PLEASE PRAY....

From Mark at Enough About Me:

My Brother, Jeff . . .

. . is dying.

We got the news this weekend. The timeline is not certain, but the cancer is back and inoperable, his heart is not moving fluid out, the pain medication, which is necessary, cannot help but have a negative effect on the heart's action. He is realistic, but calm. He knows death is a certainty, but sees the gift of it in bringing his focus to doing rather than procrastinating.

And - of course - we all know death is a certainty, for each and every one of us. Rather gets lost in this season's preaching, doesn't it?

There has to be a death to be a resurrection.

How sad to receive the news any time, but especially now at Eastertide.

May God the Father bless Jeff, God the Son heal him, God the Holy Spirit give him strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard his body, save his soul, and bring him safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

May god give courage and strength to Jeff and to all who love him and care for him.  May the peace of God which passes understanding keep their minds and hearts in Christ Jesus.

Thanks to Paul the BB for the image at the head of the post. 

PLEASE PRAY...

Please continue (or begin) prayers for Andee and Kirstin, pictured above. Their story is at Kirstin's blog, Barefoot and Laughing.

Kirstin, may God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

We pray, O Lord, for those whom you have called to care for Kirstin, especially Andee. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their loving ministries Kirstin may be comforted and her suffering alleviated. Grant, O Lord, your peace that surpasses understanding to Kirstin and her caregivers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

UPDATE: Kirstin wrote a new post at Barefoot and Laughing.

From Mark Brunson:

I don't really know this person, have never personally met him. I don't even know if he's a Christian, or what. I do, however, know what it's like to watch someone devoured by pancreatic cancer.

David is being tested for pancreatic cancer. I haven't told him I'm praying for him, and I haven't asked; my father died of pancreatic cancer, and it is a horrible, horrible way to go, so I don't care whether he wants my prayers or not. He has a wife, children and grandchildren, and is loved by people that I love - that's all the permission I need.

*UPDATE*

My brother, Jeff, the middle son, has cancer of the bladder and needs surgery.

Please remember both David and Jeff in your prayers.