Tuesday, October 6th, 2020, was a beautiful evening to have a prayer vigil for Lindsey Bowden. The weather was beautiful, even with a nice breeze, and the event was well attended. The Bowden family is loved.
For those who weren’t able to attend, below is what I typed to say. Of course there was some ad-libbing here and there, but the winner Of the evening was when Charlie spoke. Lindsey’s dad, Charlie, has been home for a few days now. When he spoke, you could tell that God was at work; holding him up and giving him eloquence to speak. Sure, there were moments of emotion (how can there not be), but Charlie was beautifully composed and shared what they’ve been going through over the past few weeks. He said they could feel the prayers all the way up to Asheville. He stated that that may seem crazy, but I assure you it’s not. God hears all and delivers to those who needs to feel those prayers.
Lindsey and her momma, Leecy, have been transported from Mission Trauma Hospital in Asheville to Shepherd’s Center in Atlanta for rehabilitation after Lindsey’s tragic brain injury that occurred on September 16th. Leecy will remain with Lindsey for sixty days. Due to COVID restrictions, Leecy isn’t allowed to leave, and no one else can visit.
Lindsey continues to improve. While listening to Charlie speak, you could sense the agitation that Lindsey is going through. She believes that she is good to go, but she truly has a long road ahead of her.
I’m sharing the words below with you so that you can know what to pray for. Besides the requests mentioned in the speech, please add:
- for Lindsey to not be agitated with the process and others, yet determined, patient, and focused.
- for Leecy to be overcome with encouragement and strength.
- for others to see God receiving all the glory through it all.
- for Lindsey’s cognitive memory.
- Charlie and Bailey, as they aren’t able to physically visit.
In Hebrews 4:16 we read, So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
THAT is what we are here to do tonight…to take it boldly to Jesus. It is with Christ that we find grace, mercy, kindness, and healing.
So, if we are to have God’s Best tonight, let’s do it God’s Way.
Let’s begin by getting God in the place He belongs…with our Praise.
Psalm 22:3 says God is holy, and He is enthroned on the praise of His people. Y’all, God hangs out in the praise of His people.
We do have much to praise Him for. Yes, even in the midst of all the craziness that surrounds us in today’s times. And…for the reason we are gathered here tonight…we can praise the Lord for the miracles He has done, and will continue to do, in Lindsey’s life.
Before we go any further, in James 5:16 we read, So always tell each other the wrong things you have done. Then pray for each other. Do this so that God can heal you. Anyone who lives the way God wants can pray, and great things will happen.
The prayer of someone who lives the way God desires makes a great difference. Anyone can call upon the name of the Lord, but as a Christian, prayer is a powerful resource. In my study bible notes it says, “Because God’s power is infinitely greater than ours, it only makes sense to rely on it – especially because God encourages us to do so.”
So, I want you to take a moment, bow your head, and just within yourself seek to acknowledge your standing before our Holy God. Where are you in your relationship with Jesus Christ?
With your head bowed and eyes closed, meditate on and to yourself say what Psalm 139:23-24 says:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Lord, you tell me in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that If my people who are called by my name become humble and pray, and look for me, and turn away from their evil ways, then I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the everlasting life you give. Thank You for sending your Son to die for me, and to rise again. I come humbly to you now seeking You and Your ways, for I know they are best. Help me each day to turn from sin and self and to keep my focus on You. Please forgive me and heal my own brokenness. Make me whole and right with You. Amen.
Tonight we have some friends here who have been through a similar experience. You see, six years ago Brock was involved in a serious ATV accident. The doctors didn’t know if he was going to make it, or if he did what type of life he would have. The Guynn family knows the power of The Almighty God. Gary, Monica, and their son Brock can testify to the power of prayer. I reached out to Monica for specifics to pray for and any insight because they too were at The Shepherd Center. Monica said that I can share some of her words with you:
“The Shepherd Center is an amazing facility, but also a very sobering one to be at because of the amount of injury and suffering there. You have many family members there all so broken and hurting for their loved ones. So there are days where you have to fight very hard not to get depressed or discouraged…By the grace Of God and the wonderful therapist there, they helped Brock come back to us.
I would say to pray specifically for their hearts to be comforted there and that Lindsey would have the stamina and strength to push through each day. The schedule is rigorous and difficult for them. Pray that Leecy can stay strong with head lifted up. That she wouldn’t feel discouraged, because there just are days like that. Pray that God would intercede on those days and to fill her with all the encouragement and comfort and strength she needs to get through this.”
Monica says that being there changes you forever. She and Gary are so grateful for their walk with Jesus, because she doesn’t know how you get through such a thing without God and His precious love, and the community of friends that help carry one through these difficult times.
Before we have our prayer time for Lindsey, I would like you to welcome her daddy. Charlie is going to share an update and some of what they’ve been experiencing the past three weeks.
*Charlie speaks*
And now, let’s use that powerful resource as we pray for Lindsey, Leecy, Charlie, and Bailey.
Dear Heavenly Daddy, we come boldly to You now. Thank you, Jesus, for what You have done so far for Lindsey. You have surrounded her with medical staff, family, and friends who have her best interest at heart. You’ve given her steps to walk. You’ve given her glimpses of memory of who people are. You have allowed those around her to be amazed by her progress. Praise to YOU, Lord Jesus. May our amazement be moved to expectancy, for nothing is impossible with You. (For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37). We believe and have faith that You CAN do anything.
You’ve given Lindsey strength each day to fight. She is a fighter. We praise You for what you have done and for what You will continue to do in her life and even in our own. Keep us close to You, Lord, because we need You…the Bowdens need You.
In John 14:13 You,Jesus, tell us “And whatever request you make in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may have glory in the Son.” So, in the name of Jesus Christ, we come to You asking for Your will to be done in Lindsey’s life. We pray that she will be healed and made whole so that Your name will be known and that You will receive all the glory.
We do pray that their hearts and minds will be comforted, for You are The Comforter. May the Bowden’s feel Your arms wrapped around them. Please give Lindsey the stamina and strength to persevere each day. You tell us in Romans 5:3-4 that through the trials in life, we are to rejoice because they bring about endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
In the process of Lindsey being restored, the road is tough. Lord, we ask You, beg You, to keep Charlie, Leecy, Bailey, and Lindsey’s head held high and towards You.
Now to borrow Your God-breathed words, that were penned by Paul in Ephesians 3:20, “Now all glory to God, who IS able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Oh, dear Lord, You can do more for Lindsey than we could ever imagine.
We love you and are grateful for Your healing power.
Amen
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.
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Throughout these past three weeks, I’ve sent Leecy songs to listen to, whenever she gets the opportunity. These are the songs that were playing before we began and will play some after. There’s one song by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton called “There was Jesus”. It’s been the number one song for numerous weeks. The chorus reads:
In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing, in the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I’ve been or where I’m going
Even when I didn’t know it
Or couldn’t see it
There was Jesus
Y’all, Jesus is with Lindsey. He is with you. Know that.
Not too long ago, Bailey told me about how Lindsey loves butterflies. Lindsey had even texted Bailey about a week before her accident and informed her that butterflies are a sign of hope. I’ll admit, as tight as I’m holding on to Jesus and His word, I do appreciate a physical reminder of encouragement. So, when you see a butterfly, may that be a reminder for you to say another prayer of praise to God, of complete healing for Lindsey, and grateful for the hope that Jesus gives us each day.
Finally, I want us to leave on the verse that is imprinted on the bracelets and shirts that many of us are wearing tonight.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
THANK YOU to a group of friends who put this event together: Donna, Amy, Kim, Krystal, Joyne, Kerri, Traci, and Kim. 
Thanks to the City of Plant City’s, Jack Holland, for handling the sound. Thank you to all who attended. Keep praying!
Go to the following link to view Brock’s story: https://youtu.be/77uZ9Bgerrk
(Also, I’ll try to type up what Charlie said, unless I’m given permission to post the video.)