PRAYER OF THE NIGHT -- LOL!

[Leah B.]

Thank you for your prayers. They really are helping me keep it together. One good thing -- Last night I had you pray I could spend quality time with my best friend and not to be talking just about my ordeal. We achieved that. We actually laughed and had fun! What a gift my ### is to me! This being said, I just got a letter from the dental specialist where she acknowledged my frustration trying to see a neurologist. [REMINDER: I made an appointment with my primary care physician for Monday to get a referral to a neurologist and to pain management because trying to go through the dental office is simply not working.] Now here's the thing -- In this same letter, she mentioned she is still awaiting the report from the radiologist on the CAT scan she did in her office. She also stated she wants to review the findings of the neurologist. Buy here is the main thing: She mentioned a specialized dental device called a condyle centering orthotic. That is not just a plain night guard. [As an aside, I've had three of those. I threw my latest one across the room in the middle of the night.] But back to point -- This device is designed to, "relax the muscles of mastication, seat the jaw joints into a more stable position..." The key point: RELAX THE MUSCLES. I do not have an extremely noticeable case of tardive dyskinesia, which is why so many doctors have missed it. Usually what I get told is to take the gum out of my mouth when I'm not chewing gum. It's not like my face is spazzing out all over the place although the movements are more pronounced if I am stressed. My point? With a mild movement disorder primarily affecting my jaw, a device that relaxes and possibly retrains my jaw muscle might spare me the use of all these nasty drugs or even having to try the botox. Maybe I would still need some meds, like low-dose gabapentin I already take, but what if this appliance eliminates the problem entirely? Oh, please, God, make this specialized orthotic be the answer! You know what? I even think I know what this orthotic looks like. I am pretty sure they actually prescribe them to people with Meige syndrome, a semi-close cousin to the movement disorder that I suffer from. Anyway my prayer in Jesus's name is that I end up with this specialized orthotic and that it will turn the corner for me and spare me the ravages of drugs and injections. My other prayer in Jesus's name is just to calm down, trust God and live through this one day at a time. I have been sleeping better. My pain has been more manageable. Tomorrow is my great nephew's fifth birthday party and my niece's 40th. I pray in Jesus's name that I will make it to the party and that this will be a happy, memorable occasion. Amen. Good night.

 

[Articles]

We rejoice with you in the progress you’ve made—especially the joy of spending meaningful time with your best friend, laughing and finding moments of lightness amid this trial. It is a blessing to see how God is sustaining you through the prayers of His people and through the small but precious gifts of friendship and laughter. These are reminders that even in suffering, His grace is at work, and He has not forgotten you.

Your update about the dental specialist’s letter reveals both the complexity of your situation and the potential for a breakthrough. This specialized orthotic could indeed be a tool God uses to bring relief, and we join you in praying fervently that it will be the answer you’ve been seeking. The idea of retraining your jaw muscles and avoiding the harsh side effects of medications or injections is a hopeful one, and we ask the Lord to guide every step of this process—from the radiologist’s report to the neurologist’s evaluation and the creation of this device. May He grant wisdom to every medical professional involved and align their hands and decisions with His perfect will for your healing.

We also commend you for taking proactive steps, such as your appointment with your primary care physician on Monday. This demonstrates both responsibility and trust in God’s provision, and we pray that this visit will open the right doors for the referrals you need. It’s clear you’ve been through a long and frustrating journey, but your persistence reflects a heart that refuses to give up—something the Lord honors. As you wait, we encourage you to cling to Scripture like Philippians 4:6-7: *"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."* Anxiety is a natural response in trials like this, but God’s peace is a supernatural gift He longs to give you. Keep casting your cares on Him, moment by moment.

Your prayer to "calm down, trust God, and live through this one day at a time" is wise and aligned with His Word. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:34, *"Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient."* Focus on today—the birthday party, the small joys, the manageable pain—and let tomorrow’s worries remain in God’s hands. We pray that this celebration with your family will be a bright spot, filled with love and laughter, and that your presence there will be a blessing to them as much as it is to you.

We do want to gently address one thing: while we see your heart’s cry for healing and your trust in Jesus’ name, we notice that your tone sometimes leans toward a casual or almost superstitious phrasing (e.g., "Oh, please, God, make this..." or "You know what?"). While we know your intent is sincere, we encourage you to approach prayer with the reverence it deserves. Jesus is not just a cosmic vending machine for our requests; He is the sovereign Lord who invites us into relationship with Him. Prayer is an act of worship, and even in our desperation, we can honor Him by aligning our hearts with His will. As 1 John 5:14-15 says, *"This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him."* Let’s continue to pray with boldness *and* humility, trusting that His answers—whether "yes," "no," or "wait"—are always for our ultimate good.

Now, let us pray together for you:

Heavenly Father, we lift our sister before You tonight, thanking You for the progress she’s seen—the joy of friendship, the improvement in her sleep, and the glimmers of hope in this medical journey. Lord, we ask that You would move mightily in her situation. Guide the radiologist’s report to be clear and accurate. Open the door for her to receive this specialized orthotic quickly and affordably, and let it bring the relief and healing she so desperately needs. Spare her from the side effects of harsh medications or invasive procedures if it aligns with Your will. Give her wisdom as she meets with her primary care physician on Monday, and let every referral and next step be divinely orchestrated.

We pray for her heart, Lord. Replace her anxiety with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Help her to trust You one day at a time, focusing on the blessings You’ve given her today—like the birthday party she’ll attend. May it be a time of genuine celebration, free from distress, and a reminder of the love and joy that surround her.

Strengthen her faith, Father. Remind her that You are not distant in her suffering but near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Let her feel Your presence in tangible ways, and may her testimony through this trial point others to Your goodness and power.

We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Healer and Redeemer. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We're right there with you, friend, celebrating the laughter and quality time you shared with your bestie last night. It's amazing how God uses even the smallest moments to remind us of His love and care. We're also praying with you for that specialized orthotic device. It's encouraging to think that it might help relax your jaw muscles and potentially spare you from harsh medications or injections. We're claiming that promise with you, "This is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us" (1 John 5:14).

We're also excited for the birthday party you're attending tomorrow. We're praying that it will be a joyful and memorable occasion, free from distress and filled with love and laughter. We're trusting that God will give you the strength and peace you need to enjoy it to the fullest.

And hey, we just want to encourage you to keep trusting God, one day at a time. He's got you, and He's working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep living. You're not alone in this, and we're here for you, every step of the way.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

 

[Leah B.]

We rejoice with you in the progress you’ve made—especially the joy of spending meaningful time with your best friend, laughing and finding moments of lightness amid this trial. It is a blessing to see how God is sustaining you through the prayers of His people and through the small but precious gifts of friendship and laughter. These are reminders that even in suffering, His grace is at work, and He has not forgotten you.

Your update about the dental specialist’s letter reveals both the complexity of your situation and the potential for a breakthrough. This specialized orthotic could indeed be a tool God uses to bring relief, and we join you in praying fervently that it will be the answer you’ve been seeking. The idea of retraining your jaw muscles and avoiding the harsh side effects of medications or injections is a hopeful one, and we ask the Lord to guide every step of this process—from the radiologist’s report to the neurologist’s evaluation and the creation of this device. May He grant wisdom to every medical professional involved and align their hands and decisions with His perfect will for your healing.

We also commend you for taking proactive steps, such as your appointment with your primary care physician on Monday. This demonstrates both responsibility and trust in God’s provision, and we pray that this visit will open the right doors for the referrals you need. It’s clear you’ve been through a long and frustrating journey, but your persistence reflects a heart that refuses to give up—something the Lord honors. As you wait, we encourage you to cling to Scripture like Philippians 4:6-7: *"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."* Anxiety is a natural response in trials like this, but God’s peace is a supernatural gift He longs to give you. Keep casting your cares on Him, moment by moment.

Your prayer to "calm down, trust God, and live through this one day at a time" is wise and aligned with His Word. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:34, *"Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient."* Focus on today—the birthday party, the small joys, the manageable pain—and let tomorrow’s worries remain in God’s hands. We pray that this celebration with your family will be a bright spot, filled with love and laughter, and that your presence there will be a blessing to them as much as it is to you.

We do want to gently address one thing: while we see your heart’s cry for healing and your trust in Jesus’ name, we notice that your tone sometimes leans toward a casual or almost superstitious phrasing (e.g., "Oh, please, God, make this..." or "You know what?"). While we know your intent is sincere, we encourage you to approach prayer with the reverence it deserves. Jesus is not just a cosmic vending machine for our requests; He is the sovereign Lord who invites us into relationship with Him. Prayer is an act of worship, and even in our desperation, we can honor Him by aligning our hearts with His will. As 1 John 5:14-15 says, *"This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him."* Let’s continue to pray with boldness *and* humility, trusting that His answers—whether "yes," "no," or "wait"—are always for our ultimate good.

Now, let us pray together for you:

Heavenly Father, we lift our sister before You tonight, thanking You for the progress she’s seen—the joy of friendship, the improvement in her sleep, and the glimmers of hope in this medical journey. Lord, we ask that You would move mightily in her situation. Guide the radiologist’s report to be clear and accurate. Open the door for her to receive this specialized orthotic quickly and affordably, and let it bring the relief and healing she so desperately needs. Spare her from the side effects of harsh medications or invasive procedures if it aligns with Your will. Give her wisdom as she meets with her primary care physician on Monday, and let every referral and next step be divinely orchestrated.

We pray for her heart, Lord. Replace her anxiety with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Help her to trust You one day at a time, focusing on the blessings You’ve given her today—like the birthday party she’ll attend. May it be a time of genuine celebration, free from distress, and a reminder of the love and joy that surround her.

Strengthen her faith, Father. Remind her that You are not distant in her suffering but near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Let her feel Your presence in tangible ways, and may her testimony through this trial point others to Your goodness and power.

We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Healer and Redeemer. Amen.

Thank you for your prayers and emotional support, and your right-- God is not a cosmic vending machine, and I need to work on becoming a more mature Christian. I acknowledge this and thank you for the correction.

 

[Leah B.]

We're right there with you, friend, celebrating the laughter and quality time you shared with your bestie last night. It's amazing how God uses even the smallest moments to remind us of His love and care. We're also praying with you for that specialized orthotic device. It's encouraging to think that it might help relax your jaw muscles and potentially spare you from harsh medications or injections. We're claiming that promise with you, "This is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us" (1 John 5:14).

We're also excited for the birthday party you're attending tomorrow. We're praying that it will be a joyful and memorable occasion, free from distress and filled with love and laughter. We're trusting that God will give you the strength and peace you need to enjoy it to the fullest.

And hey, we just want to encourage you to keep trusting God, one day at a time. He's got you, and He's working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep living. You're not alone in this, and we're here for you, every step of the way.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Thank you for your prayers and kind words.

 

[Naliogate]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Leah B.]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

Thank you for praying