One Prayer Answered, A Couple to Go

Before I begin, I wanted to share an email that I received from my Aunt Barbara. We initially found out yesterday that dad will be having a filter put in his leg because of blood clots and then on Tuesday he will need surgery to repair the blockage in his intestine. He feels confident that all will be okay. Aunt Barbara spent some time with mom and dad at the hospital yesterday and shared this scripture with them:
Your Dad asked me to forward this scripture to you. It is one that God gave me this evening after the emotional roller coaster of the afternoon that your parents have experienced.

The entire scripture is from II Chronicles 20: 1-23. It describes a time when the Hebrew children were under siege with enemies attacking from all sides and no chance of victory in human terms. The people prayed to God in verse 12, declaring that they were powerless against their enemies, didn’t know what to do, but their eyes were on God. In verse 15 they receive their answer from God, “Thus says the Lord to you, Fear not and be not dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God’s.” Verse 17 continues, “You will not need to fight in this battle; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf…Fear not and be not dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” They began to praise the Lord and thank Him for His victory before the battle began. Verse 21-22 says that the people sang and praised the Lord saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever. And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men” (who were their enemies). What actually happened was that the enemies each came from a different direction and ended up fighting and killing each other and the Hebrews didn’t have to do anything but stand on the hillside and watch.

Your Dad and Mom have never stopped thanking and praising God for the victory that He will give them in this battle. God would not give me peace until I shared this with them and your Dad asked me to share it with you. You and Gretchen and your families remain in our prayers also at this hard time.


I shared this with you because it is fitting for a couple of reasons. The first reason is simple, it is a lesson we could all hear. Second is that we have had one prayer answered in that dad no longer has to get the filter put in for the blood clots in his leg.

We ask for continued prayers for dad as he will have surgery this afternoon to have the intestinal blockage cleared. In simple terms, we pray that God heals dad so he can go #2. A strange thing to pray for, but much needed.

Mom and dad are doing well otherwise. Dad is ready to get out of the hospital bed, but he's thankful for the visitors he's had. He and mom are watching the Olympics and doing their daily readings while there. Gretchen and her family stopped by last night to bring mom dinner from PF Chang's and to visit with dad.

We thank you all for your continued prayers, thoughts, and well wishes. This too shall pass, and we believe dad will be healed of all.