Fr. Nigel update, 8:30 pm, October 21, 2009
I just talked with Fr. Haskell. He gave me the follow update on Fr. Nigel. This report was given to him at 5 pm.
There is no appreciable change in Fr. Nigel’s condition. He is still “critical but stable.” He is still getting oxygen at 90%. The nurses reported that last night “was the best night he has had.”
Pray that the fluid in his lungs would go away. Pray that Jesus would be in charge of this whole situation and that Fr. Nigel would be returned to the ministry that God has prepared for him.
The wife of a deacon in the diocese received this prayer for Fr. Nigel: “The glorious light of the Resurrection encircles and empowers me, destroying all death.“
Over 140 people that I know of have been praying for him. I also know that many others in this and other countries have been praying for him.
Torre Bissell, Albany Intercessor
Today I called a friend who knows (and called) the woman who was in charge of the Healing Prayer Ministry for St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC a couple of years ago. She was responsible for bringing in Nigel to speak at their Day of Healing Prayer.
On that day, I got healed of, of all things, an infection (caused by a virus)in my lungs. I was actually on oxygen on the day of that meeting. I could not walk for more than a couple of minutes, and up until there was healing prayer, I could hardly stand being there. Since then, I’ve lost 40 pounds, can bike ride 30 miles, and I’ve had no use for oxygen since. So, I feel somewhat indebted to return the favor of praying for someone who prayed for me. Please forgive me if I seem rather fanatical, but at the time, several doctors actually thought I was dying. The healing I received came straight from the Lord.
Anyway, to encourage you, my friend’s prayer circle in Richmond, VA is praying. A few people from St. Andrew’s Mt. Pleasant (SC) are praying, as are some from St. Philip’s Episcopal, some from Holy Cross Episcopal, some in Jax, FL, who emailed her friends. I put your link to Nigel’s updates on my Facebook account.
I actually had a vision the night before I found out about Nigel’s health. Everyone is certainly welcome to take it with a grain of salt or even reject altogether. But, I was standing on the edge of an expansive plain looking out over it. I was alone and felt peace and a growing sense of joy. The sky was a mixture of muted shades of yellow, green, and red. Both sides of the plain were lined with trees. In my vision, I stood there quietly at first but then started to pray. As I did, I heard some voices coming from the trees joining me in prayer. I still didn’t see anyone, but then there were more voices. Then the volume grew. There were so many voices, all joyfully praying that the noise became a low rumble. Then a louder rumble. Then a sound resembling thunder. Above that, I heard another lone voice, loud and clear. It was the Lord’s voice. I stood still again and smiled. I realized what I was hearing was the intercession of all the saints, as well as Jesus interceding for us as He stood before his Father. I thought to myself, “Ah,I am not alone! My brothers and sisters are here with me, and this is the sound of intercession!”
It was also at that time my chest started to hurt, I couldn’t breathe well for a few minutes, and then I thought about Nigel so I began to pray for him.
I’m beginning to wonder if that vision was in conjuction with what’s happening to Nigel. It’s not that this thought necessarily needs to be answered or anything. But if that vision has anything to do with this situation, it’s encouraging, I think. You say there are 140 praying that you know of, but I know that through my friend I called, that same number of people here in SC, if not more, will be praying for Nigel by day’s end. I told people in New Jersey and Texas last night, too. So, the lone voices could be coming together on his behalf and maybe that rumble has already begun.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Fr. Nigel and his healing.
Hello, I also notified a friend of mine at Guideposts and she has notified all of them and also put Nigel on another large prayer chain. My friend Sister Mary Joseph (a cloistered nun) has her entire monastery praying for him also. All will be well.
Lynne
I just remembered I have one lone Twitter follower. But he happens to be the morning DJ for our local Christian radio station. And our local radio station is actually broadcast through most of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.
So, I have sent some Tweets to Rob and have asked him to make a prayer request for Nigel tomorrow. There’s a good possibility he’ll do it.
Kelly
My daughter Linda Smith is in Rwanda and she heard about Fr. Nigel illness. Many people here in Connecituct and in Rwanda are praying for Fr. Nigel. He is a beautiful man of God.
Dear Father,
Your word says, when we are weak, Your strength is made perfect, whole, complete – revealed in its glorious perfection and beauty.
We call upon You to glorify Yourself and Your Name while Nigel+ is weak and powerless, let Your power come in its fullness and in accordance with Your perfect will to accomplish what will best benefit and build Your Kingdom and Your Church.
Holy Lord, Reveal the brightness of Your being and the power of the Cross, Blood and Resurrection in this situation, in the Welcome Home Initiative and healing prayer ministry and for the retreat planned and in Nigel’s and his family’s behalf. Strengthen each one…give them the grace to be still (let go completely, relinquish, commit, commend, abandon) all things to You…for You are trustworthy and faithful and good.
Let Your Goodness, Love and Truth, the power of Life and Holy Name shine from this, from the prayers and people pouring out hearts of love, let these offerings and sacrifices be seeds of Your Kingdom’s power and growth throughout all the earth.
Help us to continue to lay ourselves before You, to confess our sins, hate them and abandon them. Replace our sin with more and more love for You.
Now unto Him who is able to do superabundantly far over and above all that we dare to ask or think, beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes and dreams, To Him, Jesus Christ, Author and Builder of His Church, to Him alone be glory in His Church throughout all generations, forever and ever.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.