Scripture Reading: Luke 11:9-10
"Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and he who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks."
     Luke 11:9-10

In accordance with our Lord's promise, please pray with us.

In the early hours of Monday, August 4th, our older grandson, Sean, age 5, is undergoing open heart surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. A growth inside the heart is to be removed. The benign membrane was detected through an annual physical exam and confirmed through cardiograms and ultrasound. The consensus of physicians at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was that it should be removed now -- sooner than later.

So, as Jesus taught us to pray with hope and confidence, ask with us that Sean will be protected and sustained in recovery. Seek God's help and guidance for the doctors and nurses who minister to him. Knock at the door of divine mercy, that comfort and assurance may flow to his family members and friends and that their anxiety may be turned into joy.

We love him dearly, as grandparents are wont to do. To paraphrase John Ylvisaker's hymn, we were there to celebrate his birth at St. May's Medical Center, Langhorne, PA. We were there the day he was baptized in Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, Wrightstown, PA, to praise and thank God for raising him up to a new life and making him a member of the church. And now, we pray, we'll be there to herald his restored health and wholeness, to cheer him on as he begins kindergarten in the Fall, and to see his life unfold in the days and years to come.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Listen to our cry for the well-being of Sean and all children everywhere. Enfold them in Your arms of mercy, that they may feel Your embrace of loving care and know that they are protected and sustained, preserved and upheld. Especially when they are sick, draw near to them to comfort them, touch them with Your healing power to restore their health and pour out Your grace upon them to renew their wholeness. I trust and assurance, we ask these thinks in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen

Contributed by Pastor Richard
Published Monday August 4, 2003
Week 36 of Liturgical Year B