Prayer is of paramount importance to the church. There are many stories we could tell here to prove the power of prayer, but you can read below one story about Kerry Wilson, a 17 year old girl who was admitted to hospital on Saturday 12th December 2009 after suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage.
Kerry felt ill and collapsed after having dinner with some friends, and within two hours her family was told that she may not survive the night.
To follow the story in order, please scroll to the bottom of the page and read upwards.
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(Monday 23rd August, 12noon): Kerry has passed her AS Levels with great results. Despite having missed several weeks of school, and recovering from a small amount of brain damage, Kerry obtained high marks in all of her exams. She underwent another angiogram today as part of her ongoing post operative assesments, and the consultants are happy with her steady progres. Give thanks to God, as several months ago the chances of this happening were impossible!
(Thursday 4th February, 11:30am): Praise God that Kerry has came through the angiogram without any complications!
There is still a small amount of clot left in the brain, but not enough that the consultants feel they should operate further. They are discussing Kerry's future now, but it looks positive! She will probably have to undergo another angiogram in 6 months time to assess the clot, but other than that, she can continue on the road back to full health.
Thank you again for your prayers, The Wilson Family
(Thursday 4th February, 9:30am): Kerry has made remarkable progress over the last couple of weeks, and it's the direct result of how you and many others have prayer for her, and I want to thank you for that on behalf of all the family. While the last few weeks have been hard for Kerry, if you have talked with her or seen her, then you wouldn't believe that she had suffered a major brain haemorrage less than 2 months ago!
This morning I would ask that you pray for Kerry again. I know that some of you have not stopped, but this morning Kerry is undergoing another procedure and there can be some side effects, and a small risk of more serious complications. She has just gone into begin the angiogram now (9:30), and if everything goes well, then it will only take around an hour. Pray that God will strengthen Kerry to overcome another hurdle in her recovery. Dave
(Wednesday 6th January): "Praise God that Kerry was able to attend her cousin's wedding on Monday! What a blessing for the whole family.
(Thursday, New Year's Eve, 3 pm): "Kerry has made a remarkable recovery. Again I have no doubt that your prayers have been significant. She is hoping to go to her cousin's wedding on Monday DV - amazing! She still has tests to go through in 2010. Pray for a good outcome, and that she will get her studies etc. back on track ASAP.
Let's also pray that this event will spur us all on to consider the reality of the spiritual world and the spiritual battle at our elbow, and the wonderful fact that our God wants us involved in the events happening there by prayer and lives dedicated to Him. Ephesians 6:10-20."
(Friday, Christmas Day, 5 pm): "Kerry is home! She was discharged today! We praise God for this. She still has a long way to go. Please continue to pray that she will completely recover, and that she will stay infection free at this vulnerable time. The family have asked for no visitors just yet, to keep the risk of infection to a minimum. Thanks again from the family for partnering in prayer for Kerry's recovery.
This will be the last update from me unless John and Valerie ask me to send out another request. We pray with thanks to you all, with the words of Ephesians 3:14-21: '...I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may well in your hearts through faith...' In His grip, Rab."
(Thursday 24th, 10 pm): "Kerry has had another good day. The drain is out and Kerry has been up walking about. The consultant is happy with how things are going. Please continue to pray for an infection free recovery, and for complete recovery of all her faculties. Pray also for the family as they support her. Psalm 139:13-18 says 'For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb; I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful! I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious are Your thoughts, O God! Were I to count them they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You.'"
(Wednesday 23rd, 9.30pm): "Kerry has had a good day. No result yet from yesterday's MRI scan. She is still at high risk of infection, so pray particularly that she will stay free from infection. Pray for her physical and spiritual strength, as she is still confined to bed. Pray for patience and courage for Kerry and the family for the next step ahead.
I'm reminded how important it is for us to thank God for every blessing we have. In good and bad circumstances our God pours in His grace. He tells us 'My grace is sufficient for you'. Psalm 100:5 says 'For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to every generation.'"
(Tuesday 22nd, 10pm): "Kerry is continuing to improve. She has had an MRI scan today. No results yet. She was sharing that just last week she had been reading Job. A lesson in patience: now she is having to practice patience. Pray that the headaches she is having will cease, that she will be free from infection, and that the results of the MRI scan will help the medical staff with the next step. Isaiah 40:31 is a prayer for Kerry: 'Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on eagles wings, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.' (NLT)"
(Monday 8.30pm): "Kerry continues to make huge progress. Praise God for this. Please pray specifically that her pain will ease and no infections will occur, and that Kerry will continue to progress physically and emotionally. The family are so grateful for your perseverence in prayer. Still only family visits."
(Sunday 5pm): "John and Valerie are very encouraged by Kerry's progress today. She is much less anxious and has been so encouraged and thankful herself to hear of so many praying persistently for her. She may have a chest infection, so pray that if this is so, it will clear quickly. Pray that no other infection will occur. Pray for medical guidance for the next step. Pray for the family, and their role in supporting her. Thank you for fulfilling Colossians 4:2 'Devote yourselves to prayer, be watchful and thankful.' "
(Saturday 7pm): "Kerry was moved back to the ward this afternoon. Another step forward. Continue to pray for her anxiety at being in hospital, her pain control, and healing from the operation. Pray for continual wisdom for the medical staff, and for strength, courage and wisdom for the family as they assist in her recovery. A big thank you for all your prayers.
Unless deemed necessary by John and Valerie, we will have only one daily update. Continue to have a big imagination with regard to Kerry's recovery and what God can do through prayer. Ephesians 3:20."
(Saturday 12 noon): "Kerry is still in ICU. She is still having severe headaches and great anxiety. Please pray for Kerry, and for the family as they encourage her."
(Friday 5pm): "John and Valerie have been in with Kerry this afternoon. She is understandably eager that they stay with her, which is great. She continues to improve, so praise God. John and Valerie are tired but so pleased and thankful for her progress. Kerry may be moved out of ICU tomorrow. She may require further surgery. Pray now that as she recovers, all her faculties will be restored and that no infection or set-back may occur. 2 Cor. 1:10-11."
Robert Abraham says (Friday 10.30am): "I have just spoken with John. Kerry has had a reasonable night. Since coming off the ventilator she has been agitated and obviously distressed, now that she is aware of being attached to so much equipment. Pray specifically that she will stay calm and allow the medical staff to help. Pray for John and Valerie as they assist in calming Kerry, that they will receive the strength and grace to cope. She is still in ICU. Continue to pray that her blood pressure will remain stable. Pray that any bleeding will cease, and that she will fully recover. Philippians 4:6,7."
(Thursday 9pm): "John and Valerie have just come out from seeing Kerry. She is off the ventilator and is stable. Her blood pressure has come down a bit, although there is still some bleeding. Kerry knew John and Valerie were with her. Continue to pray: there is still a long way to go. Pray that her blood pressure will continue to stabilise, which will allow them to reduce the sedation."
(Thursday 7pm): "Some positive news. Kerry's blood pressure has dropped and her sedation has been reduced. She has reacted well to this, so a small but great step forward. Thank you for your continued prayers, but please do keep constantly in prayer. Pray too for John and Valerie, that their strength and courage will remain. They have truly been a great witness."
(Thursday morning): "Kerry has had a stable night. The medical team seem satisfied with her progress. Continue to pray that Kerry, John and Valerie and the family will know God's peace and presence. Pray for wisdom and guidance for the medical team. Kerry is still critically ill. The battle is ongoing, so keep strong in the Lord and active in prayer."
(Wednesday 10.00pm): "John and Valerie have gone home for some rest. The Lord is sustaining them, through your prayers. They are so grateful that Kerry is being cared for so well in ICU. She is still heavily sedated, and we pray that this time will be an opportunity for her brain to heal. Do continue in prayer for Kerry and the family. Psalm 37:4."
(Wednesday 7.00pm): "Thank you all for praying persistently. Kerry has had a reasonably stable day. Her blood pressure and internal bleeding are still a cause for concern. Pray specifically for these. She remains very unwell, but overall is reasonably stable. Let's continue to remember her and the family before the throne of grace. 'Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; My hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I shall not be shaken.' (Psalm 62:5-6)"
(Wednesday 9.30am): "Kerry has had a reasonably stable night. Continue to pray for the stability of her BP and inter-cranial pressure. Pray that further bleeding will cease, and for guidance of the medical staff today as they decide the next step. Also that if the arterial scan goes ahead it will be successful. Continue to pray for John, Valerie and the family. May the Lord say to Kerry: 'this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 45:1-2)"
(Tuesday 11pm): "It's been a long tough day for John and Valerie; they have been encouraged to go home and rest. Pray they will sleep and be refreshed, sustained and strengthened tonight. Kerry has had a tough fight today. Her blood pressure is still high, so continue to pray it will drop. She is heavily sedated and tomorrow at some stage it is planned to do an arterial scan. But pray tonight for stability of BP, that her brain will settle after the invasive surgery, and also that further bleeding will cease. Your faithfulness in prayer is greatly appreciated by the family. Psalm 31:24 'Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.'"
(Tuesday 8pm): "Please pray now for Kerry. The management of her blood pressure is proving difficult. This is critical. Pray also that her brain will heal from the invasive surgery, and that the blood vessels will seal completely and not bleed internally. Pray that the staff will be guided to make the right choices as they tend to her. Pray now, please: she needs to turn a corner very quickly. The family thank you for your persistent prayers."
(Tuesday 3pm): "Kerry has now had the drain inserted, and John and Valerie have just spoken with the consultant who said, while he is pleased with the surgery, there are still a few hurdles to overcome and Kerry is still very ill. They plan to keep her heavily sedated today. Tomorrow they will assess the next step which may include another scan.
Kerry continually needs your prayers: pray that these hurdles will be overcome, and that she will be restored to full health and strength. Pray also for John and Valerie and the rest of the family: the continual emotional ups and downs must be so hard to cope with. This is a testing time, but as James says, 'the testing of your faith develops perseverance'. So it is vital we keep praying."
(Tuesday 12 noon): "Kerry is being taken back to theatre to install a drain. Please pray persistantly at this next crucial phase."
(Tuesday 8:30am): "Kerry has had an improving night in ICU, so once again praise God and give Him thanks. The family are grateful for your constant and faithful prayers. Please continue to bring Kerry before the throne of grace: she has still a long way to go."
Robert Abraham says (Monday midnight): "Praise God the surgery has gone well. Most of the clot has been removed and they also think they have fixed the part that was leaking. Kerry is in ICU and has a long way to go.
John and Valerie have just been in ICU briefly to see Kerry. They want to thank you for your prayers, and ask that you continue to pray for Kerry especially over her next 24 hours in ICU, which are critical as she fights to recover from major surgery. Pray too that John and Valerie will be able to get some rest and be refreshed for tomorrow."
David Wilson says (Monday 10:30am): "Kerry is undergoing an arterial scan in her brain this morning. This procedure brings a small risk of inducing a stroke in the patient. Please pray that she makes it through this and the test results are positive."
Robert Abraham says (Sunday, 10pm): "I have just walked out of the ward after praying and speaking with Kerry. I have got to say I'm humbled by her faith and trust in her Lord and Saviour. She is in pain with headaches, so firstly please pray she will have relief from this, and have a good night's rest. John and Valerie have gone home for a few hours sleep. Tomorrow (Monday) the hospital will do a detailed scan and then make decisions on an operation to remove some of the clot. This is a critical time for Kerry, so please continue to pray for her and the family. Your prayers are powerful and effective. Pray without ceasing.
Kerry says thank you all for your prayers."
