The Power of Prayer
By Richard Burke
The crunching sound of our camper van hitting the semi-trailer unit, which we had first seen only split seconds before, leaning then falling on its side around a turn and sliding toward us, is as vivid now as it was October 13 last year.
Lots about the accident was remarkable. A partial list:
we survived, although probably subtly changed;
the trauma nurse who just happened to be two cars behind us and the first to help, along with the off-duty EMT in the vehicle behind her;
another nurse, who after a 12-hour shift at the hospital the ambulance took us to, drove Màrlene an hour north to a larger facility where I had been flown because the first hospital wasn’t equipped to deal with my injuries (Marlene had been treated then released, left on her own far from home with only the compassion of others);
the speed with which word of the accident got out from Southern Oregon back home.
Because Marlene’s cell phone was on the road beside the wreck, she borrowed one from the woman whose car she sat in while I was cut out of the van, and called our daughter Darla in Elkford, B.C., who called another daughter, Megan, in Calgary who in turn called son Aaron in Ottawa. Within minutes, other family and friends knew of the accident.
And started praying.
It helped that many in Marlene’s close and extended family have strong faith. Prayer for them is automatic. We were quickly added to prayer lists for the sick at more than one parish in Western Canada. We knew, largely through social media, prayers were coming our way from far beyond that. It was the first time I’d heard of prayer warriors – those committed to praying for others.
As I lay in the ICU bed for 10 days at the River Bend, Oregon Sacred Heart Medical Centre, I had lots of time to think about prayer and the role it played in our situation.
What was it that prompted people to pray? Were they responding to the message this was a serious accident, worthy of attention?
It was humbling to know prayers were for us. It seemed reasonable that the prayers would be focused on our recovery, although I can only assume that was the case. Perhaps the prayers were simply that God be with us.
To me, it was inconceivable that God hadn’t been watching over us all along. How else could I explain we survived?
From the moment I was revived a day after the first surgery, I was keenly aware of how prayers might have been answered. The first sign was waking up, a tube being removed from my mouth, and Marlene and the two daughters in my room. A brother from Calgary and cousins from Lethbridge later joined them – from 1,300 km away. Serious, indeed. But, surely, all would be OK now.
From then on, the care of doctors, nurses and other rehabilitation care-givers over four months and counting, under two different medical systems, was focused on our recovery unconditionally – at least, in the U.S., once travel insurance was verified. I got the sense, though, those doing the caring would have proceeded regardless. Good folks.
A couple of notes about prayer helps me accept that others would pray for me – it was certainly understandable why Marlene is deserving of prayer..
An article in the Catholic Exchange refers to St. John Chrysostom writing, “We are compelled to pray for ourselves, but the love of our brethren engages us to pray for others also. Now, far more acceptable to God is the prayer that proceeds not from the pressure of our wants, but from the love of our neighbor.”
From the same article by Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik: “Effective prayer for others will bring us closer to God, because effective prayer is based on a knowledge of His will (1 John 5:14). It will also bring us closer to others, as we learn more about them and focus on their needs.”
Even those who aren’t particularly religious have shown a similar sentiment. They have used terms such as support, concern, and a sister’s reference to “Mom is watching over you” from heaven. Mothers are notorious worriers. Worrying, if you think about it, is maybe just a form of prayer, since at its root is the hope that everything will be OK.
The support was palpable in the daily visitations, and help for Marlene at home, from friends and family, including son Aaron from Ottawa, during the weeks in hospital and at the Post-Acute Rehabilitation Program at St. Michael’s Health Centre.
A friend, one of several frequent visitors, said, “We felt it in our heart of hearts.”
In an article on intercessory prayer, author Mike Bennett writes, “Why does God want us to pray for others? Because intercessory prayer reflects God’s own character of outgoing love and mercy. God wants us to think like He does, and praying for others helps us to think beyond ourselves and to grow in compassion for others. . . .
“This might include physical help and encouragement. Cards, calls and visits might be helpful. It is not wrong to tell a person you are praying for him or her if it will help encourage the person.”
To those who prayed for us, and those who may not have been aware they were, we were encouraged, and thankful for your prayers and support.
And thankful to God we are alive to acknowledge that.
Lots about the accident was remarkable. A partial list:
we survived, although probably subtly changed;
the trauma nurse who just happened to be two cars behind us and the first to help, along with the off-duty EMT in the vehicle behind her;
another nurse, who after a 12-hour shift at the hospital the ambulance took us to, drove Màrlene an hour north to a larger facility where I had been flown because the first hospital wasn’t equipped to deal with my injuries (Marlene had been treated then released, left on her own far from home with only the compassion of others);
the speed with which word of the accident got out from Southern Oregon back home.
Because Marlene’s cell phone was on the road beside the wreck, she borrowed one from the woman whose car she sat in while I was cut out of the van, and called our daughter Darla in Elkford, B.C., who called another daughter, Megan, in Calgary who in turn called son Aaron in Ottawa. Within minutes, other family and friends knew of the accident.
And started praying.
It helped that many in Marlene’s close and extended family have strong faith. Prayer for them is automatic. We were quickly added to prayer lists for the sick at more than one parish in Western Canada. We knew, largely through social media, prayers were coming our way from far beyond that. It was the first time I’d heard of prayer warriors – those committed to praying for others.
As I lay in the ICU bed for 10 days at the River Bend, Oregon Sacred Heart Medical Centre, I had lots of time to think about prayer and the role it played in our situation.
What was it that prompted people to pray? Were they responding to the message this was a serious accident, worthy of attention?
It was humbling to know prayers were for us. It seemed reasonable that the prayers would be focused on our recovery, although I can only assume that was the case. Perhaps the prayers were simply that God be with us.
To me, it was inconceivable that God hadn’t been watching over us all along. How else could I explain we survived?
From the moment I was revived a day after the first surgery, I was keenly aware of how prayers might have been answered. The first sign was waking up, a tube being removed from my mouth, and Marlene and the two daughters in my room. A brother from Calgary and cousins from Lethbridge later joined them – from 1,300 km away. Serious, indeed. But, surely, all would be OK now.
From then on, the care of doctors, nurses and other rehabilitation care-givers over four months and counting, under two different medical systems, was focused on our recovery unconditionally – at least, in the U.S., once travel insurance was verified. I got the sense, though, those doing the caring would have proceeded regardless. Good folks.
A couple of notes about prayer helps me accept that others would pray for me – it was certainly understandable why Marlene is deserving of prayer..
An article in the Catholic Exchange refers to St. John Chrysostom writing, “We are compelled to pray for ourselves, but the love of our brethren engages us to pray for others also. Now, far more acceptable to God is the prayer that proceeds not from the pressure of our wants, but from the love of our neighbor.”
From the same article by Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik: “Effective prayer for others will bring us closer to God, because effective prayer is based on a knowledge of His will (1 John 5:14). It will also bring us closer to others, as we learn more about them and focus on their needs.”
Even those who aren’t particularly religious have shown a similar sentiment. They have used terms such as support, concern, and a sister’s reference to “Mom is watching over you” from heaven. Mothers are notorious worriers. Worrying, if you think about it, is maybe just a form of prayer, since at its root is the hope that everything will be OK.
The support was palpable in the daily visitations, and help for Marlene at home, from friends and family, including son Aaron from Ottawa, during the weeks in hospital and at the Post-Acute Rehabilitation Program at St. Michael’s Health Centre.
A friend, one of several frequent visitors, said, “We felt it in our heart of hearts.”
In an article on intercessory prayer, author Mike Bennett writes, “Why does God want us to pray for others? Because intercessory prayer reflects God’s own character of outgoing love and mercy. God wants us to think like He does, and praying for others helps us to think beyond ourselves and to grow in compassion for others. . . .
“This might include physical help and encouragement. Cards, calls and visits might be helpful. It is not wrong to tell a person you are praying for him or her if it will help encourage the person.”
To those who prayed for us, and those who may not have been aware they were, we were encouraged, and thankful for your prayers and support.
And thankful to God we are alive to acknowledge that.