Tag: pray for one another

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

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

Family

Brotherly Love

meghanewhite

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“We’re best bros!”

Joshua’s words were a loving reminder to his big brother Dylan that no matter what, they had each other’s backs. This was something Joshua would say often, when they were still little. When I could still protect them from so much.

These two precious boys, now young men, are my heartbeat. If they hurt, I hurt. If they succeed, I rejoice with them. The love they have for each other is no accident.

Dylan was six when Joshua was born. It was a little rough for Dylan at first, having to share Mom and Dad after a good long stretch of being the prince. Now there were two princes. His jealousy didn’t last long once he felt the responsibility of being the oldest. Dylan rose to the occasion.

Joshua looks up to his protective loving big bro. They have had their fights over the years but the anger never lasts. Now that Dylan is an adult, and Joshua is a teenager they don’t fight. They may get on each other’s nerves from time to time, but they don’t have huge arguments. It’s the grace of God.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1, NIV

I have always prayed for my boys and I always will. Several years ago I began praying Psalm 133 over my children. I wanted them to have a good strong relationship that would last their entire lives. My boys don’t know I pray that exact verse over them. It’s one of my many little mom secrets.

I don’t brag about my kids very often. I probably should a lot more. I am sharing this special love they have for each other to brag about God and His goodness and faithfulness. The bond my boys share is a gift from the Father. I count it as one of my many blessings.

My pastor used to say, “There are only two things you take with you to heaven, your relationships and your character.”

His wise words come to mind so often. When my boys spend time together, and look out for one another, it’s like having a tiny piece of heaven to enjoy right here on Earth.

Thank you Father for these two incredible young men.

Thank you Father for the love they have for Jesus.

Thank you Father for the love they have for one another.

How good and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robes.

It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore.

Psalm 133, NIV

Love you all,

Meghan

Family, Trials

I’m Believing for a Miracle

meghanewhite
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Photo by Josh Sorenson on Pexels.com

It has been a very long and difficult week.

It all started last Tuesday, March 9th. My husband has needed hernia surgeries for some time now. The surgeries have already been rescheduled once, and Tom was finally getting prepped and cleared by his doctor to have the procedures. He left our house Tuesday morning to get an ultrasound. I went about my morning and headed to the grocery store.

After completing my errands, I was sitting at the traffic light to leave the shopping center. My light turned green and I proceeded through the intersection like I’ve done hundreds of times. In the corner of my left eye I could see something coming at me, and I quickly realized it was a vehicle, coming fast.

The vehicle came barreling through the red light and hit the front end of my car, slamming my head into the drivers side window. I barely got my car to the side of the road and started realizing what had happened. I called 911. Within minutes it was a blur of cops, and tow truck drivers. As this was all happening I received a text from Tom letting me know he was going to the hospital to receive blood transfusions because his hemoglobin was really low.

Tom was admitted Tuesday and has not left the hospital. I had to go the doctor on Wednesday to get checked after the car accident. Tom and I have the same doctor so I was able to get more details from him. Before my examine, the doctor updated me on Tom. The first thing out of his mouth was, “acute renal failure”. My heart sank, and my eyes got big. “Is Tom in the ICU?” I asked.

“No,” the doctor told me. He reassured me that Tom was receiving excellent care. He then proceeded to say a lot of things as he concluded and sent me off to get x-rays. I was in shock and was trying to process what exactly was happening to my husband. Up to that point Tom and I had not had much communication because of my accident.

I finally got to see Tom Wednesday evening. Thank God the hospital recently allowed one visitor per day. He was in pretty good spirits but writhing in pain. They had given him a catheter to drain the fluid on his kidneys. Catheters are incredibly painful. I have never had one, but my mom had to many times over the years.

It was too much to bear watching Tom in so much pain. They had been giving him morphine but it was pretty useless. I was asking the nurses for any help to relieve his suffering and they were doing the best they could do.

When I left the hospital that night I collapsed in the car and cried the ugly cry. I hadn’t had a chance to feel much of anything for two days. I had to go through the motions to deal with my totaled car, and the other drivers insurance, and getting a loaner car, and doctors, labs, and finally my husband’s very serious health crisis.

Tom has received 5 blood transfusions. The doctors do not know why he is losing so much blood. His kidneys have slowly improved each day but they are still really bad. There are still many questions as to what is happening in Tom’s body.

I was able to meet with the nephrologist over the weekend. He painted a very grim picture of the seriousness of Tom’s kidney failure, mentioning possible dialysis, and even worst case, kidney transplant. I let the doctor know I’m praying for full kidney function and healing. After my not enjoyable visit with the kidney doctor, we met the hematologist.

The blood doctor seems determined to get to the bottom of Tom’s anemia. The hematologist mentioned cancer and possibly doing a bone marrow draw. The hematologist wants to rule everything out to get to the cause of low hemoglobin.

I know this is a lot of information. There is a lot going on with Tom. More tests are being done today.

My husband is tough. His attitude is good. Tom is hopeful for a full recovery. He is tired, worn out from dealing with constant pain for days, and would love to not be in the hospital.

I am grateful to so many wonderful people throughout this entire crazy experience.

Thank God for good Samaratins. A man pulled over immediately after my car accident and checked on the other driver and myself. He did not have to stop. Everyone else drove right past us, but he chose to stop and offer help. God bless him, wherever he is.

Thank God for first responders. The 911 operator was amazing. She was kind, and patient, and walked me through everything. God bless her. The two cops on the scene were kind, helpful, and reassuring. God bless them. The tow truck driver took me home to drop off my groceries. God bless him.

Thank God for excellent doctors and nurses and all hospital caregivers. Tom has had great care with brilliant doctors determined to get him better. God bless them all.

Thank God for blood donors. They save lives, including my husband’s. God bless them.

Thank God for friends and family. We have had so much love and care poured out on us. We have no family living near us, but our church small group has blessed us greatly. They have helped us with dinners and are proving two meals per week since my two boys are still at home. God bless all our wonderful friends and family, and church family.

We trust God and know that we are in His mighty hands. This is not an easy place to be right now and is very difficult. We are in a faith walk, and are trusting Jesus to lead us out of this.

“Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23, NIV

I am asking for your prayers. Please pray for Tom to be completely healed.

Love you all,

Meghan

Prayer

Do a Prayer Walk Through Your Neighborhood

meghanewhite

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We are the church. It is not just a Sunday, one hour event. We take Jesus with us everywhere we go. The Holy Spirit dwells in every Believer. We have the incredible opportunity to step outside of the comfort of our homes and share Christ. There are many ways we can do this. One way is to pray. 

I have started walking through my neighborhood and praying. Not prayers for my own needs, or the needs of my friends and family. I have my own prayer time at home for those things. I am praying specifically for my neighbors and my neighborhood as I walk. 

I get some exercise and fresh air which is fantastic. I also get the benefit of walking through different parts of my neighborhood each time I go out. There are hundreds of homes in my subdivision. As I walk past each home it is a reminder that people live there. Families and individuals, all made in the image of God.

Some homes have Christians, Muslims, and other religions. Besides the neighbors right near my house, I don’t know anything about all the other people in my neighborhood. God does. So I pray according to His will and His word. 

It’s easy to do. You do not need any special training. You do not need any special equipment. You need Jesus and a decent pair of walking shoes. That’s it.

The main goal of my prayers is for the salvation of anyone in my neighborhood who is not following Jesus. After that, I pray whatever the Holy Spirit brings to mind. I pray quietly to myself or in my head. 

Here are some of the things I pray as I’m walking:

-Knock at their doors Jesus and at their hearts.

-Draw them to Jesus.

-Open their eyes to see the reality of their sin.

-May they have repentant hearts.

-Let them hear you, see you, and know you Jesus.

-Thwart every evil plan of the devil.

-Bring your peace to each home.

-Protect each home and our neighborhood.

-Fill our neighborhood with your presence.

-Let no one perish without knowing Jesus as Savior.

-Bring hope where it’s been lost.

-Provide for every need.

-Heal the sick and diseased.

-Protect the children.

-Flood every home and every heart with you, Jesus.

Those are just a few of the things I pray. It changes as I’m walking as the Holy Spirit brings specific Bible verses to mind or specific things to ask. Also, I picture Jesus going down the middle of the road ahead of me. He leads the way and goes to each door. 

Prayer works because we are inviting God to take over. It’s all Him. We just need to ask.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:17-18, NASB 

Elijah was a prophet but he was also an ordinary man. He prayed and prayed for no rain and there was no rain. Then he prayed again for rain and it rained. God heard his pleas and answered Elijah’s prayers.

What if we pray earnestly for our neighbors to come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?

Imagine if at least one Christian in every neighborhood, in every city, in every nation, committed to pray for their neighbors and neighborhood.

God moves when His people cry out to Him. 

I live in a place with year-round nice weather, and I am able bodied. I can easily take a short walk and pray. You may live where you get snowed in. Maybe you live in a rural area and your closest neighbor is acres away. You can still pray.

If you live in a rural area.

You can walk your property and pray for your neighbors, even if they are far away.

You can do drive by prayers for homes and neighbors.

If you are not physically able to leave your house.

You can still pray for your neighbors and your neighborhood.

You can pray through an apartment building.

Go past each door and bring that presence and blessing of God.

Pray for that annoying neighbor.

Pray for that isolated neighbor.

Pray for that friendly neighbor.

Pray for every neighbor.

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well. James 2:8, NASB 

Love you all,

Meghan

Father God,

Thank you for your perfect love for us. Thank you for Jesus and His shed blood to save us. Fill our hearts with love for our neighbors. Help us to see them the way you do. Teach us to pray and be light to our neighbors. Give us opportunities to be kind, helpful and show the love of Christ. 

Amen