How to Pray

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

(Matthew 6:9-13, New International Version)

I took the picture above about an hour ago. I love the juxtaposition of the fiery fall colors against the deep blue sky. Fall colors are a common sight around this time of year and it’s easy to glance over all that’s going on. There are daily changes afoot, the leaves and the branches are “coming together” as they get closer to the trunk and the whole tree is moving in sync with the wind. There is a “dying” happening, one that gives ways to brilliant colors and a deep hibernation to follow. I don’t want to miss the transformation!

Updates from Chris and How to Pray

  • I, Chris, was released from the hospital on Monday afternoon after 8 days in-patient. The doctors said that my levels were “better than expected” and that my kidneys were functioning really well. Praise God for this answer to prayer!
  • Today at 3:20pm central time I will meet with a lymphoma specialist from Northwestern University. Pray that this meeting will be fruitful and that my oncology team will have the wisdom to know what the next step of my treatment should be, both in the short-term and the long-term. Within the next 10 days we should have a fairly good idea of what the treatment plan should be for the next 6 months.
  • My pain levels are able half of what they were before the first chemo treatment started – Praise God! I still need to stay on gabapentin for the time being. Due to damage to my central nervous system, this type of pain could be permanent. Pray for complete healing!
  • A chemo pill drug that the doctor’s want me to start taking is currently blocked in insurance bureaucracy. Please pray for this drug request to be unblocked and approved quickly.

Updates from Becca and How to Pray

  • Becca and the kids depart Thailand in less than 48 hours. Please pray for them in their final push to leave. There is still packing to be done, one more day of school, and many difficult goodbyes. Becca is thankful that she and the kids are healthy despite illness in the community.
  • The last two days have been exceptionally difficult. A senior, who was a well loved and respected student at Grace International School, died tragically in a motorcycle accident. Luis had just traveled with this student for a cross-country Invitational at the end of September. Our family is close to this family and we grieve deeply with them. There have been countless losses for our family in the last two weeks since Chris’s diagnosis and it has been difficult to balance the transition and grief.
  • Praise God for caring adults who are loving our kids on this side of the journey.
By 34 Comments on How to Pray

34 Replies to “How to Pray”

  1. 1 Thessalonians 1:2,3
    We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

    But God….

    1. Thank you for your beautiful photo and sharing. We will be praying for all that you requested. With love
      Dora and Eric

  2. I am always mindful of my favorite verse….Philippians 4:13
    “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.”
    Thoughts and prayers for your whole family.
    God bless,

  4. A favorite verse, Romans 15:13
    “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with Hope,
    by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
    Appreciate your updates so I can pray intentionally for each of your family.

  5. I’m praying for complete healing! For peace and comfort to be overwhelming!

  6. We are praying for you, Chris and for your family as well in the many challenges that lie ahead. Praying for wisdom for the doctors also. May the peace of Christ be your sufficiency!

  7. Oh, this message raises my hopes again after such a disappointment over this threatening recurrence. I do ask and keep on asking for your full and complete recovery. I want you and Becca and the family to be cushioned and for this trauma to be over. My heart cry to God is, “Please, make Chris better”. I realize though that whatever the circumstance, my deeper cry is for you to be kept in His embrace and I KNOW YOU WILL BE…God has promised that will happen.
    Praying often and with deep affection and admiration.

  8. Our hearts and prayers have been going out to you once again. I really appreciate your giving us specific items to pray for. It breaks the enormity of what’s going on down into some bite-sized chunks. Becca, when you arrive, we would like to provide some pre-packaged snacks for the kids like we did last time … a way to save you some time when you need “just one more thing” for their lunches or for a pick-me-up between school and a sports practice. Let us know when you are ready to receive. Please be assured of our prayers … it is 4:11 Chicago time and Chris is probably still in with the Chicago doc. We trust he/she has a clear plan of treatment for Chris.

  9. Praying. Thank you for the updates that let us love you and pray for your from afar. Kathy

  10. I pray for you daily, Chris. And will continue. I pray for strength, comfort and hope. I pray to the God of all mercy, grace and ultimate healing, for you and your family.

  11. Hi friends, I am reading and joining in praying to our Father in heaven. He is ours. He Cares. He Can.
    Jon

  12. My heart aches for Luis in the loss of his friend, amidst all the other losses you mention. He will miss the memorial service, and processing it with his friends. “Lord, be with each member of the Hirt family in the ways that they need. Please provide ways for each one to digest all they are feeling, and help them all to keep fighting to walk in faith and hope. And Lord, please restore Chris’ central nervous system, protect him from further damage, and bring complete healing. Help Becca and the kids to do what they need to these next couple days, in the midst of so much emotion.”

  14. We are praying for you all and appreciate the updates on how we can specifically pray. Sending love, Brian, Sarah and boys

  15. The circumstances and trials in this world can seem so overwhelming at times. But our God who holds us close is greater. I am praying that through your healing God would be glorified and those you interact with would be amazed by your faith and HIS faithfulness. God is able… Eph 3:20

  16. Dear Chris and Becca, I am praying for you daily, and my prayer group in Berlin, with Mary Buteyn and David Kromminga, is going to pray for all of you as well. Barbara Carvill

  17. Praying for you all! Chris, that your meeting with the team of doctors goes well and for strength and healing. Becca, that you and the kids transition well, that you have time to grieve and process the tragic loss of Luis’ friend (so sad), and that your travel is safe and smooth.

  19. Every day around noon Van and I pause and pray for these critical needs and concerns. We so appreciate you and your response to God’s calling. We join the amazing number of Christ followers that are helping you and Becca and your family along this journey.

  20. Chris and Becca,
    My prayers for you continue, Chris. Prayers for safe travel for you Becca and your children. God walks with us every step of the way. Thanking God for the answers already given. May God bless and keep you in His care. Psalm 27:1

  21. We are thankful with you for the ways God is at work and we continue to pray these requests.

  22. Thank you, Chris and Becca, for sharing such specific requests. I get a clear picture of what is happening in your lives. It will be good for the whole family to be united soon. Chris, you enjoin us to “praise God.” I will praise him for what he’s done for you and also pray fervently for healing and freedom from pain! Wish I could hug each one of you! Luis, my heart goes out to you! Praying for comfort in the midst of sadness!

  26. Thanks for the specific prayers for you both and your kids as well. I’m so sorry you all have to go through this. peace and love to you

  27. Chris, Becca, and children,
    The entire team at Christian Healthcare Centers and the Blocher family are praying each day for you. We will keep them updated on the requests you have provided. Praying for our supernatural Great Physician to perform another miracle.

  28. I’m praising Him for the encouraging things you’ve mentioned and I’m calling out to Him for healing, comfort, peace, and grace for each new day for all of you. May you all find a way to rest in God’s loving, capable, and compassionate arms. May you feel His presence in a very real way.

  29. Holding all these requests in prayer. So appreciate these updates and specifics in how to pray.
    Love you guys
    Wendy and Dave

  30. Thank you for sharing and for specific ways to pray; we are praying with you and for you all!

  31. “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭50‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.50.10.ESV
    Praying this verse for you and your family. That your family would not fail even as times are dark with little light. God Bless!

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