass email (I hate those things normally) to everyone on my email list to please pray for her. Both of our parent's churches have her on their prayer chains. My current and previous church also put her on the prayer list. I've emailed three church conferences (that are currently having camp meetings) and asked for prayer. One of my book club friends is having her entire church pray also. So here is a verse that I'm thinking of when I think of the people all over the world who are saying a prayer for my sweet and amazing roommate.

Matthew 18:19, 20
I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

Please keep Christine Neall in your prayers.

2 comments:

  1. I have been reading a lot about prayer the last five months. There is soemthing amazing in prayer. I have put your friend on my family prayer list. They will be praying for her healing as well as myself. Let us know how things are!

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  2. I will keep her in my prayers

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