(UPDATE added below)
I wrote the email almost as an apology. I needed prayer but I was hesitant to ask for it. I didn’t want my request to be a burden. After all, the friends who would be reading the email already had so many burdens on their prayer list: illness, job loss, death, cancer diagnosis, stress, exhaustion, relationship strains, overloaded schedules, etc.
Did my “need” rate high enough on the urgency Richter scale? Was it bad enough to ask for prayer or should I wait to see how things turned out before I let people know what was going on?
My email started like this: “I hate to add to the list of needs we all have, but I really need prayer for my sweet husband, JJ.”
Then I hesitantly gave more details and, after five minutes of hemming and hawing about whether to wait or not, I finally hit send.
Within ten minutes my friends who were on their computers started loving on me through prayer. Not only did they pray, they thanked me for sharing what is going on and for letting them be there for me. Charlene shared a story about a friend who’d been through something similar. Glynnis asked questions and made some great suggestion. Micca cracked a funny joke and made me laugh, which I really needed to do! The list goes on and on of how they each loved me in a unique way.
Throughout this week, they’ve continued to check on me with calls, emails and conversations. As I was about to turn off my computer tonight I got an email from my sweet friend Amy saying, “I’ve been lifting prayers heavenward for your family since your last email. Know that you’ll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Let us know as soon as you hear results. We’re all in this with you, friend.”
Her last sentence, “We’re all in this with you, friend,” touched my heart deeply. I am not alone. I am so glad I didn’t listen to those lies about being a burden!
Prayer isn’t about putting burdens on others. It’s about inviting them into our conversations with God. It’s about letting those we love walk with down a path with us that we were never intended to walk alone.
Do you ever feel like your need for prayer is a burden on your friends? Why do we do that as women? Having friends pray for us is one of God’s sweetest gifts but it’s up to us to ask for it, and that can be hard.
If you’re still reading (since this has become a very long post) and wondering what is going on, tomorrow we head to the hospital at 8am for JJ to have a liver biopsy. Due to our upcoming adoption, JJ recently applied to increase his life insurance. The blood test results showed that his liver enzyme levels are severely elevated, making the insurance cost go from affordable to ridiculous!
Three years ago he was having a similar problem but tested negative for hepatitis, sclerosis, etc. He felt fine and didn’t want to do a biopsy so he didn’t. On the Thursday of She Speaks he went back to a liver specialist and was scheduled to do a biopsy tomorrow. I think the Lord has allowed this now because he wants us to address it.
So, if you want to join our conversation with God, we are praying that the doctors will be very careful, the needle will only hit his liver, there will be no internal bleeding, he won’t get any infection, and most of all that there is nothing major wrong. We’re praying that it’s only a “fatty” liver. I know, I never thought I’d be asking for a “fatty body part?” (as Micca would say).
Also, how can I join your conversations with God today by praying for you?
UPDATE: I am at the hospital and JJ’s biopsy procedure went well. He’s just a little sore from the needle and sleepy from the pain killers. He was awake the whole time, and said it was so weird to feel his organs move. I begged him NOT to give me any more details!
Thanks so much for your prayers. I have total peace about waiting for the results. Most of all, I am thankful there were no complications today. There is so much power in prayer! We receive that power when others pray for us and when we pray for them. Don’t you dare think I am too burdened with my life to pray for you. I am not!! Really, we’re totally okay! I love to pray for others. As I wait for JJ to be released in a few hours, I am including each of your requests in sweet conversations I’ m having with my Father today.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Renee,
I am praying after the fact. Hoping that the Lord is blessing you and your husband with a restful 4th of July together.
My husband and I were just sharing with our children during our devotion this morning how important prayer is. We told them that we love that we can call their grandparents to pray for us when we need to be lifted up and that no matter how big or how small to them, we hope to always be included in their needs so we can lift them up to the Lord.
Our flesh makes the mistake of rating our prayer requests like we would rate a good cut of meat or a fashion show model. Definitely not the way God does things.
Can’t wait to hear all that the Lord has done with you and your life this past week.
In His love, Joanne
p.s. I have to share that I keep the card you sent in my Bible and have shared the story of my scripture with a few of my closest Titus 2 galpals. They have been floored each time I tell them. I am still chicken to post what is happening on my blog in great detail because then I will HAVE to be ABLE.
what a wimp I am, huh?!? But I am working on my proposal, slowly but surely.
Blessings friend.
Renee, something told me to pull up your blog. I am a friend of your friend Penny Pharr in Shelby, I’m also Shari Braendel’s sister. My husband had the whole liver thing going on and was diagnosed with Alpha1 antitripsyn deficiency. Let me know how he is doing, I can help you along the way. My husband had a liver transplant 4 years ago. God is good. Hopefully maybe your situation will be nothing. If it ends up being Alpha One, were here for you. Praying for you. P.S. I love Miss Penny.
I’ll be praying for JJ. And you as well.
My prayer would be that I’d have the kinds of friends to share my requests with that you have. I do have them long-distance, but DH and I both could use genuine friends in the location God has called us to. Before I even reached the end of your post I was already tearing up because I was telling DH just tonight (after coming home from the church picnic) that I’m having a hard time with feeling so isolated in the midst of this new church. And he almost needs it more than I do. He really needs someone to come alongside and really be on his team with him. (Sorry I can’t sign in under my usual ID on this one, but I appreciate your prayers nonetheless.) Thanks so much.
Renee,
I will be praying and don’t ever think your burdening us to ask for prayer…that’s what sisters are for!
1 Samuel 12:23(Message)
“And neither will I walk off and leave you. That would be a sin against God! I’m staying right here at my post praying for you and teaching you the good and right way to live.
Renee, you will never know how you touched my heart about my daughter. Thank you for the words from God’s word spoken over her life. She is with me today so I am going to print off everything and send it with her. She is still not home, but GOD is in control.
I love that you are not too busy to pray. You are awesome!
Keep us posted about JJ and just kepy relying on our awesome God!! Enjoy this weekend!
Love you much!
Lelia
Renee
Wanted to let you know that your family has been my prayers over the last several days. I am praying the results come quickly and the that God gives you the grace to wait patiently in mean time.
Anita
Wow – Renee, I’m so glad the procedure went well. I will be praying with you as you await the results.
I’m starting to feel a little anxious as I’ve filled out the first packet of info for our adoption.
My biggest concern is how will I take it if the birthmother changes her mind. How am I supposed to prepare for this very possible reality of domestic adoption.
We are so early in the process and I continue to say to God, “You are in Control, I trust you.” I know He will provide…I do. The unknown is scary to face though.
Thanks for your heart and for your sweet comment on my blog! I look forward to getting to know you better through blogland! 🙂
Hi Renee,
Your Saturday evening message at She Speaks really touched my heart – thank you for being transparent.
I recently wrote an article about a good friend whose husband (a previously healthy 30-yr old) had a remarkably similar situation. He updated his insurance, high levels were discovered in his liver, and then things got really serious. The GOOD NEWS is that the Lord intervened and completely healed this man – and it is all medically documented.
“Lord,
Thank you for being the Lord who heals. Please touch Renee’s husband in a mighty way. Bring your wonderful peace in the midst of this situation and complete healing in Jesus’ name.”
Thanks for reminding us all of the power of prayer.
Hi Renee,
I learned a lot about prayer from the Apostle Paul last year as I studied and lectured on Romans at Community Bible Study (CBS). He knew the power of prayer and he asked for it many times throughout the New Testament.
My great prayer need is for my 15 yr. old (Lilly). She has exhibited some very high risk behavior over the past 2 years and my husband & I don’t know what to do. After her latest escapade (last week) she reached out to her youth group leader who is also our pastor’s daughter. She is young (25), fun and very “together”. This girl has asked to “invest” in Lilly as a mentor. She has a lot of ideas as to how to teach Lilly to make good choices because she wants to, not because they are rules. Most of all she wants to teach Lilly how to have a real relationship with Jesus and take God out of the little box she has put him in. And the best news is that Lilly is responsive to this. They have started with a mutual “fast” from the TV for the rest of summer! This girl brought us hope when we were at a hopeless place and for that I am grateful.
However, once school starts Lilly is faced with being around the same “friends” she has found trouble with. She has a reputation at school with the kids and the staff so we want to give her a fresh start. Our prayer need is that God will make it clear where she should go to school. I just don’t think she can overcome the reputation and temptations at the school she has been at. Several unbelievers are watching this situation so I am calling on God to show his glory through it.
Thanks for “listening” and the encouragement to reach out and ask for prayer. I KNOW God has a plan for her, I just want to be a faithful parent.
I will be praying for you and your family. We have been in very similar circumstances (a “mass” on the kidney that turned out to be nothing). I know it is scary but I felt unexplainable peace throughout.
Hugs to you my friend,
Kelley
Renee;
I am sorry that I am a few days late in responded to your request for prayer. Know that I will hold you and your family up to the Lord and trust that He will move in ways that only He can move.
I ask that you pray that I will step out in faith and do what God has called me to do instead of holding on to my safety net.
Thanks so much for your transparency and sweetness.
Be blessed.
Monica
Praise God things went well. Don’t ever think you can’t ask the saints to join you in praying for anything.
I am so glad Renee that all went well. I have asked God to give you guys peace and comfort in waiting for results and for good results as well.
Would you please pray that I find some type of work. Our kids are going to go to private Christian school this year and I really need to supplement my hubby’s income. But I know I should be home. I am not a confident person. I do have a degree, but its hard for me to know what I should do and how to go about finding something. I really would love to work from home. I just need some direction and doors opened.
Thanks so much..
Alyce
Renee…
I will be praying for your family in the coming days. Keep us posted as to your needs – isn’t that what friends are for? We need to be praying for each other’s needs (and sometimes even wants).
My need? A testosterone-laden 18-year-old son that he remembers his roots are in Jesus.
I will pray that all goes well with your husband and that your family continues to trust in God throughout this situation.
God Bless!
Renee,
First, I must say that I am so very thankful that God instilled in my heart at the conference the importance of starting a blog. I have felt so connected to so many women as a result of blogging – it’s amazing!
I am praying for you and your family as well as the women who’s stories I have read here today. I pray for peace and comfort in the midst of the waiting. Waiting is the hardest part. If you’re waiting for surgery, test results, breakthrough or just answers… waiting is always tough.
My prayer request is two fold..
1) We are about to leave for a much needed family vacation this weekend, the first in over 4 years! Please pray the Lord stretches our dollars. I’m afraid of running short and having to say NO to FUN!
2) Also, please pray for healing in my heart and attitude towards my husband. Sometimes, I love him and feel so good about our relationship and other times… he just irritates me so much! Please pray that I get some much needed rest – maybe that will help! 🙂
Thank you for your prayers but most importantly, thank you for your openness in sharing your prayer requests with those of us outside your closest friends.
With much love & prayers,
Bonnelle
It was so nice to meet you at She Speaks. I’ll send a prayer up for you and your husband.
Renee,
I am praying for a good report for your husband! The power of prayer is awesome! It’s always so good to know that fellow believers have “got your back” through prayer. I had my husband have our church’s staff pray for our family at their weekly meeting yesterday. What a sense of peace comes with knowing that you are being lifted up in prayer!
There are so many of us in the body of Christ that are really going through it right now, but we’ve got each other’s backs, and the devil has been defeated!
Please pray for my family, we have had some random, freak illnesses going in with our kids,(fifth’s disease-a strange skin virus, never had heard of it, never had any of them had it-was worse in our daughter, still praying for it to clear up), including one freak accident involving my youngest(which prevented him from going to church this evening for wet and wild day!)thank the Lord he didn’t need stitches, just a steri strip, but praying for it to heal properly so he can swim on the 4th. We also have had some attitude/character issues with our oldest son, am praying for him to make wise and Godly decisions, and I am trying to let go and let God, and not worry everytime my son is not with me. God is good and in control! Am praying for you and your family! God bless, April
I am praying!
So great to pray with you all. I am thankful for a community, near and far that loves the Lord and encourages one another. Praying for your family Renee. I would like to add a prayer request as well. I am getting married in a couple of months to a wonderful man who loves the Lord. Although I am excited, and although God has reconfirmed His delight in us as a couple, I doubt and fight lies about our life together and extreme fears that are almost nightmare like. Would you pray for me and my fiance as we seek the Lord and prepare for our marriage. Thank you!
Renee,
Lord, I come with thanksgiving in my heart for the safe biopsy. Continue to wrap your loving arms around JJ as he begins to heal. Give strenght to Renee and her boys to be attentive to their father. You are such an awesome God and we give honor and glory to you.
Humbly,
Diane