Prayer for stroke recovery

By Richard L. Provencher

On August 26, 1999 and without warning, my life changed dramatically. A stroke seemed to move like a dragon, raced across the sky and attacked me, rendering me mute and comatose for approximately 45 minutes. Two hospitals later, I was diagnosed as having a possible leaking aneurysm. My recovery plan brought me to a thresholdeither lean on God through prayers from family and friends, OR selfishly on my own, meander through shock, anger, fear, helplessness, then depression.

I have a story called, “BACK THEN,” which describes the events from my going to two hospitals, then returning home. Sitting on the couch allowed me to rediscover life. No longer was it important to canoe for hours on a wilderness lake, nor be first to chow down at the dinner table. Just to make it to the bathroom in time for urgent needs was a gift.

After sitting hour after hour unable to speak properly, lift a cup of coffee, turn my head an iota without pain, I worried about ever going fishing, or camping again, pastimes I lived for. Or perhaps being a serious burden to my dear wife, Esther. “Oh Lord,” I prayed. “I do not wish to be an invalid. I desire to recover and to fulfill the true destiny you have planned for me. Age 57 was still young.

When I prayed for recovery, little happened. One day, the Holy Spirit came alive in my being and whispered, “Begin praying for others.” I did and good things, miraculous things began. Now I wish to share what helped me as I gained insight while praying for others, who perhaps also suffer, or suffered a similar affliction. My whole right side, from numb toes to achy head was badly affected.

NOTE: Pray through all exercises; do not give up trying. Success will prevail. Time is on your side.

ACHING HEAD:

Slowly move head right, then left several times. Pain very intense for 1st mth and too three months to move comfortably from side to side. Do very slowly.

Very slowly bend down then up, as if to tie a shoelace. Took me 6.5 years to not have to kneel to tie laces, or even to pick up something on the floor.

Walk up and down stairs very slowly. 2 yrs before I was able to walk normally

It felt like head was in a vice, due I believe to different air pressure height.

Use a comfortable pillow to keep head in immovable position at night. Took 5yrs before any head movement didn’t cause terrible pain. I found water-bladder pillow the best. My wife held hand to my head and prayed many times at night and sporadically during the day. RX did not help alleviate pain at all.

Learn to stand still, to build up legs and patience, and allow peace of mind. Fear of another stroke has to be driven away. If I could not sleep, it was very restful to stand immobile for up to two hours, since any move was painful. It took about three months to return to total peaceful all night sleep, without having to stand.

Do not lift or push anything (ie heavy chair, table, lawnmower, shovel snow) until you can do it without pain. Eight years later, I still have problems with this.

Walk daily for at least 1/2 hour, only on flat surface, no hills or grass. It took me about six years before I could comfortably do this without pain or losing balance.

NOTE: About 10 times a day I had numbness beginning in toes, moving up right leg, affecting hand, speech then headaches. Activity triggered these symptoms lasting 10-15 min each time, for about three years, and now rarely takes place.

STRESS:

Try to be very patient during numbness in feet, leg, arm, hand, mouth, and finally headaches. A person has to develop a high anxiety threshold. Pray frequently for endurance and especially others, while healing is taking place.

I discovered sandals were the best footwear, summer and winter, outside and inside. My sandals had a Velcro strap, which gave maximum looseness, since I could not tolerate any tightness across the top of my foot. Any squeezing together of my toes in regular shoes caused numbness in my right foot, then introduced a progressive movement of further numbness to areas mentioned in the paragraph above. It took two years before I could wear a wide regular shoe comfortably, as long as there was no tightness on the top of foot. After a further three years with wide shoes I was able to wear a regular shoe, as I do now.

Note: Without my ability to have proper walking movement and exercising the use of my feet, I developed bunions on the edge of each big toe. This was very painful for about six months. I had to endure much pain as I rubbed each bunion with a hard rubber pad, normally used for rubbing hard skin from feet. The alternative was an operation on both feet to cut the bone, since my protrusions were quite prominent. Now I have full comfort, but I also continue to massage this area for several minutes each night.

The fear of a follow up stroke causes such fear that some people succumb to trying medications of all sorts; each person should listen carefully to their doctor.

Try to walk until you can do an hour each day. Do not overdo it. To me the speed of walking and talking with my wife was the best. A walk is the best minimum exercise to ensure good blood pressure. It was appropriate for myself since I was unable to do any other exercise, which would stimulate numbness from toes to mouth, then proceed to headaches.

Understand that when tired simply rest. Your body will tell you when. Do not fight it since it means you are healing otherwise you would simply drop dead.

NUMBNESS:

Move all affected body parts continuously; stand up, sit down. Waggle fingers, swing arms, move head from side to side, wiggle toes, open mouth wide and expand lips, lip sync, and massage all affected body parts constantly. Sing to help speech return and massage across the top of upper lip.

I did this many times for around a month, and one day I heard a “pop” come from my bottom right nostril. From then on I could speak other than gibberish. It took several months before I could speak properly for more than fifteen minutes. Then I would get tired and the gibberish would return. Excitement also caused me to be numb in my upper mouth. It took a year before I had full speech ability for a prolonged period of time. Now eight years later, I can speak proficiently for about an hour before my words slur.

DEBTS:

No sense worrying, otherwise you won’t be around to worry anymore.

To all who read this true story; please do not give up. Share the exercises my faith provided me. I, through the gift of Jesus Christ, continue to overcome my limitations. ALSO KEEP A DAILY JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR DAILY SUCCESSES.

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE:

If your debt load is a problem, contact creditors. Explain the situation and ask for help by reducing or eliminating the interest rate, IF serious about repaying debt.

Fill thoughts with positive images. Watch informative TV programs. Learn new skills. Your daily journal must have your accomplishments, not just the failures.

Stroke is a serious trauma. Stimulate your brain, and create new brain cells. SO, learn to play chess, or other thinking games. It may be painful, but keep at it.

God bless you as you draw strength from His Word. READ the Bible daily. Pray for others. And do not listen to those who may weaken your desire to be healed.

AMEN

Richard L. Provencher 2007

81 Queen Street, Unit 6, Truro, Nova Scotia

Canada B2N 2B2 Phone (902) 897-2344

E-mail: [email protected]

Word Count = 1,307 for the above story.

Richard and Esther Provencher can be contacted at: [email protected] They love to write and share their work. The following book was inspired by their youngest of three adopted sons. The direct link for A Boy Named Wish is

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Dear MOG members,
A prayer request: I’ve been having severe vertigo for 3 weeks. My ENT thought it was “sudden sensorineural hearing loss” and gave me several injections in left ear drum. Follow up MRI this morning showed a large right sided ischemic cerebellar stroke (a stroke of the brain stem). For the last week I’ve mostly stayed in bed due to the vertigo this stroke has caused and I can’t see my patients at present. I would appreciate any and all prayers. This is a difficult cross.
Thanks,
Brian K

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 20, 2015

will continue prayers for you Brian.

Lord have Mercy on our brother Brian. Most Powerful hand of Jesus come upon our brother and heal his infirmities, grant him your peace and consulation…Amen!

Infant Jesus of Prague said:

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will continue prayers for you Brian.

Lord have Mercy on our brother Brian. Most Powerful hand of Jesus come upon our brother and heal his infirmities, grant him your peace and consulation…Amen!

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Amen infant! Please pray that no further damage is done…

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You and I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You
Jesus, I trust in you+++

Jesus please give strength and healing to BrianK

Infant Jesus of Prague said:

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will continue prayers for you Brian.

Lord have Mercy on our brother Brian. Most Powerful hand of Jesus come upon our brother and heal his infirmities, grant him your peace and consulation…Amen!

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AMEN!

In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Lord, Please heal Brian and answer the prayers of all my Comrades in Faith here and Worldwide. Thank You for all our blessings. AMEN! …. and …. SAVE ALL HERE!!

Time is short. Consecrate yourself to Mary & convert. You will never regret it.

Dear MOG members,
A prayer request: I’ve been having severe vertigo for 3 weeks. My ENT thought it was “sudden sensorineural hearing loss” and gave me several injections in left ear drum. Follow up MRI this morning showed a large right sided ischemic cerebellar stroke (a stroke of the brain stem). For the last week I’ve mostly stayed in bed due to the vertigo this stroke has caused and I can’t see my patients at present. I would appreciate any and all prayers. This is a difficult cross.
Thanks,
Brian K

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I can’t imagine Brian. I missed you on the forum, now I know. A very big cross/

Prayers to Our Lady of Lourdes/

At the end of the day we shall be judged on love.

Sorry to hear this news Brian. My family will raise you up in prayer for healing and we also will ask The Lord to comfort your family on this time.

-I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against It.” (Matt 16:18)

Mac “To Jesus, through Mary”

My family starts a new novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour next week Brian . Will put your recovery on the intention.

Last edited: Aug 21, 2015

…and to the Supreme Pastor and Vicar of Christ on earth who, a prisoner in the Vatican, will shed secret and bitter tears in the presence of God Our Lord, asking for light, sanctity, and perfection for all the clergy of the world, to whom he is King and Father.”

Brother you said “I can’t see my patients at present”. Lordy lord…you are the patient now. What a unique cross you bare up. May God grant you peace and strength. Just you remember…it will be alright…everything works out for the best when you rest in the Lords providence. Prayers for you.

Brother you said “I can’t see my patients at present”. Lordy lord…you are the patient now. What a unique cross you bare up. May God grant you peace and strength. Just you remember…it will be alright…everything works out for the best when you rest in the Lords providence. Prayers for you.

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I will pray for you at adoration tomorrow.

Brother you said “I can’t see my patients at present”. Lordy lord…you are the patient now. What a unique cross you bare up. May God grant you peace and strength. Just you remember…it will be alright…everything works out for the best when you rest in the Lords providence. Prayers for you.

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Thanks. Ironically for 4 months I’ve been taking care of my own patients plus seeing patients for a friend who has been sick with a hospital acquired infection (C. Diff colitis). He has had a recurrence plus needs an acute liver transplant. So I’m supposed to be keeping two podiatry practices afloat and can’t see anyone at present. When it rains it pours. But The Lord will provide. We just can’t always see it.

So sorry to hear the news, prayers for you.

Thanks. Ironically for 4 months I’ve been taking care of my own patients plus seeing patients for a friend who has been sick with a hospital acquired infection (C. Diff colitis). He has had a recurrence plus needs an acute liver transplant. So I’m supposed to be keeping two podiatry practices afloat and can’t see anyone at present. When it rains it pours. But The Lord will provide. We just can’t always see it.

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Hi Brian,

My GP has just been to me for treatment and he is just like you…..always thinking of others. It’s hard when the practice revolves around you and so far I have not had to take too much time off. My clinic shuts when I am not there, my patients are neglected and the bills keep rolling in. I know what you feel like. I will join Mac in his novena for you. He started one for me that ends this weekend. Mine was answered very quickly and we finished the novena off as a thanksgiving. Our Lady of Perpetual Succor will come to your aid. “Remember Oh most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided.” “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19) I am off for a visit right now and will say a Rosary for you in front of our statue of Our Lady of Akita who said “Pray much the rosary, I alone can save you from the calamities ahead.”
“Beyond the clouds that hide His hand,
There where thou canst not see,
In ways that only He can understand,
God works for thee,”

Prayers for your healing Brian,

You expired Jesus;
but the source of Life gushed forth for souls and an ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.
Oh font of life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelope the whole world and empty yourself out upon us.
Oh Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, as a font of Mercy for us, I trust in you and for the intentions of the members of the Mother of God forum.

Dear MOG members,
A prayer request: I’ve been having severe vertigo for 3 weeks. My ENT thought it was “sudden sensorineural hearing loss” and gave me several injections in left ear drum. Follow up MRI this morning showed a large right sided ischemic cerebellar stroke (a stroke of the brain stem). For the last week I’ve mostly stayed in bed due to the vertigo this stroke has caused and I can’t see my patients at present. I would appreciate any and all prayers. This is a difficult cross.
Thanks,
Brian K

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Last edited: Aug 21, 2015

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!

Praying Rosary for your healing Brian.

God bless and heal Brian.

Immaculate Heart of Mary my Refuge – Sacred Heart of Jesus my Salvation.

Praying for you Brian.

Aviso

motheofgod.com

Are you facing a difficult disease, illness or malady and want to cry out to God for healing but don’t know what to pray? If you feel scared, alone, unsure of the future, or don’t understand how healing works, pray these words below in faith today! Below are four prayers for healing, an interview with Max Lucado explaining how we should pray for healing, and some of our favorite Bible verses on healing.

God tells us that through prayer, He can speak to us and use us to work miracles for His glory. When you use this prayer for healing you are coming to God completely surrendered and expectant to let His Holy Spirit work in and through you. I pray that you will find miraculous healing as you seek God’s plan for your life – His plan to prosper you and to give you a hope and future!

Here are 10 Prayers for Healing you can use today to speak life and hope into your situation.

1. A Prayer for Personal Healing

God, you know me so well. You created me. You know the number of hairs on my head, and you even know the thoughts conceived in my heart before I ever vocalize them. You’ve told us to come to you and ask for every need of life. You are Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals, and you have the final word on my destiny, the number of years I’ll live and serve you on earth.

I’m coming to you today as your child, longing to hear from you and asking for your divine healing. There’s so much I don’t understand about life. But I do know that with one touch, one word, you can make me whole. Please forgive me of my sins, cleanse me of my unrighteousness, and begin your healing from the inside out.

I don’t always know what your will is Lord, especially in times like now, when I desperately seek your face. I offer you no promises, no bargains, no deals to exchange for my health. I simply bow my heart before you to tell you the desire of my heart: that I want to spend as many years as I can loving you here, loving others, and wanting to become more like you. However you choose to accomplish that is up to you—and okay with me. If you use doctors to provide healing, give them wisdom to know what to do. Regardless of how you accomplish it, the healing you give is always miraculous. And you deserve all the praise.

I absolutely believe you have the power to heal. You demonstrated that on earth, and you still heal in miraculous ways today. Even when my faith is weak, you say it is enough, and my love for you is strong. And I know you already hold my heart and life in your hands. It’s up to you. If I can bring you more glory through healing, then that’s what I ask for. That’s what I desire.

But if your answer is no, or not now, I know that your grace is sufficient for me. Ultimately, I want your will to be my will. I look forward to spending an eternity with you. But Lord, if you have planned still more for me to do here on this earth, I not only need and want your physical healing, Lord, but a thorough, deep-down cleansing and strengthening—a whole-hearted renewal of all that I am. Because all that I am is yours. Use this trial to strengthen me from a “what-if” faith to a “no-matter-what” faith. And no matter what, I choose to honor you and give you glory. In Jesus’s name, Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

2. A Short Prayer for Healing for Friends

Lord, your Word speaks promises of healing and restoration and I thank you for the miracles you still perform today. Today I claim those promises over my friend. I believe in the healing power of faith and prayer and I ask you to begin your mighty work in the life of my friend. Please reach down and surround my friend with supernatural peace and strength and give her the faith to believe that all things are possible for you. Protect her from Satan’s lies and discouragement and let her miraculous healing begin. Amen.

3. A Prayer for Healing and Grace

Dear God,
We confess our need for you today. We need your healing and your grace. We need hope restored. We need to be reminded that you work on behalf of those you love, constantly, powerfully, completely. Forgive us for trying to fix our situations all on our own. Forgive us for running all different directions and spinning our wheels to find help, when true help and healing must be found first in You. Forgive us for forgetting how much we need you, above everyone and everything else. We come to you and bring you the places we are hurting. You see where no one else is able to fully see or understand. You know the pain we’ve carried. The burdens. The cares. You know where we need to be set free. We ask for your healing and grace to cover every broken place. Every wound. Every heartache. Thank you that you are Able to do far more than we could ever imagine. Thank you for your Mighty Power that acts on behalf of your children. We reach out to you, and know that you are restoring and redeeming every place of difficulty, every battle, for your greater glory. Thank you that you will never waste our pain and suffering. We love you. We need you today.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen ~ Debbie McDaniel

4. A Prayer for Healing Sick Family and Friends

Lord Jesus, thank you that you love . I know that you hate what their illness is doing to them/me. I ask that you would heal this disease, that you would have compassion and bring healing from all sickness.

Your word says in Psalm 107:19-20 that when we call out to you the Eternal one you will give the order, heal and rescue us from certain death. In the Bible, I have read of miraculous healing and I believe that you still heal the same way today. I believe that there is no illness you cannot heal after all the bible tells of you raising people from the dead so I ask for your healing in this situation.

I also know from my experience of life on earth that not everyone is healed. If that happens here than keep my heart soft towards you, help me to understand your plan and help me to be excited about heaven.

God, I thank you that belongs to you and that you are in control of everything that happens from our first breath to our last sigh. Amen. ~ Wendy van Eyck

5. A Prayer to Heal the Hurt

Father, help me get my focus back on you. I know I need to stop dwelling on my hurts and frustrations. Help me be faithful in prayer and put my hope in you. May the Holy Spirit guide and comfort and strengthen me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ~ Living Free Every Day Devotional

6. A Prayer for Forgiveness 

Dear God, I’m sorry for my sin. I ______________ (what you did), which was a sin against you, as well as a sin against __________ (who you hurt). Please help me turn from this behavior. I will begin ________________  (how you’ll change) instead of what I have done. Please forgive me and help me to grow in my relationship to you and _________, whom I’ve hurt. Thank you for your love and mercy. Thank you for forgiving me and choosing to forget my sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ~ Sue Schlesman

7. A Prayer for Those Who Feel Wounded

Dear God, We feel wounded, betrayed, and brokenhearted. We wonder sometimes if we can ever fully recover from the deep hurt we feel inside. Thank you that you know what we’ve been through and the struggles we still carry. Help us to forgive. Help us to let go. We know that we can move forward with you in peace and freedom. We pray for those who have hurt us right now, and ask for your power to work mightily within their lives. We leave them in your hands and find our comfort and strength in your spirit.

Thank you that you understand all that we’ve faced, that you see and you care. We ask that when the enemy taunts us with lies and tries to bring up the hurt of the past, you would silence his voice and allow us to walk free. We bring you all the stuff that he would use to try to trap us or stop us – the pain, the past, the mistakes, the struggles. And we lay it at your feet, again. Thank you for your healing, for your grace, for your hope. Thank you that you have set us free and will not waste the pain that we’ve carried. We look forward to the greater good and purpose you will bring through this struggle.

We love you Lord, we need you, we trust you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Debbie McDaniel

8. A Prayer to Heal a Struggling Relationship

Dear God, I struggle in my relationship with ______. I need You to give me wisdom on how to love ____ well. You are my shield and defender. Show me how, when and where to erect boundaries in our relationship. I believe You are my healer and I trust You to guard my heart and mind. I need Your specific directions on how to interact with ______.

I want to love _____ with a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5) I forgive ______ for hurting me and forgive me for ______. Help me to love ______ courageously. Fill me with Your truth and compel me to fearlessly tell the truth with love. Let Your perfect love cast out all of my fears related to our relationship. I surrender what I think our relationship should be. Please transform it so that it honors You. In Jesus, I pray. Amen ~ Jennifer O. White

9. A Prayer for When Time Doesn’t Heal a Broken Heart

Lord, please heal my broken heart. Fill me with the peace and joy I know can only come from You during this hard time. Walk closely beside me during my journey to healing and recovery that I know is possible through Your power alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Tracie Miles

10. A Prayer to Heal from Depression

Lord, it seems as if my world has collapsed, hurling me into a deep, dark pit. I come to you in complete surrender. I am desperate for you, helpless and afraid. Please lift me out of this pit and show me the way, Lord.   In Jesus’ name, Amen ~ Mary Southerland

How to Pray for Healing – Max Lucado

Healing Bible Verses

Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;  for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.

Psalm 107:19-20
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. 

Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. 

Mark 5:34
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 

More Healing Scripture

What are you praying for healing over today? Join our large praying community in the comments below and experience the power, hope and healing that comes when you allow others to cover you in prayer.

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.

Prayer for Healing

Prayer for StrengthPrayer for ProtectionMorning PrayersGood Night PrayersShort PrayersThe Lord’s PrayerSerenity PrayerA Birthday PrayerSinner’s PrayerPrayer for ForgivenessPrayer for Guidance  

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