"Visiting the Sick and Elderly" - Chrissy Padilla Birkey
Growing up, my dad would drive us around almost every Sunday after church to visit the elderly and sick people from our congregation who were unable to make it to the worship service due to their illness. I HATED IT. I just wanted to go to Sizzler and eat dinosaur chicken nuggets with the typical after-church-lunch-crowd instead of walking the halls of convalescent homes and hospitals.
But now that I’m older, I realize just how biblical it is to visit, pray for, and remember those who are battling illness or aging alone:
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. - James 5:13-16
So many people in Bellflower are battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases right now. From what I hear from close friends and family members who have been sick, it can be terribly lonely! We are a busy people, but we can make time for those who are discouraged and in pain due to their physical illness by praying with them, visiting them, calling them, texting them, bringing them a meal, writing them a card, etc.
I reached out to a dear friend of mine, who is battling cancer, to get her input on this topic for the final week of our prayer guide. She said:
“People who are fighting this disease feel alone and discouraged. Physical pain can be overwhelming. I know that by experience. The support from the church is very crucial. Not only through prayer, but by physically showing up and checking in on them.”
We also need to remember our elderly neighbors in this community. Bellflower is home to several convalescent and nursing homes, including Bel Tooren, Woodruff Care, Rose Villa, and Woodruff Convalescent Home (plus, Artesia Christian Home down the street). Did you know that 60% of nursing/convalescent home residents do not have regular visitors? Let’s change that for our elders and widows in Bellflower!
In addition to seriously praying for healing for the sick and elderly in Bellflower, I think we need to do more. Take a minute right now to jot down the names of 3 people in this community who are battling illness or living in a nursing home—then, pray for them and reach out to see how they’re doing.
HOW TO PRAY:
Pray for God to bring healing to our Bellflower neighbors who are battling cancer and other diseases. Pray for encouragement and hope as they endure treatment and the side effects that come along with it.
Pray for our elderly neighbors living in convalescent homes — pray against loneliness and discouragement.
Pray for the staff and volunteers who regularly care for the sick and elderly in our community
Pray that God would show you how you (and your family) can be a conduit of hope and joy for our sick and elderly neighbors… maybe even schedule something this next week!
James 5:13-16 “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
About the Author: Chrissy Padilla Birkey is the Executive Director of KCB. When they’re not busy chasing their toddler around, Chrissy and her husband, Cody, like to dream and "nerd out" about ways to see Bellflower thrive.