Prayers

"I used to believe that we must choose between science and reason on one hand, and spirituality on the other, in how we lead our lives. Now I consider this a false choice. We can recover the sense of sacredness, not just in science, but in perhaps every area of life."
                                                                         Larry Dossey, M.D. in Reinventing Medicine

 

I have long believed that everything is connected in life, that the more you explore science the more you have to be awed at the marvelousness with which life comes together - how everything is a wonder.

Back when we lived in Minnesota, I read Healing Words, The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine by Larry Dossey, a Dallas physician specializing in internal medicine.  It was the first book I had found that looked at the subject of science and religion from a doctor's point of view.  It was filled with studies of how prayer influences outcomes in positive ways.   Growth rates of plants that were prayed for were studied.  Recovery rates from surgery were studied.  The prayers of people from different religious beliefs were studied.  Outcomes of prayer when people knew the person they were praying for, and when they did not were studied.

As mentioned on his website here:

         Before his book Healing Words was published in 1993, only three U.S. medical schools had     courses devoted to exploring the role of religious practice and prayer in health; currently, nearly 80 medical schools have instituted such courses, many of which utilize Dr. Dossey's works as textbooks.

       As we recognize that the "empirical evidence for prayer's power is indirect evidence for the soul," Dossey believes we will find ourselves praying more prayers of gratitude and fewer prayers of supplication. This, asserts Dossey, is "the proper response on realizing that the world, at heart, is more glorious, benevolent, and friendlier than we have recently supposed."

Thinking you believe in prayer is one thing.  Receiving your own prayer shawl and reading words from people who have prayed for you is another, more emotional experience.

Last night, Marc's step-mom, Connie, gave me a beautiful dark purple prayer shawl that was edged with fringe.  Connie had sent out pieces of fringe from Maine to friends and relatives with the help of Marc, Annie B, my mom, Rachel and others.  People held the fringe while praying, or wishing me well.  Then they sent the fringe back to Connie to put on the shawl.  Many sent notes or cards.

When I read the list of people who had known about this project, when I put the shawl on and looked at the notes and letters and cards, I was humbled, honored and truly grateful.  Even though I can talk, I was speechless or could only keep saying, "Wow." Pause. "Wow."  And I just kept using more and more Kleenex and crying as I read the cards and notes.

Thank you, everyone!  I do feel very supported.  I have one more surgery this Friday to take a partial thickness skin graft from my thigh to fix my wrist.  I think they will be taking out my trach at that time, too.  I still feel a little fragile at times physically, but I do feel supported.  That support makes such a difference - a huge positive difference to my state of mind and determination to work through what lies ahead.

I remember how I felt when I saw the tree pictured above.  I pulled the car over and got out and walked right up under it.  It was so inviting and magical to be enveloped by the branches filled with blossoms.

Trying on the shawl reminded me of the same feeling.   To be wrapped in so many prayers and well wishes is amazing wonderful feeling.  Maybe a better choice of adjectives will occur to me later.  Right now I am still stuck on, "Wow!" and "Thank you!"

 

Here is a poem about prayers I like at the moment:

Pray what prayers you can.

Don't stop praying because

there are some words

you cannot say.

The need for prayer

never ends - yours, mine

and millions of others.

Pray what prayers you can.

Nancy Gibbs Richard

 

I think my neck and the swelling in my face is looking better all the time.  Prayers are working at my house! 

Great minds think alike.  My Uncle Jim and Aunt Carol Ann and cousin Gretchen also sent me a prayer shawl from their church that is a beautiful soft blue color.  I am very blessed!  Thank you, to my Florida family!  I'll model it in a post soon!

Comments

[Jenny Scott]

Amen!!!!!

P.S. You look BEAUTIFUL in your picture.

[Annie B.]

I am so thrilled to see the completed shawl. I have been waiting anxiously, and I can only imagine the JOY that Connie had in giving this to you. I can only imagine the JOY you had in receiving love from all over the country. The shawl is a piece of art, Connie. You look so, so lovely in this, Lisa.

[Annie B.]

I just found a quotation that truly fits the occasion of receiving the shawl:
"To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings."
~Mary Baker Eddy

[Jan Hofmeister]

Lisa,
You look lovely, absolutely, lovely!!!
I am so happy to see you wrapped in your
family and friends prayers. Love, Jan

[Lisa D]

Thanks for the positive comments!

Annie B - I want to do a whole post on the quote from M B Eddy - love it!

[Virginia]

I wrote down a quote from Duke Ellington that I enjoyed: "Everyman prays in his own way, and there is no language that God doesn't understand." You've been praying through your photos and writing - both artful creative forms (it doesn't have to be painting). God (goddess) is listening - and you have lots of others praying (knitting) for you too in our own ways.