Prayer for a stranger

I just recieved an email from Camille requesting prayer for a friend of hers named Brent Loewen. Actually, he is a brother to Camille's friend, although I'm sure Camille knows him as well. Apparantly he has a brain aneurysm and will have to undergo a very risky and life threatening surgery in Regina between Thursday and Saturday (Oct 6 - 8).

God, I will admit. My first thought was, "I should pray for him." However, I went right back to work and didn't even think about him for a few minutes. Why? Because he is a stranger to me. Sure, he's a friend of my sister-in-law's, but I didn't know him, his situation didn't affect me.

How selfish! How thoughtless! Lord, this man and his family are undergoing some extremely difficult times right now, they have no idea if Brent will be alive after this weekend or not! Will the doctor's operate in time? Will they be successful? Will they make a mistake? Will there be lifelong effects?

Lord, they are faced with a grave unknown. Their lives have been put on standstill, their future's hanging in the balance. Their current lives will be forever changed. And I'm worried about a little money or a few shingles not getting done.

Forgive me.

Lord, be with this man and his family. Calm them. Give them your peace and surround them with your love. Be with the doctors and surgeons too. Give them wisdom, and control their hands and actions. Lord, your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Provide for them as they need it. Bring others alongside to help them and to comfort them. And, Lord, if there's anything you would have me to do, urge me to do it. And don't stop urging me until I do it! Lord, thank you for this small wake up call.

"Sieze the day! Sieze whatever you can, cause life slips away just like hourglass sand. Sieze the day, pray, for grace from God's hand. And nothing will stand in your way. Sieze the day"