Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,[a] it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:4-6 NRSVue
For Health and Wellness With a Child
Dear God, come and be with us.
During my years of ministry I prayed on many occasions for children with medical conditions which seriously compromised their health and were sometimes life-threatening. I can picture some of them vividly, often in the necessarily sterile environments of hospital neo-natal or pediatric units.
On one occasion in Halifax I was called by a couple from Alaska visiting family with a newborn who suddenly experienced seizures. They wanted their child baptized because they'd been advised that he might not survive. I performed the baptism and prayed all for all of them. In my prayer I asked God for a miracle which I immediately regretted because I didn't want to create false hope for vulnerable parents. Within a few hours the specialist found a surgeon in Toronto who was one of only a few in the world who could offer a procedure which might make a difference. The family was whisked away in an air ambulance for the operationm which proved to successful. Was that God's answer to the miracle prayer, with the benefit of the best in medical science?
Why is it that some Christians and others have such skepticism regarding medicine, including vaccines? I saw recently that several people had been charged after the death of a child:
Twelve members of a religious group in Toowoomba have been arrested after the death of an eight-year-old girl, who Queensland police say was allegedly denied life-saving medication in the belief she would be healed by God.
Elizabeth Rose Struhs had type 1 diabetes and died in her family’s Rangeville home, west of Brisbane, on 7 January. Police allege her parents, who have previously been charged with murder, began withholding insulin six days earlier.
Police allege paramedics were not called to the scene until 5.30pm the next day, with the Courier Mail reporting members of the church group believed she would be resurrected.
Similar deaths have occurred in Canada and the United States. You may recall the tragic death of a toddler from Alberta who died of meningitis a decade ago even though they were warned by a nurse that he was gravely ill. That case is still working its way through the courts. Here in Belleville a prominent and beloved business person died of COVID because of anti-vax beliefs, but at least that was his choice as an adult. .
I do feel that people should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law when they contribute to the death of anyone by neglect, no matter their convictions or misconstrual of scripture.
We are enjoined to pray for those who are ill and I know from experience that those who are in compromised health have experienced solace and strength from the prayers of their faith communities. Some would be surprised to know that in the United Church worship resource Celebrate God's Presence there are specific prayers for children and parents dealing with compromised health. Still. it's never a substitute for effective medical support which is its own gift from God.
2 comments:
Having prayed through the open heart surgery of my first great grandchild, at the ripe old age of 9 days (6 years ago now) , I am well aware of the value of both prayer and medical knowledge and expertise. And the family is aware that both will be needed again in future years...
Yes, you experienced this close to home and heart Judy. I have no doubt your prayers will continue.
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