Praying for Lily Anne

Dear Readers,


Yesterday evening a mom of my acquaintance stopped by the church because she saw some cars in the parking lot, and thought I might be there.  As it turns out I was, though I had already put the car in reverse to back out of the parking space and head home.  The mom and her little daughter Lily Anne came up to the car and asked if they could talk to me a bit, so we went inside the church to find a quiet spot to pray.


It turns out that Lily Anne, who's only about a year old and was born prematurely, has a condition of her skull called Chiari's Malformation, which is causing a number of medical problems.  The solution to this Malformation is brain surgery, which is being discussed with doctors and surgeons at Akron Children's Hospital.

Lily Anne's mom (who does not attend our church) told me that since they found out this diagnosis she has been praying about what to do, and that every time she prayed my name came up.  So yesterday as their family was driving past the church after grocery shopping and saw the cars gathered for the Cub Scout committee meeting, she said to her husband, "If Pastor Cahill's there, I want to talk to him."  Since they had already passed the church, they continued home where her husband and son got out, then mom and Lily Anne came back to church and arrived just as I was putting my car into gear. 

We both believe that our gracious God's hand was all over this as she told me this story, and as she asked me to pray for Lily Anne with tears of worry in her eyes, but also with a note of confidence that Jesus would hear our prayers.  God's gracious hand is in Lily Anne's life, too, in that after going to several doctors for what seemed to be unrelated medical problems, her GI specialist said "my daughter had all these symptoms, too, and it turned out to be Chiari's Malformation."  He immediately referred them to the surgeon who had operated on his own daughter, and this doctor confirmed the condition.

This week Lily Anne is having more tests, and surgery is being scheduled for some time after school is out (so her older siblings can be at the hospital for her).  Her mom gave me permission to tell this story, and to ask for you to pray for Lily Anne and her family.

Lord of life and love, all Your children are in Your hand.  You pour Your love graciously into our lives in good times and in difficult times.  Your precious child Lily Anne and her family are at the beginning of some difficult times, and we have seen already how You have guided her mother to seek prayer through Pastor Cahill.  Now hear our own prayers on Lily Anne's behalf, too.  Reach Your healing hand into her body and into her life.  Guide doctors, nurses, technicians, and everyone around her.  Pour out Your healing mercy into them and through them into Lily Anne.  Give peace and rest to her family, as You guide them to trust in You.  Into Your hands we give little Lily Anne, praying for the blessing of Your healing for her.  In the Name of Your Son we pray for this daughter.  Amen.