Hello everyone, and welcome to our weekly Prayers for the Week post. I hope you and your family had an incredibly joyous Christmas, and that you are ready to close the book on 2014 and look forward to 2015 in just a few short days. One of the things that I really enjoy during the Christmas season is listening to Christmas Carols. One song in particular is from the Andy Griffith — The Christmas Guest CD that I have, and it is called Belleau Wood. This story tells the story of how troops during World War I were able to put aside the fighting at Christmas, and actually acknowledge one another during this season. It has gotten me thinking a bit about all of the grief that our country has been experiencing over the past several months — of cops and men fighting, and the tragic consequences that have come from those altercations. What I started thinking about was, during what was the worst war in the history of man to that time, despite all of the hatred and anger and fighting and killing that was going on, despite all of that, still the world was able to stop and breath and put aside their differences for a moment for Christmas.
How sad is it that the enemies from different countries were able to put aside their differences for a moment, but Americans in this country can’t stop and breathe for a moment and take a step back to potentially avert a tragedy?
My prayer for us all is that we take a moment in the heat of anger, disagreement, and discord, to stop, to breathe, to think, and to realize that there is another way. If you have never heard the Andy Griffith version of Belleau Wood, I encourage you to take a moment and listen to it now, before continuing on to read and pray our prayer requests and praises:
Prayer Requests and Praises…
- My friend Bettie left a prayer request on Facebook. Here is what she wrote:One of Hannah’s friends was killed in a tragic car accident last night. Please keep Mandie’s family, especially her parents and twin sister, and her friends in your prayers.Please pray with me:Father, please be with the family and friends of Mandie — comfort them, love them, give them Peace and Strength in the days and weeks ahead. Lord, we know that our ways are not your ways, and that we can not comprehend why Mandie was taken so young, but we trust and have Faith that You will be with them. We ask these things in the name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.
- Prayers for my friend Anna and her Mom and family. Here is what she wrote on Facebook:My mom has been disconnected from everything. Her feeding tube is out, ventilator gone, and all corrective medications removed. She is on a morphine drip for comfort, and Ativan for a bit of agitation she had felt. She is failing quickly, but the time is now in God’s hands. Thank you for the continued prayers and love. I cannot say enough about the staff here at HUP. They have been so amazing. They have provided us with coffee, tea, and an array of snacks so we don’t have to leave my mom, and doctors and nurses are coming in from the entire ICU floor. We are all in the best possible hands.Please pray for God’s Peace, Comfort, Strength, and Love to descend upon all of them in their time of sorrow, and that, after they grieve, they are able to remember with love all of the wonderful memories they have with her Mom — because, that, my friends, is really what matters. Thank you, everyone, for praying.
- Here is the update from Anna:Thank you all so very much for the love, prayers, comfort, and support you have all been this past week. My mom passed away peacefully at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania at 10:03 this evening. I cannot begin to tell you how much my family has appreciated every kind word, generous offer of help, and the many hugs – both real and virtual. My mom was one of a kind, and my Uncle Bobby Robert) really said it best when he said he thought she was indestructible. She fought through a lot in this life, and has more than earned the rest she has finally received.Please pray for Anna and her family as they deal with the loss of her Mom. Continue to pray that God’s Peace, Comfort, Strength, and Love would shower them.
- My friend Deb needs prayers. Here is what she wrote on Facebook:Prayers please. In the ER with Paul Had a stroke.They are doing a CAT scan now.Please pray for Paul, for his healing, for their strength and Peace, in this most difficult time.Thanks, everyone!
- Great news for Deb’s husband, Paul:Thanks you all so very much for your prayers and well wishes. Update. The stroke was a ‘mini stroke’. His speech is back to normal and there is no paralysis. Thankfully!!! He still has the flu. They are keeping him for a few days. Christmas in the hospital 2 years in a row- what are the odds of that?
- Please pray for my friend Rebecca and her family. Here is what she wrote on Facebook:It appears that my dad had a stroke last night. He’s in the hospital & being well cared for. If you have a moment, please include him in your Christmas prayers. Thank you.Thank you for praying!
- Lastly, we have a praise from our friend Sheila:I want to thank you for all of your prayers because my sweet neighbor kitty came home from rehabilitation. Kitty is now living back at her home with the help of a aide.
Thank you for praying. Now, please pray the prayer that Jesus taught His Disciples and us to pray:
Our Father, who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by 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.
