If you could spare a prayer…

I learned last night that a family member ffamily has cancer that has metastasized to several spots, although its origin is still unknown. A great deal of pain is involved. and the prognosis is not good.

Why do I feel like half the time I spend on this blog I’m writing about the impending deaths of family members and friends?

This is a member of my birth family, and there is a complicated – and searingly painful – history there.

I expect blogging will be light this weekend.

If you could spare a prayer for this man, and for my family…and for me…I would be most heartfully grateful. Pray that I might offer up the renewal of pain that I am feeling, for some better purpose. Thank you.

Owen has a good post, btw, on the concept of offering it up. I like especially his quote from JPII:

Human suffering in fact can show forth the goodness of God: the wound can become a fountain of life (cf. Jn. 19:34). The experience of suffering discourages and depresses many people, but in the lives of others it can create a new depth of humanity: it can bring new strength and new insight. The path to understanding this mystery is our faith. When faith turns to prayerful contemplation, it reveals to us all the power of the Lord’s Easter victory: ‘death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor tears nor pain’ (Rv. 21:4).

and his quote from Marc at Wild Tangents:

I am not asking you to pray for me. This will pass. I will be alright. I am asking you to help me give this suffering some purpose. Please comment with your prayer requests. I will offer up this suffering to God for your intentions.

H/T Julie. Thanks, Julie – you pointed me exactly where I needed to be this afternoon. The Holy Spirit is really something, no?