Prayer request for those so inclined…

She randomly popped in my head in the middle of the day at work, so I called an out-of-town friend. She shared she’s getting an MRI tomorrow (after 2 mammograms and ultrasound) so doctors can get a better visual before a possible biopsy … something suspicious. We’ll call her Spunky.

God,

We take our bodies for granted; you make them amazing — and in such wonderful varieties. So, when things don’t work well or have iregularities we are at a loss… and afraid. Be with Spunky in the isolation of the MRI, the solitude of the wait, and the silent fear of the unknown future that plays out in her mind on repeat. Surround her with smart and compassionate medical professionals who communicate with clarity.

Put small joys in her path to balance her worry. Keep her centered on today through the support of loved ones. And whatever is learned and lay ahead, reassure Spunky that she will not face it alone but surrounded by faith, friends, and family.

Amen

Follow-up….

I’m “recycling” someone (and she’d be proud of me for it)…. many months ago many of you prayed for Spunky as she began her attack on breast cancer. Well, she needs some more positive energy. After a mastectomy, many months of chemo, significant sores from shingles which impacted her chemo, chemo induced early menopause — and oh, a pandemic …. she just found out she now faces 25 doses of radiation over 5 weeks (not to mention a 5-year drug treatment. She is low. Very low. And dammit, I can’t pop down several states and help.  

God,

Not gonna lie. I’m mad…frustrated…and sad that Spunky must continue on this sucky path. She wore a brave face and moved around many roadblocks. She is tired and worn out.

I know she can do this. I see the strength she has, but her mind is exhausted trying to keep her body together. Enable her to summon the core of her power and brace herself through the weeks ahead.

Absorb her pain, her loss, her irritation, her doubt, her anger. Transfer our belief to her. Perhaps lower a few hills on her journey or extend the downhill glide. Motivate her inner circle of friends to dig in deep around her as a ring of comfort. Give her some unexpected giggles. Let hope whisper in her ear. But most of all, be with her.

Amen

Prayer request for those so inclined…

A bestie is bringing her father home from hospice for a family-centered goodbye after years battling Parkinson disease. I’ll call her Murphy in honor of happier times in the Irish pub together.

God, we are not equipped to handle the loss that comes with deep, unconditional love. We want to help our loved one — comfort them — yet what we need, in fact, is their comfort to do this. We know peace with you is eminent and good, yet we selfishly want him here hand in hand longer, indefinitely.

As we struggle, we ask that you comfort our loved one—Murphy’s Dad. He is a wonderful man and tremendous dad, and we are grateful for his humor, his wisdom, and his candid compassion. Thank you. Shore us up so that we can be fully present for him. Be with all his care providers as they share their support, care and expertise to help so many in need. We know they’ll be a seat at your table for him, and with a tall cold one and big hearty welcome toast. In the meantime, please stay close to Murphy. She needs you.

Amen.

Prayer request for those so inclined…  my dynamo Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults, Rev Whitney Fauntleroy, moved into a rehab center as part of her recovery from spinal surgery (non-cancerous tumor) that has her currently paralyzed from her chest down. She is faith filled and a believer in prayers.

God, oh God.Your call is never easy. Even when we believe and want to follow, your call is never easy. You have expectations. We also have our own expectations—of our life, our future, our plan. We expect them all to line up peacefully. Then the moment of collision occurs between your expectations and ours. Shattered reality with bruised faith and unanswered questions remain.

You soundly called Whitney, and she amplifies your message to so many young forming people, and adults alike. Her words, passion, joy of music (especially Disney), and love of shoes make her a real pastor … a relatable pastor. You now have her reforming. A new body. A new perspective. A new journey. You ask a lot of her.

As she transforms reflect back to her what she gives to others:  comfort in scripture, poignant prayers, passion against injustice, humor, and belief. Connect her family, friends, and faith community together to support her. Comfort her youth group as they struggle to process the experience. Echo our compassion through her soul so that she may call up its power on dark days of growth. Enable her to hold tight to your call and to adjust her expectations in order to see new possibilities that you have in store for her. Be with her in new and familiar ways that keep her close to you during all that lay ahead.

Amen.

God,

“Ethel and Fred” have a lifetime of being faithful servants to your call. One by profession as a Presbyterian minister and one as wife, mother, and community pillar–not to mention pastor’s wife (no small call on its own right). And then there’s damn cancer. Yes, we cuss. When we face something so big, dark, and scary cussing just seems to fit, or at least help convey some of the nastiness we feel about the diagnosis and treatment. Damn cancer indeed.

“Fred” faces major new round of chemo, coming off of chemo and just finishing up radiation. They feel ravaged by cancer. It’s attacked so much – from body organs to their time together and with loved ones. Their body’s are tired. Their brain’s are tired. Their spirit’s are tired.

We seek traveling mercies as they travel between local care and MD Anderson in TX. We seek continued innovation and compassion by their care providers and cancer researchers. We seek comfort and pain reduction for “Fred.” We seek fortitude and moral support for “Ethel.”

Keep their connection to you strong… it’s been their foundation all along their journey. Show mercy. Share joy. Spread hope. Let them see these gifts of light for themselves and in others; that the community you built surrounds them with grace, prayers, and love in such darkness.

Most of all we ask for peace in their hearts. That they feel the warmth of assurance that even in doubt and darkness you are there.

Amen.

Prayer request for those so inclined…

God,

I must say, woman to woman, that I’m pretty pissed at the moment and shoveling in coping munchies like a champ. Cancer. Once again, fucking cancer.

You know Chiquita. She speaks to you regularly. She speaks of you regularly. She is your sheep… and also a sheep herder bringing faith in you, through word and deed, to so many. But damn, cancer.

So much is unknown but fear abound with words like “spread into lymph nodes,” “non-surgical,” “chemo,” and “help you live with it.” Live with it? Cancer? Not the Buddy anyone wants hanging around.  

I, and so many of Chiquita’s family and friends—which includes 2 high school aged children—seek your strength, compassion, and comfort for her. Fortify her faith. Silence her fear. Steady her mind.

As a former reporter she seeks answers, gracefully grant them. As a nurse who prefers to give care, help her see that her caring doesn’t end when we care for her. As a networker who seeks to foster relationships, surround her with a ripple of love from near and far.

For her care team… preciseness, patience, and positivity. It’s what she would do.

For her family… help with traditions, safety to live in a frightening space, and connections who demonstrate hope.

But most of all, fortify her faith through acts known and unknown that keep her bound to you…. along with some thrilling moments worthy of a Chiquita!

Amen.

Prayer request for those so inclined…. prayer for a coworker turned bestie who I’ll refer to a Q.  

God,

You made us all in your image. As I think of it, some magical piece of each of us is you… height, humor, stubbornness, laugh, resilience, allergies. At our center (much like a Tootsie pop) is the piece of your goodness. We might not see, appreciate, understand, or want what we have — especially when what makes us special in your eyes, isn’t in others.

This acceptance of our full, unique self is complicated. We carry expectations (ours and others), doubts, bravado, fear, hope, desires, and dreams about who we are…. and then there’s who we want to be. Continuing to grow into your image can be lonely, scary, and breathtaking. But when we move closer, comfort abounds.

For Q, help us emit a wave of reinforcement for the person she is stepping into through much hard work, reframed boundaries, self acceptance, and faith. Continue to replenish her joy as the world rubs against her, seemingly testing her as she fortifies her sea legs. Provide touch points of reassurance on her path. And, as she casts her new light, like a freshly painted lighthouse, may it lead healthy accepting love back to her. Help Q see, feel, and own all the magic and wonder that is her.

Finally, we are grateful to you for making her. And celebrate the diversity of your image among us.

Amen