Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: taylor@homxa.att.com (Roberta L Taylor) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: a prayer for the dying Message-ID: Date: 24 May 91 04:24:59 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 56 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article jmoon@lehi3b15.csee.lehigh.edu (Jonggu Moon [890911]) writes: >Last saturday, I visited a friend of my fathers who was in the hospital. >He was dying from stomach cancer and had about a year left to live... >My mother asked me to say a prayer for him with them together. >When we got there, I didn't know what to say... >So as we prayed, I mentioned those things and thanked God that he has >given this man all that he has. >I was at a loss. So I just thanked God for his life, unfortunately in >the past tense, and left. >Any advice for the next time I'm in this situation ? It's not a particularly easy situation, and so many factors influence the appropriateness of some things you might pray. For instance, if a person hasn't accepted the fact that he's dying, you need to be careful how you phrase certain things. I think a good general guideline is to concentrate on God: His nature, His faithfulness, His love, and His promises. How about praying: For God to be especially close to him, and his family, during this difficult time. For them all to be at peace, secure in the knowledge that God is in complete control, and has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb 13:5) For an increased awareness of the fact that death isn't the end, but a home-coming, and that he will have peace (and even anticipation!) about going home. (Phil 1:23) Also for his family and friends to have this awareness, and be comforted by the knowledge that the separation is only temporary. (1 Cor 12:22) For a minimum of suffering, and the grace to endure what must be. For wisdom for his doctors, to do as much as they can to alleviate his suffering, and retard the course of the disease. And, if God wills it, that he be healed - for surely God *can* heal, although He doesn't always. That he can be a testimony to those around him, as they see his faith in God, even as he faces the time when God will take him home. And, when you're really at a loss for words, there's nothing wrong with admitting that! "Lord, I don't really know how to pray in this situation. My brother here is going through a really rough time, and I just want to lift him up to You, and ask you to handle this situation. I wish I had the words to say that would make him feel better about this, but I don't. Besides, that's your responsibility, not mine. All I can do is ask you to take care of him..." One of the neat things about prayer is, it's two-way communication. As we open our hearts to the Lord, He gives us direction in how to pray. ---- Roberta Taylor <>< | You let me sing a song for you every now and then, AT&T Bell Laboratories | But I'm asking you, when are you gonna listen? Whippany, NJ | You say I never sing about anyone but Jesus taylor@homxa.att.com | Well, that's because Jesus is my song. ---Anne Herring