Robe

I’ve always loved the story in the Bible of the woman who, in the midst of a heavy crowd, found her way to Jesus’ robe and touched the very edge of it because she believed if she did that she would be healed. She was healed, of course, since she believed. I’ve been praying that God would swing his robe down low so that it would brush Stephanie and heal her.

Tomorrow morning (Saturday), a friend of a friend who doesn’t know me is driving almost three hours to pray over Stephanie because she whole-heartedly believes that Stephanie is meant to be healed. She’s not the only one who believes this, and you can read that in many of the comments. Stephanie’s healing is, of course, what I want. I think it would be a great way for God to show His power, but I’m heavily biased. (I also know He has already shown His power and will continue to do so, healing notwithstanding.)

To be honest, I find it hard not to be skeptical. I’ve never experienced something so powerful like that, and it’s hard to imagine God still pulling off such miracles these days. For as much as I try to have complete faith in God, I’ve always struggled in this area. I’m sure many of you relate to me. But I know many of you also have seen “big” miracles like that or have experienced them yourselves. I have heard story upon story about such things. I don’t want to limit God or my faith in what He can do. I have come to believe those who have told me that God is saying to “just wait” and I believe the countless people who feel God telling them that Stephanie will be healed. Many of these are people who don’t know me or Stephanie personally, and have no personal motive to feel that way. And now is the time, when the doctors have declared Stephanie to be beyond all hope. Now, God can prove that He is the only One Who can heal her.

We had some serious prayer over Stephanie tonight, asking God to protect her from any oppressing spirits, and it was amazing to feel God’s presence in the waiting area where we were.

If you want, please join us in spirit as we pray for healing for Stephanie Saturday morning from 8:30-9:30am EST. There will be four, maybe five of us in her room literally praying over her, but we all know God doesn’t have boundaries, so you’ll all be in the room with us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you again for all your love for me and for my wife. I do not deserve it, and I praise God for what He is doing and for how much He loves me (and all of us).

48 thoughts on “Robe”

  1. Brad – My heart is so heavy for you and I feel that I MUST post this comment. We pray for healing with expectation because we know that God CAN heal – He can do anything cause He is GOD. Let me repeat that He CAN heal. I have been the recipient of healing TWICE in my life and it was amazing. BUT you must be prepared that He may choose NOT to heal Stephanie HERE but instead call her home to him – Death is the ULTIMATE healer taking us out of our weak & sick bodies into our new heavenly bodies. And if God calls her home do not let yourself feel defeated or lied to by God. We can not see into our future to know how God will use all of this! Praise Him for His mercy and His wisdom!

  2. I have stumbled across this via a friend. I have never met your family but you are in my prayers and I am praying for that miracle. It breaks my heart to see a mom, and a wonderful mom from what I read, to be in such a circumstance. I am a mom to a 3 yr old and I just pray for these 2 little kids. I recently lost a 41 year old friend who was a dad to 3 young kids. May God give you all strength.

    1. I also am reading about Stephanie via a friend. I am so moved by your words, Brad and commenters, and I’ve shared Steph’s story with friends and family. Many, many prayers are being said for her recovery. Yes, this is a tragic event, but your inspired words are daily testament to God’s reaching out to all of us. The real tragedy would have been if you and Steph had never met; she was deeply loved through your relationship and she feels your strength even now. Tragic but lovely. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  3. I was just told of this via facebook. I will be praying for your wife. Praise the Lord she is His child! I just lost my sister in Feb. and she also was a Christian. I really don’t know or understand God’s plans sometimes but I accept His plan. Will be praying for your whole family and for God’s comfort!
    Because of Christ,
    Pam

  4. I give God glory for your faith and your honesty.I will be working at cvc tomorrow,and I will be praying.I want you to know God has used you and your wife to touch my heart,and reprioritize my life as to what matters.I,m not taking anything for granted any more.I think Ive been taking my wife for granted,now I hold her closer.Thank you for sharing so much,my heart aches for what your going through even in tears I write this.You are a great man of God and God is working thru you and your wife even now……

  5. Brad I will be in that room with you guts praying over Stephanie! Asking god for pure strength and faithfulness! Asking god for a miracle! Knowing he has many miracles in his plans! I will be there holding hands, praying, hugging, giving strength to each other! I may not be there physically, but I am there! I love you guys! :) amy

  6. My wife (Heather Hurst) and I were reading through all your posts about Stephanie tonight. Thank you for your transparency during this time. It has been very encouraging to see your faith in all of this, and it has been a good reminder to appreciate every little thing that we are given. We will be praying for you and your family.

  7. Dear Brad,
    I am praying for you now and will be there with you in spirit in the morning. I learned of your situation this evening and I will be praying for you daily for a long time to come. Three years, one month, and 5 days ago, I was put in the position you are facing yourself in today. My husband suffered from brain swelling as a result of an ATV accident. I can relate to many of your posts, as I recall the memories that flood in, the panic, the anger, the terrifying nature of such a tragedy. But like you, I held Jesus close and he became the rock I clung to as I carried my baby to full term and delivered our son 7 months later. At a time like this, your inner strength and love for Jesus shines as you praise life itself. I remember feeling like I was riding on the wings of so many prayers (of people near and far, some who didn’t even know us) which carried us through our terrible nightmare. I felt as if I didn’t have the strength, attention, or desire to pray for our situation at the time. I knew that Jesus had a plan for our lives and would carry us through, just as he will for you and your family. May God bless you as you deal with this very tragic situation and face many of the same decisions that were placed in front of me. My husband was able to make the difference in 7 lives through the donation of his organs and countless lives through tissue donation. Since then, healing has taken place within me, and I have grown in the Lord by leaps and bounds. I pray that His Robe touches Stephanie, and that you and your family experience continued strength and discernment as you face each day.
    In Christ,
    Darcy Meadows

  8. Dear Brad,

    I am a friend of Lisa and Andy Dayton’s. I feel your pain and hurt for you, my brother. I remember blood-shot eyes from crying so long, waiting and wondering if my wife were going to live or die. Thurs, Sept 2 at 2:15am, Heidi, my wife, had a brain aneurysm that burst. She was transported to two hospitals before being life-flighted to UAB Medical Hospital in Birmingham, AL where she fought for her life. Sept 2 was the worst day of my life… yet in the midst, God was there with me. I have 4 kids under the age of 14. I had no idea what to tell them. All I know is God’s grace was upon me then – in that hour when I needed Him most. And I know that if you are my brother in Christ that He will be with you… and Stephanie, too. God’s word was my hope (Psalm 130:5), and it still is. Heidi survived her craniotomy and is recovering at home – with a sufficient amount of aphasia resulting from the location of the aneurysm. He has done great things for us! May He give you a word to hold on to during this time. I have prayed for you and Stephanie and your kids to know His mercy. May His goodness and mercy pursue you and Stephanie all the days of your life (Psalm 23:6). I was meditating on this psalm when the neurosurgeon came out to tell me they were going to put a ventriculostomy in Heidi’s head to relieve the swelling of her brain. The ventric saved her life. I know God did it. He stood beside her and carried her through the valley of the shadow of death! May you find comfort and hope in His word – Matt 4:4. If you would ever like to talk more, please contact me. May God’s glory be magnified through this time in yours and Stephanie’s life. Hold fast to Him, my brother; hold fast to Him.

  9. Third Day ~ Call My Name

    “The pain inside has erased your hope for love
    But soon you will find
    That I’ll give you all that your heart could ever want
    And so much more

    You just call my name
    You just call my name

    Call my name, say it now
    I want you to never doubt
    The love I have for you is so alive”
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Brad, we know Gods love and healing is very ALIVE..

    MARK 5:25-34

    25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.

    26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.

    27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,

    28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

    29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

    30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

    31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

    32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.

    33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.

    34 He said to her, “Woman, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

  10. Brad,

    I don’t know if you have heard of or seen, but Benny Hinn will be in town Oct 14-15. There will be a miracle service starting at 7pm on Thurs and Fri and an anointing service on Friday at 10am. I believe that God has used this man to perform many miracles that we see.I pray you and your family will somehow attend:) http://www.bennyhinn.org/events/default.cfm

  11. You don’t know me but I stumbled on your blog 4 days ago.I want you to know that I have been praying for you and your family.And tomorrow morning I will be praying you and everyone else! Your story is truly touching and I want you to know that my whole heart is for Stephanie right now.

  12. Dear Brad.

    “Morning has broken—–like the first morn-ing.”
    We all gather with all the company of Heaven to the throne of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, for Stephamie’s healing this day— the day the Lord hath made— We will rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia.Amen. I am there,hon. Aunt Jackie

  13. My friends and Family and I will be with you in prayer this morning from 8:30-9:30, and before and beyond that.

    We are here for you all in any capacity you need. I am continued to be touched by your faith and that of your families. It was touching to meet Stephanie’s mom and Aunt at the hospital on Thursday as well. The love you all have for God and Stephanie is an inspiration. You are all in my heart and prayers.

    On a more tactical note, I have a meal ready for your family and could bring it to you as soon as Sunday, just let me know the best drop off point. If I don’t hear back – NO WORRIES.

    Love you all

  14. I have stumbled across this website and tears have fallen on my eyes. I feel like I know your family and I am feeling your pain. Our faiths may be different, but I will be praying this morning for healing for your family.

  15. In the room with you today.My prayer is that satan will be bound from enteringm that when we claim the name of Jesus All knees will bow.

  16. Dear Brad and your entire family: You don’t know me, but my husband, Daryl and I have known your mom and dad for many years at PHBC. I want you to know that I too will be praying “over” Stephanie.

    Several years ago when my husband was about to undergo an unexpected open-heart surgery procedure, I remember telling the doctors and nurses that I wasn’t the least bit afraid because I knew that the Divine Physician was overseeing the entire operation. HE would decide the outcome and I knew within my spirit that WHATEVER He decided would be the absolute best for me, my husband and our family. Being a Christian means: “WE WIN EITHER WAY!!” If the Lord decides to heal Stephanie and return her to her former life with you and the children…you WIN…if He decides to take her to her new home in Heaven…you WIN (and so does she). As Christians, we know that this is not our true home…we’re just passing through…waiting for the moment Jesus tenderly takes our hand and says: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter in the JOY of your Master.” Matthew 25:21

    In Christian love, Beckie & Daryl Mettler

  17. Dear Stephanie and Brad,
    As I read your last post, 2 thoughts/verses came to my mind.

    One is the verse, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:9).

    The other thought is that Jesus blood covers us for today (in the present). The other verse that came to my mind is “But He was wonded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-bing for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole” (Isaiah 53:5).

    I pray these verses over Stephanie in Jesus Name.

    I do not know you but I have been praying for you. I know your sister-in-law Kelly Luczywo as she was a roommate of mine from college. I will continue praying for you. Thank you for sharing in your blogs. They have genuinely touched my heart and mind and encouraged me in the Lord.

    In Christ,
    Beth

  18. Jehovah Rapha, You are the Great Physician. The healer. As we come to you this hour Lord, our hearts are heavy. They are deeply burdened. Father we lift Stephanie up to you Lord. We pray for a miracle. We pray that you would heal her body completely Lord. You would touch her, restore her. Bring her back to us. We Love You, Lord. We want to be in Your will. Lord, you are using Stephanie and Brad to touch so many lives. Touching hearts and moving among us. Let no one come away from this unchanged. Father God, we lift our hands to you. We want to see Your glory. Move among us, Lord. Amen.

  19. Jehovah-Rophe–The healer of our spiritual wounds. As foretold in Isaiah 53:5 “BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED” Seek Jesus, our Jehovah-rophe restores our spiritual health and ensures life eternal.

  20. I will be praying with you all this morning as we “gather” around Stephanie from every corner of the US.

  21. I am a friend of Amy Stack. 8 years ago my husband suffered a rollerblading accident…4 skull fractures to be exact. He is alive a functions 95%, he can’t smell…but that is being restored, and the bottom right quadrant of eyesight is gone…such minor thing in comparison to what could have been. The power of testimony is why I share this.

    Praying with you guys right now. I pray that as she is out the God is restoring every part of her body to perfection. I pray for beyond healing…that when she is restored there will be NO more seizure, there will be no more long sicknesses, she will be 100% healed int eh name of Jesus.

    May according to your faith be done.

  22. i received this message through my sister-in-law. I do not know your family personally, but having been praying for your wife and a miracle since I read this. Keep the faith in God, he ALWAYS knows what’s best for us!! God Bless you, Stephanie and your children, may God continue to watch over all of you during this difficult time!

  23. Brad – We are praying with you as well. I at home and Walt at a men’s bible study right now. Praying without ceasing. We cry out, “Abba, Father” hear our prayers!

  24. Dear Brad,
    I will be praying for you this morning too! These past few days, all I think about is Stephanie and you and your beautiful babies! We are praying for a miracle. Its crazy to think that the last time I remember seeing you- you were only 3ft tall! :) What a wonderful Christian Man you have become! So proud of you! You have touched my heart in so many ways. I have felt sooo far away from God and all of my beliefs over the years that I am so so happy I came across your blog! Thank you for posting your faith in God! I really feel humbled. I really need to get back on track and talk to God more. He does have a plan for all of us…the Master Plan….We just have to believe. Thank you again for getting me back on track! I have a long way to go, but Im working on it. :) I am forever grateful. Thinking of you and praying for your whole family today and always.
    ~Shelle

  25. Brad,

    We do not know you nor your wife but we do have the two of you in our prayers. My husband and I came across your blog on a friend’s face book page and this story truly touched our hearts. You seem to be such a strong Christian man with a wonderful heart and a beautiful family. We pray that with God’s help, Stephanie makes a full recovery. We are also praying for you and your children. Prayer is a powerful thing and God is good. Please take time to rest your heart, and continue to have “fun times” with your children through all of this. Kids seem to bring a light in even the darkest places.
    We will be praying for you and your family
    ~Bryan and Amber Gregory

  26. Brad,
    Like so many others that have posted, we’ve never met, but I work with Nancy. Your heartfelt blog and all the comments from so many are a testament to what a truly beautiful person you have in Stephanie! God does work in mysterious and wonderful ways. Your constant faith is such an inspiration! I’ve been praying for Stephanie, you and your children since I heard of your struggle and will continue to do so!

  27. Brad,

    From our Bible reading this morning — 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3. “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly (or without ceasing) remembering 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.”

  28. I have heard about Stephanie through SN. I completely believe in prayers to heal. I had a friend, who became oxygen deprived during a severe asthma attack. Doctors said she would never wake up from her vegetative state. Prayers were going continuously and against the odds, through God’s work, she did wake up. This was five years ago, and although she has severe disabilities, she is here with us and it is all because of God’s love and our prayers.

  29. Me and my wife are praying for you Brad and Stephanie. I am friends with Kory and Clare Smith and know your brother Todd. In the 1980’s my sister went through a very similar thing. We were in the same place as you are now. My prayer for you is that God’s peace and strength surrounds you. The amplified version of Isa 26:3 says, “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.” Phil 4:13 says, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.
    May the peace and strength of Almighty God be with you today and always.
    In Christ,
    Dave and Jenny Kleffman

  30. Hey Brad!

    We are praying for you! I know there are many thoughts on God healing people and how he does it – I’m one that believes whole heartedly that God can do anything and all sorts of healings from great to small. However, I believe that all we can do is ask, and then leave the decision up to Him. Many people in the New Testament came to Jesus and said “Lord if you are willing” – I’m completely against any movement that says “if you just believe and have faith it will be done”. I recently listened to a sermon by a missionary in Mexico who has witnessed many healings – including God raising people from the dead – he’s seen God heal people from cancer and leprosy. However, in his sermon he shared how his sister (or sister-in law, I can’t remember) was diagnosed with cancer and he prayed and prayed for her healing, but God took her home. If you are able to listen to his sermon it may greatly encourage you to continue to trust God with this and leave the decision in His hands – I’m not sure if you feel this way, but I don’t want you to feel like her healing is in your hands. All we can do is ask the Great Physician. Here’s a link to that sermon http://www.newlifechurch.org/displaypodcast.jsp?id=6#
    It’s on New Life Church’s website it’s under Other Recent Sermons third title down “Ordinary Unschooled Men” by missionary Britt Hancock.
    May God give you great wisdom and strength and the trust of a child in his Father’s hands.

    -Nate

  31. We are first cousins to Stephanie’s father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We have extended the request of prayers for Stephanie, you and your children from our friends living in the United Kingdom, Japan and Uzbekistan. Together we knelt with you this morning uniting our prayer with yours as we asked for Our Lord’s healing power to come over Stephanie. We are family and we are always here for you. Please do not hesitate to ask for our help. May God bless you and your family.

  32. I heard of your blog through my cousin, Anna Heinz. After reading this post, I needed to tell you about my experience. My husband lost his grandma over the summer – she was a strong, loving, Christian matriarch. As she lay in the hospital not able to move more than one eyebrow, I sat over her and read her Bible that she had read and made notes in over the years. As I read a passage she liked, I would see an eyebrow move. I understand Stephanie is not able to move her eyebrows but know that hearing is the last sense to be lost so whatever her state, I know she can hear you. The Holy Spirit stayed with us as I read from her Bible and when I felt a sense of calm, I stopped – 2 hours later! It felt like 5 minutes. And I heard later that the prayer night helped everyone and I hope the same is true for you. I know that everyone around you appreciates your love for your family and your faith in God. Please trust that He will not give you anything you cannot handle. My prayers have been nonstop for you and your family since I first read your blog and they will continue long after you stop.

  33. I came across this verse in a little devotional type book, and I pray this for Stephanie and all your family, “The Lord your God is with you, a Powerful One Who wins the battle. He will have much joy over you. With His love He will give you new life. He will have joy over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 I pray that God would speak sweetly to Stephanie and sing to her beautiful songs of His love for her. Praying, annie hickey

  34. Brad- I’m not sure if you remember me – last name used to be Decker, but I’m a long time friend of Katie Scott. The last time I saw you was probably 10 or 12 years ago (with the exception of Kate’s wedding, I assume). My heart goes out to you and to your family. I know you are believing in faith for Stephanie to be healed and I am wholeheartedly standing in faith with you! We prayed for Stephanie today at our monthly Women’s Group bible study at our church and there was such a powerful presence of the Holy Spirit there! I just wanted you to know that we are standing in faith with you and are fully believing for a praise report from you soon! God can heal, and he DOES heal, as long as you are standing in uncompromising faith! The women at church and I are declaring that God HAS HEALED Stephanie and we are praising God and thanking him for the miracle that is about to manifest in the natural!!
    Ephesians 6:13 reads: Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].14Stand therefore [hold your ground]…and Ephesians 4:27 reinforces: and do not give the devil a foothold!
    Keep standing in faith, and don’t let it waver! There are so many loving, caring people standing with you and your family! I know Stephanie is healed by Jesus’ stripes! Do not let anyone who is not standing in faith sway yours!!! I’m looking forward to giving the ladies at church that praise report as you and your family give God the glory for this miracle that is about to manifest!! :)
    I pray God’s peace that passes all understanding over you and your family! Be Blessed!!

  35. What a gift your faith has become to me. I am humbled and overwhelmed by it. And I thank you for sharing it with me. May God continue to use you to minister to the rest of us that are striving for that faith. I keep writing and back spacing because I can’t find the words to try and minister you in your pain, sorrow and grief. Know that you and your family are loved and prayed for in so many ways by so many different people. You will change people through your love of Stephanie and your faith and love of God. May you continue to feel that love and trust in Christ…

  36. Brad,
    Please know that Stephanie, you, your children and all your family have been and will continue to be in our prayers. I also have never witnessed or experienced a “big” miracle like you said, but maybe it’s time. Praying hard for a miracle.

  37. Brad, I can’t imagine what you are going through, but I’m glad to see so many people showing their support for you. I don’t believe in god so I’m afraid my praying won’t help, but it just so happens my co-worker is a minister in addition to being a top-notch programmer. I’m sharing this with him and I know he will include you in his prayers.

    I may not have faith in a divine being, but I do have faith in you and all your friends and family. Do not be afraid to lean on them since right now, they, like me, want only to help in any way they can.

    If a time comes and you need to get away, Pittsburgh is only a couple hours away. You and your family are always welcome in my house.

  38. I do not know you but you are my brother in Christ and feel I know you well. Your faith in God is what will hwlp you through this awful mess and your love for God will be what Holds you and your precious Stephanie together always. I pray for a miracle in your wifes name and also in your life. I too will never underestimate the power of our Lord and Savior and know that all things are possible through him. I know that whatever your future days may bring that God is with you and yours and loves you with all that he is. We are only human but he is almighty and above all he is Love and that is what you and your darling Stephanie are. That is very obvious in your words. May God continue to hold you close to his heart and give you the peace and joy that is only available through him. My love and prayers are with you and your family and I asked GOd to give you a miracle today.

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