PRAYER: OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
By Anne O’Meara
May 26, 2021
HALO’s Board President, Julie Grimstad, shared with me a sermon her pastor gave one Sunday. It went something like this:
Knowledge and wisdom are similar, but not the same. Wisdom is deeper than knowledge. You can accumulate knowledge from many sources, but wisdom has one source – it is a gift from God. This gift enables us to discern truth and embrace what is good and reject evil. Many people have advanced degrees and impressive resumes, but they lack wisdom. If you want wisdom, pray. It's as simple as that.
Today, many doctors and nurses have knowledge, but lack wisdom. They only see the diagnosis, the "quality of life," and other bits of knowledge, but they don't see the person made in the image of God. Wisdom is actually God opening the eyes of our soul to truly see with the eyes of God. Those without wisdom may sincerely believe a person is better off dead and that it is compassionate to end their life. But those with wisdom understand this is evil.
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Given the times we are living in, the importance of prayer cannot be overstated. This is the reason HALO, back in February, introduced a volunteer Prayer Director position. By creating this position, we officially acknowledged that prayer is an indispensable and fundamental element of HALO’s life-affirming mission. Mary Merritt, HALO Board Secretary, accepted the position! Mary’s networking and affiliations have enabled her to recruit a powerful team of Prayer Warriors.
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With the introduction of the Prayer Director position, we modified our Mission statement to include a reference to intercessory prayer. We also introduced a Prayerline, 1-888-221-4256, ext. 2, which is available to anyone needing prayer. HALO’s Helpline Patient Advocates are encouraged to pray with callers and forward prayer requests to Mary, who then emails these requests to HALO’s Prayer Warriors. Additionally, Mary leads monthly conference calls with our Prayer Warriors – a wonderful opportunity to pray together as a team. If you are interested in becoming one of HALO’s Prayer Warriors, please send an email to feedback@halovoice.org.
In closing, let's pray for healthcare professionals, that they would be offered and be open to receive God's gift of wisdom. Prayer is the key to HALO's goal to restore reverence for life within healthcare.
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Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my Heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
– Matt. 18:19-21
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and be a Voice for the Medically Vulnerable.
Thank you for your support! Our organization is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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If you would like to donate through the mail, please send checks only to:
HALO, 7301 Bass Lake RD, Minneapolis, MN 55428.
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MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership Organization is to promote, protect, and advocate for the rights of the medically vulnerable through direct patient and family interactions; through intercessory prayer; through community education and awareness programs; and through promotion and development of concrete *"life-affirming healthcare"* alternatives for those facing the grave consequences of healthcare rationing and unethical practices, especially those at risk of euthanasia and assisted suicide
*"Life-affirming healthcare" is defined as medical care in which the paramount principle is the sanctity of life, which means that the life and safety of each person come first and each person receives medical care across their lifespan based on their need for care and never with an intention to hasten death, regardless of their abilities or perceived "quality of life."
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