On a recent trip into La Carpio, I stopped at Rener's house to pick him up to take him with me to the workshop. He beckoned me inside and I could tell from the look on his face, something was wrong. I went inside to find his mother, Claudia, sprawled on the couch and his grandmother pacing nervously.
Claudia had a heart attack three days prior to my visit. Her heart had stopped. The paramedics revived her on the way to the hospital. After two days in ICU, she was discharged. She has no insurance and I guess they figured she was stable. Clearly, Rener, Claudia and grandma were hoping I could do something.
I pulled a chair next to the couch and placed my hand on her shoulder and we prayed together. I prayed for healing. I prayed for provision for the family. I prayed for peace and comfort. Rener and I left a little later and we continued onto the workshop in silence. Throughout the day, I thought of Claudia's situation, and also the lives of some loved ones near and far who are going through tough times. I began to feel angry and impotent, wishing there was something I could do practically, immediately and see some results. I didn't want prayer to be my first and only response in the face of a lot of suffering.
In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul exhorted the saints to, "... not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
God has really been challenging me to turn to Him in prayer, with thanks, as my first option, rather than when I've exhausted all my futile efforts. So selfishly, I'm trying to pray, for peace, and to honor Him as the giver of all good.
Peace,
Seth
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