Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: bullwinkle!pnelson@uunet.uu.net (Phil Nelson) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: a prayer for the dying Message-ID: Date: 3 Jun 91 06:30:14 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: BT Tymnet, Inc. / San Jose, CA Lines: 99 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 father does not believe in God and my Mother is searching. But this >friend of my father's does believe and takes his family to church. >My mother asked me to say a prayer for him with them together. > >I was reluctant. This seemed like another one of my mom's schemes to >raise me on a platform so that she could brag about me. The last time I >met this guy was 20 years ago. But if this man is a fellow believer in Christ >then no matter what the ulterior motive, he would still appreciate someone >praying for him so I agreed. First, remember that every aspect of this situation is part of God's plan. You do not control, but God does. You're mother is not in control, but God is. I have never been in such a situation myself (probably I am not ready), I can feel some anxiousness just thinking about it. To me this means I am caught up in the cares of the world, specifically, I am concerned with my performance - will it be adequate? will I say the wrong thing? will things get 'out of control'? So, at the last part of the above paragraph, I realize that my concern for the world has caused me to forget the truth in the first part of the paragraph: That God is in control. What do I do? Pray! Ask God to go with me, in his Holy Spirit, to give me HIS words, not my words. I will thank God for giving me this test. I will thank God that what is/will/has happened is according to his wonderful plan for my life. Praise God! This is my advice to you, then. Pray! >When we got there, I didn't know what to say. It's OK. God knows what to say. >He had a life full of God's blessings. Loving wife, nice home, happy >marriage, successful career and two bright and talented daughters. >So as we prayed, I mentioned those things and thanked God that he has >given this man all that he has. See? Praise God! >What else could I have mentioned to help this man feel any better ? Be careful who you ask for words, the words you receive might be the devil's. First find God's will. This might take a lot of prayer. Then search for good words, while you are in God's will. The best place to look for good words is the Holy Bible. >I didn't want to pray for a miraculous recovery because his kind of cancer >is terminal. >And if God will rescue St. Paul but let St. Stephan be stoned, I wasn't >about to second guess his plans for this man. "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him- you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a yound man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord do not hold this sin against them," When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:51 - 7:60 >I could have prayed that his death bring greater glory to the Kingdom, >but that seemed kind of innapropriate. I know I wasn't there, but I wonder why? Stephen's certainly did. >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 ? Praise God! >- jon > / __ \ / / jm0h@ns.cc.lehigh.edu (Expires) > / / )\ ) / jmoon@lehi3b15.csee.lehigh.edu (Jul1991) -- Phil Nelson @ BT North America Inc. [ames|pyramid]!oliveb!tymix!pnelson There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 16:25