Room 189

Dear Rose Park,

”I need to be on the prayer list.” These were the first words I heard when I entered room 189 of Holland Hospital on Sunday afternoon. They worried me and gave me assurance; worry because I heard the concern in his voice but assurance because I heard the confidence in his voice as well.

Not five minutes after worship on Sunday morning, the phone rang in my office. I picked up and it was our beloved Joyce Sandy. Many of you know that Joyce has moved to Ohio to be closer to her children. We miss Joyce but we’re happy she’s near her family. I heard the concern in her voice right away; she was calling to tell me that her brother Jay Meyering, who has been attending Rose Park for a year or so, had fell in his house early Sunday morning. She told me that he had broke his hip, hit his head during the fall, and was scheduled for hip surgery later Sunday afternoon.

I brought Simon home, helped out with lunch, and then headed over to the hospital. When I got off the elevator I met Jay and Lillian’s son, Phil. He was glad to see me and said dad would appreciate my visit. As soon as I entered the room and greeted Jay, I heard him say quite clearly, “I need to be on the prayer list.” Before Jay told me the story of what had happened and before Jay told me what was the plan going forward, he wanted me to know that prayer was at the forefront of his mind.

I wonder how often prayer is at the forefront of our mind. How often do we turn toward a video, a blog, a book, a parent, a friend, or another resource before turning to God in prayer when making a decision? How often do we turn to those same resources for consolation when life is difficultIt or celebration when life is well? It would serve us well if, like Jay, our first consideration in all situations was to turn to God in prayer.

As you continue through these beautiful months of summer would you consider making prayer a higher priority in your life? Would you pray for Jay along with our other brothers and sisters on our church prayer list? Would you make it a point to pray for your own spiritual health every day? Would you pray for the church with intentionality? God truly desires to be in relationship with us, so let us be in contact with Him as often as we can.

Grace & Peace,

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Pastor Mark