My boyfriend's aunt most likely only has a few days to live after suffering a massive stroke yesterday. She is essentially comatose but the doctors claim that she can hear and understand what is being said around her. (So we are trying to keep talking positive.) She was a very religious, church-going woman (Lutheran to be specific) and I feel that it's a shame that none of the rest of us are, because I know religious people find comfort in the Bible.
So my question is, does anyone who's more knowledgeable in this area, have any suggestions for good passages or stories to read to her from the Bible? I've tried searching online but it's always either short quotes or a break-down of the meaning.
I plan to print out any texts and bring them to her bedside tomorrow, assuming she's still with us.
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."
I have to agree with the others, Psalms, especially Psalms 91 is very comforting. The newer versions of the Bible are easier to read smoothly. This is such a nice thing to do for your boyfriend's aunt.
I don't have any passages to recommend, but I just wanted to say what a compassionate thing you're doing. Thank you for being so caring. I know it will be a great comfort to your boyfriend and his family.
I have to agree with Psalms. Just start at Psalms 1:1 and read through it, leave a copy of the Bible at her bedside and ask others who visit to pick it up and continue reading where you left off. Sticky note arrows are handy for that sort of thing.
http://ebible.org/bible/web/Psalms.htm has all of them in regular English not King James version if you want to print out a few. Also you can find the Bible on tape and let it play the Psalms while nobody is around. Most public libraries have a copy.
Thank you all so much for the quotes and suggestions and comments. The rest of the family started without us, and have been reading from the Bible to her. We've just been given news that she seems to be attempting to speak and is more responsive to visitors - which may just be a miracle, considering she was given just hours to live the other night.
I'm bringing the Psalms with me and we're headed over to the hospital right now.
Thank you again! It means more to me than you may know.
Smartbutt....that's so great she is doing better already! My mom had a stroke a few years ago - it was a long haul of PT for her to get back to where she is now. You are such a compassionate person to do this even though it isn't really your thing. Your BF's aunt is in our thoughts.
"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you."
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
===rejoicing with you that she is doing better.. I am praying for her!=== I am glad that your family has been reading the Bible to her! As a Christian I can tell you if something like that happened to me I would be so grateful to the people who cared enough to do that, even if they did not share in my beliefs. You and your family are to be highly commended for putting her needs and wants first and seeking ways to bless and encourage her!!
Bible passages for the ill?
Smartbutt....that's so great she is doing better already! My mom had a stroke a few years ago - it was a long haul of PT for her to get back to where she is now. You are such a compassionate person to do this even though it isn't really your thing. Your BF's aunt is in our thoughts.
