Good Friday

     We've been talking and praying about those with a terminal illness this week; how difficult it is knowing that death is near for both the person and his/her family and friends. But, we're also able to focus on the hope of eternal life because Jesus gave His life that we may live.
     Can you imagine being 33 years old and knowing the hour that you will begin a horrible night of torture and ultimately be crucified by the very people you came to save? Can you imagine the pain and suffering? Can you imagine His mother, Mary, watching all of this, praying that He be spared but knowing that being crucified was the reason He was born to her?

He went a little farther and fell on His face, 

and prayed, saying, 

“O My Father, if it is possible, 

let this cup pass from Me; 

nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Matthew 26:39 NKJV

And then, can you imagine His love for all of us?

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, 

for they do not know what they do.”

And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Luke 23:34 NKJV

     On this Good Friday, join me in a prayer of thankfulness for what Jesus has done; that we can have hope and peace in knowing that our sins are forgiven and that this world is only a means of getting to our forever life with Him.

Follow through Jesus' Day:
At daybreak
Crucified
Jesus saves, even as He is dying
Jesus dies

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Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a potentially terminal illness. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Fear not

Fear not, for I am with you; 

be not dismayed, for I am your God; 

I will strengthen you, 

I will help you, 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Encouragement for the terminally ill

There are times during the process of an illness that the patient will experience "acceptance". During that time they may want to speak frankly about death and about the afterlife. Please listen to them, and discuss whatever is on their mind. If you don't know the answers, ask if you can bring someone who can to speak to them. It is not appropriate to dismiss the person's feelings by saying, "don't talk like that." It's been my experience that people know when the time is near, sometimes down to the day and even if they don't know it doesn't matter because it's what they're experiencing and feeling and want to talk about. Ask them if they want you to read scripture aloud. There are several really encouraging passages for this stage of life.

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving 

for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, 

but on what is unseen, 

since what is seen is temporary, 

but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-19 NIV

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not fear or be in dread of them, 

for it is the LORD your God 

who goes with you. 

He will not leave you or forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

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Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a potentially terminal illness. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

How to comfort the terminally ill

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our affliction, 

so that we may be able to comfort those 

who are in any affliction, 

with the comfort with which we 

ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

I think the hardest thing for people who know someone who is terminally ill is to know what to say or do. In order to avoid saying or doing the wrong thing, they/we sometimes avoid the person, which is wrong of course and so unnecessary. It's really very simple...just be there for the person.
     - After first hearing the news, just let them know that you're praying for them. Even if the person isn't religious, it is so helpful to know that others care enough to pray.
My late husband was so moved to learn that so many people were praying for him. People in other states, whole churches and prayer chains sent him cards letting him know that he was being prayed for and that they cared about him.
     - There were days when he was home alone and it lifted his spirits to have people visit; even just to have someone drop in and watch television with him.
     - It's okay and often preferred to talk about normal things and act like everything is fine. The person is reminded of the illness enough as it is without making it the topic of every conversation.
     - Don't buy the person "things" that are meant to help him/her cope, like "how to" manuals, healing stones, or the latest "as seen on Dr. Oz" remedy. Cards and prayers are the best gifts of all. 

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Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a potentially terminal illness. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

For the terminally ill

This week we'll be praying for the terminally ill. I hesitate to use the word "terminal" because miracles happen every day. I can speak from experience to a degree because I lost my first husband to colon cancer and then I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Although my cancer was treated aggressively and I was told it was curable, I still went through the stages that one does when facing the possibility of the end of life. I'll share some of those personal experiences, but I also want to point you toward some wonderful sources for your questions that can explain things a lot better than I can.

The first question, I believe, is "why me?" Unfortunately, I can't answer that; only God can. He may reveal it to you, but He may not.
My husband told his doctor, "I don't want to die."
His doctor said, "Of course. Nobody wants to die, but we're all going to. Only God knows when."
God is sovereign. He will get you through this.

I think it helps to understand the stages of grief that we all go through, the patient and his/her loved ones. Once we find out that we're ill, we start grieving and morning the potential future loss of the person. We may go through all of these stages, or only a few. We may not go through them in order and we may revisit some stages multiple times and stay in different ones for different lengths of time.

The question, "Why does God allow sickness?" is one that is often asked by non-believers, but even Christians when personally faced with an illness ask this also. I found a great article about it:

https://www.gotquestions.org/God-allow-sickness.html

Please share it with someone who's seeking answers.

“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, 

praise his holy name. 

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 

who redeems your life from the pit and 

crowns you with love and compassion.”

Psalm 103:1-4

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Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a potentially terminal illness. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power