Yesterday, at a high-performance Chicago hospital, Mary, Bervin, and several of their adult children were on the oncology floor awaiting time in the conference room. They were there to listen to a handful of highly-reputed doctors explain what was happening inside Mary’s body, along with what they felt ought to be done about it.
At my home in Michigan, prayers were going up every hour requesting wisdom, discernment, and understanding, both for doctors and also Mary and family. We prayed God’s preparation into all of them and also his peace, confident he had heard and delivered.
But the scores of steady prayers rising from Michigan were just a drop in a very big prayer-bucket. All around the nation and in several foreign countries people were praying for Mary in droves.
I attended one of those doctor-meetings with Nate and know the stress of those moments. Finding out if someone will live or die is about as difficult as it gets, which is why all the people who love Mary were unceasing in their prayers. And when the meeting began with each doctor taking a turn, a remarkable drama unfolded.
As Mary told it, “I’ve always been on the praying end of a crisis, but this time I was the one being prayed for. The presence of God’s Spirit in that conference room was palpable. I saw it in the behavior of the doctors and in the faces of my children.”
She went on to say, “In my 70 years, I’ve never felt the strong, literal presence of the Lord that powerfully.”
Many people feel that since we can’t see the spirit world, we can’t be sure of what’s happening there, but Mary testified otherwise. As she described yesterday’s events, she said she became aware of God actively answering thousands of prayers prayed over her. “I absolutely knew it,” she said. “It was real, and he was moving among us, accomplishing answers to those many requests.”
Mary said that as she sat listening to doctors, she was completely enveloped in a bubble of peace. Because of the nature of the meeting, experiencing such tranquility wasn’t natural. The only explanation is that it was supernatural, a gift from God, an answer to many prayers.
God isn’t stingy with this kind of atypical peace. He offers it to anyone who wants it, in any set of circumstances. He says, “Ask me, and then trust me to deliver it.” We don’t even need a life and death crisis for him to wrap us in that same unlikely peace.
The Spirit is ready, whenever we are.
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” (John 14:26-27)
Mary’s prayer requests (from Mayo Clinic, where they are getting a 2nd opinion):
- For courage and strength as additional blood test results come in tomorrow
- For Bervin and Luke as they try to be strong for Mary while suffering themselves
- For God to be glorified as “his power is made perfect in weakness.”
Hi Margaret, I will continue to pray for Mary and the family as they seek a 2nd opinion and ultimately make treatment decisions. I let my parents know about Mary’s situation, as well. Thanks for keeping us posted on your blog.
Sending a big hug,
Judy
It is wonderful to hear praise and honor being given to the Lord, especially in the midst of most difficult times. What a beautiful testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness. We love you, Mary. I am praying.
What was the chorus of that old song we used to sing in Sunday School? –
‘The blessings come down as the prayers go up.
The blessings come down as the prayers go up.
The blessings come down as the prayers go up
So build your house on the Lord.”
Thankful that your family has built their house on the Lord Jesus Christ.
I know what it is like to be in that “peace bubble” and to not be able to pray for myself but praise God the Holy Spirit intervenes with the Father for us. Mary is praying for her family as they pray for her and the Holy Spririt is praying too.
And I pray for you, too, Margaret because I know how special Mary is to you. God bless!! Much love, Doris.
Praying continually.
I’m praying for you daily, Mary, and your family too. God be with you. Ruth
Dear Margaret,
Your article was such an encouragement and evidence of the power of prayer. I praise the Lord or blessing you in such a special way of expressing your thoughts in writing.
May He continue to guide and provide for your and your family.
I am so thankful to be part of the prayer warriors for Mary. Lovingly in Chrst, Florie
What love! Thank you, Margaret and Mary, for sharing this with the world and giving us the opportunity to stand in faith with you. We will ‘keep on keeping on’.
Hello Margaret,
I don’t check your blog every day and when I read the news about your sister, I was just shocked. I am so sorry. My husband died from cancer 7 yrs.ago. We did pray for God’s will but I didn’t feel like praying for that, I just wanted Him to deliver us from this nightmare we were in and perform an amazing cure. I wanted to pray for what I wanted. It was hard for me to realize that for some reason Rod was going to be taken away and life as I knew it was going to be changed forever. But inevitably God’s will be down, whether we want it or not. I have to believe in His sovereign power and the fact that Rod was wanted in heaven for some reason, which I will don’t think I will ever know on this side of life. But it was important to me to know he didn’t die in vain, that there was a purpose to what happened to him. I still don’t know the answer, but I try and understand that God still loves us and that we have to fight to stay with him in all circumstances, whether they are good or bad. I know you already know all this but I guess it gives me comfort to finally write all this down to someone who knows what its like. My life is far more lonely and dull. I suffer from depression anyway and it just stays there now like a black cloud hanging over me. And I still cry every day even though I have gone to groups, a therapist, and read tons of books on the theme. I loved your
book, by the way. Sorry to ramble on. I will be praying for your sister and family as you go through these trying times together. God Bless you and your ministry. Lydia
I just found out about your cancer and am overwhelmed with the news. Reading your blog has been so helpful. I am thrilled to hear that your faith in God has been strengthened.
You are in my prayers as are your children and husband.
Thanks, Margaret, for sharing with us about Mary and this journey that she is on. We are blessed by having the privilege of praying. Provs. 30:5. Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Jim and Pearl.