19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:19-20, KJV)
Some number of weeks back I wrote of the tremendous challenge our good friend Sarah , who was suffering from a rare form of cancer, and her husband, Bob, were facing. Good friends and brother and sister with us in Christ, they have both been stellar examples of leading a Christian life, steeped in prayer and an unflagging love and joy in our Lord. The road ahead would be rocky and I asked for your prayers as she set out on a trial form of chemo at Bethesda. In the weeks that followed there was much difficulty and challenge as that path did indeed become steep and rocky with hospitalizations along the way.
But your prayers and messages of hope came in (and were immediately passed to Sarah and Bob) and lifted their spirits, and for that I thank you.
Today – wonderful news. After the first two of what will eventually be 6 cycles of this form of therapy, the cancer that had spread to her stomach is largely resolved as are the lesions in her right chest. The doctors are astonished at her progress – and the rest of us rejoice. In Bob’s own words:
“…consider Philippians 1:18-19 ” Yes and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” All of you lifting Sarah up to the Holy Spirit guides the hands of those who help her, lifts her spirits in dealing with the disease, helps to heal her mind and flesh and hopefully when you see something like this happen, lets you know that your prayers really do work.”
To which I and so many others can only add a heartfelt Praise God and Amen!
Stumble It!
Stumble it!
What about thanking modern medicine and the miracles of science? I know there is a saying that says something like “luck favors the vigilant.”
How is the house doing by the way? Havn’t heard nary a peep about the adventures of new home ownership.
Glad to hear a good report. I disagree with Matthew, however, and am glad that God seems to have taken a hand in her recovery.
I learned a long time ago the truth of a phrase a very wise man told me: “Prayer is not changing the mind of God, it is laying hold of the willingness of God.” Just an old bubblehead Chief, but my knees still hold prayer up.
Matthew et al,
Let me give you the rest of the paragraph before the Phillipians quote:
Sarah’s response of course was to give God the glory and from my foxhole we have the support of a team of incredible power. A couple of smart doctors who care about Sarah both as a person and a patient and are willing to think outside the box in providing options. A caring staff at Bethesda who care for her and who see her as a member of their family and provide great care and support. People all over the world praying for Sarah everyday and lifting her up even though they may not have met her and don’t know her but know friends that do or see her name on a blog or prayer listing. Our constant family at Lake Ridge and the alumni we love and stay in touch with, all of whom continue to do the heavy lifting in both prayer and moral support as we stay down this road. Without our extended Lake Ridge Family lifting us up in prayer this would be too hard too bear at times. To stay on focus……
I do believe that the doctors become the action agents and for you E2 guys the National Naval Medical Center is the finest military medical facility we have ever used. Sarah’s docs have always searched out and found cutting edge treatments and don’t hesitate to stretch the bound of “standard” care. We see our Bethesda family, our church family and those out there we don’t even know as part of a medical and spiritual team that are working to lift this curse from her.
God bless you all
Bob and Sarah Pace
Glad to see that she’s doing better. Wish her strength and continued success in her struggle. While I don’t understand or agree or at times see reason for what He does, I do believe that a little divine intervention can’t hurt.
Claudio
OH Mr. Pace, didn’t mean any offense at all. Glad she is doing well and will leave it at that.
No harm no foul. 32 years of active duty and nearly eight years working in the Pentagon have taught me that teamwork and personal relationships are the key to success in any venture. If your friends of Wil’s you’re friends of ours.
…and he pa**es his concurrence…
- SJS
your prayer request touched us.
We are praying for you.
We found this site helpful http://www.holylandprayer.com Check it; maybe it gives you a relief.
God bless you