The Prayer Walk

This afternoon we had the prayer walk that I mentioned earlier. Dr. Steph Doenges planned and led this. There were about 60 people who participated, missionaries and national staff. There was a good cross-section of the staff, nurses, aides, administrative staff, maintenance, cleaners and laundry ladies.

We went to each of seven areas. In each one, Steph would share a few thoughts and a portion of scripture, then people would walk individually around the area praying for the future of that area. We prayed for the people who would occupy the beds or receive the services of that area in the future. After a few minutes someone would lead in prayer, and we'd move on to the next area.

In OPD the scripture was Psalm 100. Steph drew an analogy between the "gates" and "courts" of the psalm and OPD as the portal of entry into the hospital. She suggested prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the hospital, those who had had a part in planning and building it, as well as for the people who would pass through, and the people who would work there. After the individual prayer time, Scott Dooley led in prayer.

In Maternity Steph read from Ephesians 2:19-23, emphasizing that just as Paul refered to Christ as the cornerstone, that He is the cornerstone of Nazarene Hospital. It says in verse 22 that we "are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives", and that God is building the hospital out of people, more than of block and lumber. After the individual prayers, Sister Elizabeth, our Director of Nurses prayed for the ward and the women who would come there, and the new lives that would begin there.

In the Surgical ward, the scripture was Psalm 90:17 which speaks of God establishing the work of our hands, and suggested prayer that emphasized asking God's guidance and wisdom in the care of our patients. Jim Radcliffe prayed to close the time there.

In Medicine Steph read from Philippians 1:3-6, and talked about how so many had partnered to build this new facility, and that God would complete this work. She suggested prayer for our supporters and volunteers around the world. After the individual prayer, I led in prayer, emphasizing that people often come to the medical ward on the verge of death. I prayed that many of these would recover, but that none would die there without knowing the Lord.

In the Pediatric ward, Steph read from Luke 18:15-17, the story of people bringing children to Jesus. She suggested prayer for the ministry of our chaplains, and for the spiritual children who would begin their spiritual lives there. We all prayed throughout the ward, then Dr. Susan prayed for the children and the parents would occupy the ward.

We then went over to the OT--the operating theater, what we would call the operating room in the US. Steph read Eph 6:10-13, and asked that we pray for the spiritual battles that go on around us. Many of the results of Satan's attacks end up in the OT, with domestic or tribal violence and violent crime. Many of the perpetrators of this evil are bound in the darkness of sin. We walked through the pre-op/post-op area, the OR and the sterile instrument room and prayed. The time in this area was closed in prayer by Chaplain Moses.

The final area was the ER. The scripture was from Isaiah 58:6-12. This scripture cuts so deeply into my heart that I want to share the whole passage with you here.

Prior to this passage, the people had complained that they had gone through the act of fasting, but God hadn't done what they wanted Him to do. God replies:

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then you light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Steph urged us to pray that God would use us to "restore broken bodies, broken lives, broken spirits, broken families." After the individual prayer time, Dr. Bill McCoy shared a few thoughts about the people that God has used to build the new facility, many faithful servants of His, some indifferent, some even antagonistic to the things of God. He then closed in prayer.

There was a sweet atmosphere that hovered around us as we lingered, and visited with each other before separating and going home.
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Photos:
1. Maternity
2. Surgery
3. Chaplain Moses
4. OT
5. ER
6. ER