Pray for James

I have a friend who told me recently about her brother, James. You should see her eyes when she talks about him. They dance. She clearly loves and respects this man as well she should. 

Growing up he was the man of the house, taking upon himself to care for his mother and his sister. 

Later he joined the military and did multiple tours of duty, just recently coming home to his wife and two young boys. Like many veterans, he shied away from the spotlight when his hometown celebrated his homecoming. Humility runs through his veins. 

He recently started a massive project, building a house out in the country for his family. That undertaking has now been put on hold. 

A couple of weeks ago, James went on a trail ride with a group of friends. I’m not sure exactly what happened but something spooked his mount and he took him for a horrifying run which culminated in James being thrown to the grown. 

His pre-teen son was one of the first to reach his side. And there he stayed until his dad regained consciousness and they loaded him up for transport to a hospital. The accident was in such a remote area that it took medical personnel hours to extract him by placing his stretcher on a side-by-side and walking him to the main highway. His son ran ahead to flag down the ambulance with a flashlight, for by this time it had grown quite dark. 

I can’t imagine getting the phone call my friend received. James had been rushed to the operating room for emergency surgery to remove his obliterated spleen. He had, of course, suffered a concussion and had also broken most of his ribs. 

I also can’t imagine being so far away from my sibling or my son in a situation like this. 

Both my friend and her mother do not live close to him or to his hospital. And what about his wife and children?! She has been beside him the whole time. And the boys? Goodness!

James was initially only in the hospital for a few days and then he was discharged to his home. His discomfort did not subside, however, and eventually his abdominal pain became unbearable. Now after a second surgery he is resting in the hospital until he can get more stable. 

With the approval of my friend, I’m relating James’ story so that I can request your prayers. We are too far away from him to do anything “tangible” to help him or his family. But we can lift this brave young man and his family up to the Lord. Here are some things for which to pray:

• for James’ favorable response to antibiotics
• for his vital signs to stabilize 
• for his strength to return
• for his medical team
• for his wife and his mother as they juggle their time between him and his boys 
• for my friend as she keeps working and waiting for news about her brother
• for James’ two sons

I don’t know James but in my mind I can visualize his helpless 6’6” frame lying in the hospital bed. I can imagine his saying, “I survived 5 tours of duty to be nearly killed by a horse.”

LORD, Bless James and his family. Bless the medical team caring for him. Bless the men who have committed to finishing his house for him. Help us to remember to pray for him. We thank you for his life. We thank you for his future. Grant him health.