“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” – Tennyson

That quote often finds itself stuck somewhere between my head and my heart.  Intellectually and theologically I know it to be true.  And in some of the lowest valleys and highest mountaintop moments in my life my heart has found it to be true.  And here we as a family find ourselves at a crossroads between our heads and our hearts.

I mean, how do you exactly pray for the healing of your son?  How do we reconcile God’s perfect plan for him with our parental desires for him and his future?

We know our God to be a God of healing.  And we know our God to be a God of purpose.  And we are okay with how He decides both of those should line up in the life of our little guy, Cole.  But we also know that this God of healing and purpose has not only given us access to Himself through Jesus but also encourages us in that access known as prayer.  So we’ve decided to pray boldly as Hebrews 4:16 challenges us to, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”  And then Matthew 7:7, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

We have been praying for a miraculous healing because we believe in a God who still heals miraculously.  The pattern has continued most nights… pray with Cole, together at bedtime and then wait until he falls asleep and kneeling by his bed, with my hand on his hip, cry out to God for healing.  These have been tender moments where the Spirit of God communicates to the heart of God our requests.  And in return we truly have been offered His presence and a peace that does pass all understanding.

Even though our understanding is quite limited, we still have peace.  We don’t see what God sees in regards to Cole’s life and future.  But we do know what God knows – He will be glorified in this situation.  So ultimately that’s what we desire beyond all else.  No matter how God chooses to heal, we want His name to be made great.  We want His Story to be made known through our son’s story.

If you would be willing to stand with us in prayer… here are some specific requests:

• Please pray for wisdom and skill for Dr. Killian and the team taking care of Cole.  We are praying for the lesser of the two surgical options if at all possible.
• Pray for minimal pain, minimal affects of anesthesia, rest, and plenty of sleep for Cole (he cries out at night right now and hasn’t been sleeping well)
• Pray for us as we care for Cole and manage the rest of the family’s needs. Pray especially for Brooke caring for our baby, Trent and caring for the majority of Cole’s needs.
• Pray for extended family helping with Cole and other siblings needs, pray for Brock and Jake as they process what their brother is going through and how is family is different right now.
• Pray for Todd’s summer ministry commitments and wisdom to delegate.
• Pray for Cole’s understanding and a spirit of peace both before and during the procedure, but also how he copes with not having mobility for so long.
• Pray God’s mercy and healing power over Cole that the surgery will allow complete healing of Cole’s femur bone and hip and that he has no long term affects from Perthes disease.  Pray that it doesn’t affect his other hip down the road.
• Pray the Lord will guide our decisions and keep up tightly knit as a couple and a family during this time.

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8)

Thank you – each and every one – for standing with us in prayer and for all the encouraging words!

PS – If you are local to Tallahassee, we’d love to have you join us in a service for prayer and healing tonight (June 17) at 7p in the Student Center at Wildwood Church.