Pray, Pray, Pray*
By Anne Arakaki-Lock
*Disclaimer: yes, I asked Steve if I could write this.
I am moved to write about healing. In a little while, my husband will be having an endoscopy procedure today, which will include dilation. Swallowing has been an issue due to a cancer radiation treatment over 30 years ago resulting scar tissue in his throat area. This, coupled with his Parkinson’s Disease has made the simple act of swallowing a challenge, and not automatic… and you know how he loves his food! Episodes of choking and aspiration threats when he eats or drinks are no picnic.
While waiting for the doctor to call Steve in for his procedure, I pray,
“Everything is possible for him who believes.”
-Mark 9:23
Friends of Blaine Memorial, my prayer for you is that you find comfort in God’s Word. Pray for your loved ones, someone’s child, our church family, our country, or for your own spiritual healing: physical, relational, mental, or financial.
Pray, pray, pray. Talk to God.
Remember that God is the Great Physician. Trust in Him and ask what he would like you to contribute in the healing process. Believe that God wants us all well and wants the best for everyone. Thank and praise Him while you’re at it. Find comfort in His Word.
But friends, if in your time of prayer, remember too that you are human. If at any point you doubt God’s omnipotence, remind yourself that you are human. Stop being hard on yourself and condemning yourself for the doubting. Just work on returning to him and feeling His presence. God understands and will always love you as you are. He is with you and within you always.
Healing Words from the Common English Bible
When Jesus heard this, he responded, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting, and she will be healed.”
-Luke 8:50
God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
-Psalm 147:3
If any of you are sick, they should call for the elders of the church, and the elders should pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. Prayer that comes from faith will heal the sick, for the Lord will restore them to health. And if they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
-James 5:14-15
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment.
-Matthew 10:8
A joyful heart helps healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
-Proverbs 17:22
Heal me, Lord, and I’ll be healed. Save me and I’ll be saved, for you are my heart’s desire.
-Jeremiah 17:14
Turn around. Say to Hezekiah, my people’s leader: This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and have seen your tears. So now I’m going to heal you. Three days from now you will be able to go up to the Lord’s temple.
-2 Kings 20:5
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed,
-Luke 4:18
The Lord: who makes the blind see. The Lord: who straightens up those who are bent low. The Lord: who loves the righteous.
-Psalm 146:8
For this reason, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.
-James 5:16
Six days you will gather it. But on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be nothing to gather.”
-Exodus 16:26
“Daughter, your faith has healed you,” Jesus said. “Go in peace.”
-Luke 8:48
Lectionary Readings
| Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sep 01, 2024 Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Psalm 15 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 |
| Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sep 08, 2024 Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Psalm 125 Isaiah 35:4-7a Psalm 146 James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17 Mark 7:24-37 |
| Holy Cross Sep 14, 2024 Numbers 21:4b-9 Psalm 98:1-5 or Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 John 3:13-17 |
| Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Sep 15, 2024 Proverbs 1:20-33 Psalm 19 or Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 – 8:1 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 116:1-9 James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38 |
| Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sep 22, 2024 Proverbs 31:10-31 Psalm 1 Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 Psalm 54 James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a Mark 9:30-37 |
| Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sep 29, 2024 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 Psalm 124 Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 Psalm 19:7-14 James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50 |
Beacon Newsletter Announcement
During September, stories and content for Blaine Memorial UMC’s newsletter, the “Beacon” will be uploaded to our website blaineonline.org. It is a busy time for Rev. Karen as she continues to search for support staff to lead our youth and perform other tasks to continue maintaining Blaine Memorial’s vibrant ministry. We are also working to improve our printing services and our ministry online – which also need time to develop.
Stay connected through announcements in our Sunday Worship Bulletin and at blaineonline.org. You can also follow Blaine Memorial UMC on Facebook.