PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY

For the latest medical report on Joel and Margaret, see Margaret's blog. Turns out that Joel has RSV "--a viral infection that can cause secondary infection, and is dangerous in folks with health conditions as Joel has --with compromised immune systems and little ability to cough." Margaret's pneumonia is probably a secondary infection from RSV. 

For Joel and Margaret:

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our help in time of need: We ask that you visit, and relieve your sick servants Joel and Margaret for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon them with the eyes of your mercy; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience in their illnesses. In your good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the rest of their lives in faith, and to your glory; and grant that they may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer (edited)

PLEASE PRAY FOR JOEL AND MARGARET

My dear friends Margaret and Joel need your prayers.  Joel is in the hospital being treated for pertussis.  Other ongoing health conditions put him at great risk in this situation.  Margaret is in a nearby hotel diagnosed with an active pneumonia-like infection dosing herself with prescribed antibiotics.  Trouble upon trouble.  Thank heavens Margaret's bishop is lovely and supportive.

See Margaret's blog.

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants Joel and Margaret the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PLEASE PRAY FOR MR CATOLICK

Mr CatOLick, creator of the bitingly clever videos which caricature the follies of church folk, mainly those in high places, is going through a very bad time.  He needs our prayers and our support now.  Let him know you care either at his blog or on Facebook, if you are Tom Catolick's friend.

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Mr C the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

PRAY FOR KIRSTIN AND READ HER POST

I can’t commit to living with my full heart, and I can’t turn my full being to dying with intention. I have one foot in each possibility. The choice won’t be mine; it will be dictated by biopsy results. I can do either. The waiting is what’s hard.

Kirstin's post at Barefoot and Laughing is eloquent, moving, and very beautiful.

UPDATE ON GÖRAN

From Md.Hasibul Hassan Habib:

He needs to stay in hospital more 1 or 2 weeks more. pray for him.

Yes, please continue to pray for Göran.

Thanks to Ann Fontaine for letting me know.

"GOING HOME"

It’s finally happening. We’re going home. Cristy’s blood test results this past week were stellar – better than they’ve been at any time in her life. The doctor gives her a success prognosis of 90-95%. This is great news – obviously.

Read the rest at From Here to Istanbul.

Details of Cristy's illnesses and treatment and why she is in Istanbul are at the blog.

O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning: We give you thanks for giving our sister Cristy both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in her we pray, the good work you have begun; that she, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order her life and conduct that she may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PLEASE PRAY FOR KIRSTIN

From Kirstin at Barefoot and Laughing:

I had an MRI last night. Oncologist called me this morning.

They're small, and not causing edema or shifting of brain contents. But, I have them. They may be responsible for the transitory numbness I've had.

The next step is a radiation oncologist, probably next week. I asked my oncologist how effective that would be. He said it would shrink them, or make them stop growing, or make them go away. There's no telling whether they'd come back.

I'll be more reflective later. Had to get this out there.

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Kirstin the help of your power, that her sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

UPDATE: Two later posts from Kirstin are here and here.

PLEASE PRAY FOR LINDA

Linda is dying. Linda is also flying back to Zambia tomorrow. She was in church today, and she did not look well. Please pray that Linda can make the trip in a measure of comfort.

Linda's story is here. I'm sorry, but I can't write any more.

UPDATE: I just talked to one of the two parishioners who took Linda to the airport. The staff at Delta Airlines and the airport went out of their way to care for Linda with compassion and efficiency, and Linda got on the plane for Atlanta. A friend was to meet her in Atlanta to help her board her flight to Johannesburg, where friends will meet her and offer her hospitality for the night, and she will set out for Zambia the next day. Thanks be to God that, although Linda seemed to be in great pain when the group left Thibodaux, she felt better once she arrived at the airport. Thanks be to God for the two fine people from our church who helped Linda on her way.

Please continue to pray that Linda will make it safely to Zambia, as Brian says, in the cradle of God's arms.

Thank you all for your prayers and comforting words. They mean more to me than I can say. I type these words with tears of sadness in my eyes, but also with tears of thanksgiving for your love and support.

For Linda:

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.

PLEASE PRAY FOR LESLEY'S DAD AND FOR LESLEY

From Lesley at Lesley's Blog:

Two things have occurred to me:

1. Dad is going to die fairly soon
2. I love him and I don't want him to die.

I seem to either feel sad, or if I put it to the back of my mind, I feel anxious. It is all most peculiar, this sudden grief, and like I said at the beginning, I feel like I am seven years old again.

For Lesley's dad:

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

(Book of Common Prayer)

May God give strength and courage to all who love and care for Lesley's dad. May the peace that passes understanding keep their minds and hearts in Christ Jesus.