the prayers of the saints

I have never been much of a prayer warrior. I don't often recognize my frailty. I most often ask God for strength and provision last instead of first. Only when I have finally reached the end of myself.

I have always admired people whose first inclination was to pray. The people who will pray with you in the middle of a busy bookstore or pause a conversation in a hallway. I wish I was more like that.

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray and He taught them. The Gospels frequently chronicle His example of being dependent upon God Almighty. He who was already God, already powerful, all ready all knowing, still asked His heavenly Father for wisdom and all else, leaving us an example to follow.

In life we encounter individuals that enter into the depths of our hearts in a deeper way then the general population of the world around us. We can't always explain why but we can generally recognize when it happens.

I'm not sure why little Edwin stole my heart in a particular manner. Perhaps it was his joyful free-spirit. Perhaps was his rapid-fire-energy filled conversation that left a trail of sparks wherever he went. Perhaps it was the tears of his mother who knew he had suffered.
Or maybe it was just the hugs and kisses he delivered in abundance.

Whatever it was, he had taken a path into a deeper depth of my heart. To think of the sore on his back not healing was far too sad.

On Sunday morning things were not looking so good for Edwin. We as a medical staff were doing everything we could to help his graph heal, but an infection was brooding over his newly graphed skin and heading towards failure.

On my lunch break I emailed everyone I knew and asked that they prayed for Edwin. Not something I normally do, but it was the only thing left to do. He needed God's healing touch.

Watching people respond in prayer has been humbling and a bit overwhelming to watch. So many people promised to pray Edwin and to told their friends to pray as well. You just have to love the body of Christ.

Edwin is leaving the ship today and returning to the inland pediatric hospital he come from where he will continue to have the dressing's on his back cared for. His wound is no longer showing the signs of infection. It's dry, there is no funky drainage, and the graph is starting to show signs of growth. The plastics surgeon evaluated his back and felt things were progressing in a positive manner and gave the okay for Edwin to be transferred. Praise the Lord.

His chart says the vinegar soaks he was receiving were making the difference but I tend to think it was the prayers of the saints :) Last night when I told his mother about all the people that were praying for Edwin, with tears forming in her eyes, she could not stop thanking me. Thanking you.

I forget how big God is and how frail I am. How loving His heart is and how needy I am for His love. That
"by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in the earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." Colossians 1:16-17

In the midst of what has been a challenging week; in the midst of change; in the midst of an unknown future; in the midst of personal insecurity; it's so good to be reminded of who our God is. The Alpha and Omega. The Ancient of Days. The beginning and the end. The bright and shining star. The unchanging one. The lover of our souls. The healing King. The gentle Saviour.

Thank you so much for praying for Edwin, God is listening to the prayers of His children. Please continue to do so!!