"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, and the one who seeks, finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
One week from today, barring his surgery doesn't get rescheduled due to sickness (or for any other reason), we will embark the third stage of his heart reconstruction, the Fontan.
Prayer is an essential tool for healing and is an excellent source of comfort, courage and strength for those who are suffering. It's during these times of illness, disease or a life challenge, that nothing is more important than offering up prayers.
In addition to prayer, as Catholics, we believe the Saints continually protect us against harm, help strengthen our faith and offer spiritual guidance and healing. They are our models of prayer and it's by their intercession that our thoughts and needs are better presented to God on our behalf. Isn't it nice to know that no matter what vocabulary we use to spit out our thoughts, the Saints are always waiting there patiently, ready to make our word choices, whether of gratitude or frustration, ''sound good"?!
Seeming quite fitting, there is a Patron Saint of Healing that I'd like to add to Tyler's prayer list. His name is St. John of God.
Bio Summary:
Saint John of God was born in 1495 at Montemoro Novo, Evora, Portugal to a very poor couple. Following an impulse of his heart, he ran away from home to become a shepherd in Madrid, and then later, joined the Spanish Army. At the age of 40, John returned home to find both of his parents dead. Stricken with guilt, he devoted himself to the ransom of Christian slaves in Africa. Years later, John found himself in Granada, Spain. After attending a sermon given by John of Avila, his heart was once again moved to change his life. John of God discerned his true vocation and started a hospital for all the poor and sick in Granada. In his hospital he created an atmosphere of welcome, peace and hospitality. After 10 years spent in the service of the suffering, Saint John of God's life came to an end when he contracted an illness of the heart. He died in 1550, canonized in 1690, and is recognized as the patron of those suffering with heart disease. His feast day is March 8th.
St. John of God, Pray For Us!
Love, Kathleen