Finding Families to Pray With

If you are hoping to find a family to pray for, scroll down to the right side of this page and you will find a list of blog that I follow regularly. Within many of them are lists of families who need prayer and support. Prayerfully make your way through the list. I am sure there will be someone who touches your heart.


Happy New Year!

Always,

Finding Families to Pray

Car Wreck Updates

Riggs Family Blogs


Keep praying!

PLEASE STOP AND PRAY

Three young people in critical condition need your prayer. Click on link for details.

Christmas in the Hospital

I have mentioned this before but wanted to bring attention again to the families who are having to spend the holidays in the hospital with very sick children. Please remember to continue praying for them. Take a minute to leave them some encouragement as well. It goes a long way!


Jeremy Freidrich


Madalyn


Kate McRae


Blessings to you and yours at this time and in the New Year.

Praying for Polly

We are now praying for a new little chickadee. Her name is Polly and she is recovering from brain surgery. Head over to her Mama's blog but clicking her button up top.
Thank you to all you faithful prayer warriors who lift these kiddos and their families up in prayer!

Jeremey Friedriech Website

There is a new website for Jeremy Friedrich. You can visit there to get updates, see more photos and lend prayer support for the family. Please continue to pray. There have been no recent updates but i hope they will post one soon.

Urgent Prayers Needed for Jeremy Friedrich

Please be in prayer for this little four year old boy who had a jump rope accident around the beginning of December. He is still struggling to breathe on his own and his parents have asked for prayer. You can follow his Caringbridge page here. There is also an article in the OCRegister that gives details. Please pray and let them know you are supporting them through prayer.


Jeremy is on the left.

Continuing To Pray For Kate and A Way To Help

Over the past year I have enjoyed spending some time reading. It was just a year ago that I was introduced to Karen Kingsbury through her series chronicling the life of the Baxter family. I was blessed tonight to find letter below on the McRae family site. Please pray for Kate and the family as the prepare for the 5th round of chemo as early as tomorrow.
As Always,


Hope


PS Don't forget you can click on the picture or here to get to Kate's page


**********************


Like all of you, I've been following the courageous, sometimes heartbreaking, miraculous story of little Kate since her diagnosis with brain cancer this past summer. Kate's family is dealing not only with their daughter's illness, but with the enormous financial strain that has come with it. For that reason, I'd like to place Kate Forever in Fiction, honoring her as a character in one of my upcoming books. Usually this item is auctioned off to raise money for various charities. But in this case, we are trying to raise $25,000 for the McRae family. Here's how it works. Any of you who'd like to help put Kate Forever in Fiction in one of my novels can donate to the Kate McRae fund. With a donation of $100 or more, you will have your name mentioned in the acknowledgments of the book where Kate will be honored. If we have a whole page of your names, that's fine. I welcome all of you to take part in this fundraiser for the McRae family. If we exceed the goal, then that will create a greater relief for Kate's family. Obviously, larger donations will help us reach the goal sooner. Once the goal is reached, Kate will officially become a character in one of my books, where she will be Forever in Fiction. If you'd like more information about Forever in Fiction, visit my website at www.KarenKingsbury.com. Every dollar raised by this fundraiser will go directly to the McRae family. Thank you for being a great encouragement, an amazing prayer support, and for standing with the McRae family in their most dire hour. And let's keep praying for a miracle for Kate.  In His light and love, Karen Kingsbury

*********

Continuing to Pray for Madalyn

Madalyn had another surgery this week and is beginning to heal enough to go home tonight. She and her mother still need our prayers. There are still no real answers to her health issues and as her mother Tami writes, "If I could go back four years ago before all of this, I would have appreciated it more and not taken any of my children's health for granted, but I can't. We move forward, try to find the good in each day, find the giggles, and keep moving."  
Please keep praying for this sweet family and encourage them when you get a chance!

Hope

Chosen One

Sammie's Mom posted this on her Caring Bridge today.

Chosen One
If before you were born, I could have gone to Heaven and saw all the beautiful souls, I still would have chosen you...
If God had told me "this soul will one day need extra care", I still would have chosen you...
If He had told me "that one day this soul may make my heart bleed", I still would have chosen you...
If He had told me "this soul would make me question the depth of my faith", I still would have  chosen you...
If God had told me "this soul would make tears flow from my eyes that would overflow a river", I still would have chosen you..
If He had told me "our time spent together here on Earth could be short", I still would have chosen you...
If He had told me 'all that you know to be normal would drastically change", I still would have chosen you...
Of course, even though I would have chosen you, I know it was God who chose me for you...
Thank you God for allowing me to be your mommy!

My desire is that we will continue to remember this sweet family in prayer and continue to encourage them with our love. Please visit their site today and let them know you are still praying for them. This is not an easy time of year for illness or grief.

Hope

Kate McRae on Dr. Phil

This sweet little girl we have been praying for is on Dr. Phil today. Tune in to get to know who you have been praying for!

From Kate's website: I am going to again leave some specific prayer requests... as we have seen some specifics answered this past week. Please continue to pray as always that the tumor will be completely destroyed and never return. Pray for a clean MRI in December. Pray for wisdom for Kate's Dr's and nurses as they make critical decisions and care for her during these treatments. Pray that her hearing and kidney function will continue to hold up during this next round of chemo (as this round will be rough on both). Pray for continued improvement in her neuropathy in the left hand (it is much improved already). Pray for continued strength to be regained in her right side (we had some wrist movement for the first time last week!). Pray for her protection from the various illnesses during flu season and while she is immune compromised. Pray for continued healing in her brain from the surgery and where the tumor was. Pray she will be able to continue to relearn those things lost from the tumor. Pray that her spirits will remain high despite her circumstanc

es and that she will continue to dance through the pain. That we could laugh through the heartache. And that ultimately Jesus would be glorified through a family having to live what they hoped they would never ever encounter.

Asking for Strength to Be Thankful

All of my friends here in the States know that tomorrow is our national day of Thanksgiving. Many even take the time to stop acknowledge what they are thankful for amidst the frantic preparations for the holiday. There are meals to plan or partake in, football games to watch on TV and some are even plotting their shopping routes for the morning after.
The ones on my my mind are the ones who will not spend Thanksgiving at home. They are in a hospital or rehab center, doing their best to be grateful. Don't get me wrong, I know that many children's hospitals do their best to make things festive, have special guests and even serve a turkey dinner. Their thoughtfulness is truly touching but Dorothy said it best "There's no place like home".
Please pray for those families who will spend this weekend praying for their sick children and longing for something that resembles normal. Click on either pic to read their story.

Kate McRae

My hope for you is that you will have a blessed day and a heart full of gratitude.

Hope

Praying for Owen's Heart

Another beautiful family with a story and need for prayer!

 

Praises and Prayers for Moriah

I am pleased to resume my prayer blog. I will begin with reminding my readers to check in with Moriah.

Unintended Hiatus

What started off as your usual mommy blog has grown into a pouring out of my heart. It became important to me to pass on the needs of other parents whose children are chronically ill, have had a terminal diagnosis or have finished their heroic fight for life here on earth. As expected, the topic is often sad. With that, if I am not careful, my heart can get very heavy. I think that's what happened. I had to take a break, regain some strength and get ready to come back. I am hoping that at some point, I will be able to share this ministry with someone else. As you pray, pray for God to send someone to help carry these stories to those of you who are so willing to pray. Keep praying, i will be back soon.

Prayer Focus Sunday-Sammie's Family

Here is the update from Sammie's family on plans for her services. Please continue to pray for comfort for her family. Also, visit the family's website to offer support and just tell them that you are praying for them.

Sammie Passed On Early This Morning

Please keep her family in your prayers. They need you now more than ever. As always, you can visit her CaringBridge site.

Sammie's Family Needs our Prayers

According to her CaringBridge page, Sammie has begun her journey to Heaven. Please pray for the family and offer support when you can. I know it is appreciated.

Moriah is settling in

Go see what she is up to! Click on her photo.

Praying for an Inspirational Family

My dear friend Summer and her husband Zane are stationed in Uganda. They live a true love story. Two of their latest additions are afflicted with Sickle Cell disease. They are truely saving lives and in the process being blessed as the parents of 8 children. Please take a minute to meet them and pray for them. You will be blessed too! You can click here or on their photo.

Praying for Ezekiel

Ezekiel has been in the hospital for this past week with seizures. Please be sure to pray for Ezekiel and his mother Chelsea. You may visit his Caring Bridge site for more dtails and to leave encouragement.

Prayer Focus Sunday-The Nelson Family

As I keep in contact with the Nelson family I am acutely aware that life continues to go on outside of the hospital world. Those of you who have been there know exactly what I mean. Justin's "Papa" passed away this week. In the midst of having to make enormous medical decisions, provide for his family and carry concern for his daughter, his family is grieving the loss of a loved one. Please pray for Justin and Victoria today.

The Cry Of a Mother's Heart

Moriah's mommy Victoria poured out her heart on her blog this week. It was heart wrenching to read yet so important to know what a parent goes through with a medically fragile child. Please visit her post and encourage her and Justin when you can.

What Do You Do When...

Blue Ribbon Show of Support for Moriah

A friend of Moriah's family started wearing a blue ribbon months ago committing to cut it off when Moriah finally gets to go home. Now folks all over the world are wearing ribbons as a reminder to pray for Moriah. They are taking photos and sending them to the family as a comfort and encouragement to a weary Mommy and Daddy who are ready for their topsy turvy life to settle down. If you decide to join in, it would really encourage these sweet folks to know that others are praying for them! Please email your photos to:

nelsonvs5@hotmail.com

A Blue Ribbon Family ;)

Two Families That Are Heavy On My Heart

The purpose of this blog is to pass on the need for prayer needs of families with critically ill children. I am also thrilled to pass on praises when I get that news as well. There are two children we have been following in particular that have for the past couple of days had traumatic news or events with their children. I would ask that you would visit their pages and encourage them by simply letting them know you are praying. You can follow their stories by clicking on their photo.

Moriah Nelson

Kate McRae

Praise Day for Hezekiah!

From Mama: "Kiah is home sweet home... It has been wonderful having him here. He already went pee pee on mommy. It was hilarous! Thank you for all your prayers and support."

I will post new photos when Mama posts them!

URGENT Prayer for Moriah

I got this late and although it was posted a few hours ago, this little girl is in serious need of prayer. Here is the first update:
"This is Kuma Amy and I have just received news that Moriah's condition is very serious. She is bleeding profusly out of her trach, mouth, and nose. A quarter sized piece of tissue came out of the trach. So far she has lost 200 ml of blood. After the bedside scope, they can see that her left lung has blood in it. Right now Vic and Justin are taking her to the OR to do emergency bronchoscope. Please be praying the this situation can get under control fast and that God would guide the doctors' minds and hands... "

Please read the update from Justin and Victoria and pray pray pray for their little girl!

Plea for Prayer and Fasting on behalf of Kate McRae

From Kate's Dad: "In light of Kate's MRI on Wednesday we are asking family, friends and followers of Christ across the world to join with us at some point in the next few days in a fast. There are details on my website and I will post more details over the next few days. Would you read this post and consider joining us in this? Thanks, Aaron"
Click on the photo to go to Aaron's website

Prayer Focus Sunday-September 11 Reflections

This week many of us stood still for a few moments or perhaps the entire day to remember what happen to our country on September 11th eight years ago. The day that life as we knew it would change in so many ways. The majority of us returned to something very close to the normal that we knew just days before that. Those who lived near the devastation or had family members on one of those flights or in any of those buildings never returned to any semblance of normal.

Many of the families I have asked you to pray for have what I think of as their own personal 9/11. The day that their child is diagnosed or the moment the prognosis is given becomes a surreal nightmarish kind of experience with ashes and the crumbling dreams that fall around their feet. So much that they had hoped for their family is forever changed. The hopes they had for their child look nothing like they did before yet like our Nation, they have to move on. They have to get up and fight against disease. Sometimes they are surrounded and supported. Other times, in the middle of the night in a cold hospital room, they can feel so very lonely.

Today's prayer request is for the parents of the sweet children that this blog has been introducing you to each week. Scan the list of links and catch up on their stories. If you know of a family that isn't listed here, please email me their link so I can follow them too. Prayer is a powerful tool. I can't overstate the importance for our own hearts to pray for these families. To be aware of their needs and to present them to our Creator for strength and encouragement as well as healing.

Update on Hezekiah

Amanda, Kiah's Mommy said: "He is doing real well. He weighs 5lbs & 7.1oz now. He is feeding twice (back to back) nursing and then once with his tube then twice again with either a bottle or nursing. The next step is to go off the feeding tube altogether and just nurse a...nd bottle feed. He is doing super well. We are thinking any day now we will take him home. Another answered prayer is that we were approved for Medicaid. So everything is covered! THANK YOU JESUS! We were able to get half of our money back from the birth center as well. Thank you for all your prayers. We are seeing each prayer being answered. It's awesome! My faith has been increasing through all this."

Real time Request for Kate McRae

Kate's Dad Asked: "Please pray for Kate right now if you can! Holly has Kate (and Will, per Kate's insistence) at the outpatient clinic for her appointment. Kate's ANC is low, which was expected, but she will also need to get both a blood and platlet transfusion soon. This comes with a risk of fever and if that happens then Kate will have to be admitted back into the hospital. I think I got the details right, just please pray! I am going up there to help out now."

Click on the photo to follow Kate's story directly.

Praise Day for Hezekiah!

Posted by Kiah's Mama Yesterday:

Kiah weighs 5lbs & 5oz!!! As soon as he gets feeding down this big boy is coming home!!!!! Yeah! Luis and I gave him a sponge bath this morning it was awesome.... The little things that make us happy =)

Great news for Baby Hezekiah!

Mama reported Monday 9/7/09: "Hezekiah is doing great. He weighs 5lbs 1.7 ounces. They increased his feedings to 45cc. He is almost up to eating 2 ounces. He is filling out and popping a whole bunch. We are letting dad get the practice and changing those diapers =)! Abuela Lupita and Tia Regina are here with us now. So he is getting double the love. We are praying that he is able to go home this week!"

Sunday Prayer Focus: Cold Flu "Season"

Alli's First Day of School

Back to school brings its own risks to our families with special kiddos. Allison already has her first cold of the season. I know that to the majority of people a cold is a minor thing. For us, sometimes it is but so many times it isn't. Allison was born with a heart defect along with other medical issues that make her immune system that much more fragile. There is always that underlying concern that it could get worse. As of this morning, this is not the case for us. She is actually getting better and seems to be almost recovered.

My request this morning is for the kiddos that you have read about here or know personally. Please pray for a protection from illness. Also wisdom for parents like us who are still trying to decide what we need to do to protect our children from some of the new viral threats in the news.

Baby Hezekiah Update-Thursday 9-3-09

Update from Kiah's Mama: "Hezekiah weighs 5 pounds and 0.4 oz tonight. The nurse tonight told us that he needs to learn how to feed and then he can go home!!!!!!! So we are praying for Hezekiah to suck, suck, and suck! There is a lady who is working with him everyday using a bottle. So pray that he does well with that. He has come so far so we are believing for this last thing. We are very proud of our little Kiah!"

Kate McRae is going back to the hospital

Please pray for Kate and her parents this morning. They are headed back to the hospital after a bad night. You can click on her photo for the details.

Hezekiah's Latest Update

I recieved this from Kiah's mommy this afternoon: "Kiah is doing great! He is off both tubes that were going through his belly. We were able to hold him for the first time yesterday. They changed his feeding tube and put an IV in his arm today. They also are giving him more of my milk. We are praying for a miracle week this week. We want the nurses and Doctors to be blown away about his improvement. He is doing well and getting better by the day. I appreciate all the prayers. The doctor said they he could be here at the least 2 weeks the longest 4. He needs to be able to feed from a bottle or from mama to be able to go home."

Photos of Hezekiah

I wanted to share some photos with all of you who are praying for Hezekiah and his parents. I love these photos! Mommy and Daddy finally get to hold their little guy!

Hezekiah does not have his own site yet but we are doing our best to keep you updated here.

Baby Hezekiah-Saturday, August 29th

I was away from my computer when this came in. This is from Grandma Sheri:

Saturday, August 29th. Kia is hanging in there. He still has the Cpap on to hekp him breathe. They will be checking his blood gas/oxygen levels today. They put him on his tummy and he seems to like that, per Mama. He is under the billy light still. We appreciate you prayers. I will not be able to update as much becasue I am leaving for LA for some training at the Dream Center. I will be back home next Saturday. I hope to get on a computer when I am in LA. We shall see. Luis and Amanda are doing very well.

Victoria Faith-Please pray for this little girl

This little angel was born with Charge Syndrome. She has spent many months in the hospital. Click on her photo to follow her story and support her family.

Baby Hezekiah Update #2-Friday 8-28

Update #2 for Friday 8-28:

Friday night, 10:36 pm. Amanda called and Kiah was put on a Cpap machine to help him breath easier. He has been breathing pretty hard and so they want to help him out. It is on his nose. We grandparents go to see him via Skype earlier tonight. We are ...thankful for the technology these days. Please keep praying for his breathing to become easier. Thank you!!

Baby Hezekiah Update-Friday 8-28

Another Update From Grandma: "Friday, August 28 at 2:47 pm. Hezikiah was taken off of the Ventilator today and so far doing well. He was put back under the bili light for his liver and wil remove on Saturday to check that out. Amanda, Mom, said he opens his eyes and smirked at them when they talked with him. Keep praying for him to become stronger. Thank you!"

I will post updated photos as they become available.

Abigial is Out Of Surgery

"Abbey" has made it through surgery. Now the family waiting to make sure that all is well. click on her photo to check in with the famil and offer prayer and encouragement.

Moriah Nelson Update

Please pray for this very sick little girl and her very weary family. Stop by their page (click on photo) and leave them some love and encouragement. They have an update there as well.

Chez Family-Abigail's Surgery Postponed Until Today

Please continue to pray for the Chez family. Precious Abigail's surgery is supposed to take place today. The stress of waiting can be as difficult as the surgery itself. Click on the photo for details from the family's blog.

Baby Hezekiah Update-Wednesday night 9:21 pm.

Grandma wrote: "Amanda left the hospital today. Kiah is still there stable. Thank you to everyone that is praying. We all appreciate it very much. The kids were blessed today as they were told by the Birthing Center, where they originally were to give birth, that they can stay there until Kiah is released to go home. You see the Birthing Center is a house right next to the hospital. They also were told they get all their money refunding. This will help pay for some of the hospital bills and they are waiting to hear if they qualify for Medicaid??? Kiah still gets agitated when they work with him. Luis and Amanda are doing great at comforting him by singing, holding him the best way they can and they have a small pillow that Amanda puts on her and then lays it close so he can smell her. I thought that is a great idea. He really calms down when Luis sings in Spanish to him......God Bless you!"

Please pray for financial provision, rest and continued growth for baby Kiah.

Chez Family-Abigail is facing surgery today

Abigail is having open heart surgery this afternoon. Please pray for this sweet little girl and her family. This is only a temporary fix until she has surgery three months from now. You can click on her photo to follow her story and her family's courageous journey. You will be updated as soon as news comes to me.

Update on Hezekiah Joel-Tuesday

Sheri, "Kiah's" Grandma updated tonight: "Tuesday night, 9:22 pm. I talked with Amanda tonight. Mama of Hezekiah, she was emotional because it is hard watching "Kiah" when he gets irritated and flares around when the nurses come to do their rounds and work with him. He gets upset and starts hanging on to the tubes and acts as though he wants to pull them out. Then his breathing gets bad. Please pray for God's peace to comfort him and that he will stay calm. He is a fighter for sure! We pray that this will be used in a good way in his life. Please pray for Amanda too, she will be leaving the hospital on Wed and Kiah will stay. That is always a hard one. They have not been able to hold Kiah yet. I encouraged her to ask the medical staff if they could do this even though they told her she couldn't earlier because it would help him calm down. I give that one to the Lord too. His x-rays and blood work showed everything is ok. Praise God!"

Hezekiah


Mama and Hezekiah

Update on Hezekiah Joel

From the little guy's proud Grandma:
"Monday night, 8:18 pm. Hezekiah is doing well. They have started weaning him off the the ventilator and last I heard he was at 30% and responding well. He is a strong one! We are so proud of Amanda. She was a champ to us, handled everything so well and even called us when she was not done in the dellivery process(If you know what I mean) Pray for continue strength for little Hezekiah Joel, from the inside out!!!"

Hezekiah Joel

This little guy showed up 6 weeks early and is in the NICU. Please pray for Mommy, Daddy and 4lb 12 oz, 18 inch long Hezekiah. It sounds like he was in a hurry to get here! No pics yet but I will keep all posted!

Prayer Focus Sunday

Today I want to encourage you to skim through the posts on this blog and choose a family or child to pray for. Please visit their blog or care page (listed in the right margin) to review their story or progress. The two standing out in my mind at the moment are Sammie and Moriah. Also, please remember to let them know you are praying. The encouragement brings strength to the families more than I can describe.

Moriah is very ill

Please pray for Moriah. This sweet little cherub has tested positive for Influenza A and they are running more tests. Her little body is already compromised and I can't emphasize enough how dangerous this is for her. Please pray for Justin and Victoria as well.

Pray for the Chez Family

This sweet family has found out that their newborn has a congenital heart defect similar to what their twins were born with three years ago. They need prayer as the Doctors sort out a plan of treatment and diagnosis. As usual click on the photo to visit their blog.