My Dear Ladies,
It has been *so* long since I have written on this blog. WOW. Things have been so busy at work and around the Fitzpatrick house but today I got some news that compelled me to get on the blog immediately. Joanne Heim, a dear siesta, suffered a stroke this morning. She is the thirty-eight year old wife of Toben and mother of Audrey (12) and Emma (9). Some of you around here may know her as the Simple Wife. Joanne has inspired me countless times with her witty and profound comments. She is a brilliant student of Scripture, an amazingly devoted wife, and a fun and creative Mom. The last time I heard from her she told me that she was teaching her girls Greek. My heart was pierced when I heard the news a few hours ago and I have not been able to get the Heims out of my mind. Please hear me when I say that I know nothing except that Joanne has been in surgery, they located a blood clot, and she is out of surgery. I have been stalking news about her on Twitter, and apparently she is still sleeping but has been responsive by squeezing her husband’s hand. The family will not know anything substantial until she wakes up. I am not an authority on what is going on as I have very few details (and the ones I do have are from Twitter!), but Mom, Amanda and I do want to invite you to pray for our dear sister Joanne. If you feel inclined, please use the comments on this post as prayers for Joanne and family. We have been told that there is a call to prayer tonight at 6:00 CST. Check Twitter (@joanneheim/#prayingforjoanne) because the last we heard, they were going to try to Skype. No matter when, no matter where, let us all join together and pray for all things concerning the Heim family.
Love to you all,
Melissa
Praying for Joanne and her family!!!
Father God, creator of all things, You are the Alpha and the Omega and knowing of everything. We know You have a plan and that Your plan is perfect. Father, as Yahweh Rophe, the God who heals, You told us that if we were to obey You, You would not instill the diseases on us that You did on the Egyptians. I claim that promise, Father, for Joanne and in the wonderful name of our Savior, Your Son, Christ Jesus. Father, please cover Joanne with Your healing power so that the demon(s) that have attacked her are vanquished to where they are sent and this body she is housed in will be healed so she may be a testimony to Your glory. Cover her family with your blanket of peace and allow them to borrow Your strength. Your will is perfect Lord, and this I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
Lord God, You are the Author of life, not death. So I ask that You would completely heal Joanne this side of eternity, if that is Your will. Above all else, Father, remind this precious family that You are with them in this dark night. You are a good and holy God, and we are all praising and thanking You in advance for the mighty and precious thing that You are going to do here. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Father we pray for our siesta and her family as You meet their every need. Please surround her children with protection and may they comprehend You as their great and grand God and not allow Satan in Jesus’ name to confuse their mother’s compete devotion to her Savior. Oh Father we ask for a miracle claiming where 2 or more are gathered u will be!! We praise u for that promise. In Your Powerful and All Knowing Name… AMEN
Praying for my sweet friend, Joanne, and her precious family. I love you, Joanne! Please, Jesus, heal our friend!
Father, You are our Great Physician. You created Joanne, you knit her together. You know her intimately Father and Father we ask for healing beyond what our human minds can even comprehend so that You, oh Lord will be glorified. I ask for Your peace and comfort to wrap around Joanne’s family, especially for her sweet children.
In the Mighty Name of Jesus,
Amen
I’m praying God’s tender mercy and powerful Spirit of Life over Joanne tonight. Lord by YOUR HOLY SPIRIT and Consume Joanne’s body with your healing mercy. Comfort those who love her and bring peace to her and her family i…n their time of need. Full RESTORATION of Joanne’s body and mind, Lord. May Your everlasting love and the length of Your arm be with them. I declare in agreement with Your Word that No Weapon Formed Against Joanne will prosper, but that the enemy and any words spoken against her would instead be cast down and submitted Jesus. Your prayer warriors are contending Lord. Thank you for hearing and responding to our heart cries for Joanne. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
Holly posted an update from her husband is up on her blog. Blessings.
Sweet Jesus,
I want to lift Joanne and her entire family up to you this evening. I pray for supernatural healing for this precious woman of God. I pray that the doctors will be given skilled hands but know that You are in control and not them – I pray for wisdom for them this very moment, sweet Jesus. I pray for peace for her sweet children and strength for her husband. Let them feel You, right beside them, as I have felt you so many time in my hours of need. We praise You in advance Father for the healing that will take place within Joanne’s body — we claim that victory in Jesus Holy name.
Jennifer
Praying in my Lord and Savior’s mighty name!!
God,
I lift my sister Joanne up right now. I know you are already working in her body through the doctors and nurses. Heal her body and help her respond to the treatment she is receiving. God wrap her husband and children in you loving tender arms and help them be assured of your presence. Comfort their fears and help them seek strength in you.
Thank you for your faithfulness to your children.
In your sons name we pray. Amen.
Lord – this whole situation is so close to my heart having just been through this very thing a year ago with my daddy! Oh Lord, I know the fear, I know the pain, I know the unknown, I know the “unbelieve-ability” of it all…………. BUT I know Your miracles, I know Your peace, I know Your comfort, and I know Your love, and I know Your answer prayers from the sisters!!! Do it again in this sister!! We praise You through this storm!!! Bring her back to a place of abundance – Ps 66:12!!
I love you Father, and I trust You!!
Leigh
Heavenly Father, so mighty are You! I just read this news and I pray Father that You guard her and her family, their heart and mind during this time. Just as You did for me during my own stroke Nov. 25, 2009. Father she is young like I am and Your blessing and Your faithfulness I pray for her. Please put guidance and wisdom all around them from doctors to the caring. It is only through Your power, touch, and strength. I pray in Jesus’ holy name! Amen.
Sweet Father, Heal Joanne. We need you so desperately in this life. You know our hearts and our faith is in you alone. Show yourself BIG Jesus!! Show off your miracle working power like never before in Joanne’s recovery. We are excited and ready to see Your hand now in this sweet family’s life.
In You Alone, Amen
Lord Jesus, we are in need of you and the help that can only come from you. Father, we pray for this sweet saint of yours and simply ask that you extend your greatnessand your grace to her and her family during this hour of the unknown. Please let her feel your very real presence during this time of physical healing. Please attend to her in every possible way Lord, please. You love her far more than we can imagine and therefore we rest in that love and we know that whatever happens, the outcome is for her good and for your glory. As I’ve read the comments here I can confidently say that your glory is all she would want to come from this! Grace for her family Lord, comfort and peace. Let them all, who love her, rest in YOU. Praise you Jesus! Amen and Amen.
LORD Jesus, our healer and sustainer, our King and our GOD, nothing is to difficult for you. We ask you for healing for our sweet sister Joanne and strength and peace for her family as they go through this season.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Lord be glorified.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Dearest Father,
I praise You for Your faithfulness and Your care. I am humbled to be a part of a community that You will use in such a way. You knew that on this very day this precious one would need all of us to stand in the gap. Lord, we put faith to our feet as we carry her to You. Trusting You, O Lord, for You are our healer. Joanne is my sister. Only by the blood of Christ could one I’ve never met be my sister – truly my sister. By that same power, I ask for healing for her. By that same power, I ask for comfort, strength and courage for her beloved husband and children. Father, by that same power, I will trust Your faithfulness. I pray for complete healing. Father, I pray that by this time tomorrow, You will be glorified because of a miraculous healing that will leave all saying, “Only God.” For truly, Only You are deserving. Praising You now. In the Mighty Saving Name of Jesus, Amen.
Gracious Father God: We know You are hearing Your daughters as we bring our petitions before Your Throne of Grace, on behalf of our sister, Joanne and her dear family. Father, we humbly ask for Your healing touch upon Joanne’s brain, the area where there has been this interruption of blood flow. Father, would You please touch and heal that area within her? Would You please protect her from permanent loss of function, and bring health and restoration to her. We ask You in Your Son, Jesus’s Name. We ask this on behalf of Joanne, her husband and 2 young daughters. We ask that Your Holy Spirit would bring encouragement and peace and grace to them as they wait upon You. May every hand that ministers to Joanne be guided by You, and may she receive the very best of care. Thank You, Lord. We place our trust in You. Amen.
Father, we give You all the Glory for the work you have done in and through our sister and friend, Joanne. Hear our prayers for her complete healing. Comfort and sustain her husband and daughters. Lord, You ARE the great Physician and in complete trust we place Joanne in your hands.
In the mighty Name of JESUS! Amen
Dear Father,
I pray you please keep Joanna under Your Mighty Wing and heal her, Father. Please give her family peace in this time of need. You are our Healer and Comforter in times of trouble. I cover this family in prayers, You alone have the power and glory to heal her. Amen
Lord,
I know that Joanne is scared deep within herself. Minister to her through her spirit. Cause her to become strong from within her spirit through You. Speak strength into her, Lord. Let her see a way out of her current situation. Help her to see clearly. Make Your voice very clear to her. Speak peace to her from deep within her spirit. Lord, You are the Maker of the heavens and the earth. May she rise up and call You, “Blessed!”
Father in heaven, I pray for Joanne that she would feel the presence of Your Spirit surrounding her and giving her strength, healing and comfort. Let the holy name of Jesus be on her lips and in her mind as she rests in His care. Give supernatural wisdom to the doctors and the caregivers. Let their actions be guided by Your Hand and Your direction. Father, I pray that she would be treated with compassion. Bless her with healing. Surround her family and friends with supporting hands and words of encouragement. Bring peace to their hearts and let them be a witness to others in need who need Jesus…in the waiting room, in the prayer room, in the hallway…let them walk by faith, let them share their hope and reason for their faith, and let them hold on to Jesus through these days. We all love her. I remember praying with her at the Siesta Fiesta and I know how much she loves You, Jesus. Fill her with Your love right now. Thank You for bringing her through this. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Father,
We know that Joanne is your child and that you know everything about her so this was not a surprise to you…we ask in the name of Jesus that you restore her to good health. I pray for all the doctors, nurses, and medical personel to do exactly what needs to be done. I pray for her husband, children and all of her family and friends. Comfort them Father with your peace… surround them with your love though those that love them. We love you and praise you and thank you! Amen
Dear Heavenly Father,
I just pray for my sister, Joanne, right now. I pray that you would wrap her up with your blanket of peace and sing over her. I pray that you would strengthen her body and give her sweet rest. May she know you as Jehovah-Rophe, the Lord who heals her. May she know you as Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is there. Yes, you are there, dear Jesus! Nothing has happened that you did not see ahead of time. You are Joanne’s Rock and Everlasting God. You see her right where she is and you are holding her in the palm of your hand. We praise you ahead of time for the testimony that will come from this. In Jesus’ name I pray! Amen!
Father,
I lift up Joanne to you and ask for your hand to rest on her forehead tonight. May she know your presence with her and peace surrounding her. I ask that you would give her supernatural knowledge to see the angels tending to her, in her room and all around her family. Just as you’ve done for others, I pray for complete healing for Joanne. Be with Toben and her daughters. I ask that you would give them peace that passes understanding. And I ask God that all their needs would be met through your body here on earth. Bring people around them to give rides, bring meals, clean and do laundry. Whatever needs to be done Lord, I ask that it would be taken care of even before they ask or know they have the need. Put your servants in place Lord. May all those around them be astonished at your amazing love and power in this situation. I ask all this with boldness because of Jesus and in his name. May You be glorified through this. Amen
Lord God, maker of heaven and earth, please comfort Audrey, Emma and Toben right now. Fill them with a supernatural peace and strength and knowing. Let them know beyond a shadow of a doubt that You are their refuge, You are good and they can trust You. Please comfort and strengthen Joanne and thank you for her desire to serve You.
Father God, I thank and praise You and ask these things in Your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
Father, I come to you now on behalf of my sister Joanne, Lord I know that you have had Joanne in your hand way before the moments of this stroke, and that you are working all things for her good as we pray and join together to bind this sickness and the attack on her body.Thank You Father God,thank you that you are Jehovah Rophe, our Healer. Father I ask a special prayer for Toben, comfort him with your Holy Spirit and give him peace that overflows, let your peace also fill the hearts and minds of their daughters during this difficult time. Thank you Lord that you would use this community to reach out to one another iin love as a body to reach up to you and call out on behalf of our siesta.
Thank you for Joanne’s ministry and for all the lives that you have touched through her obedience to your call on her life. Holy Lord, we are so thankful for the glory and renown that is going to be manifested through the supernatural works that you have already begun in Joanne. We are in awe of your goodness to us Lord, and so thankful for your grace. In the mighty, healing name of Jesus, Amen
Praying our loving heavenly Father will wrap His arms of love around you and your family, as He alone is the healer. We leave you in very capable tender hands. Know you are prayed for by many. Though we do not know you, Our Father does, and that makes us family!
God bless you all!
In Christ alone!
Father thank You for Your Word and its Truth we can claim always and forever. Thank You for the promises recorded in Zephaniah 3:17:
“The Lord your God is with you (Joanne),
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you (Joanne),
He will quiet you (Joanne) with His love,
He will rejoice over you (Joanne) with singing.”
We ask for Your healing mercies for Joanne and Your calming presence with the family. We thank You and praise You in advance for what You are already doing for her and the family!
You are good all the time, God. Sometimes our lives hold things that can only be attributed to your mysterious ways. But I know that you are good. I trust you Lord with Joanne and her family. We all do. Please remind us to pray often for our Siesta Sister and her family. Let your Presence in her hospital room be a testimony and a comfort to all who enter.
Praying for complete healing for Joanne and for peace and comfort for Joanne’s husband, children, other family and her friends. Thank God for this blessing of the internet – to be able to join together in prayer for this woman.
Melissa,
Just heard about Joanne Heim. She’s most likely at CU hospital in Aurora, CO. My husband had a Traumatic Brain Injury 20 feet from our alley when his motorcycle was hit by a speeding car. We spent 14.5 weeks in Denver, 7.5 of those he was IN-patient rehab at the Denver VA Miracle center, and 7 weeks as an out patient doing therapies every day to retrain his brain.
We stayed at the Fisher House, a Ronald McDonald sort of home for Vet’s families. FH is across the parking lot from the new CU hospital about 4 miles from the Denver/Aurora city line.
I’ve already been praying for this dear Sister in Christ. Her family must be terrified.
Melissa, I put down the caring bridge site as “my” blog, since my own blog came to a screeching halt on July 10.
Have SOMEBODY start a http://www.caringbridge.org site. They’re maintained/funded by public hospitals country-wide. Family can write in a journal daily, hourly if needed, and the guestbook can be signed by family, friends, strangers, etc. HUGE source of information sharing in the days of TWO cell phones ringing at the same time and battery chargers all over the ICU room as everybody needed to know how Pastor Richard was doing, or IF he was doing! In our case, my daughter-in-law began a “praying for richard fry” community page on FB the night of the accident. 420 characters for a quick update to everybody and it was great since everyone in church and our association churches who knew my husband had facebook or a younger relative who did.
Oh Lord, please bring this beautiful, giving, young woman, this vital wife and mother, through this time with Your arms tightly around her. Please Father God, let her husband and her children KNOW that YOU are in control! Let them know, Lord. They are so very scared. Give them a peace, Your Peace, which truly does, pass all understanding. Lord, thank You for Joanne’s life, which has given to and touched so many. We will accept Your will Lord; but I’m pretty sure her children still need her, as does Toben. Help them, Father, help them in this terrifying time, these important next 72 hours of waiting. Let them rest for the coming days, let them rest in YOU, oh Lord. Lord, please help Toben to do just the ‘next thing’, and let him know You are there, carrying him as he tries to be strong for his girls.
Hold Joanne, and ease her fears as well, as she waits for these 72 hours to pass. We don’t know for sure how much she will be able to understand for a few days, but I know, I KNOW, she will be able to understand YOU are with her! Please allow her family to know that as well.
In the Precious Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen
O Lord My God, How many times am I tempted to simper to you, “If you will..” or “If it’s not too much to ask”. Today, Lord, coming to you in all the authority that is given me as a daughter of the High King, I ask you to heal her. Restore her. Give her a story to tell that will spread your fame far and wide. Strengthen Toben’s feeble knees. Quieten Audrey and Emma’s questioning hearts. Fill them with righteous confidence in your willingness and ability to return their wife and mother to them whole.
‘Many are your wonderful works and your thoughts towards us can not be recounted in order..” Psalm 40:5
Think toward her, Father. May your face shine upon this family and give them peace.
Father God,
We pray for Joanne and her family that you will be their refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble as you promise in Psalm 46:1. We trust your faithfulness and praise you in advance for all you will do for this family and we ask for healing and deliverance for Joanne, for your glory. In Jesus Name
Father-I pray for Joanne and her family tonight and ask You to bring comfort and peace to them. Be with the doctors. Guide them in their care for her and guide their minds and hands to make the right decisions for her. Be with her children and I pray they will feel Your love and Your arms around them. You never leave us or forsake us. Thank You for what You will do. Amen.
Father, thank you for the gift of my friend, Joanne. Thank you for the encouragement that you sprinkle out of her to so many of us. I am beyond grateful for the way you have orchestrated this day of prayer on her behalf, giving only GLORY to You. Lord, I am standing firm on the promise that you will heal her. That you will be glorified in every breath she takes. Father, blanket her with how much she is loved and cherished in this moment. Put your arms around Toben and carry him forward. Pull Audrey & Emma into your lap and comfort them. Warm the hearts of Kirsten and Joanne’s parents and bring them peace. Abba, you are everything to me. I love you more than the words express. – D
Lord, we just lift Joanne and her family up to you asking you to pour out your peace and your comfort like soothing oil on their hearts and minds. Father, I pray that your Spirit would be in wonderful evidence with them tonite and through the days to come. Lord God, thank you that you care more deeply about this and those who are touched by this than we can even begin to understand or imagine. Lord, we pray for healing and for their protection. Lord, bless Joanne and her family with a special sense of you. Give her doctors wisdom that is beyond human. Direct them and give the family all the wisdom they may need to make any decisions that will need to be made. Father, let your Spirit fall on that place. Thank you. You hear our prayers and you are a God big enough to do everything we ask and wise enough and loving enough to have a perfect plan. You are at work. In the precious name of Jesus, who has all power and authority over all things in heaven and on earth. Amen.
Oh Father God, you are the One we can come to with everything. It is with hearts open and so hopeful that we petition your hand to move in healing, as well as your heart moved in compassion for those that are uncertain and scared. Show your glory Lord you are so faithful to hear the cries on behalf of Joanne, Toben, Audrey & Emma.
We know that your presence is there with Joanne and your breath of life that heals will be spoken over her.
We are grateful and humbled to be able to love and pray from all over, for the single purpose of our siesta Joanne.
We love your Lord
Father, I pray for you to engulf the Heim family. Wrap Joanne in your arms and heal her. Pierce every heart of her family, friends, doctors and nurses with your love and all encompassing peace. Guide hands, provide infinite wisdom and perform a miracle. Thanking you in advance and giving you all glory, honor and praise. In your precious son Jesus’ name. Amen
Dear God, we know you are with our sister and her family and will walk with them through this trial with strength and courage. We know they are in your hands. We pray for healing.
Ah, LORD God! It is You who has made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you!
Jeremiah 32:17 ESV
Oh Lord Jesus, nothing is too difficult for You, so we humbly ask for complete healing for our dear sister Joanne. You are a faithful God, and we trust You.
Praying for Joanne, for healing, His presence and peace. Lord please be with the family too. In Jesus’ precious Name.
Praying right now.
Father,
We lift up to You our sister in Christ, Joanne, and her family. Many voices in prayer are rising before You on her behalf. We know where to go when we have a great need because we have a great Savior who hears and answers. You are not only our Lord & Savior, but our Comforter & Great Physician. We call on You to completely heal this dear sister and to comfort her loving family & friends as only You can.
May Your name be praised!
“Summon Your power, O God, Show us Your strength, O God, as you have done before.” Psalme 68:28
I wrote on Joanne’s blog too…Tons of prayers and hugs…our God has a plan…I am so excited to see what it is for Joanne and her family.
Lord, I lift Joanne and her family up to you. I pray in faith for complete healing and recovery for Joanne and protection for her family. We know from Your Word that You have the power to heal, protect, and provide and we lift this family up in prayer to You.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Father, Joanne is your daughter and we lift her up to you today concerning this health crisis she is in. We do not know the severity of it but God our Healer, you formed these bodies and know exactly how they work.I pray that your mighty hands guide and care for Joanne through the hands of her doctors. Comfort her family and loved ones as they wait for news. In Jesus Name–The Name Above all Names. Carla
Father, tonight, I lift this dear sister to you in the precious name of Jesus. Lord, Your word tells us that THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL HEAL THE SICK. So right now, in faith believing and trusting You, I ask that your mighty hand would move upon her body and heal her. Right now in her hospital room I just ask that Your Holy Spirit would sweep in and encamp around her. I ask that you would give Your wisdom to every doctor and nurse that will come into contact with my sister. I speak PEACE over her husband and children and all of her family. And God, I thank you Lord for the opportunity to pray for one of your servants. May this situation bring glory and honor to you Father. In Jesus Holy name. Amen
Praying for Joanne all day today. What a precious woman of God, wife and mama she is.
Joanne, I just saw where they’re reading you these comments… we love you, and are honored to pray for your healing. I’m so sorry this has happened, but I know He will use you to impact His kingdom through this. There may be someone in that hospital or down your path that will come to know Him by knowing you, and walking with you in your recovery. I pray for peace, and hope, and strength for your days ahead. Our God has a plan for your precious life.
I’m going to dedicate my next memory verse on the 15th, to your healing. And will pray it for you specifically, many times a day. We love you sweet siesta!!
For those of you praying for Joanne, her husband Toben just posted this in her blog- specific prayer requests and updates on her condition.
http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/the_simple_wife/2011/01/4000-hits-today-on-this-blogwe-are-blown-away-by-your-support.html
Our Father in heaven you know Joanne from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet…You knit her together with love and care and not one thing that happened to her has caught you by surprise….you look down and see the need and we humbly ask you to please dear Jesus heal this young mother…touch her for your Glory Lord! This prayer is submitted to you with confidence that your will is what will be accomplished on behalf of this family. Amen