Continued prayer for the Knowles family

#1 · June 21, 2003, 10:42 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on June 21, 2003, 10:42 pm
Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

Dear Hope Chest friends,

Thank you for your perseverence in praying for our family during our current difficult trials.

My dear mother-in-law, Ann Knowles, appears to be very near the end of her earthly life. It could be hours, or it could be weeks. It will be a miracle if she ever comes home.   She is on assisted breathing, but has refused a ventilator and feeding tube. All five of her children have arrived and spent time with her.   Her brother and sister will both see her in the morning, Lord willing. Business and legal arrangements have been settled by my husband over the last several months, and funeral arrangements were made today.

There are two very crucial areas of prayer support that we need.

First, please intercede for Ann's salvation.  She grew up in a somewhat religious home, but has said she has no personal relationship with God. In the brief time I was able to see her today, I urged her to trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus and to be absolutely certain about going to heaven. My husband Thad and daughter Mary did the same.

Second, please undergird us in prayer for a mentally ill family member for whom Thad must now take lifetime legal responsibility. This person has presented a significant ongoing hazard to the safety and well-being of my family. Firm boundaries for behavior must be set immediately. While we are trying to be compassionate with her in this stressful time, we had to start implementing "tough love" today. We have the full support of her group home caregivers and her other family members, but it is going to be quite difficult. Pray for her during the grieving process, that she would receive the comfort of God, and that she would take reasonable responsibility for her speech and actions. Pray for her family, that they will stand firm and united in decisions about her care, and will not be overly distracted by her.   As I write, It is a dark and rainy night, and Thad needs to go look for her and take her back to her group home.

I know many of you are strong in the concept of spiritual warfare. This is what is at stake. I plead with you to stand with us in intercession.

Blessings,

Virginia Knowles

Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

Dear Hope Chest friends,

Thank you for your perseverence in praying for our family during our current difficult trials.

My dear mother-in-law, Ann Knowles, appears to be very near the end of her earthly life. It could be hours, or it could be weeks. It will be a miracle if she ever comes home. She is on assisted breathing, but has refused a ventilator and feeding tube. All five of her children have arrived and spent time with her. Her brother and sister will both see her in the morning, Lord willing. Business and legal arrangements have been settled by my husband over the last several months, and funeral arrangements were made today.

There are two very crucial areas of prayer support that we need.

First, please intercede for Ann's salvation. She grew up in a somewhat religious home, but has said she has no personal relationship with God. In the brief time I was able to see her today, I urged her to trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus and to be absolutely certain about going to heaven. My husband Thad and daughter Mary did the same.

Second, please undergird us in prayer for a mentally ill family member for whom Thad must now take lifetime legal responsibility. This person has presented a significant ongoing hazard to the safety and well-being of my family. Firm boundaries for behavior must be set immediately. While we are trying to be compassionate with her in this stressful time, we had to start implementing "tough love" today. We have the full support of her group home caregivers and her other family members, but it is going to be quite difficult. Pray for her during the grieving process, that she would receive the comfort of God, and that she would take reasonable responsibility for her speech and actions. Pray for her family, that they will stand firm and united in decisions about her care, and will not be overly distracted by her. As I write, It is a dark and rainy night, and Thad needs to go look for her and take her back to her group home.

I know many of you are strong in the concept of spiritual warfare. This is what is at stake. I plead with you to stand with us in intercession.

Blessings,

Virginia Knowles