Please pray with us...

There is a passage from the Bible that I would like to quote. It is from Mark 9:14.

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.

A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."

"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"

"From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."

The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."*

*Some manuscripts say "prayer and fasting".

Sophie is to begin her 24 hour fast after dinner on Sunday. She will then be admitted into John Hopkins at 8am on Monday. Some children react negatively to the diet and are unable to tolerate it. Some children become seizure-free within a few days of starting the diet. With 7 different failed medications, this is our last option. I am not sure where to go from here if the diet does not work. So the diet must work. I must believe from the bottom of my heart that this diet will work. I must believe with all my faith that God will answer our prayers. As we enjoy our last "normal" meal together Sunday evening, we will be saying a very special prayer for Sophie. Please pray for Sophie as you enjoy your Sunday evening meal with your family. Thank you all for caring so much about Sophie.