BS: Prayers For An Atheist

Subject: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Elmore
Date: 18 Feb 19 - 11:38 PM

Would those of you who believe in the power of prayer send a few words to the Master Builder on behalf of my wonderful atheist wife who is in hospital and fading fast, and appears to be losing the battle? Her agnostic husband could use some(mental) help as well. Thanks, Elmore.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Feb 19 - 11:59 PM

My best wishes for comfort and healing for both of you, Elmore.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Elmore
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 02:49 AM

Thanks, Joe. I should've known I could count on you.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Senoufou
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 03:52 AM

Sending strength and comfort to you Elmore. I will certainly pray for you both. Eliza x

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 05:27 AM

Well you won't be getting a prayer from me but please accept my boundless good wishes for both of you.

When my dad was on his way out a few months ago in a coma in hospital, my atheistic sister and I (Dawkins acolyte that I confess to being) got the priest in to give him the last sacrament. The fellow was nervous to begin with but he warmed to his task and I even heard my sister giving out an inadvertent "amen" at one point, which drew a disdainful though discreet raised eyebrow from me. He invoked a whole litany of saints who he called on to pray for our dad. We thought his list would never end - he must have mentioned at least fifty or sixty and we were wilting fast. He spoke again and again to dad, even though we'd told him that his brain had already died. He turned to us abruptly and retorted that while that might be the case his soul was still in the room. That gave us a bit of a shiver, considering that we might have said one or two things over dad that he would certainly have disapproved of had he been conscious. After Father had finished, we told him that dad was a bit of a contrarian, with his own original views on who shot JFK, the moon landings and the Van Allen belts and global warming. Well that got the priest all indignant, for it turned out that he too was a climate change denier, and he gave us his big argument there and then. It was all very amusing and light-hearted, and we were glad we'd sent for him. I even gave him a tip. It was just what my dad would have wanted, though any tip from him would have been much smaller than mine. I hope his soul didn't disapprove.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 06:26 AM

It matters most that you are both touched by the profound merciful nature of kindness and care.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 11:18 AM

A peaceful and pain-free exit is something we all hope for. I wish you both well.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 12:08 PM

Say your goodbyes now. Make sure there is nothing unsaid that will come to haunt you. That way the grief will not have a sting, maybe an empty hole that will fill slowly, with good memories of the years.

What to say? Don't really know, you will know most of it.

The nearest I got was with an ex-girlfriend who asked me to go with her to the oncologist, it was tough but it was one thing I could do.

And remember we are here.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Mrrzy
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 12:31 PM

Oh, I am so sorry. I wish you both the best possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: keberoxu
Date: 19 Feb 19 - 07:04 PM

Thank you for asking us to think of and pray for you.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: banjoman
Date: 20 Feb 19 - 05:17 AM

You are both in our prayers
Pete

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Feb 19 - 07:08 AM

Love from Ohio.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Elmore
Date: 20 Feb 19 - 05:05 PM

Thank you everyone, for making me feel a little better, and helping me deal with the situation.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: CupOfTea
Date: 20 Feb 19 - 10:44 PM

Prayers are never wasted. Faith in being loved may be the best thing to provide for an atheist. The dictum "God is love" is one that sustains many believers. Knowing what love is, and feeling it, focusing on that, is as close to a prayer as makes no nevermind.
I wish you both peace.

Joanne, who has been on that same type of vigil.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Feb 19 - 11:17 AM

I note in the Weather thread
that Elmore and his loved one
have been in a place
that has been dark and rainy for days on end.

Praying for your spirits to be buoyed and sustained,
and not
sunk out of hope, life, and air.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: olddude
Date: 21 Feb 19 - 12:22 PM

Got mine for sure

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Feb 19 - 03:46 PM

Elmore:
At times like these, and I have been through times like these, I take comfort in thinking of the vastness and complexity of life from its infinitesimal origins in the past which are a continuing mystery no matter what one's beliefs be, in time and space, and of time and space and its profoundness both in what we know and what we can only speculate on. I find a great balm in music and providing whatever balm (music or other) for my loved ones. If my loved one is receiving competent care and can experience a feeling of being accompanied I take comfort in that as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: keberoxu
Date: 23 Feb 19 - 12:24 PM

Haven't forgotten you.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Elmore
Date: 23 Feb 19 - 05:33 PM

Thanks so much Keberoxu.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Feb 19 - 11:14 AM

An app decided that ads for Jews for Jesus Bibles were appropriate to be sold on my page. Hold your head high Elmore. Prayers here are not for sale but are free from the heart.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Pete from seven stars link
Date: 24 Feb 19 - 02:32 PM

Prayer offered , and sympathy extended Elmore

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Elmore
Date: 25 Feb 19 - 10:37 PM

my wife passed this afternoon, but I never . in my wildest dreams thought of prayer as a prayer for a miracle. Thank you all. Elmore.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Feb 19 - 10:53 PM

There are no words, Elmore, before that loss.
Holding you and her in prayer as you grieve.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: JennieG
Date: 25 Feb 19 - 11:56 PM

So sorry, Elmore......sending peace and love your way.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: mg
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 12:02 AM

May she rest in peace.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 12:11 AM

I am so sorry to read this; the last seven days must have seemed the most agonizing week of your life. Take care, and let your friends help you when they can.

Maggie

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 08:08 AM

Oh Elmore, so sorry. She sounds wonderful.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 04:22 PM

(((Elmore)))

Love,

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Prayers For An Atheist
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 09:21 PM

I'm sending love and hugs and hopes that you will find comfort in happy memories.