Model Prayers (5)

This prayer was written by my brother Bobby shortly after I gave him the news of my diagnosis. I think it is comprehensive in its reach, and I suggest it for anyone who is struggling with how to pray for a loved one’s health challenge.

Dear God.

Thank you for harnessing thoughts and prayers and delivering them, on your behalf in a targeted manner. Let every person who, even fleetingly thinks about Denise Bridges, every person who utters the name Denise, let their energy be a powerful force against this cancer.

At every thought of Denise, this cancer will be reduced, obliterated, melted, incinerated, expelled, made non-existent, pushed out, liquified, consumed on itself, made powerless, foreclosed, turned to dust, demolished, eliminated, annihilated, overwhelmed, crushed, beaten, conquered, destroyed, thrashed, routed, seized, oppressed and overcome, by God’s most powerful forces, the forces of Love, and Goodness and Righteousness, of Power, of Science, of intention and miracles in action of grace on wheels working double and triple time on your behalf.

We rebuke this cancer in the name of God and we thank you for another opportunity to demonstrate the power of prayer, the power of God’s law over any challenger to the throne of All that is.

We rejoice and are stilled by the awesomeness of God’s ability to make the impossible possible, the unseen seen to create healing and expel any growth or cell in Denise’s body that is NOT working towards good.

We call upon every physician, clinician, assistant, support person, nurse, secretary, greeter, attendant, chaplain, social worker, technician, dietitian, and any other team member or health system personnel or staff member to be vessels of God’s power and purpose. To singularly, with laser accuracy, demote this cancer to its benign origins, to transport it out and any remnant of it outside of Denise’s body and out of the way forever, never to be seen or heard from again.

We thank you for giving Denise herculean strength, to be fortified and energized by God’s presence every day and everywhere, every clinical cancer team meeting, every treatment, every procedure, every shot, every conversation, every medication administration, in the down time, in the up time, awake or asleep, conscious or not. Give Denise the strength of 10,000 women, of conquerors, of heroines, of survivors of pain and suffering, SHE WILL OVERCOME, not Someday but TODAY. Let it be God’s will.

We call upon you to unleash the hidden strength that has always been in Denise, but only called upon when needed, Lord, we need it now, so bring it on and let her harness this strength, day and night as long as needed, she need not ask, she need only say Thank you Jesus, and it is done.

We thank you God, we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

This is a prayer from my good friend Felicia Mason (the person responsible for bringing me to Virginia). Again, it's suitable not just for me, but for anyone you love facing health challenges.

Father God: Thank you for my dear friend Denise. Thank you for letting your love shine through her as she nurtured journalists and communicators over the course of her long career. As she fights this new battle and leans into you for strength, I pray that her love for you be reflected and radiated back to her by each and every person she has touched through the years. Lord, an army of prayer warriors is at her back and this one prayer for healing, for grace, for strength and for peace is joined with all of the others beseeching you on Denise's behalf. As she and her husband walk this new journey, lead them, guide them and grant them your peace. You are the ultimate healer and comforter and we trust and believe in your control over their lives, over each and every member of the healthcare team working with Denise, and over those friends and family in close proximity who can be there to support her. Thank you, Lord, for your exquisite grace and eternal love. In your sweet son Jesus's name. Amen.

This prayer comes from my friend and former sister-in-law, Ruby Joubert Johnson:

We serve a God who is always in control. Please help Denise to feel better soon. You are our almighty Healer, and I know You desire health for our bodies. We are most thankful for the wisdom you have given doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals, but even the most highly trained medical professionals on earth don't have Your divine wisdom and healing hands. I ask that You lay Your hands on Denise and strengthen her. You know what's challenging and exactly how to fix it. Please Lord strengthen and heal Denise. We love You and we praise You, in sickness and in health. You bring hope to the most hopeless situations and your light into the darkest days. I ask for you to do that again right now. Lift up our hearts and heal Denise in Your son Jesus' name. Amen.

Here is a prayer from my lifelong friend Lois Bruce. She said to share it with every woman you want God to bless:

Our Loving Father, I present to you my friend who is in my heart, and this is my prayer for her. Help her live her life according to Your Will. Guide her, renew her mindset and heart where needed, so she will overcome temptations or any barriers and weaknesses. May it be You who puts her in high places like the eagles. May she spread love and shine in dark places where it’s difficult for others to reach. May she bring a word of love, healing, and liberation to others. Protect her at all times. Deliver her and her loved ones from harm and all form of evil - people known and spirits unseen. Keep any virus, danger, pain, or disease away from her. May she heal fast without long side effects. Thank you, Our God, Our Healer. Lift her up when she feels weak, and when she walks, may she feel Your presence and the certainty that she is safe in your Holy hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A prayer from my sweet friend Briget Bishop:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask You to increase the wisdom and knowledge of medical researchers as they perform cancer studies. I ask You to strengthen Denise in her body and her soul. Increase her endurance and patience as she undergoes radiation therapy. Holy Spirit, comfort and strengthen her husband and also her family members. Help her family members to walk in love, peace, patience and faith. 

Lord, You are our Redeemer. You are the Lord who makes all things. You stretched out the heavens all alone. Your faithful love endures forever and Your mercies never cease.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.