On suffering and our need for intercessory prayer.

I love this image of the Agony in the Garden by Heinrich Hoffmann. All of us on our journey through life can relate to it by our own sufferings. Larry and I have certainly had many opportunities to reflect on it. I don't share too much about our personal challenges, but I know many who come here are Catholics and Christians. Times of suffering invite us to cry out to God and to our fellow pilgrims and prayer warriors in the Valley of Tears. And that's what I'm doing now - begging for your intercessory prayers.

Larry had a stroke last Thursday. By the grace of God it did not affect the portion of the brain that controls speech and movement. He got out of the hospital yesterday and is weak and lightheaded, but doing as well as can be expected. He has an appointment tomorrow with the cardio-vascular doctor to assess the situation since the arteries to the brain are narrowed. He obviously has a greater risk of having another stroke than the average person.

I also learned yesterday that a friend and colleague in the battle to defend the unborn had a major stroke. I've known former Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall and his wife since before they married and what a powerhouse they have been in the fight for the life of all the innocent: babies in the womb threatened by abortion and the sick and elderly threatened by euthanasia. Michael Hichborn at the Lepanto Institute posted a message from Bob's daughter about his condition:

I received the following message from Bob Marshall’s daughter. Anything said by anyone else to the contrary is not true. 

“I’m not quite sure where you received your information, but I want to make something very clear: my father most certainly did suffer a major stroke, followed by seizures as a complication. 

Thankfully, he is recovering and doing remarkably well, especially considering the severity of his stroke. We are incredibly grateful for his progress and for every prayer offered on his behalf. 

Please continue to keep my family in your prayers, especially my dad as he continues to heal, and my mother, who has been an unwavering pillar of strength by his side throughout this ordeal. 

Our family has been through a great deal, and your continued love, support, and prayers mean more than words can express.

We are offering our sufferings for Bob's recovery and for our youngest grandbaby in the womb, that our daughter will have a safe and easy pregnancy and that the little one will thrive. We pray for the joy of holding and cuddling another baby fresh from God.

May the Lord give all of us strength and courage as we meet the many roadblocks of life. Larry's hospitalization offered me the opportunity to give away many miraculous medals to the staff. We trust in the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother to come to the aid of all who are suffering especially stroke victims. What a struggle they have to recover and continue to love and trust in the mercy of our God. Thank you for your prayers.

Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, have mercy on us.

Mary, health of the sick, pray for us. 

St. Andrew Avellino, patron of stroke victims, pray for us.