As the days and weeks go by since Conner's hospitalization, there are certain memories that I never want my children to forget. I am reminded by the below passage from Joshua in the Old Testament, that we are to pass these "stones" along to our children so that "they may know the Lord's hand is powerful..."
Joshua 4:19-24
19 "The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month. Then they camped at Gilgal, just east of Jericho. 20 It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River.
21 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. 24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”
The picture above was sent to me by Teresa Webb, a friend who took the picture with her i-phone during the prayer vigil for Conner. It is one of the piles of stones that I never want my children to forget of how God began the healing process in Conner's body. It was less than two hours after the prayer vigil on both campuses that I walked into Conners Intensive Care room, and he was sitting up in bed and playing Battleship. He had been so weak he could barely move, much less hold his head up just hours before that.
I keep the devotional below posted above Conners bed in his room to remind him of Gods provision in his life. These are the notes by Pastor Dillon from the prayer time, with about 150 little children all praying together for Conner's healing.
Prayer vigil at Providence lower campus
September 27, 2010
My name is Pastor Jon Dillon of LifeSpring Baptist Church. I was with Conner at the hospital last night to encourage him and his parents. He acted so bravely and was smiling and laughing most of time that I was there. Spencer and Stewart Bivens were there, too, and boy were they a big help to Conner. He got to go on a helicopter and he was sure excited about that. We cheered him on as they wheeled him out to the helicopter and he seemed to really enjoy it. Conner is a special little boy and he is part of a special family who need our prayers right now.
I appreciate Pastor Bruce’s challenge from James 5 to make sure we have no sin in our life that would hinder our prayers from being heard at such a crucial time. We need to be living righteously so our prayers will be really effective. But along with a righteous life, our prayers should also include great faith in God and in His power to heal. In James 5:15 it says, “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” When we pray to God to heal Conner, we need to pray with a firm belief that God can heal him and will heal him. When Jesus healed the sick while here on earth, He always said the same words to those He made whole, “Your faith has made you whole.” So we need to come to God with a prayer of great faith.
Listen to this passage in Psalm 103:1-5, the Psalmist says,
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Do you believe that God has the power to heal Conner today?
Then we need to trust God and pray like we really believe it! Then let’s watch God work and give Him the glory for it!
I love the account in Mark 10 where Jesus tells his disciples to let the children come to him. And Mark tells us in verse 16, “And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” I believe that Conner is in Jesus’ arms at this very moment, and He will lay His hand upon him and bless him with healing. Do you believe that’s true? Then let’s pray together with a believing faith that God will heal Conner’s body very soon! And let’s also pray that God will give his parents and his brothers a peace that only He can give; the peace that passes all understanding!
Update on Conner:
Thank you all for your continued prayers. He is still recovering, and has come so far. He goes to Physical and Occupational therapy five days a week, and works HARD every day. He is still on steroids for the inflammation in his spinal cord. He is still working on getting back the use of his upper right arm. He had his 7 week check up today, and he is still continuing to improve. We are still praying for complete healing of his body, and thanking God for all HE has already done.
