The sky is perfectly clear. There isn’t a cloud in sight, yet I know that a storm is coming. I don’t have special powers or prophetic gifts but I do know that we all have encountered personal storms. Each storm is packaged differently but a storm nonetheless:

The diagnosis that we hadn’t expected,
The unfaithfulness of a long-term relationship,
The mind that isn’t as sharp as it used to be,
The prayer life that now leaves us speechless,
The child we lost to a drunken or careless driver,
The alcoholism that invades our body,
The pet that runs to greet us but doesn’t see the oncoming car,
The elevated utility bill that we hadn’t budgeted for,
The beggar on the corner,
The habit we vowed to steer clear of gains momentum,
The virus on our computer,
The song that can no longer be sung,
The job position that was once essential is no longer necessary,
The body that once was able to serve others is now begging to be served,

and the list goes on. Storms rush into our lives, and without warning, can wipe our feet out from underneath us and strip away our joy. They come without warning and stay much longer than they should – at times they never leave.

The beauty of the ominous storm is the unveiling of the brilliant colors of the rainbow. And the beauty of the rainbow is proof that the comforting and healing has just begun.

Written by Brenda Bates – August 2006

Scripture:
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever. ~Psalm 73:26~

Personal Thoughts:
The past several weeks have been challenging for me. I have a friend with a brain tumor who is scheduled for surgery on August 7^th: Many of you have volunteered to join with me in a prayer vigil on her behalf; others have sent beautiful prayers of encouragement and hope. While others have volunteered prayers from the moment they received my email and will not stop until they know this storm has passed. Regardless of the storm you may be facing, rest assured that Jesus loves you more than any human, more than any spouse, parent, or friend. He is in control and will safely walk with you through the storm and reach up to bring the rainbow to you. I pray you will wait in anticipation for the rainbow through your most treacherous storms. Hang in there…the storm will pass.

One of the most powerful messages I’ve read simply says, “Don’t tell God how big your storm is; tell the storm how big your God is.”

Prayer to the Father:
Precious Jesus, my heart aches when I visualize the pain You endured on the cross. Yet You didn’t look back; You looked up to our Father with assurance that the storm would pass. You have never lost faith in me and You didn’t lose faith in Him. Thank You for thinking of me when You said, Father forgive Brenda, for she will fall, she will fail, and she will not live up to Your expectations. You were speaking to me, I heard Your voice; I heard Your prayer for me. I continue to hear Your prayers for those I love and those who are just as undeserving as myself. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Thank You for paying the price for my salvation. Thank You for seeing me through the storms of my life. Thank You for being my Saving Grace. Please watch over my friend Ursula and all the other Ursula’s in my life. I pray for all those who are facing mental storms, physical storms, emotional storms, moral storms, habitual storms, and spiritual storms. Each storm can be crippling to the soul, but Lord, You walk me through each storm with love, and cast Your healing touch upon me. Thank You for this day, and thank You for the ability to pray for those who cannot speak to You on their own. All these things I will forever pray in Your precious name. Amen.

Prayer Vigil Suggestions:
Following are some suggestions on how to pray for Ursula (and Brian her husband) before, during, and after surgery. Remember that Christ not only listens to your prayers, He also listens to your thoughts.

• Praise God for the day.
• Praise God that surgery is an option.
• Praise God that He has equipped mankind with the technology and knowledge to perform such intricate surgery.
• Praise God with confidence that He will be overlooking the entire process.
• Pray for peace in the hospital among the staff and their families.
• Pray for Brian and Ursula to be comforted before, during, and after the surgery.
• Pray that the hospital equipment works flawlessly.
• Pray for the doctor who operates and all who assist. That includes the janitor who cleans the floor to the pathologists who will be performing tests on her precious tissue. (Visualize Jesus working through each person in the room, including Ursula.)
• Pray for the health of the team so that they can dedicate their full attention to Ursula and not be distracted by outside health issues or concerns.
• Pray for both Ursula and Brian’s family and friends. (That includes you!)
• Pray for Jesus to comfort Brian while Ursula is in surgery. (There’s nothing worse than waiting while the person you love is being operated on.) Visualize Jesus sitting next to Brian with His arm on Brian’s shoulder. Go a step further and visualize Brian resting his head on Jesus’ shoulder. Visualize that for yourself as you pray.
• Pray that the doctor is able to remove 100% of the cancer.
• Pray that she will be seizure free after the surgery.
• Pray that there are no side effects from the surgery and if there are for them to be minimal.
• Pray for full recovery without chemo or radiation treatments following the surgery.
• Pray for a speedy recovery.
• Pray for safe travels back home.
• Praise God for the opportunity to pray for one of His own.
• Praise God that you are saved and visualize the precious Hands that touched Calvary’s cross will one day touch your face as well.
• Allow time to recognize that God’s will may not be yours. Pray for peace in your soul to accept the outcome.
• Praise God for the sacrifice of His Son.

You may also choose to read a book of the Bible or verses during your prayer time. Either way, the Spirit of God will be flowing through you.

Each person prays his or her own way. The above is only suggested prayer topics. Feel free to meditate and/or pray any way you choose.