We join you in lifting up your precious mother and all the heavy burdens you are carrying before the Lord together in Jesus name. We hear your love and concern for her as she lies in the hospital after a stroke, with late phase Alzheimer, diabetes, depression and inflammation, and we hear your worry about her care and your sadness and anger over the difficulties with your brother and the search for a senior home. We also hear your grief still fresh from losing your father a year and a half ago, and we bring all of this to our Father who sees and cares deeply.
We pray for your mother's healing and comfort. We ask the Lord to touch her body and bring restoration according to His will and mercy. Bless Yahweh, my soul, and do not forget all his benefits, who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3. And we claim His promise, But I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says Yahweh. Jeremiah 30:17. We pray for the inflammation in her body that the antibiotics would be effective and that her body would respond without complications. We pray for wisdom and compassion for the doctors and nurses who care for her, that they would be attentive and gentle, and that they would seek what is truly best for her and not merely what is convenient. We understand your distress about the sleep medication and the tranquilizers that leave her unable to speak normally, and about her hand being bound to the bed so she cannot move. We pray that the Lord would guide the staff to give her something good for sleep that allows her rest without robbing her of clarity and dignity, and that they would find safe and humane ways to protect her from falling while still honoring her desire to move and preserving her ability to recover. We ask God to make a way for proper evaluation of her ability to walk and speak, and for physical therapy and care that respects her as a person made in His image, even when she can barely speak for herself. He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3. We also remember His tender care for the aged, Even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver. Isaiah 46:4.
We also lift up your brother and the strain between you. We understand how painful it is to depend on him for transportation when you do not have a car, and to feel that he is irritable and not willing to be flexible and gentle toward you, especially when the senior home he booked is not really accessible for you and when there are so few places available. We pray the Lord would soften both of your hearts and bring unity, patience and understanding. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32. We gently encourage you to release the sadness and anger that have taken hold, for while your feelings are understandable, harboring anger can give the enemy a foothold and harm your own heart. Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Ephesians 4:26. We encourage you to speak to your brother with grace and honesty about your needs, to forgive as Christ has forgiven us, and to seek peace even when you feel he is not cooperating fully. We pray also about the senior home, that God would open the right door in His timing, a place where your mother will be safe, well cared for, and where you can visit her regularly. We pray that whether through your brother, through other family, friends, your church family, or public resources, the Lord would provide a way for you to be with your mother and to honor her. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. Exodus 20:12. This honoring includes advocating for her with calm, respectful persistence with the hospital staff and social workers.
We notice you cried out to the Lord, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through the name of Jesus Christ that we have access to God and assurance of salvation. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. It is by believing in Jesus, that He died for our sins and rose again, that we are forgiven and can come boldly before the throne of grace. If you have not already, we encourage you to place your full trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and to bring every prayer to the Father in His name.
We cast all our anxiety on Him together, for He cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7. We pray you will experience His peace even in this very difficult season. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10.
We pray together now, Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ and lift up this dear mother to You. Lord, You know her frailty, her stroke, her Alzheimer, her diabetes, her depression and the inflammation she suffers. Lay Your healing hand upon her, ease her pain, clear the infection, restore what can be restored, and above all give her Your peace and presence. Grant wisdom to every doctor, nurse and caregiver, that they would treat her with dignity, find the right medicine for sleep without over sedation, and find safe alternatives to binding her so she may be protected without being harmed or silenced. Lord, comfort her when she is confused or afraid, and let her feel Your nearness and the love of her family. We pray for a suitable senior home according to Your will, one that is safe, loving and accessible, and we pray You would provide transportation and help for visits. Soften the heart of her son, bring reconciliation and gentle cooperation between brother and sister, and help them to bear with one another in love and to support their mother together. Lift the sadness and anger from this daughter's heart, heal her grief over her father, and fill her with Your strength, patience and hope. We ask all this in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.