28 March, 2024

Surgery and Other Sickness

by | 8 March, 2016 | 9 comments

By Mark A. Taylor

“I have visited and prayed with many sick people,” Professor Sherwood Smith told my class at The Cincinnati Bible Seminary more than 40 years ago. “But never did I pray like I did when the patient was my wife.”

For some reason that insight has stuck with me all these years, and now it comes into sharper focus as I anticipate my own surgery Thursday this week.

“Lord, heal him,” the elders prayed in December, not long after my diagnosis of prostate cancer. “Lord, keep him in the palm of your hand,” the men in my small group have prayed since then.

March_8_eddy_MT_JNI find these prayers almost embarrassing, not so much because I don”t want to be the center of attention (I”m afraid I can”t claim that), but because I don”t relish admitting my need. I have this unholy desire to control every situation, but who has control over a disease that comes without warning and progresses as it decides? Even doctors won”t say their remedies will cure this cancer. With their careful disclaimers, they unwittingly admit the limits on what they, too, can control.

I”ve been thinking not only about prayers offered for me, but for the prayer times most of us experience in many church settings. The Sunday school class and all-church prayer lists are long with notices of physical sickness. Everything from brain cancer to broken bones is listed there. And when circles of believers are asked for prayer requests, inevitably they fill the night with reports of accidents and surgeries, infections and disease.

Frankly, I”m sometimes a little negative about the tendency to spend more energy praying for the body than the soul. Why do we worry more about keeping Christians out of Heaven than about the fate of others living with no hope of getting in? And why do we retreat to talk of physical illness when spiritual maladies plague every Christian in every group?

Seldom have I sat in a prayer circle where we lifted up our greed or pride or pettiness or lust. But in Scripture, James tells us to confess our sins so we can be healed (5:16). I wonder if more confession would lead to shorter sick lists. It”s certain my spiritual health has at times been in greater question than my physical well-being, but few knew it. Maybe if I had confessed spiritual sickness, friends would have prayed about that, too

Or maybe they would have backed away in awkward retreat, unable to handle such vulnerability.

Of course, not every prayer request must be shared with every group. Some physical symptoms or malfunctions are best discussed only with doctors and a few intimates. The same is true with spiritual frailty. What a blessing to find a Christian friend who knows everything about me and loves me anyway.

But this week I”m thinking about Professor Smith”s remark and my certainty that only God can control the outcome in that surgery suite. I know I need the prayers for healing offered in my presence and promised by my friends. And I”m grateful.

9 Comments

  1. LeRoy Katz

    Mark…good stuff here. Are we as concerned with people’s spiritual condition as their physical condition? We should be. The Bible says, “He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” I hope that will be our thought as well. I am praying hard for your well-being but also for those I know and those you know who are without Christ. God bless you my friend.

  2. Daryl Docterman

    Mark,

    Well said!

    However, I did indeed request prayer from my church (The Crossing) just this past Sunday, concerning some spiritual/moral issues in my life.

    Daryl Docterman

  3. Shelley Weiss

    Thanks for sharing this, Mark. It is a refreshing reminder to refrain from keeping it all in. May the Lord go before you, with you, and behind you during this battle… and may you feel His presence all the way.

  4. Rebecca Waters

    Great article, Mark. So very true. Love the perspective that we are quick to pray hard to keep those we love out of heaven….when we so need to pray for those around us who when they die will not be there! Still, I pray for the medical staff attending you Thursday. I pray for you and Evelyn as you face this. And I praise God for your wisdom. And for your friendship.

  5. victor knowles

    Mark, praying that all will go well for you in your pre-op, surgery and recovery.

  6. Julie Milligan

    I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Mark.

  7. mike labig

    Mark so often we fail to be humble enough to ask. But Even though God knows our every thought we still need to be humble enough to ask…and let others be blessed by carrying out brothers and caring for our brothers. Thank you for allowing me to pray for you!!!

  8. Mike Mack

    Well said, Mark. And Heidi and I will be praying for you Thursday.

  9. Bob labig

    Mark, I really appreciate this especially after seeing the movie, War Room, and it’s challenge to pray. I will be lifting you up and anticipating what His goodness in your life will produce for the kingdom and His glory.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

March 31 Lesson | Edification

What constitutes success in the church? The number of seats occupied on Sunday mornings? The number of baptisms per year? . . . For the apostle Paul, one litmus test for church success surely was edification.

March 31 Application | ‘Hidden Gems’

An inquisitive fellow e-mailed me some probing Bible questions. Fittingly, the doubter’s name was Thomas. I couldn’t tell whether he was sincere or just wanted to argue. I wrote back, “Would you like to meet in person to discuss your questions?” . . .

Follow Us