Tag: intercessory prayer

sickness

There Are No Hospitals in Heaven

meghanewhite

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It’s been an eventful several days. Not the kind of events that are fun. My husband Tom is in the hospital. Friday, he had four seizures really close together, which he’s never had before. I called 911. He was rushed to the ER, where we were told kidney failure, and dangerously low hemoglobin. It was a nightmarish deja vu, as we went through a similar situation two years ago with the very same problems. This time it’s more complicated because of the seizures. 

Tom was admitted to the ICU Friday night with a large team of doctors overseeing his care. He was given five blood transfusions which then caused fluid on his lungs. So transfusions had to stop to clear out his lungs. Hemoglobin has gone up and down since Friday. However, after a sixth blood transfusion yesterday, his hemoglobin was improving. The blood loss has been one of the top priorities in all of his symptoms and problems. His kidneys are still not doing well and were worse yesterday afternoon.

There have been non stop scans, tests, procedures and everything in between. Because of the seizures, there is a special camera in his hospital room that monitors him in case he has more seizures. Thank God Tom has not had any more seizures. It was more than likely caused from losing two thirds of his blood combined with kidney damage.

There are so many things going on his body I can barely keep up with all of the specialists and their prognosis and assessments. There is far too much information to share in this post so I’m trying to hit the highlights. Tom was moved to Intermediate Care on Monday, it’s a step down from Intensive Care. That’s a good thing.

We have excellent doctors and nurses taking care of Tom. We are grateful. Tom has a good attitude. I just want him healthy. I am praying for healing and so many others are as well. We have a large prayer team of friends, family, and strangers, praying for Tom. We are truly blessed. 

Our church has been incredible! They are storming the gates of heaven for Tom. Church members are calling, texting, and emailing to let us know they are praying and here for us. Our church family is ready to bust through the hospital and lay hands on Tom. We are grateful for such a wonderful body of believers supporting us. 

Every prayer matters, so thank you to all of you who have been praying. I believe in prayer and its power, because it is God’s power on display. He does some of His best work in impossible situations. I can’t wait to see what He’s going to do for Tom. He has already done so much for us. I know He’s not done.

In the middle of our crisis God has given me peace. I have times where fear and discouragement come in, but it doesn’t last long. The Holy Spirit keeps reminding me of the truth, and Who is in charge. Tom is in God’s mighty hands, no matter what a doctor says.

Spending some time in the ICU has given me a fresh perspective on suffering. Each time I walk the hallways I see so many names on the outside of hospital rooms. That’s someone’s loved one, suffering and sick. Some rooms are filled with people and some are quiet.

The other day I heard loud shouting, and I thought, “Oh no, someone is angry and letting a staff member have it.” I leaned my head out of Tom’s room to check out the commotion, and realized the loud voice was a loud prayer for healing. It was coming from a room of a very young man, late teens, maybe early twenties. A man was calling on the Lord to heal this young guy. How many others are praying right now in a hospital, asking God for a miracle.

Yesterday, Tom’s daytime nurse was answering my questions and updating his vitals and all his numbers to me. I shared my concerns about Tom’s kidneys and mentioned that we are Christians which she replied that she too is a Christian. She began to share scripture with me and encourage me greatly. As she was talking I noticed her name tag said Comfort. A wonderful nurse, placed at the right time, at the right place named Comfort. Thank you Lord.

There is someone reading this right now, and you are in the middle of your own crisis. You might be wondering, Where are you God? He is right there, as close as your next prayer. He is faithful and He will see you through your trial.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV 

Thanks for your prayers, love, and support. 

Love you all,

Meghan 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for taking such good care of my husband during this scary time. You bring peace, comfort, wisdom, and healing. I am asking You to heal Tom, completely. You have the final say on Tom’s health, and life. You are faithful, perfect, holy, awesome God! We praise and thank You!

I lift up the person reading this who is overwhelmed in their own crisis. Lift up their head Lord. Provide every single thing they need. Bring healing, breakthrough, peace, freedom, and absolutely anything that they are crying out to You for. Nothing is impossible with You. Comfort and protect them.

In Jesus Mighty Name, 

Amen!

Photo Credit: Meghan E. White 

sickness

The Prayer Shawl

meghanewhite

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The memories of my mom came flooding back when I found this blanket in a closet. I was looking for something, I don’t remember what, when I saw what I thought was a blanket folded up. Then I remembered, Mom’s friend had knit this prayer shawl for her during her chemo treatments for lung cancer.

While I was at my mom’s house right after her death I spent maybe an hour or two going through a small amount of her stuff. This prayer shawl was handed to me by her husband, and I just added it to my little pile of keepsakes. I had not given it a second thought until the other day when I took it off the shelf.

Mom’s precious friend knit the prayer shawl and prayed over it while she was creating this sweet gesture of love. The three stitch pattern represents Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each time mom wrapped the prayer shawl around herself she was reminded that God’s love covered her.

The prayer shawl has no magic or special powers. It is just a beautiful symbolic picture of God’s love and the power of prayer. When I look at the prayer shawl I see kindness and compassion from a dear woman who cared about my mom. To make something with your hands for the sole purpose of encouraging a suffering human is an act of love.

I am grateful to have this lovely prayer shawl as a reminder of my mom’s suffering and the love of our Heavenly Father holding her in His mighty hands. She was covered in the best way possible, by the power of God. Mom still had pain and cancer never left her body, but God, carried her through all the way home.

The prayer shawl reminds me to pray for the hurting. To lift others up, and be an encouragement when surrounded by discouragement. To pray for God’s covering over the sick and suffering.

Christians are to be people of prayer, all the time. Now, more than ever we must be fervent in our prayers. Don’t stop praying. Pray all those big prayers that are absolutely impossible in our strength. Pray and ask God to heal, to save, comfort, convict, to seek and save the lost. Pray, and pray, and pray.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24, NIV

Love you all,

Meghan

Father God,

We praise and thank You for Your goodness, faithfulness, and love. There is none like You. We lift up all those who are sick. Heal them, comfort them, and draw them close to You. Cover them in Your love. Encourage all the sick and suffering. You are close to the brokenhearted. May they feel You closer than ever.

In Jesus precious name,

Amen

Persecution

Join a Global Prayer Movement

meghanewhite

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Sunday, November 7, 2021 is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians.

According to Open Doors, in just the last year there have been:

  • Over 340 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination
  • 4,761 Christians killed for their faith
  • 4,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked
  • 4,277 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned

More from Open Doors:

  • 309 Million: In the top 50 World Watch List countries alone, 309 million Christians in the world experience high levels of persecution and discrimination for their choice to follow Christ.
  • 1 in 8: Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution
  • 4,761: Christians killed for faith-related reasons in the top 50 WWL countries.
  • 4,488: Christians detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned in the top 50 WWL countries.
  • 4,277: churches or Christian buildings attacked in the top 50 WWL countries.
  • 2.7 times: the amount the number of Christians killed has risen in sub-Saharan Africa, year over year.
  • 20:Consecutive years North Korea has ranked No. 1 as the world’s most dangerous place for Christians.
 
Every single day our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering around the world for following Jesus. Many will lose their lives. These are the heroes of the faith. We won’t see them on social media. They probably won’t write books. Yet they are warriors for God. These precious unsung Christians are my personal heroes. Their courage, faith, and love for Jesus is inspirational.
 
To suffer and even die for the name of Jesus Christ is an honor. Jesus himself suffered greatly in his short time on earth. We too will suffer for the cause of Christ. 
 
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats: do not be frightened. 1 Peter 3:14, NIV 
 
For those of us who live without this intense persecution we have an obligation to pray. To share the Gospel because we can, freely. To talk about Jesus, show His love to others, and be His hands and feet in this hurting world. 
 
Join me, and thousands of Christians around the globe, as we pray for the persecuted church this Sunday November 7th. It’s also encouraged to pray for the persecuted church the entire month of November. 
 
One of the most powerful things we can do is pray. 
 
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b, NIV 
 
You can pray by country. You can pray for specific missionaries that you know of, or maybe missionaries that your church supports. Pray that our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ stay encouraged. Pray for their protection. Pray that the Gospel will be spread in these hostile countries. Pray that God is glorified. There are countless ways to pray for the persecuted church. Both The Voice of the Martyrs, and Open Doors have great resources of how to pray, and other ways you can help.
 
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galations 6:2, NIV 
 
 
Let’s lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ every day.
 
Love you all,
Meghan 
 
 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV 

 
 
The Voice of the Martyrs global prayer guide.

https://www.persecution.com/globalprayerguide/?_source_code=WHPB20C

Open Doors

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Prayer

Pray Like Elijah

meghanewhite

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Prayer is one of the most powerful things we can do as Christians. Sometimes we make it our last resort, which I’ve been guilty of. Prayer can be treated like a task on a to do list. We sigh and pray because all of our other efforts have failed. 

Prayer should not be the last hopeless act for the Christian. Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon. We are not praying to the air, or the clouds, or a mysterious god. We are coming to the Throne of Grace of Almighty God. He answers His children when we call. 

Pray like Elijah.

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:17-18, NIV 

Elijah was a prophet during a turbulent time in Israel’s history. God used him in an exceptional way. When he was sent into hiding by God the ravens fed him (1 Kings 17:2-6). God sent Elijah to stay with a widow, and her flour and oil miraculously never ran out. When the widow’s son was deathly ill, Elijah pleaded with God for the boy’s life, and God healed the child (1 Kings 17:7-24).

One of Elijah’s most famous moments is with the prophets of Baal. He called down fire from heaven which burned up the sacrifice and everything around it. All the people fell to the ground and cried, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!” (1 Kings 18:39). Then Elijah slaughtered the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:40). 

When Elijah prayed earnestly for rain. He climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. Elijah sent his servant six times to look toward the sea for signs of rain. On the seventh time the servant reported “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea” (1 Kings 18:44).

But Elijah was just a regular person like you and me. He got tired and discouraged, just like we all do at times. When Elijah fled in fear of Jezebel he begged God to take his life. That did not stop God from encouraging Elijah, and still using him greatly.

Elijah was a superstar prayer warrior who got to experience many miracles. Clearly he was gifted by God, but still just a human like us. Elijah was obedient and did what God asked of him time and time again. 

Elijah prayed according to God’s will.

Elijah prayed for rain and it did not rain for three and a half years. He asked God to change the weather and God did. This was all according to God’s plan. 

Elijah had to completely rely on God.

God sent Elijah to hide in a ravine with no food or water. He had to trust that God would do exactly as He told him by providing water from the brook and ravens to bring food. 

Elijah asked God for miracles.

God healed the widow’s son after Elijah pleaded for the boy’s life. He called fire down from heaven. These are no small feats. Only God could perform such miracles.

Elijah prayed earnestly.

He continued to pray and sent his servant seven times to look for rain. Elijah kept praying until there was rain. 

Elijah’s prayers resulted in God being glorified.

During the sacrifice he prayed to God. Elijah asked the Lord to answer him so the people will know that the Lord is God, and that they would turn their hearts back to Him. 

Our prayers can be as powerful as Elijah’s. 

What if we prayed bigger bolder prayers?

Not just prayers for our personal needs, which we should do. Prayers for salvation. Prayers for our country to turn to God. Prayers for the salvation of our unsaved friends and family. Prayers for healing, forgiveness, peace, miracles. Prayers for the impossible. What if? 

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b, NIV 

When we pray we are calling on God Almighty. Our righteousness is from our faith in Jesus Christ. This means our prayers are powerful. This is an amazing gift from God. When we pray, God moves. We can pray just like Elijah did, and watch God do marvelous works that bring glory and honor to His name. 

Help us Lord, to want what You want.

Let’s pray like Elijah.

Love you all,

Meghan 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the amazing gift of prayer. We can come to you at any time, any place. You will never turn us away. Teach us to pray big faith-filled prayers. May we ask according to Your will. Help us to clearly hear the Holy Spirit as we pray. All glory, honor, and praise to You!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Prayer, Trials

God Is Answering Our Prayers

meghanewhite

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I have another praise report. I am so happy to share with you that my husband is doing much better. His catheter was removed earlier this week, after 10 weeks! He was in constant pain. Sometimes it was unbearable. No pain meds, and the few prescriptions the doctors gave him to alleviate pain did not work. So, my amazing husband endured. He is my hero.

Tom’s kidneys are slowly beginning to recover. His numbers keep improving. We are praising and thanking God. It is an answer to our prayers, and the prayers of so many friends, family, and strangers from all over the world. Countless people have been praying for Tom. We cannot thank you enough.

We are still believing for complete healing. We trust God to get Tom to the other side fully healed. We have not arrived yet, as he has another surgery soon. God has brought us this far, and He will finish what He started.

Our faith has been tried and tested. We have had some discouraging difficult days through all of this. God continues to care, comfort, carry, and provide for us. He is faithful even when we cannot see. That’s part of the faith test. Sometimes its dark, but you have to trust in what you cannot see. We trust God.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; and trust also in me.” John 14:1, NIV

Thank you so much for your many prayers! May God bless you abundantly for being a blessing to us.

If you need prayer please leave your request in the comments or send an email to meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com

Love you all,

Meghan

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Your love and faithfulness is overwhelming. You are our perfect Father. Praise your name! Bless each person who has prayed for us. Strengthen their faith, provide for their every need, and bring blessings to their homes and lives.

In Jesus name,

Amen