Pray without Ceasing

The power of prayer as part of the healing process is very real to us, not merely the subject of an abstract medical thesis. God has intervened directly in our lives, and we know it. As I try to grow in my understanding of why these extraordinary things have happened to our family, I continue to see more and more signs of His work.

Our daughter Claire was diagnosed with an inoperable, malignant brain stem tumor on September 19, 1998, at the age of 25 months. The doctors told us there are no survivors from this tumor and that at most she would live six to nine months, even with treatment. That was over three years ago. She started kindergarten this year.

This story has many parts, but one of them is about prayer. Of course, upon hearing this diagnosis, I tried to turn to prayer, but my despair, anger, grief, pain and fear were so overwhelming, that I could not find any words. I felt utterly alone and totally helpless.

Countless other friends, neighbors, colleagues and strangers filled the void. Our friends at the American Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, (where we had just completed a Foreign Service assignment) held a Mass for Claire within 48 hours. Nicaragua’s Cardinal Obando prayed for Claire and sent us a letter. One of Claire’s nurses sent Claire’s photo to her Jesuit son at the Vatican. He arranged to have the photo blessed and prayed for by the Pope — it is on our mantel today. A devout friend named Gael here in Washington arranged for the nuns of St. Clare and Franciscan monks, led by her friend, Brother Thomas, to pray for Claire. Gael gave Claire Holy Water from Lourdes, which Claire asked us to use on her daily. Gael also arranged for Claire to be blessed in a healing service at St. Anthony’s church while Claire was still undergoing radiation treatment. The day after that healing service, Claire’s paralysis began to lift, and she started to walk again.

The Good Shepherd congregation faithfully continues to pray for Claire. Strangers and friends from across the country wrote us and sent oils, medallions, prayer and Mass cards. Claire became the subject of many prayer chains; I’m sure I am aware of only some of them. Faithful persons from Cote d’Ivoire, to Costa Rica, to Samoa, to Europe, to Papua New Guinea, to Nicaragua and within our own community and country communicated with us and prayed strongly for Claire.

They suffered for her and for us; they asked God for the miracle we needed when we could not find the words. Many angels on earth (also known as nurses) prayed for Claire, including the nurse who administered Claire’s anesthesia during her 27 radiation treatments. As the word of Claire’s tumor spread, more prayers filled our life. Gloryann, who owns a Catholic gift shop in Utica, N.Y., lit a candle by Claire’s photo. All who entered her shop prayed for Claire. Gloryann sent us many blessed items, which still adorn Claire’s room. When she answered my 2001 Christmas card, Gloryann wrote, “I know Claire is cured and she will grow up to be a very successful person when she realizes she is ‘special.’ God has a special job for Claire, and Alex (her brother) is going to help her.”

It is hard to describe the comfort and strength we gained each time that someone told us they would pray for Claire. It began to feel like a warm blanket of love lifting and holding our family together. We are still in contact with many of the new people we met through this part of the journey. They still pray, and we still need them to. We live with the knowledge that Claire’s tumor can recur. When anxiety and fear set in, I try to imagine these hundreds of people around the world, talking to God about Claire. I believe God is listening.