NCFI Cares: Live Out the Advent Season

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13, ESV)

Advent is a time of anticipation! One website describes the anticipation of advent as:

The weekly themes of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy are meant to guide people through a time of spiritual preparation and reflection. As each week of Advent passes, people are encouraged to align their hearts with the message of Christ’s birth. Advent is a time to prepare for the anniversary of Christ’s birth on Christmas and his second coming. 

This holiday season I encourage each of us to purposefully radiate each theme to all in need of the spirit of Advent. Take a moment, right now, and ask the Holy Spirit. Who do I know that needs Hope? Peace? Love? Joy? Let’s review each theme and discover the miraculous work of Christ.

Hope: As believers our hope is based on the truth of the Gospel through Jesus Christ.

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:24-25).

Our hope is not based on something tangible like leaders, policies, health, and economics. Instead, our hope is based on the truth found in scripture. When the tide and concerns of this world threaten to lead us to hopelessness, we open the word of God and find the tangible, realistic hope solidly rooted in faith. And Jesus said to him, If you can! All things are possible for one who believes. (Mark 9:23). Faith is believing in the teachings of scripture. Through our act of belief, the Holy Spirit grows our hope into a miraculous experience where we can confidently say, For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39).

Peace: Maybe you know someone in need of the miraculous peace of Christ. First, Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and our peace is found in Him. Paul, who suffered extensively to spread the Gospel, blessed each believer in many of the Epistles: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” The Peace of Christ is a peace that surpasses understanding as described by Paul in the letter to the Philippines: ‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (4:7). Paul then gives us directions on how to obtain this miraculous peace: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (4:8-9).

Love: As believers, we are more familiar with the love of God and how it radiates to each one of us. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Jesus’ life exemplified how the love of God was to be dispensed to humanity, thus we can be the love of God to others by imitating Jesus. Once again Paul helps us out with his teachings found in 1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (4-8).

Joy is the final theme for Advent and a great way to wrap up our Advent reflections of hope, peace, and love. We can have all three, yet if we lack joy, then we can’t shine. Joy is an outward expression of an inside state of mind. Jesus promised joy through himself and his teachings. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11). through the indwelling, continuous Holy Spirit And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52).

Let’s spread Advent to our colleagues, patients, friends, and family. For through us, they experience the tangible presence of hope, peace, love, and joy found in Christ Jesus.

Final Prayer: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

Praying The Angelus Personally

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One of the simple catholic prayers I have discovered is The Angelus which is Latin for Angel. It is a prayer based upon the Angel Gabriel’s announcement or annunciation to Mary, the mother of Jesus found in Luke 1:25-38. Even before I was Catholic, I appreciated and adored Mary, a teenage girl visited by an angel and told she would give birth to the Son of God. The first thing she asks is “How?” (verse 34). I love her practicality. She is a betrothed virgin and preparing to marry Joseph. So, being around farm animals, she knows where babies come from. “How will I get pregnant?” Once Gabriel clarifies how she will get pregnant, she says the most important words humans can say, “Be it done to me according to your word.” (verse 38).

In brief, the prayer dates back to 1317 when monks would ring a bell 3 times a day, morning, noon and evening while praying three Hail Marys. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelus

Let’s look at The Angelus Prayer and then I will review how I make a personal prayer.

℣. The Angel of the LORD declared unto Mary,
℟. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

℣. Behold the handmaid of the LORD.
℟. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, …

℣. And the Word was made flesh.
℟. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, …

℣. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O LORD, Thy grace into our hearts; that, we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen. (US Catholic Bishops website)

The ℣/℟. notations our when the prayer is said in a group. ℣ is for the Leader/Priest to say. ℟ is for the response of the people. All lines are said when praying individually.

The prayer, with meditations or adaptations, helps me align my life with the most obedient, holy human to walk the earth besides Jesus–Mary. Let me show you how.

The first line states: The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. When, I say the Hail Mary response, I think or meditate asking the Holy Spirit to indwell within me for my life and work. I may ask specifically for a challenging situation in my home or work.

The second line states: Behold the handmaid of the LORD. Be it done unto me according to thy word. During the Haily Mary, I meditate and ask that I too may also be obedient to the word God sends to me.

The third line states: And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt among us. During the Hail Mary, I meditate and ask that Jesus (the living Word) be evident in my life for others to see. I may ask specifically to be Jesus to a family or friend who doesn’t know the Lord.

I have personalized the fourth line: Pray for me, O Holy Mother of God. That I may be worthy of the promises of Christ. During the Hail Mary, I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in becoming worthy of Christ’s promises.

I have also personalized the beginning of the final prayer: Pour forth, I beseech Thee, O LORD, Thy grace into my heart, …. I conclude the prayer without personalization or meditation:

that, we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

The conclusion is a powerful reminder of the truth and hope of the Gospel– the Birth, Passion, Cross, and Resurrection of Christ is complete.

I am left with no other response except to follow centuries of the faithful with the Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

When we personalize a prayer, we engage with our heart and spirit as part of a rich relationship with the Trinity.

NCFI Cares: You Did it to Me

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I recently sang an amazing song at church. The song was so poignant as to the needs of our patients, our neighbors and our community. May this beautiful song remind each of us that Christ is the one who embodies the broken and hurting in our world today (Matthew 25:40).

There’s a hungry one, lives in the street. There’s a thirsty one, without a cup to drink;
There’s a little one, with no shoes on her feet. There’s a family, sleeping in the rain;
And the one abused, will bever be the same;  The addicted one, with no one left to blame.

All of these people are my people.
All of these long to be free.
All of these are my beloved.
All of these are me.

Refrain:
So when you hold out your hand selflessly and give help to the stranger in need, then whatever to do to the least of these, you do to me.

In a prison, so far from home, I was lonely, so bitter and alone;
Evicted, illegal, incurable, different, despised. I was locked out, you took me in.
I was at the end; you helped me to begin. I’m a lot like you: sister, brother, friend.

So follow me, into the kingdom.
Follow me, you have been wise.
Follow me, you who have known me.
Right before your eyes.

Refrain (repeat)

The hungry, the lonely, the forgotten,
the neglected, the abandoned, the invisible,
the homeless, the battered, the frightened,
the hopeless, the dying.

All of these are me.



















































There’s a hungry one, lives in the street. There’s a
thirsty one, without a cup to drink;There’s a little one, with no shoes on her feet. There’s
a family, sleeping in the rain;And the one abused, will bever be the same;  The addicted one, with no one left to blame.  All of these people are my people.All of these long to be free.All of these are my beloved.All of these are me.  Refrain:So when you hold out your hand selflessly and give help
to the stranger in need, then whatever to do to the least of these, you do to
me. In a prison, so far from home, I was lonely, so bitter
and alone; Evicted, illegal, incurable, different, despised. I was
locked out, you took me in. I was at the end; you helped me to begin. I’m a lot like
you: sister, brother, friend. So follow me, into the kingdom.Follow me, you have been wise.Follow me, you who have known me. Right before your eyes. Refrain (repeat)The hungry, the lonely, the forgotten, the neglected, the
abandoned, the invisible, the homeless the battered the frightened, the
hopeless, the dying. All of these are me.  

NCFI Cares: Changing Shame Into Praise

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Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. (Zephaniah 3:19, ESV)

Recently, I was listening to teaching on the prophet Zephaniah. The teacher shared insight on how the Lord would fulfill his promise to Zion. The phrase, “I will change their shame into praise…” reminded me of an incident when I worked as a hospice nurse.

As a per diem or on-call home health hospice nurse instead of managing a group of patients, I would respond to the concerns that came in during the night or check up on patients admitted the day before. This was the case for a middle-aged gentleman who had been admitted into hospice a few weeks back. His diagnosis was liver failure related to cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism. His assigned case manager wanted me to visit him over the weekend and check on his medication regimen and symptoms.

I drove to his house, and he happily greeted me when he opened the door. He was friendly, and we sat on the couch so I could complete his assessment. I asked questions about his symptoms, reviewed his medication, and educated him on how to adjust them for better management. After about an hour’s visit and thinking we were done, I packed my bag and we walked to the door, saying our goodbyes. I asked him my typical last question, “Is there anything else you need?”

My patient boldly replied, “Yes, there is. Can you explain to me why my family is so nice to me?”

I have to admit I was shocked to hear his question. His family assessment revealed a very supportive wife as his primary caregiver. I said, “I don’t understand your question. Your family is nice to you because they love you.”

To which he replied, “But, they shouldn’t.” I knew we weren’t done, so we both sat down and he proceeded to tell me his story.

“Years ago when my children were young, I was a horrible alcoholic. I went out drinking all the time. I spent my paychecks on alcohol instead of providing for my wife and kids.  At one point, when it was so bad, my wife kicked me out of the house. She went on to raise our three children on her own. We had been estranged for years before I got sick.”

At this point, my patient was getting emotional, yet he continued. “Recently when I was diagnosed with liver failure. My wife and children heard that I was ill. She reconnected with me. This was our house or her house. She had me move back in so she could take care of me. My adult children come and see me and assist my wife in caring for me.”

When he paused, and I knew he was done sharing, I said, “It sounds like, from everything you have said, your wife and family love you, and they have forgiven you.”

He immediately responded, “But why? Why would my wife forgive me when I was a horrible alcoholic?”

“Because she loves you. And your family loves you. I think the question is, have you forgiven yourself?” He stopped, and I could tell he was thinking about my question. About that time, his wife came home and she beamed with love for her husband. He shared with her our discussion and of course, she reiterated what we all knew, “I love you. Our kids love you and we forgive you!” I told him about our pastoral care services so he could talk more.

My patient felt shame about his previous life. He didn’t feel worthy to be loved, nor forgiven for his past sins and maltreatment of his wife and family. Yet, and I mean a big YET, God had already turned his shame into praise from his family.  My patient just needed to forgive himself and accept the forgiveness God had already imparted.

As nurses, we care for patients who feel the shame of sin and suffer the consequences. Alcoholism, drug addiction, abuse, promiscuity, and others. We are privileged to bring God’s love and forgiveness to those suffering from shame, rejection, and despair.

NCFI Cares: Double Portion of the Spirit

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Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken brom you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” (2 Kings 2:9, ESV)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elijah_throwing_his_mantle_on_Elisha.jpg

At NCFI, we are looking for ways to encourage the next generation of nurses. Whether through mentoring, fellowship, or networking; the global nursing community is focused on bringing along those nurses entering the profession. As a Christian, there are many biblical examples of older or mature believers reaching out to younger or less experienced Christians. We think of Paul and Timothy (1 & 2 Timothy).

There are Moses and Joshua. I wrote a few devotions on this leadership relationship and the wonderful advice Moses gave his successor.

Another mentoring relationship we may not be as familiar with is Elijah and Elisha. Elijah chose Elisha as his servant (1 Kings 19:19). Elisha accompanied Elijah for six years until it was time for Elijah to go to heaven. Then the time came for Elisha to assume the role of prophet. Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit.

The Lord grants Elisha’s requests and we immediately read how Elisha performs greater miracles than Elijah (parting of the waters, doubling of oil, raising the dead, etc).

As we think of the next generations, Elijah’s example can provide us with great insight into how we can create a succession plan.

First, choose someone who will replace you. This may sound hard to believe, but none of us will be in ministry forever. Today is the day you begin praying for your replacement.

Second, have the person work alongside you in ministry. Not just any task, but the tasks that you are currently doing. If you organize meetings, have the person organize meetings. If you write reports, have the person write reports. You get the idea.

Third, finally, plan on giving them a double portion of what you need to perform your ministry duties. Like Elijah, we can’t dispense the Spirit to others, but we can pray for them. We can give them more than we have had for ministry, such as more training, hours, and resources. Thus ensuring they would become more successful than we were.

Cross to the Crucifix

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How a joyful protestant became a joyful catholic

To begin with, let me tell you a little about myself. I am a born-again Christian who accepted Jesus as my personal savior over 36 years ago. I had a radical transformational experience with Jesus overwhelming me with his love, grace, acceptance, and joy! My life verse is Luke 5:24-25, (Jesus) said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise pick up your mat and go home. And the paralytic immediately rose up before them and picked up his bed and went home, glorifying God.”  The verse spoke of my need for emotional healing from a difficult childhood and the need to learn to walk on my new legs as I glorified God for his strength, love, and grace.

I fully entered my relationship with Jesus, giving him everything I am and faithfully serving Him. Like many of you, my faith journey includes potholes and wonderful pathways. Early in my nursing career, the Lord placed a passion in my heart to encourage Christian nurses to live out their faith personally and professionally. I started my business, nurses4him.org, and published books and articles. I was overwhelmed with joy when the Lord connected my passion and work to a global nursing ministry called Nurses Christian Fellowship International or NCFI in 2010. Learn more by visiting the page Encouraging International Christian Nurses.

My faith journey has always included bits and pieces of Catholicism, like multicolored cobblestones. My first nursing friend is a devout catholic, and my family would attend Christmas Eve Mass with her and her family. The Good Friday services with the stations of the cross enriched my faith during Passion Week. I discovered the Divine Office about 13 years ago. Even know, I enjoy virtually praying with brothers and sisters from around the world.

Many saints have impacted me, with St. Teresa of Calcutta or Mother Teresa being my favorite. Her love and service to the poor and suffering have guided my nursing practice. In addition, my favorite Christian nursing author is Sr. Mary Elizabeth O’Brien, whose research and publications in Spiritual Care continues to guide my practice and teaching. She is my Spiritual Nurse Mentor and I have written a review of one of her many books. The Lord has infused my faith journey with many great Christians and Catholics.

I loved my church, even though it wasn’t perfect. I love my bible study friends/prayer partners, and I loved my ministry to Christian nurses. All was well. Then, approximately two years ago, the Lord radically altered my faith journey by sending me down a new path.

The first step on the path was being convicted of a deficit of God’s truth in my life. See my posting Moral Courage for Pro-Life. At about the same time, my husband, who grew up in a Catholic and Protestant home, had always held a deep reverence for God, especially regarding the church. Over the years, having served as a Protestant pastor and a theologian, he longed for the reverence he remembered from his youth, which is greatly lacking in today’s modern Evangelical worship service. He discerned the Holy Spirit was leading him to return to the Catholic faith so that he could once again give God his devoted reverence.

Initially, I alternated attending Mass with my husband and attending my protestant church. At times, when I attended Mass, the Lord would quicken my heart or he would bang on my spirit. When the Lord would bang on my spirit, I would find myself weeping in Mass. Sometimes, if I looked at the crucifix above the altar, I would become emotional or teary-eyed during a song. Other times, I would have full-fledged weeping. It began with The Spiritual Communion. Since the Mass I attended was live-streamed, the Priest would pause before communion to lead everyone in saying The Spiritual Communion Prayer written by St. Alphonsus Liguori. There I would be on my knees reciting the prayer out loud and start weeping:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if you were already there, and I unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Even today, when I say, “I love you above all things” my spirit soars with love for God.  Later on, when I discovered I could go forward during communion and receive a blessing from the priest, I could barely make it back to my pew before weeping.

Needless to say, the Lord was working in my heart and calling me to Catholicism. I am not naturally an obedient person, thus I would argue with God by saying, “I am a happy protestant. I don’t want to change churches.” Other times, I would demand from God, “Why now? If you wanted me to be Catholic, why didn’t you lead me earlier?” While I was arguing with God I would get on my knees try to submit my heart, mind, and spirit to His ways through repeating (through tears and turmoil):

“(Jesus) you are the author and perfector of my faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)
“May it be done to me according to thy will.” (Luke 1:38).  

When I finally stopped arguing with God and could listen to Him, He spoke clearly and said, “I want you to love me through the liturgies and traditions of the Catholic church.” Of course, I relented, not out of fanatical obedience, instead out of love. How can I tell Jesus “No.” Like Peter’s bold statement, “Where else can I go, you are the Son of God.” (John 6:68-69), where would I go or live without Him.

The weeping wasn’t over. I wept through my meeting with the priest and with the director of RCIA. I continued to weep at times during Mass, during my RCIA classes, and other times. The Lord has always moved me to experience Him through tears.

Yet, my journey had just begun. I had to receive an annulment from my first marriage, which from my understanding, happened quite quickly–Praise the Lord. Since there was no baptismal record, I needed to receive all three sacraments. So, in 2024. I left the cross (a symbol of Christianity) and went to the crucifix (a symbol of Catholicism). Where the Lord will lead, I have no idea. In the meantime, I am enjoying learning how to love God through the vast liturgies, 2000 years of traditions, and immeasurable advice from the saints.

NCFI Cares: My RX for Insomnia

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“On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.” (Esther 6:1)

What do you do when you are unable to sleep? Do you listen to music or use an app on your phone to occupy your brain until you get tired? Do you read books or get out of bed to watch television or videos?

I have to admit I have had some very difficult times with insomnia. Some of it is part of getting older; our bodies don’t sleep as well as they used to. Don’t you miss the ease and depth of sleeping when you were younger? I do. In addition to aging, stress or overwork can wreak havoc on our ability to shut off our brains and rest.

The scripture above is found in the account of Queen Esther. During a bout of insomnia, the king asked his attendant to bring the chronicles of his kingdom. Like reading the newspaper, King Ahasuerus wanted an update on what was happening in his kingdom.

While the king may read about the events of his kingdom, I would prefer to pray. One of my favorite passages is Psalm 136:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

As you continue reading the psalm you will see clear sections marked out by a repeating refrain, “his steadfast love endures forever.”

Versus 4-9, focus on the Lord’s awesome works in creation: made the heavens, spread out the earth above the heavens, made the great lights, the sun, and moon and stars.

The next section, verses 10-22, provides a brief account of the Lord’s work on behalf of the Israelites: struck down the firstborn, brought Israel out, divided the Red Sea, overthrew Pharaoh, killed mighty kings, and gave a heritage to Israel. This is the section I alter for myself. I will begin to recount the good deeds the Lord has done in my life:

Blessed me with children and grandchildren,
“his steadfast love endures forever.”
Provides a job for me and my husband,
“his steadfast love endures forever.”
Guided me through caring for my mother,
“his steadfast love endures forever.”
And so on….

Stop now and take a moment to write down the immediate needs the Lord has fulfilled.

This is my RX for insomnia, recounting the personal good deeds the Lord has done for me along with proclaiming “his steadfast love endures forever.”. Depending on what has happened that day or my current stress, I will alter my accounts and ensure I conclude with a final refrain:

Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

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One of the remnants of a time when I was a staff nurse at the hospital is a printout of The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. It was taped inside my locker. When I would open my locker to put my purse away and dig out my stethoscope, pens, surgical scissors, and other items, I would see the humble words of St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

Today, some 30 years later, as I reflect on the influence of Catholic saints on my nursing practice, I was reminded of this simple, yet powerful prayer. St. Francis who encouraged Christians to bring the love and joy of the Holy Spirit into a world filled with sadness and despair (Galatians 5:22).

I wish I could say my nursing career was a reflection of the St. Francis prayer. Instead, I can honestly say, I have tried. At times, I have brought joy into sadness and hope where there was a lack of faith. Maybe that is a more attainable goal for us non-Saints. Instead of using the prayer as an assessment tool. Choose one phrase or word and bring that to one person in need of the Spirit’s touch.

  • Bring hope to a suffering patient in despair.
  • Pardon a colleague who has caused you harm.
  • With a caring word shine the light of Christ into the darkness of depression.
  • Share a heart of joy with everyone, especially those who grieve.

NCFI Cares: Faith Proclamation to the World

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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:8-12, ESV)

We are on the countdown to the NCFI World Congress in Malaga Spain. We will convene for a Pre Congress training course from 24 to 26 of June. The Congress begins with an opening ceremony on the 27 of June. Romans 1:8-12 can guide our hearts and spirits as last-minute preparations are being made. I have pulled specific phrases to guide our thoughts and prayers.

—First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

Let’s start by thanking God for every Christian nurse and midwife attending the Congress. Their faith is a witness to the world. Pause momentarily and imagine the people impacted by each attendee’s preparation: embassy workers, airlines, managers, churches, communities, families, hotels, etc. Wow! What an amazing witness to Jesus. In addition, their faith will be proclaimed in Malaga as hundreds of nurses convene for the Congress. PTL!

—For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers,

This is a great reminder to keep praying. Please continue to pray for each attendee, speaker, and staff member at the Casa Diocesana. Notice how the prayer is specific:

—For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—

The prayers are specific—spiritual gifts to strengthen one another. Our theme for the congress is Strength and Courage. Prepare your heart and spirit ahead of time so that you can dispense gifts of strength and courage to at least one person during our time together.

–that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Finally, we know that we are mutually encouraged when fellow brothers and sisters come together. Your faith blesses me, and my faith blesses you. It is a joyous time of fellowship and community.

Unfortunately, some people are unable to attend the Congress. I know nurses who have been denied visas, are unable to leave personal responsibilities and face economic challenges. Our heart goes out to those who so desired to attend but cannot. You are part of the NCFI community and our loved AND valued!

We need you! We need your prayers as we endeavor to encourage nurses from more than 30 different countries. Please commit to pray for the Congress! In the NCFI Prayer Guide for April – June, 2024 contains prayer prompts for the final week of June. https://ncfi.org/resources/general-resources/ I have included the Prayer Prompts.

Pray for wisdom, love & unity for NCFI leadership meetings that will be held in conjunction with IB meetings (22-24), International & Regional Forums (28-29), and Board of Directors (1 July).  “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 40:28a)
Pray everyone involved in the NCFI Congress–may they experience the Lord in a new and courageous way. May the workers at the Casa Diocesana see the love and light of Christ in each attendee.
Pray that the Lord places a hedge of protection around the families of all attendees so that they can be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s voice. “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
Pray that the Lord will equip all attendees with the courage and strength to be a bright light and loving grace to the world. “He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:29)
Praise the Lord for the Holy Spirit’s work during the Congress.“they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with the wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Prayer Prompts for the NCFI Congress

NCFI Cares: Are You an Eli?

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And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the young man. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel said, Speak, for your servant hears”.

(1 Samuel 3:8-10, ESV)

Samuel came into temple service as a young boy. His primary service was ministering to the Lord with his guardian, an elderly priest, Eli (1:11; 2:26). Samuel, possibly a teenager by this time, slept near the Ark of the Covenant, yet close enough to Eli, who suffered from impaired vision.  One night, Samuel is awakened by a voice, “Samuel, Samuel.”  Samuel assumes, typical for any other night, that Eli is calling him, so he checks with Eli. Not needing assistance nor having called Samuel, Eli sends the young man back to bed. This happened three times. Notice chapter 7, chapter 3, “Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD been revealed to him.”  After the third visit from a confused Samuel, Eli directed Samuel to answer the Lord by saying, “Speak, LORD, for thy servant is listening.” When the Lord called Samuel this time, he was ready to listen.

As we reflect on this passage of scripture, we are reminded of Jesus’ teachings, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15). Young Samuel had not been taught to know the Lord nor to hear from the Lord.”

In addition, visions by the Lord and direct word from the Lord were rare (3:1-2). Nurses and midwives frequently encounter people who do not know the Lord. It may be because they are non-believers, or maybe they are Christians, yet they cannot hear the Lord due to their current experience. This may be due to illness, disease, or a lack of faith. Samuel not only did not know the Lord but he had not been taught the word.

For us, this is knowing scripture. Many times, we encounter people who know the Lord, but they do not know the Bible. Or let’s go further and say they are not familiar enough with the Bible for it to guide their relationship with Jesus. Let’s not miss this opportunity to point out a deficit in Samuel’s training. He worked in ministry; he had grown up in the temple and had a priest as a mentor/father figure. When encountering people who know the Lord, let’s not assume they are familiar with scripture.

I see two application points in this passage. First, we can ask ourselves whether we are so familiar with the word, attuned to the Holy Spirit, and quiet in prayer that we know when the Lord is speaking to us. Or does he speak to us multiple times, and his words land on untrained ears?

Now, my favorite part of the account of Samuel is the Lord. The Lord calls Samuel multiple times. Isn’t that like our God—he calls out to Samuel in an intimate, personal way by his name. And even though Samuel was unfamiliar with his voice, God kept calling, demonstrating his unwavering love and commitment. “Samuel, Samuel.” Eli, recognizing what is happening, gives the best advice a mentor could give–tell the Lord, “Speak, for thy servant is listening.”

Thus, the second application point is God is always calling to people. We can help our patients and colleagues by being an Eli and guiding those unfamiliar with hearing God’s voice.