Pause & PRAY

Friends, this post doesn't include an insightful story, a powerful illustration or Biblical teaching, but yet it's important and necessary. In a few hours, our new little nephew, Gideon James Beran, will undergo his second heart surgery in just 16 days. At 7 AM on February 14th, our "Mighty Warrior" is scheduled for open heart surgery to repair a hole in the lower chambers of his heart. If you'd like more info, please visit his CaringBridge page by clicking HERE.

Now at 2 AM, I'm up attempting to do what scripture commands - pray without ceasing.  Our family would greatly appreciate you joining us in prayer and I encourage you to pause & PRAY for all God has on your heart today.

God commands us to pray, He hears our prayers and will answer according to His perfect plan! Let's go to Him now...

Dear Heavenly Father, 
Lord we approach your throne with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. We know you are our good, good Father and our great God - we trust you, help us trust you more. Right now I pause and pray for Gideon. Lord, I put him in your hands and thank you for the gift you've given. You knit him together and know exactly what is going on. I ask you to heal his heart, protect him in surgery and may you continue to breathe life into his little body. Father, Gideon means mighty warrior - thank you for the battles the little guy has already one, may you grant him continued strength for the ones yet to come.

I also lift Matt and Jackie to you now Lord. Thank you for the strength and faith you've given to them over the last 15 days. I pray you would continue to give them the grace and belief they need for the day and days to come. Assure them of your presence, fill them with your Spirit and give them peace. May they know without a doubt you are with them, Gideon and Vanessa always. And Lord, continue to be with little Vanessa - she's young and doesn't understand all that is going on, but her world has changed. Thank you that she is doing well...continue to care for and comfort her through those who are watching over her. 

I put the surgeons, doctors and nurses in your hands. Lord, you are the great physician and we ask you to work powerfully through Gideon's medical team. Give them wisdom and a steady hand. Thank you for the advances in medicine and technology; use them powerfully today we pray.

I also pray for Gideon's extended family, his church family and loved ones. May we storm the gates today, give us a heart for prayer and help us be a source of encouragement for his family. Help us be your hands and feet Father. I especially lift up the little ones and young cousins...thank you for their childlike faith - may their example encourage us all.

Lord, in this time of wait - waiting for surgery, waiting for news, waiting for recovery I ask you for patience, perspective and peace. Don't let us waste our time and be anxious, but instead be intentional and trust YOU. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts that understand. Thank you for the gift of faith and if times of doubt arise, help our unbelief. In those moments we don't know what to do, help us set our eyes on you. Through it all may we remember who you are - our faithful Father, our powerful creator and our God who sees. Lord, you have a plan and you will keep your promises. Strengthen our faith through this and increase our dependence on you. Thank you for the privilege of prayer and the power in it. Today may we see your glory Lord! In Jesus' powerful and precious Name I pray...Amen