Covered in Prayer

As we know Gabrielle has been covered in prayer from the moment we hit the road this past Sunday. I am learning over the last 3 years plus 9 months that God will not give us anything that we can not handle. Even in times like this when you wonder "Why?". Why Bart and I? Why Gabrielle? Why OEIS/Cloacal Exstrophy? It is all for a reason. I am learning to stop asking why and to accept that this is why Bart and I were brought together. Gabrielle cross to bear is much more painful than ours but we all bear our crosses. The lord prepared Gabrielle to walk this path and jump these hurdles. Bart and I are not hurdlers by any means but we are just trying to keep up in the race with her. In today's world there is so much bad going on around us that I wonder if there is anywhere that has not been touched by the devil. But I know in my heart that this angel lying in the bed across the room from me represents everything that is pure. She represents the good in the world and so does her story. The fact that her life story can reach out to so many people all over the place makes me realize that God is still here and the reason she is here to bring people together. And even more importantly to bring people closer to our savior.

This prayer shawl was made by a group from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Austin, TX.

The shawl was given to us for Gabrielle by Bart's Uncle Russ and Aunt Gwen. The shawl is draped across the area where Gabrielle's surgery was performed. It came with the paper pictured above. In the paper is as follows:

The Prayer Shawl Ministry

A prayer shawl or prayer cover is meant to bring comfort to the wearer and an awareness of God's presence in our daily lives. God knows our deepest needs and we trust His promise to sustain us.

The person who created your shawl prayed for you while knitting. That person may or may not have known your name or your circumstances, but every stitch was combined with prayer specifically for you.

Whether in times of distress or moments of joy, let you prayer shawl be a reminder that God loves you. Remember when it rests on your shoulders that you are covered in prayer. Wear it for its beauty, for its warmth, for its solace.

This gift is offered to you in love.

A Prayer Shawl Prayer

Loving Father,

I praise you for your power and I thank you that you have a plan for my life. I am grateful for the love you show to me every day.

Open my heart, Lord, to your healing energy and cover my spirit with your peace.

Give me a renewed sense of your presence in my life. Let this prayer shawl enfold me as your love does.

Let its comfort remind me of your love an dits beauty of your splendor.

Allow me to draw strength from the prayers that were woven into its pattern. Reassure me of your faithfulness to deliver me from my times of trouble.

Thank you, Father, for the loving support of the other Christians and the encouragement given through their prayers.

In trust, I give myself to you and your perfect goodness.

All of this I pray in the name of your Son and my Savior, Jesus.

Amen

Colossians 1:17 In God all things are held together.