Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Shana: This is Shana on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Today, Joni has a somewhat unusual prayer.

Joni Eareckson Tada: And it's unusual because I'm rarely asked to pray this way. It happened when I received an email recently from a dear friend whose next-door neighbor, Andy, had just suffered terrible injuries in an automobile accident. Andy's wife, Celia, was rushing to the hospital. The doctor had called her saying that her husband sustained a devastating brain injury and did not have long to live and that there were some critical medical decisions that she needed to make.

My friend shared that Andy and Celia's pastor was also heading to the hospital to meet them. She said to me, "Joni, I realize you do not know our neighbors, that you don't know Andy or Celia, but I'm heading to the hospital just to be with them. And so, would you please write down a prayer for Celia? She does not want to make the wrong decision and really needs God's wisdom." I said, "Sure." Then I hung up, and as I created a new email to my friend, I kept thinking of Celia.

She was still shocked and stunned, standing over the bedside of her precious husband, brain-injured on his breathing machine. How in the world could she make a decision in such a fragile state? But then I thought of James chapter one, where it says, "If anyone lacks wisdom, he has only to ask God. But he must ask in sincere faith, not doubting as to whether or not he really wants God's wisdom. Then he'll be quite sure the necessary insight will be given him."

In my heart, I just knew that Celia really wanted to do the right thing in light of all the facts. And so I wrote down my prayer, hoping that my friend would have time to read it alongside her. And this is what I wrote: "Lord Jesus, please comfort Andy's family and friends during this heartbreaking time. And even if it seems that Andy has no cognitive ability, I pray that Celia might be able to lean down and whisper words of love and encouragement into his ear."

"Of course, dear God, we pray for Andy's healing. But if it is not to be, please guide the doctors, guide Celia's pastor, as she considers their perspectives, and help her to do what's best on behalf of her precious husband. Help her to interpret whatever end-of-life wishes that Andy may have expressed. Lord, no one ever wants to make these tough sorts of decisions, but help Celia discern that clear distinction between treatment that will sustain her husband's life as opposed to treatment that will do nothing but prolong the process of his dying."

"And whatever decision she must make, may the peace of Christ rule in her heart and safeguard her conscience. For You tell us in the book of James that You always give wisdom when we ask for it. And so, Holy Spirit, be Celia's wonderful counselor right now. Show her if this is that time. Show her what's best for her husband, I pray, in the name of Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life. Amen."

I drew a deep breath, read my prayer to myself one more time, and clicked the send button. I sat there at the computer for a long time, continuing to pray, hoping and asking God to guide everyone concerned. As it turned out, Andy passed away that night. Days later, I received a message from Celia, thanking me for that prayer. God had spared her from having to make any uncomfortable decisions, but it does underscore that all of us need to consider what we would do in a similar situation. Should ever the time come, may we have the wisdom of God on such hard matters.

Shana: Friend, if you're in need of more wisdom, visit us at JoniRadio.org. Joni's radio programs are all there for you, and each one reflects biblical wisdom and the heart of Jesus. While you're there at JoniRadio.org, be sure to leave us your prayer needs. God bless you, friend, and thanks for listening.