Praying for a friend — W.F. McIntosh Jr.

By: Loretta Thomas-whiteside | Morganton News Herald
Published: August 29, 2008

A very good friend of and to Burke County is experiencing a difficult time and has been trying to deal with sickness and failing health problems for a while.
Our good friend, W.F. McIntosh, Coach Mac, Pastor McIntosh, Rev. Mac, or however you choose to address him, is recovering from a stay in the hospital and he needs our prayers.
Mr. Mac took a special interest in Burke County as his home and tread many a high water to bring a sense of calm to some tender situations in our town. The black and white communities know of the gentle and concerned heart he has and how helpful he has been to all the residents of Burke County.
It is important that we fill our life with love and compassion for our fellow man and pray with belief, honor and worship for the deliverance of peace for the soul.
During Mr. Mac's convalescent period let's pray this prayer for a complete recovery and restoring of good health:
Gracious Father in heaven,
Your hand has been heavy on our friend, Mr. Mac. And the days of his illness have been trying. We thank you for the chastening, for through it you have drawn him closer to you, and through it he has learned more than ever to realize that you are his loving Father.
We pray, please forgive his fears and impatience during his trial and forgive also the bad moments that he has caused those who lovingly care for him. Remember no more any ingratitude that he may have shown.
He is now on the road to recovery. Lord, help him to praise you everyday and to remember your goodness and mercy. In the pain and difficult moments, which still lie ahead, help him to think of the sufferings of Jesus Christ for his salvation; when he becomes impatient, help him to think of your patience with sinful people; when he fears for his salvation, help him to remember that his faith is preserved by the power of the Holy Spirit and not by anything that we can do.
Make him humbly grateful for every blessing that you have given. Make the time of his convalescence pass quickly and restore him to useful service if it pleases you to do so. Open ways for him to show his gratitude to you and to those who have served him in his illness, and finally, bring him and all who are near and dear to him into your glorious presence, where sickness and sorrow will be no more through Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems you life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy!"
Prayer doesn't change any of God's heavenly purposes or plans, nor does it cause Him to change His mind. What He has decided will happen and His decisions will be exactly the right ones to bring about His will.
Our prayers are powerful when, without hesitation, we invite God to do His work in our lives and lives of others. We all should pray for the courage to obey.
We love you, Mr. Mac. Get well soon.
God Bless
I am hopeful. You be also.