Wednesday night I got a call from a New Horizon Church family member. She was calling from the emergency room and was very distraught because her husband who suffers from chronic lung disease had been rushed to the hospital and was placed on a ventilator. What made this news even more alarming is that during another crisis in July the doctor told us that if a ventilator was needed, he probably would never come off of it.
After being sedated for 24 hours, I was able to talk with my friend, who while groggy, was totally tracking with me. As we sat in the ICU I shared about all of the preparations for 10.10.10. I told him about the 20 New Horizon Church members and staff who gathered at noon on Wednesday and Thursday to pray for all of the people needing to meet Jesus on 10.10.10. This list had been compiled throughout the week through submissions via the website, Twitter and Face Book. The list was extensive.
I knew my friend was a man of prayer, as we have prayed together many, many times. His wife recognizes that through prayer, her husband has beat the odds, as 3 years ago he was given 1% chance of living after a chronic lung infection. I asked my friends if they would be willing to commit to praying for all of the "ONES" on our list. Because of the ventilator my friend couldn't speak, but the tear running down his face spoke volumes.
I returned to the ICU on Friday, list in hand and upon my arrival I found a stronger, less sedated friend. His wife cautiously shared that doctors were slowly weaning him from the ventilator and were going to access later in the day whether they could remove the breathing tube.
Meanwhile, we gathered together in the small ICU room and began praying for the lengthy list of people who need Jesus. About twenty minutes later as we finished our prayer with , "Amen", a gentle "Amen" came from behind us. It was the voice of the respiratory therapist who then exclaimed, "I'm here to take your breathing tube out!" We were blown away with excitement, as this was unexpected!
Fifteen minutes later we re-entered the room where my friend was praising God through his raspy voice. Tears were flowing and we prayed through the list again. I left the list with my friend who is committed to praying fervently for your "ONES", in spite of his serious condition. God has a purpose for us and can use us, especially when we are weak. My friend received renewed strength at his weakest point when he focused on God and others. I can't wait to celebrate with my friends tomorrow following the harvest at New Horizon Church, knowing that my very sick friend is playing a huge part through his dedication to others during his weakest time. God is good, all of the time.
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