He Hears Us

“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone happy? He should sing songs of thanks to God. Is anyone among you sick? He should send for the church leaders and they should pray for him. They should pour oil on him in the name of the Lord. The prayer given in faith will heal the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Tell your sins to each other. And pray for each other so you may be healed. The prayer from the heart of a man right with God has much power.” James 5:13-16

After learning that my son, Jacob, had a severe head injury, we continued to get bad news. We learned that he had five bleeds in his brain and Diffuse Axonal Injury, which means widespread damage. Doctors told us that Jacob needed to wake up within a 48 hour window and if he didn’t, the odds were not in his favor.

Anyone who knows Jacob, knows he doesn’t do anything the easy way. We stood over his bed for two days praying over him, talking to him, playing his favorite songs, and still nothing.

We played Aaron Keyes song, “Sovereign Over Us” night after night at Jacob’s bed. I hung on to the words, “You are working in our waiting,” and Your plans are still to prosper, You have not forgotten us, You’re with us in the fire and the flood.” So in the 47th and a half hour, I started screaming and shouting at him to wake up. I had worked myself up into the biggest panic of my life. As I walked out to the waiting room, my jaw dropped and I lost it. The waiting room was filled with friends, students, and family.

https://youtu.be/VPkMbhydU9I Sovereign over us by Aaron Keyes

 

I don’t know how many were there, but it blew my mind. Some were gathered in circles praying. Friends showed me on social media all of the schools that were praying before school, football teams wearing blue ribbons, and people wearing his football button.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next phase was so slow. We were so blessed to have two nurses in the family, Justin and Nikki, with us for the first two weeks nonstop. They asked the hard questions and questions that I did not even know to ask. I started keeping a notebook and a journal to keep track of things. When Justin and Nikki had to return to work, my husband, Nicky, and son, Nick, tried to fill their roles. Two weeks went by, and Jacob still had not awakened from his coma. Doctors came in and out every day with the same routine. They pinched and twisted on Jacob’s chest hoping to see what they call “purposeful movements.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was floored when I saw Jacob respond by twisting his arms inward and then pulling up. My excited emotions quickly faded as doctors explained that what Jacob was doing was considered “posturing” and not purposeful movements. Jacob’s posturing indicated severe brain injury and that he might not wake up.

One afternoon, in walks my cousin, Craig, with his Bible in hand and another one for us, He talked about James 5 and the healing power of prayer. He discussed with us the specifics of James 5 and asked us if we wanted to pray, confess our sins, and anoint Jacob with oil. The next few moments are something that really can’t be put into words. I had never witnessed anything that compares to it. Craig read James 5, we did all that it said to do, and then Craig anointed Jacob with oil. Of course I had read James 5 before, but never thought of putting it into action in my life. I know God sent Craig that day and I know that we were not in the hospital room alone.

This was the turning point for our family and this is what our next few days looked like: Twitching of the eyes, then, eyes slightly peeking through, left leg moving, facial expressions, following commands (holding up fingers, sticking tongue out), fever down, oxygen levels improved, our first thumbs up, and then the word “stable” was said. On day 13, his breathing tube came out. I couldn’t watch because we were told if he didn’t start breathing on his own, the tube would go back in and we would be looking at a trach. As I stood looking out of the window praying, my husband, Nicky, had turned around to watch the tube being taken out. I felt Nicky take a deep breath and then put his arm around me. Then Dr. Rutledge excitedly said, “He’s breathing mama!” Another mountain moved for Jacob. All I could think was what a blessing this is and how thankful I am for a praying family, praying friends, and praying communities.

 

 

If you are still “Praying for Jacob Browder,” we are so thankful that you are. My other favorite part of Aaron Keyes song is:

“Even what the enemy means for evil, You turn it for our good. You turn it for our good and for your glory. Even in the valley You are faithful. You’re working for our good. You’re working for our good and for your glory!”

“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” – Corrie ten Boom

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:24

Power Of Prayer – How do I tap into it?
The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in the God who is being prayed to. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” No matter the person praying, the passion behind the prayer, or the purpose of the prayer – God answers prayers that are in agreement with His will. His answers are not always yes, but are always in our best interest. When our desires line up with His will, we will come to understand that in time. When we pray passionately and purposefully, according to God’s will, God responds powerfully! http://www.allaboutprayer.org/power-of-prayer.htm

Counting My Blessings,
Susan Browder