We lift you up in prayer, dear sister, and we are grateful that you have called upon the name of Jesus in your request, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and find true healing, peace, and restoration. The Scriptures remind us in John 14:6, *"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.'"* Your faith in invoking His name is a testament to your trust in Him, and we join you in seeking His will in all these matters.
Your suffering with TMJ and the movement disorder has been long and difficult, and we grieve with you over the physical and emotional toll it has taken. The pain, the disagreements among doctors, and the uncertainty of treatments must feel overwhelming at times. Yet, we see your perseverance and your willingness to endure the adjustments in hope of healing, and we commend you for your strength. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 5:3-5, *"Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."* Your trials are not in vain, sister. God is refining you, drawing you closer to Himself, and using this season to deepen your dependence on Him.
We also recognize the anger and bitterness that have taken root in your heart because of this prolonged suffering. These are natural responses to pain, but they are not what God desires for you. The Bible warns us in Ephesians 4:31-32, *"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."* We gently rebuke this spirit of bitterness, not to condemn you, but to urge you to release it to the Lord. Bitterness is a poison that harms your soul far more than your physical ailments ever could. Instead, cling to the promise of Psalm 34:18, *"Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit."* He sees your pain, and He is near to you. Ask Him to replace your anger with His peace, your bitterness with His joy, and your despair with His hope.
We pray for wisdom and clarity regarding the non-drug program in January. If it is God’s will, we ask that He would open the doors for you to receive this treatment and that your insurance would cover it. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, *"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."* Lean on Him, sister, for He is your provider and your healer. We also pray for protection over your body as you continue with the orthotic adjustments. May God grant you relief from the increased movement and pain, and may He restore your jaw to its proper function. We ask for His healing touch upon your body, that He would knit together every muscle, nerve, and joint according to His perfect design.
Regarding your upcoming doctor’s appointments, we lift them up to the Lord, asking for His guidance and favor. For your carotid arteries, we pray that the calcifications would indeed be stable and that no further intervention would be necessary. We ask for skilled and compassionate doctors who would provide wise counsel and effective care. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:27, *"Which of you by being anxious can add one moment to his lifespan?"* Trust in the Lord’s sovereignty over your body and your days. He knows the number of your hairs and the days ordained for you. Rest in His care.
Your reflection on mortality is a sobering and wise one. Yes, we will all face the end of our earthly lives, but for those who are in Christ, this is not a cause for fear. Jesus tells us in John 11:25-26, *"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die."* We urge you to draw near to God in this season, to seek His face earnestly, and to allow Him to refine your faith. Your suffering has changed you, but it does not have to define you. Let it drive you to the cross, where you will find grace, mercy, and the strength to endure.
Now, regarding your dinner tomorrow, we pray for a time of joy, unity, and blessing. It is beautiful that you are honoring your father by recreating the dinner he missed and that you are gathering your loved ones together. Family is a gift from the Lord, and we thank Him for the years He has granted your father. Psalm 128:1-3 says, *"Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you. Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house; your children like olive plants around your table."* May this dinner be a reflection of God’s goodness and a time of sweet fellowship. We pray for safety as your family travels, for delightful conversation, and for hearts that are knit together in love. May your home be filled with the peace and presence of Christ.
We also lift up your father’s upcoming cardiac catheterization. We ask for the Lord’s hand to guide the doctors, for a successful procedure, and for a swift recovery. May God grant your father many more days to enjoy his family and to witness His faithfulness.
Finally, we address your prayer for a more child-friendly and family-friendly society. While we share your desire for a world that upholds and cherishes family, we must remember that this world is fallen and will not be perfected until Christ returns. Our hope is not in the transformation of society but in the Kingdom of God. As believers, we are called to be salt and light in this world, to live out the love of Christ in our families and communities, and to raise up the next generation in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Let us focus on what we can do—loving our families well, teaching our children the ways of the Lord, and being a testimony of His grace to those around us.
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**Our Prayer for You:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our sister, lifting up her many needs and concerns. Lord, You are the Great Physician, the One who heals all our diseases and binds up our wounds. We ask for Your healing touch upon her jaw, that You would bring alignment, relief from pain, and restoration of function. Give her wisdom, Lord, as she navigates the opinions of doctors and the decisions about treatment. Guide her steps, and if the non-drug program in January is Your will, open the doors for her to receive it. Provide for her financially, Lord, and let her insurance cover what is needed.
We pray for her upcoming appointments, Father. Grant her favor with the doctors, and let the results bring peace and clarity. We ask that the calcifications in her carotid arteries would be stable and harmless, and that she would be spared from further complications. Lord, You know the days ordained for her, and we trust You with her life and her health.
Father, we lift up the bitterness and anger in her heart. Soften her, Lord, and replace her pain with Your peace. Help her to forgive those who may have caused her harm, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and to release her anger to You. Fill her with Your Spirit, that she may know the depth of Your love and the hope of Your promises.
We thank You for the dinner she is hosting tomorrow. Bless this time of fellowship, Lord. Let it be a joyful gathering, filled with laughter, love, and gratitude. Protect her family as they travel, and let this meal be a testament to Your goodness and provision. We also pray for her father’s upcoming procedure. Guide the hands of the doctors, Lord, and grant him a successful outcome and a speedy recovery.
Finally, Father, we pray that our sister would draw near to You in this season. Deepen her faith, Lord, and let her suffering drive her to the cross. Remind her that her hope is not in this world but in You, and that You are making all things new. Strengthen her, encourage her, and let her know that she is not alone. You are with her, and You will never leave her nor forsake her.
We ask all these things in the precious and mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and Healer. Amen.
