Notes from the Front Line
A comment in an email:
***** Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009
From: Lucille Wheater
Subject: change prayer time
Torre I had taken the 11p to 12 a slight. I’d like to change to 8-9p. The last 2 nights I’ve fell asleep during the 1 hr span and feel I’m not doing justice to the prayer commitment. Thank you. Lucille Wheater
[Note from Torre: I am no longer trying to track specific times -- it got overwhelming. There are over 1,000 people praying daily and all hours of the day and night. I am awed by the outpouring of prayer for Nigel and his family and ministry. Don't worry about falling asleep -- I do that regulary. Then I wake up and start praying again.]
Some comments on blogs:
***** Kelly in SC Says:
October 24, 2009 at 4:06 pm | Reply edit
Yesterday I was thinking about the passage in Daniel where the angel, Michael, was delayed for three weeks because he was involved in another ferocious battle against the rulers of Persia (I think!).
So, I was wondering if in Nigel’s case, the angels are also delayed. I started to pray that if this is what is happening, then the Lord would give those warrior angels victory in the battles they are currently fighting so they can be released and come fight for Nigel.
I prayed from 11:39 to 12:09 last night. I felt tension, then peace. I got plenty of sleep, but today it is harder to pray and to concentrate. I wonder if anyone is experiencing anything similar.
It’s been a privilege to pray with you all.
***** Cath Says:
October 24, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus…
***** Joan wilson Says:
October 24, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Heavenly Father
hear the multitudes. Bring Nigel to complete health removing every cell every organism that us not of you. Restore him and increase in him the gifts you have given him so he may continue bringing the love of Jesus to your lost and broken peopl. I thank you God for hearing this prayer. I pray this is your will. In Your Sons mist holy name. Amen
***** Intercessors for Nigel
October 24, 2009
Philippians 1:27-28
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Ephesians 3:16-21
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
O Father,
Out of Your glorious riches, strengthen the intercessors for Nigel with power through Your Spirit in their inner being so that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith. May they conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the good news of Christ and stand firm in one spirit.
Root and establish the intercessors for Nigel in love. May the sounds of their prayers bring the width and length and height and depth of Christ to Nigel that he may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Oh, that their actions and prayers would be a sweet fragrance in the throne room of heaven and a sign of perdition to the adversary!
You are able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. According to Your power that is at work within us, to You be the glory of our prayers, Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
***** Joan wilson Says:
October 23, 2009 at 10:34 pm | Reply edit
Heavenly Father
Hear the plea of your people. Bring our dear friend and your humble servant Nigel out of the darkness of this illness. Breathe into him Your spirit replacing all that is not of You with fresh flowing heavenly air that is of You. May he be guarded by Your angels this night bringing him to a new light of day. Be with Lynn, Megan and all of Nigel’s family as they stand firm on their faith that You are the great healer and will redeem this storm they are in the midst of. Lord your servants are praying hard. Hear them. In Jesus most holy name. Amen
Praying in South Carolina Says:
October 24, 2009 at 12:41 am | Reply edit
This morning I was awakened at 6 to pray. I decided to do it outside to watch the sunrise. The sky was riddled with thick, smokey gray clouds–and yet, the sun still came up, brilliant, casting its golden yellow light everywhere. Black ravens scattered as I walked near them, but the Great Blue Heron, which usually flies away from me as I get even within thirty feet, remained at ease as I passed just inches away from it. This has never happened to me before.
We had four rain storms today. Following each one the sun shined brilliantly again, with not even a hint of rain in the air. A few vultures flew around me as I prayed for Nigel, but they too, left. White herons and egrets then flew in, as well as a few doves as I continued to pray. And I saw several swarms of yellow butterflies all day, too.
As I witnessed these things today, I thought about all the comments written here because in the sky I saw the themes of recurring darkness and light, as you would see in a battle with two (almost) equal adversaries wrestling with each other, each gaining the upper hand momentarily. And in the animals, I saw death but then life, and then ultimately resurrection in the form of the butterflies.
These events/signs reminded that among the many things Christians are, we are warriors. I forget this so often, but since nature itself reminded me that we are indeed engaged in a vicious battle, it seemed right to make a humble but bold declaration of war against the enemy today. Through the Holy Spirit we do have all authority over the evil one and his purposes.
But I do pray for you all who are also praying for Nigel. I pray that as you continue to do battle, you will be protected from fatigue, discouragement, and fear, and that you will be strengthened and encouraged as you fight against all the powers of darkness for Nigel’s precious life.
In your Name, Jesus. Amen.
Kelly N.
Some comments in emails
***** Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009
From: Elizabeth Allen
Subject: Nigel is “Cared for and Carried” by the Lord Jesus
Torre,
As I was praying for Nigel and Lynn this morning, I had a very peaceful and distinct feeling that the Lord cares deeply for them and is carrying them through:
Cared for and Carried
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime –
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.
I will feed my flock like a shepherd.
I will carry the lambs in My arms,
holding them close to My heart.
I will gently lead the mother sheep
with their young.
I will surround you and watch over you;
I will guard you as I would guard My own eyes.
Like an eagle that rouses her chicks
and hovers over her young,
so I will spread My wings to take you up
and carry you safely on My pinions.
I, the Lord, alone guide you.
I, the eternal God, am your refuge,
and My everlasting arms are under you.
Adapted from Isaiah 46:3-4 & 40:11, and Deuteronomy 32: 10-13 & 33:27 (NLT)
To Lynn, Nigel, and all of your loved ones,
with prayers that the Lord will tenderly care for you and carry you all,
Elizabeth Allen October 24, 2009
May we continue to remember and give thanks that Jesus’ everlasting arms are under Nigel and Lynn, holding them up.
In the fearless peace of the Lord,
Elizabeth Allen
***** Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009
From: Melissa Scoggins
Subject: Prayer for Father Nigel
Torre,
I wanted to tell you about an experience I just had praying for Nigel. I was telling God I was worried about Nigel and a bit peeved (I’m pretty transparent before my Lord) and frankly just wanted Him to GET ON with healing my brother Nigel. And I said I felt a bit like giving up…at which point I heard this voice inside my head say, “DON’T YOU DARE! Never give up on God, all things are possible with God, God acts when and how God chooses. BUT YOU BELIEVE AND PRAY.” Well, all right then. My attitude changed immediately to one of trust and I began praying again — I believe, help my unbelief. And I said, “God, Nigel’s body is wounded but his spirit is perfect and saved and whole — so please make his body like his spirit, whole and healthy and able to work for You.” What was really interesting about this was that I didn’t feel it was God chastising me — but NIGEL, talking to me spirit-to-spirit. I really felt Nigel encouraging me to persevere for him — or rather, to persevere for God. I’ve never experienced anything like this.
Melissa Scoggins
Weaverville NC
***** Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009
From: Florence Duheme
Subject: RE: Fr. Nigel update
Torre & Jean,
While praying a few minutes ago the idea of Christ Church community prayer meeting for Nigel came to mind and stuck. What I mean is a gathering set aside purely for prayers for Nigel as Christ Church community and those who can’t attend could pray at same time as group from wherever they are.
It has been mentioned before to pray and fast but also strong sense that we must look within ourselves, “clean house” so to speak, so the evil one has less to throw in our face in an effort to weaken our prayer resolve and discourage us, leaving nothing to take away the power of our prayers.
We MUST not stop praying for Nigel when he begins to recover. From a nursing standpoint and personal history, it is not unusual for pneumonia to lie relatively dormant and relapse is not infrequent. My first pneumonia with sepsis three years ago nearly killed me and quickly. It took six months for my chest x-ray to clear and I had a relapse. Vigilance is required for all involved including prayer warriors.
God Bless, Flo
***** Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009
From: Cathy Haig
Thankyou so much Torre and Jean for keeping us posted about Fr. Nigel. He is very dear to us. We have many friends as well as 60 nuns from our community praying for him.
Also, the 9 homeschool kids that we brought to CTK last may, have gathered several times to pray for him. Fr. Nigel kindly took the time to meet with them and it was the highlight of their visit – even more than the zip line!!
(I am continuing to do the 3:30 – 4 am prayer shift but much more than that as well.)
God bless you all, Cathy and Fr. Dave Haig
Cape Cod Mass.
***** Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009
From: Seel, Mary
Dear Torre,
Thanks for sending these frequent updates. I am forwarding them out to others who are praying too. Fr. Nigel is never far from my thoughts and prayers through the day and night. I am reminded of Jairus’s daughter. We need to keep praying.
Mary Seel
***** Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009
Subject: Fr Nigel
While praying, I keep getting that while prayer is going on, God is speaking to Nigel’s soul, showing him things and strengthning his spirit, I believe this will eventually bring great glory to God and is why the enemy is trying to stop it. Keep praying. Carol Yezzo
Albany Intercessor
Father Nigel gave a sermon on May 31 titled ASK YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. I encourage loved ones to listen to it. It is “brilliantly” powerful and timely. I pray that every cell in Father Nigel’s body be filled with the Divine Presence and goodness of his Father in heaven! Amen and Amen
The sermon can be found at:
http://www.downhamwayfamilychurch.org.uk/sundaytalkdownloads.htm
It’s on my heart to encourage everybody to not grow impatient with the length of Nigel’s illness. Since it has been said, I don’t feel I’m speaking out of turn to say that I believe with every fiber of my being that Nigel will come out of this.
But–and this hasn’t been said, I don’t think it will be instantly. I went to Vermont to hear Nigel speak this summer. The last time I saw him was 2 years ago. The difference in how he looked astounded me. And every time he went up to speak–before he even uttered a word, I began to weep. I am not a weep in public kind of person, but I couldn’t get a grip on this.
So, I prayed. And the Holy Spirit said that Nigel’s heart was burdened by overwhelming joy and overwhelming sorrow all at the same time. And truly, I saw a brokenhearted man up there preaching, and that overwhelm he said, comes from his participation in the WHI. It’s a ministry he wants to do and doesn’t want to do all at the same time. When he said that, everything made sense, but I didn’t think he could continue to do what he’s doing for too much longer without receiving further healing himself somehow.
Quite honestly, in my spirit, that’s what I feel like this coma is all about. I saw vultures flying around me again today, and at first it bothered me until I recalled Psalm 23…
“He MAKES me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he RESTORES my soul. And even though Nigel walks through the valley of the shadow of death he fears no evil; for the Lord is with him; His rod and staff, they comfort Nigel.”
I think the Lord needed to make Nigel lie down somewhere to restore his soul so he could continue his ministry as a healed man–not as a broken one. I think the Holy Spirit at this very minute is whispering sweet nothings into his son’s ear, and He will continue to do that as long as it takes for Nigel to recieve all the healing, truth, and love he needs.
And I know every one here loves Nigel too, and it’s no secret he has the gift of healing so we are all anxious to see him get back up to resume his work, but let’s remember he’s just a man. He’s a man with a family as well as a ministry. There needs to be enough of him to go around for both. He’s also a man traumatized by death and war. So let’s let the Lord heal that trauma once and for all, so Nigel can daily live with the peace that surpasses all understanding just like we all want.
While we pray for his lungs to heal, let us not forget to pray for his heart.
Kelly
Thank you, Kelly for your thoughtful reflection. As the Westlake Chapter (OH) of OSL prayed for Nigel this morning, I was led to pray for his emotional as well as his physical healing. For some time I have sensed that Nigel needs to know at a very deep level that he is loved for who he is and not for what he does. He has such a heart and burden for others, particularly those traumatized by war with whom he so deeply identifies. My prayer is that the current outpouring of love from around the world will bring deep healing to his wounded heart. Lord, hear our prayers for our dear friend and brother-in-Christ.
Thank you, Kelly for your thoughtful reflection. As the Westlake Chapter (OH) of OSL prayed for Nigel this morning, I was led to pray for his emotional as well as his physical healing. For some time I have sensed that Nigel needs to know at a very deep level that he is loved for who he is and not for what he does. He has such a heart and burden for others, particularly those traumatized by war with whom he so deeply identifies. My prayer is that the current outpouring of love from around the world will bring deep healing to his wounded heart. Lord, hear our prayers for our dear friend and brother-in-Christ.
“For some time I have sensed that Nigel needs to know at a very deep level that he is loved for who he is and not for what he does.”
Yes! That’s it exactly. In Vermont, Nigel sang a song with such a sweet, beautiful, and innocent voice yet throughout the whole thing, he kept saying, “Don’t look at me! Don’t look at me!” And I thought, “That has nothing to do with PTSD. That’s just shame.”
I want to be very sensitive to his family’s feelings–I absolutely understand why they want him to get better as soon as possible. But my prayer here is for the ultimate miracle. And in my mind, the miracle is that he emerges from this illness 100% healed of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and that shame. And as I said, that might take a little longer than we thought. But when it’s time to heal, the Lord will do it swiftly. His Word promises us that.
We are fighting for more than just an absence of fluid in Nigel’s lungs. We are fighting for the advancement of God’s Kingdom through the total restoration of our brother. No wonder the enemy is so stirred up.
And if anyone so desires can you pray for me? I had a low grade fever today and feel a little run down. Other than that, though, I’m good!
Thanks, Carol. I wrote with some trepidation earlier, but your confirmation makes me feel like I’m not hanging out in left field!
Writing a message online is not typical for me, Kelly I got the nudge on Sunday to do so, after I read what your thoughful reflection earlier. What you had written resonated deeply with what I had been sensing, so was also validating for me. Thank you.
I am praying for your physical recovery too, as we continue to hold up in prayer our dear brother-in-Christ. Be well, dear new friend in Jesus.
Dear Holy Father,
As You minister to Your son, Nigel, help and guide us all to pray as the Spirit leads. Let Thy Kingdom come, Thy holy Will be done in Nigel on earth as in Heaven. Lead him away from the temptation to wear himself out and to minister in his own strength.
Raise up and equip and prepare an abundance of helpers for this most necessary ministry.
The fields are white with the overwhelming number of people traumatized by iniquity from the Fall, by sin committed against them when they were helpless children and by sinful conditioned behaviors and willful sinful choices and by the spiritual war waged against us as much as by earthly political and religious wars.
There are millions of women and men at the well with many more than five lost marriages and illicit partners.
There are children who are deeply ravaged by war, with infections and lost without godly parents before they get to pre-school.
There are schools that are war zones full of enemy soldiers, wounding, infecting and corrupting the children and distorting the truth, counterfeiting love and denying the sanctity and value of human life.
Prepare Thy Church, raise up spiritually wise and enlightened well-trained soldiers to wear Your armor and stand with You as You wage war against sin and evil. The power is Yours, The Kingdom is Yours, the glory is Yours.
Teach us to pray aligned with Your Holy Word, so that we may facilitate the deliverance and healing of our wounded war-worn world.
Help us to be disciplined, teachable, aligned with Your Word so we may learn and do our part, to be Good Samaritans.
Teach us to pray, make us able to love, to be with and walk with and to listen and hear the wounded.
Fill us and enable us speak The Word of Truth, Love and Life of hope and peace, and to pour Your oil and wine on their wounds and take them to the Innkeeper.
Have mercy, teach us, help us to allow Your life and love and truth to guide us as we seek to serve You.
Help all Your servants, teachers, ministers, leaders love You with all their hearts, and know Your love for them. (I John 3:15)
Help each to be free of any agenda and anything that is in opposition to Your word and will.
Help each to know You with a life-transforming, empowering knowledge.
May each be known by You, to be able to open their hearts honestly and deeply to You and each other and pray for one another and so overcome and relinquish all the sins that weigh and bind them. (Hebrews 12:1-4)
Help us to keep Your Inn, Your Church, and our hearts open, freshly washed, ready for new arrivals, with lamps trimmed and filled with the oil of Your joy.
Let the rooms of Your Inn resound with songs of deliverance, overflow with healing Balm of Gilead.
Set Your table with Living Water and Bread of Life, the Cup of Salvation and the wine of everlasting Joy, enough to fill and satisfy and restore those who are brought to Your Inn.
Fill the closets in the Inn with freshly laundered garments of Salvation and Compassion to replace the tattered and tainted garments of shame and guilt that the wounded have been wearing all their lives.
Let every Inn, be under Your ownership and direction only – without lien or mortgage to any other person, cause or agenda.
Let it be Your Inn of welcome, tender respectful loving care, refreshment and restoration.
Let it be Your center of Higher Learning, where Your Word is taught in depth and Your spiritual truths and laws are learned and practiced.
Let each Church be Your Hospital to help You do surgery and heal infections, to provide care so that full recovery and wholeness takes place.
Let each Church be Your consecrated and dedicated space for pure holy Worship in Spirit and in Truth, where true union and communion with You and other wounded is learned and enjoyed.
Let each Church be Your training and equipping center for ministry, service and healing of the wounded and for the planting of new churches.
Let each be Your Hospice that prepares souls to leave this world and to be ready for Your Eternal Presence and Joy forevermore.
In the Name of Jesus Christ,
Amen