PZ, thank you for bringing up little Amelia, as it is a toughy. REally a toughy, and presents a true challenge in faith.
Let me recount a strange little animal story.
In 1983, a very close and very saint-like friend (Ah, BUT NOT UN-HUMAN OR WITHOUT A HUMAN FLAW) shared her house momentarily for a short time with a battered wife. The wife brought a tiny kitten, very very special to the woman and her small child. So, the impportant little kitten, during this most terrible time in the kitten's owners' lives, goes outside to do its business and is ripped nearly apart by a neighbor dog. The kitten is brought to my house by my friend, who had personally witnessed, with her own eyes, as I did, witnessed a prayed over family pet dog with a broken back from her owner running over her in the car in a horrible freak accident standing up ONE THE EVENING BEFORE IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE DRIVEN TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY TO BE PUT TO SLEEP.
We saw it, we know it happened, we know the animal had a broken back and was going to be put to sleep because it couldnt' move except to raise its head and whine. The dog's name I think was Sophie. Sophie trotted over three blocks that night to where her owner was attending a Bible study.
So my dear, dear very Christian friend Marie bangs on my door with a kitten and a woman who is obviously beside herself with grief. First of all they want me to look at the kitten and see how bad it is and should they spend a fortune going to the vet (this kitten would have required a small fortune). No broken bones, no broken neck, but severe lacerations which had crusted over and were in the process of healing themselves without the need for stitches, but the problem is the the kittens eyes were glassey, and its head was fallen over, and worst of all its mouth was hanging wide open with the tongue hanging out, and of course that is desperately critical sign. As in hooked up to IVs in Intensive Care, with GRAVE written on the report. I could barely pick up any breathing. But no broken neck.
I say sadly that it's too late the animal is either mostly dead or dying. Marie says pray for it. I say too late. marie says go ahead.
So we together pray over this kitten and I have no hope at all (BUT THEY DID!)
I say as they are leaving, "this animal has no desire to live. Don't leave it alone tonight if its still alive, put it in your bed." And then admonish them that they can always get another kitten, so don't be too sad. To me, this kitten is finished, period.
The kitten quite lived, and was up and about the next day.
You see, from all aspects we must never give up hope, we must never figure it out, decide it is obviously out of the question, and we must never, never decide that we have anything at all to do with it anyway. Absolutely nothing but speaking the prayers, AS INSTRUCTED by our Lord. Then sit back and be as utterly amazed and shell shocked as everyone else who didn't even pray in the first place. I never get used to prayers answered, because I just never comprehend the enormnity of the Power of Prayer.
Which is specifically and completely given unto Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to have these prayers answered by His Father. This is part of Jesus' reward, and again, passed on to those who love Him.
My pea brain cannot contain it. Each time I still am a little shell-shocked. So, FATHER GOD IN HEAVEN, WE BRING LITTLE AMELIA ONCE AGAIN TO YOU TO REMEMBER HER AND HEAL HER COMPLETELY.
I bring Evelyn and Mr. Jursnick and Marie also to you. HEal them Lord. Reconstruct their bodies in total health after the chemo kills the satanic cancer cells which go insane and outside of your plan designed for our bodies. Cause the chemo to take the life from these little monster cells which are not of you. And help these people to rebuild their systems so they are immune to these satanic little cells gone mad.
I rebuke you satan. The Lord rebuke you satan. May God cause the life of this disease to stop completely.
Paul, we do lift your leg to the Lord Jesus Christ for His healing mercy. Father God in Heaven, cause Paul's joints and marrow and tendons and cells to all knit together as they were, quickly and in a way he will know it is You
Father God, we ask for this healing mercy in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. From whom we receive all goodness and mercy, which comes down from the Father of Lights.
Amen.
I like the Lord's prayer too, as Jesus instructed us to say it over and over whenever we thought about praying. I believe there is a great secret in understanding the power of this prayer. |
