Prayer in Different Situations

[Pete Vecchi]

I've been dealing in the past week or so with needing to pray for heath concerns of people who are ages 88, 88, and 92. They are all related to me, at least by marriage. 2 of them are dealing with memory issues to the point that they don't recognize family members--one as part of a longer term progression of Alzheimer's or dementia, the other as a result of dementia that has progressed rapidly over the past couple of weeks or so. One of the people is OK mentally, but has been told that the doctors can't do any more for the physical situation, implying that the end of life may be near.

In these situations, I must admit that I am somewhat baffled as to how to pray. Psalm 90 says that 70 years is a more or less "normal" length of life, and that "if by reason of strength" (KJV) the age could be 80.

On one hand, I don't feel led to pray for physical healing in these situations. Death is the natural end of life, and we will all face it, unless Jesus returns first. And once people reach advanced ages, as much as I hate to see them leave this life, I know that at some point it is inevitable.

I don't want to sound fatalistic here, but rather realistic. At the same time, if each of these people was 30-40 years younger, I would probably be more led to pray for physical healing.

I don't know why exactly I'm posting this. I'm dealing with a number of geriatric people in my extended family now who are in physical and mental need. Maybe I'm just a bit overwhealmed.

[Ian Gentles]

I've been dealing in the past week or so with needing to pray for heath concerns of people who are ages 88, 88, and 92. They are all related to me, at least by marriage. 2 of them are dealing with memory issues to the point that they don't recognize family members--one as part of a longer term progression of Alzheimer's or dementia, the other as a result of dementia that has progressed rapidly over the past couple of weeks or so. One of the people is OK mentally, but has been told that the doctors can't do any more for the physical situation, implying that the end of life may be near.

In these situations, I must admit that I am somewhat baffled as to how to pray. Psalm 90 says that 70 years is a more or less "normal" length of life, and that "if by reason of strength" (KJV) the age could be 80.

On one hand, I don't feel led to pray for physical healing in these situations. Death is the natural end of life, and we will all face it, unless Jesus returns first. And once people reach advanced ages, as much as I hate to see them leave this life, I know that at some point it is inevitable.

I don't want to sound fatalistic here, but rather realistic. At the same time, if each of these people was 30-40 years younger, I would probably be more led to pray for physical healing.

I don't know why exactly I'm posting this. I'm dealing with a number of geriatric people in my extended family now who are in physical and mental need. Maybe I'm just a bit overwhealmed.

I think you are correct, Christine and I both lost our mums this year, both in mid eighties, and heartbreaking as it is, it felt right. Where as in praying for Brad i was much more urgent in prayer as he was a young man. Its hard to know whats best so understand your dilemma.

http://iangentles.livejournal.com

[Barbara Moulton]

I really keep coming back to the basics. Just pray "God's best" for the individual concerned.

[John Kennedy]

Having gone through the Alzheimer's experience with my father, I never did have any kind of feeling that his healing was likely. I tended to pray a great deal more for God's presence and peace for all of us who were involved.

I certainly believed, and believe, in divine healing - I simply had no confidence in its probability. My primary concern was with my Mother- I realized that Dad was pretty well removed from the situation. The spirit had departed long before the body finally surrendered. I prayed for him to be comfortable and pain free.

My prayer is for God's presence, peace and the rich outpouring of grace. I think that encompasses God's best.

[Ian Gentles]

Well when folks are old, we expect it, as to divine healing in younger folks, well thats a whole other question!

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

John, one thing I noticed about my mother, was that spiritual part of her remained, in some way. she and grandmother were very deep into the OT. One day, I tried to discuss things about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with her. she said, "Do you really believe that?"
But, everytime we visited her, until the last visit or two, we would sing and sing the old songs. At times, I would have to watdh her mouth, to sing the words, that she knew, but could not say a sensible sentence, otherwise. Then, after a while, she would start praising the LORD. That part of her remained.

One day I ask her if she had ever known anyone named Anne Marie. She said: I used to have a daughter named that, but she was "littleler" than you." She was remembering me as a child. That was really a lot of words for her to say, all of that.