Prayer request

The valley of the shadow of death.  I used to hear that phrase from Psalm 23 and not realize how much it applies, not just to times of great peril, but simply to the human condition.  We are ever in the shadow of our own mortality.  Every day we have here is a gift from a loving God, and when those days are over He has prepared a wonderful place.  But now and here, we are frail and weak.

Welcome to whiplash Wednesday, where I go from Top Ten Tuesday humor to reflections on mortality.  Okay I'm kidding about making this a trend for hump day, really... 

But for now, in all seriousness, I am asking for your prayers for the sister of a dear friend of ours whom my husband and I met in Austria: a young lady named Rosie Grimm, a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College, who is now in hospice care painfully fighting an aggressive form of cancer.  I met her only once at her sister's graduation.  She was serious and sweet.  Now 26, she is hoping to make it long enough see her godson, who is expected to be born soon.  

I've been Facebook friends with her sister for awhile, but Rosie just recently befriended me.  As I look through her pictures, my heart breaks for her large and loving family who are coming to be with her these next couple of weeks.  

Rosie and her goddaughter

Rosie in hospice care

That's her on the left, with loved ones.  They appear to have crowned her.  Everyone in the family sings beautifully, and possesses a great deal of good humor and wit.  

I recently also heard of the passing of a young boy, Jacob Flesher who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 10 a few days ago.  His family could use prayer too.  

Please take a moment with me to pray for everyone we know who is fighting this disease (including my mother-in-law, actually, though her case is not imminently serious), and in a particular way for Rosie who may be on the brink of eternity now.  Through faith, we know that our life here is only a small fragment of the vast life that awaits us.  

The family has requested praying Divine Mercy or adding Rosie to your rosary novena. Other options are below.  Thank you friends!

"Lord, the one You love is sick." John 11:3

Dear Heavenly Father,

Your ways are not our ways, and Your thoughts are not Your thoughts.  We believe in Your love, Your wisdom, and that You give us hope and a blessed future.  We ask that you visit Rosie with your comfort, grace, and protection.  Hold her in the palm of Your hand.  Comfort her, shelter her in this storm, and bring her closer to You, the Source of all that is good.  

Amen.

Prayer for those who have cancer and their loved ones

Dear Jesus, Divine Physician, Healer of the Sick:

We call upon you and ask your help for our loved ones

who are suffering from cancer.

We entrust them to your loving care.

They are your children and they are in pain.

Give them the ability to know in their hearts

that you are with them in this difficult time.

Give them strength and healing.

Comfort them in their fears,

soothe their anxiety,

and let them rest securely in your arms.

Help those who care for them.

Give insight to researchers that they may discover cures.

Give patience and energy to doctors and nurses so that

they will care for them with grace and love.

For us, their families, their friends and their community,

we need your courage and strength,

to be with them and help them bear their burdens.

Give us joy, peace and confidence in you

so that like Mary, your mother,

we may stand with them in faith and trust,

witnessing to your healing love.

For you are blessed, for ever and ever. Amen.