More on Prayer

Pam just sent me this in an e-mail:

(Thanks Pam. We love ya'll)

This is a verse and some sayings from the UMW retreat last year at Epworth lead by B.J. Funk on prayer.

2 Kings 20:5-- This is what the Lord God your ancestor David says "I have heard your prayers; I have seen your tears. Look I will Heal Patty___"

God can do marvelous things during darkness (Miracles)

Mother Teresa: " My secret is a very simple one. I pray."

Matthew 21:22: If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer

( Have no doubt I know you believe)

We are not self sufficient, so we need prayer.

Fear is the biggest fear we have to fear. But our God can knock down a door of fear.

Let Jesus get into your boat, with you. When Jesus steps in, the wind stops. Everything becomes calm.

Our circumstance may not change, but Jesus will be with us to calm us.

Prayer

The sheer volume of prayers that we have received and experienced in the last two weeks is almost beyond comprehension. Every single prayer has brought us comfort and joy even in this desolate place The peace that came over me last week and that continues in me now can only be the result of your many petitions to God on my behalf. Drew is the same. We both could easily be overwrought with fear and anxiety but we are not. We both are experiencing a calm serenity that I feel can only come from the Holy Spirit.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

(2Co 1:3-7 NRSV)

Our consolation is abundant through Christ. . I cannot recall and recount each and every prayer that has been lifted up for us in this, but I would like to share a few.

Mr. Jim Brown, a man that Patty and I really love and admire, on the telephone with me spontaneously went into a wonderful prayer claiming healing and comfort for Patty. This prayer brought the first whisper of comfort into my nearly panicked soul.

Dianne Odom and Robyn Alday, who were at the hospital visiting a relative, gathered me up with the first few family members there that first morning , formed a circle and offered up some very encouraging prayers. There is a great power in a circle of Christians, hand-in-hand calling on our God, praising our God, loving our God.

Both Kirk and Scott have pulled me aside and prayed for me. I love you brothers.

Another wonderful circle with Donna Sue Roberts, Wayne and Becky Worsham, Dr. Homer, Renea Moody, Tondra Rich, and several others offering phenomenal prayers.

Gayle Thomas called me and prayed an awe-inspiring prayer over the phone. Gayle has been praying for my family for many years. I will never forget the day Patty’s mother died, standing in the hallway outside of Patty’s classroom along with some other teachers and Gayle prayed for Patty. Later Gayle read some of her poetry at Linda’s funeral. Thank you, Gayle, for years of prayers.

Slade Alday came by and prayed with us.

Raymond Burke had a conversation with God in our presence. I have known Raymond only casually for many years. I aspire to learn to talk to God the way Raymond does. It was awesome.

Being told of the prayer in the chapel at Friendship UMC where Crystal acted as surrogate for Patty warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes. That prayer took place at the exact same time that the surgeon was inserting a drain tube into Patty’s chest.

An angel prayed with Porky. Patty’s brother John (whom we affectionately call Porky) was in the lobby of the hospital making a phone call when a woman walked up behind him and told him that she felt a need to pray for him. He told her that he was here for his sister and she went into a spontaneous prayer that really moved him. He said that the woman was blonde, ivory skinned, and dressed completely in white. The only jewelry she had looked like white spoon lures. No wings or halos, though.

Josh and Crystal were here about an hour ago. They had everyone here lay hands on Mama, Drew, and me and pray.

We just prayed with a young lady here in the waiting room. This girl’s mother has been here for several days and the girl has been here all alone. Her mother just had some sort of incident and she thought that she was dying. This place is hell even when you are surrounded by friends and family. I could not imagine the thought of being here all alone.

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

(Jas 5:13-16 NRSV)

Get vaccinated

This is one roller coaster ride that has gone on far too long for my nerves.

After the chest tube was inserted and over a liter of fluid was drawn off of Patty’s lung cavity, I thought the worst may be behind us. Getting all of that infected fluid out had to make the situation better. Didn’t it?

That was when we were informed that Patty was positive for Types A and B Influenza. (How can you have two flus at the same time?) An H1N1 confirmation could only be made by the CDC and was confirmed two days later. Patty went into quarantine. Her room was sealed and a powerful HEPA filter was installed. Everyone who visited her was now required to wear a particulate filter mask, gown, gloves and hairnet. Everyone who had been in contact with her for the past week, including all the physicians and nurses (who had all been vaccinated in the Fall), was also urged to get a prescription for Tamiflu anti-viral medication as a precautionary measure.

I began to seek out any information that I could find on influenza and specifically on H1N1. I have read every word concerning H1N1 that the CDC has made available on its website. This virus is a killer. I and my family have learned our lesson well. We have never had a flu shot; ever. We will be the first in line when new flu shots become available in the future. H1N1 is the prevalent flu in the US since April 2009. 99% of confirmed influenza cases in the US currently are H1N1.

Reading the CDC reports it becomes obvious that the experts at the CDC are very frustrated that so many people have not been vaccinated. I believe it is because the facts have not been reported and the seriousness of this flu has not been given the proper sense of urgency. Any bug that can affect a reasonably healthy person like Patty the way this one has is frightening. Imagine what would happen to a weaker person?

If you haven’t already, get your flu shot today.

Life in the ICU - 3

Life in the ICU - 3

The phone on the wall across from me rang. A nurse ran out of the ICU, pointed at me and said, “That is for you!” My heart skipped a beat. Had something gone wrong? Was it worse than we thought? My soul was struck with grief.

“Hello”

“Tony, it’s Homer. Tell me what’s going on.”

In a moment of solitary agony nothing is as welcome as a familiar voice. Dr. Homer had learned of Patty’s predicament as he made his rounds at Donalsonville Hospital that morning. I was so struck with dread that I could barely respond. The pain in my cry must have been obvious. After a couple of stammered sentences I was back to the hallway pacing and praying, “Yea though I walk through the valley…..” And I was at that moment in the valley.

Fearing no evil is easy to say but very difficult to do. Especially when alone, without backup. Thoughts ran through my mind that morning that I wish to never have to think again. Worst case scenarios. What would I do if……? How would we…..? Oh my God, what about Drew?

Talking to Homer helped. I calmed down considerably more when Jack walked in. After filling him in on the details, we both settled down to a shocked silence. After a while Homer and Ronnie Shingler showed up. And soon after many other family members showed up.

Patty and I have always been of the mind that if you are part of our lives then you are family. Yes we do have lots of kin, but we also have numerous families and many family members. Church family, school family, work family, community family. The family spirit began showing itself that morning. That family spirit and outpouring of love is what began in me the process of claiming a conviction of faith that all will be well.

A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

(Pro 17:17 NRSV)

Or as the Message says it:

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

(Pro 17:17 MSG)

And God knows all you whom we call family have stuck with us in this time of trouble. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and humbling. I have known for almost three decades that Patty is one special child of God. It fills my heart with joy to know that all of you think so too.

As the family love began to comfort my breaking heart, Dr. Crenshaw came out and informed me that the surgeon was on the way to insert a tube into Patty’s chest wall to remove fluid that had accumulated.

Surgeon?!?

The foreboding dread returned full force.

Life in the ICU, Part 2.

As I sat in the waiting room wondering what was going on with Patty, my fears nearly got the best of me. Being alone and helpless in an unfamiliar place, unable to do anything to help a loved one in distress is very likely one of the most frightening experiences of my life. I did not panic, but did become very uneasy in spirit.

Not long ago, after seeing a speaker who gave an excellent talk with no notes, I began to try to memorize scripture. I began with some easy ones: my favorite verse of the Bible, Micah 6:8 and another favorite Psalm 51:10. After memorizing a few verses, I became a little more ambitious. Going back to childhood memories of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, I remembered that as a child I had committed to memory the 23^rd Psalm. If I could memorize an entire chapter as a child, I should be able to accomplish the same feat as an adult. I tried it using the NRSV and the NIV but it just didn’t sound right. I ended up going back to the King James:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

(Psa 23:1-6)

In my moment of anguish, I began pacing the hallway reciting that Psalm as a prayer. After several repetitions of that I went through the Lord’s prayer a couple of times. Then some of the other verses that I had committed to memory. This worked well to somewhat calm my nerves.

Some of you veteran prayer warriors may not appreciate my elementary mode of prayer, but it worked and I believe is as valid an approach to God as any other. I could have just as easily walked up and down the hall saying the ABC’s or multiplication tables. God would have heard my cries either way.

Patty was unconscious, but I have no doubt that God heard her cries as well.

Rom 8:24-27 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (26) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. (27) And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Even if we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. That is a very comforting thought. I heard one person say this week that if you do not believe that your prayer is going to be answered and believe that a miracle was going to happen than you might as well not even pray. I kind of agree and disagree with that statement. Faith is, I believe, one key ingredient to answered prayer. But the power of prayer is not at all reliant on any quality of the one doing the praying. I believe that God hears and listens to prayer even if that prayer comes from an enemy of God. The power of prayer is in no way related to how eloquent the words or how faithful the supplicant. There is only one key element to a powerful prayer: you’ve got to pray it. So I welcome all of the prayers for Patty. Even if you don’t even believe in God, God believes in you. Cry out in distress and God gets it. Every time.

More later…….

Life in the ICU

Last Sunday morning I was awakened by someone shaking my leg. It was Dr. Crenshaw. Dr. Crenshaw was the last person I saw Saturday night as I fell asleep. Patty had slept fitfully. She was very frightened. We had ridden the ambulance to Thomasville and Patty was admitted directly into the ICU. Drs. Santos and Crenshaw met the ambulance there and immediately went to work with the nurses and respiratory people taking samples, installing IV’s, and trying to comfort Patty. Amy, the RN assigned to Patty very compassionately asked if I would like to stay in the room with Patty. This was a gesture of kindness that I was not expecting. Amy brought a very comfortable recliner and I settled in and tried to ease Patty’s anxieties. She was very frightened. Before leaving Donalsonville, Dr. Jeff Holley had explained to us many of the possible consequences of the severe pneumonia she had developed. These consequences were very frightening. I tried to reassure her that we were in a very good place with specialists, medications, and equipment to combat any complication that may come up. It is very difficult to calm someone who feels helpless and not in control.

As I jumped up, Dr. Crenshaw said, “We’re going to have to intubate her.” The Respiratory nurse had already injected the sedatives into Patty’s IV. The only communication between Patty and me at that point was the look of terror in her eyes. The Dr. asked that I leave the room. I went into the adjacent waiting area. The only other folks in the waiting area that morning were sleeping in their chairs. I was alone in a place foreign to me while my best friend and wife of 26 years fought for her life on the other side of those institutional doors which can only be opened from the inside. We were both prisoners at that point: Patty, bound by IVs, a breathing machine, and a hospital bed; Me, caged by helplessness, fear, and those ICU doors. I was utterly alone.

To be continued…….