But he (Thomas) said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:24 ESV)
Unfortunately, Thomas bold statement “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” marked Thomas as “Doubting Thomas.” Let’s bring in some important facts about Thomas. Scripture tells us none of the disciples believed Mary Magdalene who reported her witnessing Jesus’ resurrection (Mark 16:11). The other 11 disciples were afraid and hiding in the upper room (v. 19) when Jesus did appear, thus the same 11 disciples were able to “see to believe.” Thomas was not in the upper room when the other disciples seen Jesus(v. 24).
We can see that even the disciples were doubtful and afraid. In Luke 24, Jesus comes to them and instructs them to touch him, as proof he is not a spirit. The evidence or proof of Jesus miraculous return from the dead is found in him explaining scripture (Luke 24:27), eating and drinking with disciples (John 21:14; Luke 24:42), miraculous catch of fish (John 21:6)Everyone struggles with unbelief and experiences doubt. Instead of giving Thomas a bad rap, we can see the lengths Christ will go to help someone’s unbelief.
Do you know of someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus, or the work on the cross for redemption? Or maybe a fellow Christian who is experiencing a season of doubt? Jesus continues to reveal himself to the world today through the testimony of the disciples.
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (20:30-31).
Jesus also reveals himself through the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let’s respond to the reality of the resurrection as Thomas did, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
Faith
Carrying One Another Burdens
Bear on another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
As I was preparing for the most recent global prayer meeting, I found the verse from Galatians about bearing one another’s burdens. I enjoy asking AI questions; so, on a whim I asked, what is a prayer burden. This Gemini (google) AI’s reply:
“A “prayer burden” refers to a deep, persistent sense of concern or responsibility that motivates one to pray for a specific person, situation, or cause. It’s a spiritual prompting from God, a call to intercede and offer focused prayer, often accompanied by a feeling of weight or urgency. This burden can arise from various sources, including a specific need, a divine vision or dream, or simply a strong love for someone.”
It was perfect! It spoke specifically to the burden NCFI has for nurses and midwives affiliated with the national fellowships and regions. We are concerned and drawn to pray when there are lack of staff, challenges to finances, overworked nurses, and the many other burdens of managing a ministry. Our heart is heavy and focused on petitions to the Lord for those country contacts without a fellowship who need the community of nurses and midwives to stay strong in their faith. I am sure many in the NCFI leadership are prompted by the Lord to pray for specific situations. The most recent ones that come to mind are when I think about the nurses caring for patients in war-torn areas, places of disasters, or spreading infections and illnesses. These colleagues are on the frontlines representing Christ to the most vulnerable and we are supporting them with prayers of love and wisdom.
I can speak for myself, that I have a deep sense of responsibility to pray for each member of the International Board, Board of Directors, and our partner leaders, as well as the many volunteers who give of their time, talent, and treasure in supporting the mission of NCFI. Probably like you, my responsibility extends to the Christian nurses I personally know and work with. I lift them up in prayer as we labor in the work of Christ every day.
Rest assured, we at NCFI actively carry the prayer burdens of many nurses and midwives, their colleagues, their patients and families, and their students and staff. We do so joyfully and with a bright mission of assisting the Lord with his burden of loving the world.
Are you a David? The Future of Nursing
And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took a horn of oil and anointed hi in the midset of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon Dvid from that day forward. (1 Samuel 16:12-13, ESV).
In the previous devotion, we reviewed how God called Samuel to anoint David as the future king of Israel. We found three key points Samuel did to follow God’s directive: get over the past with King Saul, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and go to the new king. Let’s look at how these three points can guide us as we look for the Davids and the future of Christian nursing.
In 1 Samuel chapter 16, we read how Samuel examined all of Jesse’s sons, yet the Lord did not direct Samuel to anoint them. The Lord was not looking for the smartest or the tallest son of Jessee. Instead, the Lord was looking at the “heart” of each son (16:7). David was summoned from the field, anointed by Samuel, and was immediately filled with the Spirit of the Lord. Once again, Samuel had to listen to the Holy Spirit and remove his preconceived ideas of a future king. Like Samuel, David allowed the Holy Spirit to direct his path, which is our first point: Listen to the Holy Spirit. Remember, David was a simple shepherd boy who turned king by listening to the Lord.
This leads to our next point which is Get over the future. Be willing for the Lord to change your life radically. David went from being a shepherd to “king in training.” I am sure David never imagined being king. He was son number eight! He was probably quite content getting married, having a family, and working for his older brothers. Thankfully for the Israelites and Christians, God had other ideas. David spent 15 years preparing to become king. He soothed Saul by playing his harp, killed Goliath, developed a close friendship with Jonathon, conquered many territories for King Saul, and penned many Psalms.
Today, when we look at getting over our future, it may mean ditching our nursing dreams. I will be brave and say that for many cultures, especially here in the West, planning out our life, career, and future is more than expected; it is demanded. Before high school, we are expected to create a career plan, strategize having 2.5 children, money for a house, etc. We don’t leave room for God to direct “his will be done” in how we use our talents in nursing for the Kingdom. I think that, as followers of Christ, it is a sin. There I was blunt. I call it a sin because anytime anything is of more importance than God’s will, then it is a sin—enough about that.
Be flexible with your nursing future and allow God to come in and make changes.
The final step for both Samuel and David is to Go. David had to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and go where the Lord sent. I can imagine when David was playing the harp for Saul, he wondered about the validity of Samuel’s anointing. Yet, David went and followed the Spirit wherever it led.
My nursing career differs from what I imagined thirty years ago as a new graduate strategizing to work in the ER or ICU. The Lord intervened when, 20+ years ago, I returned to school for a graduate degree with the original plan of being a clinical nurse specialist. Instead, the Lord called me into academics as a nurse educator.
When I came for my job interview, I walked around the campus weeping joyfully. Jesus had done two amazing things that day, and 20 + years later, he continues to do. He brought me back to the place I had met Him. For, I became a believer while taking my science courses. I knew He was calling me back to where we had met. Second, Jesus gave me the desire of my heart. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37 3). When many nurses reflect on their childhood career dreams, they say they wanted to be nurses. Not me. I wanted to be a teacher. 😊So, the Lord took the desires of my heart, weaved my talent for nursing, and created my career in academics. This passion and heart reaches out to you through my work with NCFI over the past 14 years. Sharing my love with Jesus and passion for nursing.
Whether you are a Samuel, with years in Christian nursing, or a David, who is just entering, follow their example:
- Listen to the Holy Spirt
- Let Go of the Past or the Future—whichever one is getting in your way.
- Go.
As a Samuel, go looking for the future of Christian nursing and find all those creative, talented Davids. If you are a David, let God be radically brave with your nursing career. He may have something amazing in store for you. So, that others can say the following about you:
A servant of Saul described David, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.” (16:18).
NCFI Cares: Quick Prayers for Lent
After he (Jesus) fasted for 40 days and 40 nights he was famished. (Matthew 4:2)
As we enter the beginning of Lent, 40 days before the Passion of Christ and Easter, many of us are seeking the Lord’s guidance in giving up something or adding something.
Some everyday things Christians give up for Lent are favorite foods and drinks, like chocolate, coffee, or alcohol, or specific food pleasures, such as eating out, desserts, or meat. Others may give up an activity, like phone time, watching movies, or other distractions. When I asked Google AI, I received additional responses, including sleeping without a pillow, abstaining from gossiping, or refraining from following/watching social media postings. To add a little bit of humor, my favorite activity Google AI noted was to give up “being a backseat driver.” – I have to admit—my husband would probably enjoy my 40-day struggle—LOL!
Humor aside, I think the Lenten period is not only a time to meditate on our Lord’s suffering; it is a time to add habits to our walk with the Lord while growing closer to him and his sufferings. Some of those daily habits include reading your Bible, adding another prayer time, reading a Lenten devotion, attending church or Bible study, and others.
Since I am the NCFI prayer chair, I would make the following suggestions focused on Christian Nurses:
Choose to pray for one of the following :
Your national fellowship and nurses in your country
Nurses at your work, church, and community
International nurses and regional nurses
A global health issue that’s concerning
NCFI people
At first, adding more prayer to our already busy and over-committed lives sounds overwhelming, yet it doesn’t take more time to send quick prayers to the Lord. Especially if you have given up something for Lent. For example, whenever you think of chocolate, immediately pray, “Lord, I lift up all the nurses at my workplace and trust you with their care.” Or something along those lines.
Another list of suggestions focused on Christian nurses are:
Choose to do one of the following:
Send an encouraging text or email to a nurse or healthcare professional. It can be kind words, scripture, etc (Let the Holy Spirit guide you)
Post on a social media platform an encouraging comment for nurses to read
Bring goodies or something to share to work
Invite a colleague to a Christian nursing event (prayer, journal club, etc)
Spend the next few days seeking the Holy Spirit in ways he would have you grow closer to our Lord through this period of Lent.
NCFI Cares: Live Out the Advent Season
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
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
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
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: Faith Proclamation to the World
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) |
NCFI Cares: The Gift of Death
I am the resurrection and life. Whoever believes in me though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26, ESV).
Recently, my pastor spoke about the resurrection of Lazarus, which is found in John 11. He mentioned the incredible gift we have been given to die. Yes, that is what he said. We have been given the wonderful gift of death. For when we die, we will no longer be bound to this world. Instead, we will be ushered into the presence of Jesus Christ, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the angels, and all the saints (Revelation 21). Thus, we should not be afraid of death; instead, we should welcome the time when it comes.
Like you, I was shocked to hear my pastor say this. I know I look forward to seeing Jesus face-to-face and dwelling with Him for all eternity. Yet, I have never wanted to die nor am I looking forward to my final hours on earth as a gift from Him. The more I reflected on this teaching, the more I wondered how it would change my perspective as a nurse.
How would I alter my nursing care for the terminally ill, actively dying, or elderly? In addition to treating my patients’ pain, providing comforting words, or praying for peace, could I encourage them to get ready to enjoy their gift of death? Maybe I could help them say goodbye to the suffering they have experienced in this world–a time without pain, tears, or loneliness. I would help them anticipate an eternity without racism, abuse, or evil. And even though they will miss their loved ones, maybe I could assist them with writing a letter to each family member. Instead of words expressed as a forever goodbye, the letter would be in expectation of seeing them again after death in the presence of Jesus.
I could help them imagine what they would do when they finally did see their Savior face-to-face. Will they hug Him like a long-lost older brother they haven’t seen in years? Maybe fall at His feet with humble thanksgiving? Or would they prostrate themselves in reverence at the magnificence of His holiness?
I have always hoped that when I finally see Jesus, I would be inclined to weep shedding like Mary, that would wash his feet with my hair and tears (Luke 7:36-38; John 11:2). These wouldn’t be tears of sadness; they would be tears of gratitude for a life with Him. A life on earth and in Heaven filled with love and joy.
This Easter season let’s share our wonderful gift of death as the passage to a life of eternity with our Lord Jesus.
I have always hoped that when I finally see Jesus, I would be drawn to tears and, like Mary, would wash his feet with my hair and tears (Luke 7:36-38; John 11:2). These wouldn’t be tears of sadness; they would be tears of gratitude for a life with Him. A life on earth and in Heaven filled with love and joy. This Easter season let’s share our wonderful gift of death as the passage to a life of eternity with our Lord Jesus.
Carrie Dameron 