I kept Susan home from church to avoid over-exerting her since Fri night was pretty taxing. I helped her bathe after breakfast; and she enjoyed sitting in the patio once again.
Lexie brought her mom a snack of Cocoa Puffs cereal in the late morning. Susan thinks it's "the bomb." She doesn't remember having them before, and usually kept sweet cereals out of the house. "I do like these. What are they called again?" She drank the chocolate milk out of the bowl.
Our dear friend Vicki Gelberg has been led to organize a prayer vigil for Susan and others at our church who are dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Her email to me reflects solid, biblical guidelines for seeking the Lord in this season. From Vicki:
I have been musing in my quiet moments with God about how to approach the words on my heart – "prayer vigil." Here are some of the themes He’s provided:
- God is sovereign
- God provides
- God wants us to seek after Him and promises we will find Him
- God wants us to seek to know His heart
- God wants us to know and trust Him from the center of our beings, our hearts
- God wants us to work to approach Him in unity of spirit as well as unity of intention
- God wants us to trust Him outside of our own understanding
- God wants us to acknowledge and give way to His sovereign power
- God wants us to learn to truly GLORIFY HIM in all we do
As you know, Susan Buccowich, Jeff Nord and several other members of the body are afflicted by life altering or life threatening illness. As the body of Christ, we will respond to the counsel of God's Word and specifically, the words of Christ as we take a 10 day journey of prayer. Everyone at Emmanuel is invited to attend Oasis this Thursday night 7/26 at 7:00 as Mike Buccowich and Vicki Gelberg lead us to begin this journey – following God's call to prayer and fasting for healing within this body. Come and participate in this time for God's purposes.
We will model our prayer vigil on the Book of Esther for those in our church community who have been afflicted with life-threatening or life-altering illnesses.
It will happen like this:
Thu 7/26 7pm Oasis @ ERC. Preparing. Gather to worship, pray, and prepare for a three-day fast, a unified approach to God that will precede our four-day prayer vigil.
Fri 7/27 – Sun 7/29. Seeking. Individually fast and seek the power of the Holy Spirit and direction from the LORD God as to how we are to pray for those afflicted over the coming vigil.
Sun 7/29 6pm @ ERC. Sensing. Gather to worship, pray, and discern the LORD's direction in any Word the LORD has provided.
Mon 7/30 – Thu 8/2. Praying. Maintain a four-day, hour-to-hour vigil following in the steps as the LORD has disclosed.
Thu 8/2 7pm Oasis @ ERC. Revealing. Gather to worship, pray, and share how the LORD has led.
I am grateful for the Holy Spirit's prompting, for Vicki's obedience, for our church leaders who are open to the power of God with purpose being displayed in our lives today, and for our community of believers who demonstrate their love with a "whatever it takes" commitment to one other. God is awesome.
On fasting:
Esther 4:15-16a Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king..."
Mark 9:26-29 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." [Some manuscripts say "prayer and fasting."]
The rule on fasting is there are no rules. It's about denying the flesh so you can pray better. For some it means giving up sweets or TV. For others, it means eating only breakfast (or lunch or dinner). Still others will not eat for three days, drinking only water or juice. Each method is personal; and the one who eats nothing is not better than the one who gives up sweets. Of course, you should avoid putting your health at risk and should be sensible in your approach.Also you should avoid the notion that fasting somehow controls the Living God. The purpose of a fast is to put a temporary limit on your consumption machine and create a space to focus acutely on God, to put off the flesh to listen. Hunger pangs are an excellent reminder to pray. Constant hunger becomes constant prayer.
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