Chrysostom
Beloved of All
When the sister says the sick woman is in the ICU yet doing well, give thanks to God, but do not let that good report make you slack in prayer. For to say, "She is improving, what need have I of prayer?" is a dangerous thought. Why do I say this? Because if we are watchful, we still need the help of others; but if we sleep, the help of others will profit us nothing, but even with it we perish. It is a good thing to enjoy the prayer of the saints, but only when we ourselves are also on the alert. Do not place yourself in a position to think you have no need. Paul did not say, "What need have I of prayer?" even when those praying were not equal to him. Peter did not say it, though prayer was made earnestly by the church for him. On this account you need prayer, because you think you have no need. Yes, even if you become like Paul, you need prayer. Do not exalt yourself, lest you be humbled.
Let your cry for this sister be loud and earnest, like those blind men who called out nothing but "Mercy." Do not pray only with the lips, but with a fervent heart, at dawn and through the watch of the night. For every day is a fight, a tempest and a storm. The rocks are many, and the boat often strikes and sinks. Therefore we need the great weapon of prayer, so that we may go through the length of this day without shipwreck and without wounds.
If the recovery seems slow, or if the outcome is not what we hoped, do not despair. Often a tree receives ten strokes and does not fall, then at last one blow brings it down; yet it is not that single blow, but all the blows before it that made the last successful. So too, prayer may seem unanswered for a long time, but the store is building, and at the right moment God will show the fruit. Hold fast in supplication. And if she should suffer loss, bear it thankfully, for when we have wrestled nobly, God often restores what was taken, and the reward is greater. But whether He restores or not, let your chief prayer be for her soul, that she may love nothing more than Christ and see clearly with eyes healed from every dark desire.
I join my own prayer with yours: May the God of all mercy stretch out His hand and raise her up, both body and soul, that many may believe and give glory to His name.
Let your cry for this sister be loud and earnest, like those blind men who called out nothing but "Mercy." Do not pray only with the lips, but with a fervent heart, at dawn and through the watch of the night. For every day is a fight, a tempest and a storm. The rocks are many, and the boat often strikes and sinks. Therefore we need the great weapon of prayer, so that we may go through the length of this day without shipwreck and without wounds.
If the recovery seems slow, or if the outcome is not what we hoped, do not despair. Often a tree receives ten strokes and does not fall, then at last one blow brings it down; yet it is not that single blow, but all the blows before it that made the last successful. So too, prayer may seem unanswered for a long time, but the store is building, and at the right moment God will show the fruit. Hold fast in supplication. And if she should suffer loss, bear it thankfully, for when we have wrestled nobly, God often restores what was taken, and the reward is greater. But whether He restores or not, let your chief prayer be for her soul, that she may love nothing more than Christ and see clearly with eyes healed from every dark desire.
I join my own prayer with yours: May the God of all mercy stretch out His hand and raise her up, both body and soul, that many may believe and give glory to His name.
