6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
My friends, on this past Wednesday, my co-worker and friend Dennis turned 48 years old. During that day, he started having heart problems, and towards the end of that day, he had a full blown heart attack. When that happened, the incredible people that work with me sprang into action. 911 was called and staff members stood by looking for the medical teams to arrive. Others grabbed our AED at work and put it to use, probably saving Dennis’ life in the process. Still others assisted in ways that I can’t even imagine, and by the grace of God and all of the help by those incredible people, Dennis made it to the hospital okay. He still wasn’t out of the woods, though, and throughout the night, myself and others prayed for Dennis, lifting up our petitions to God, and doing our best to have a positive outlook. We learned that the medical team took incredible efforts to help Dennis, putting him in an induced coma so his body could calm down, and doing other things that I can only begin to imagine.
The next day, those of us that came into work worried about what might have happened overnight learned that things are getting better, even if it is slowly. One of our staff, Vicki, organized an optional prayer for anyone that wanted to join her — there were at least 30 people that gathered around and we were praying for Dennis. The business at work had to continue, but suddenly, the mood in the building was different. For some weeks, I’ve felt like the mood in the building was one of fear — fear for those that are leaving, uncertainty over those that are staying behind, wondering what is next, and so forth. But suddenly, in the span of a few hours, the mood in the building became one of camaraderie — Dennis was in trouble, and people across the building, in jobs that didn’t even work that closely with him, were pitching in to do things for him and to help him. We communicated with his girlfriend, we stopped by to make sure she was okay, we delivered things for him that were in his office that she needed, we took care of his car, and the list goes on and on. Through it all, the work was still progressing — people still had their jobs to do — but instead of an underlying fear of what was happening to us in our jobs, the fear, at least in my mind and heart, anyway, that fear turned to resolve that we were going to see Dennis through this, with God’s help.
At this point, Dennis is still fighting, and he still needs our prayers. If you can, please pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we know that Your servant Dennis is still fighting for his life. We know that You are hearing our prayers, and that through You nothing is impossible. You are the God of second chances, Lord, and we know that You have Dennis close to you while he fights. Lord, show the world what You can do, and if it is in Your Will, show the world the miracle of Dennis’ heart healing. We also ask that You let Your Peace, Comfort, and Strength descend to Dennis’ family and friends so that we may wait on Your Miracle to occur for Dennis. We ask these things in the name of Your Son Jesus with Thanksgiving! Amen.
Thank you all for praying for Dennis with me. Now, please pray for these other requests we have this week:
- Kelli’s husband has some health concerns, please pray for his bulging disc that it would be healed.
- Also please pray for Kelli’s daughter in her new job, pray for her stamina as she adapts to working on her feet for 8 hours a day.
- Pam has an unknown prayer request, please pray for her.
- Josie’s husband is battling cancer, and it is very serious. Please pray for Josie, her husband, and their two sons.
- My Brother in Christ Don passed away this week. Please pray for his family, for their Peace, Comfort, and Strength in the days, weeks, and months ahead as they struggle in his loss.
- Please pray for Mark, who had his shoulder surgery this week. Please pray for his healing, and for Peace, Comfort, and Strength for him and his wife Jan.
Now, please pray with me the prayer that Jesus taught His Disciples to pray:
Our Father, who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hi Mike
I have a very important test next week and I am quite anxious. Please pray for Jesus to give me a calm heart and leave my fears at the door. I know He will be with me but I pray I can open my heart to feel His presence.
Carol
I’ll pray for you Carol. When is the test so I can focus prayers on the actual day as well?