Helen's Story About Prayer

Helen meets Sally at the basket weaving group in the urban Indian center. Here is the conversation that follows:

Helen: Hey Sally! I need some help.

Sally: What's going on my friend?

Helen: I have been doing a lot of praying to get better with this cancer I have been dealing with.

Sally: Are you doing this all alone?

Helen: Pretty much. What else can I do?

Sally: I would suggest you call your friends and family to help you with your prayers. You know the prayers of one are good but the prayers of many are very powerful.

Helen: It's hard for me to ask anything.

Sally: I know how THAT can be my friend. I will help make calls and contacts for you.

Helen: You will? Thank you so much my friend. I feel better already.

It is hard for Helen to ask for help and to let others know her personal needs. Which would you encourage her to try if she were your friend and neighbor?

1. Write down her "dream" list of what she would like to have. When she is comfortable, ask her to share that list with you (as her friend and neighbor).


2. Ask the NACR's Native Patient Advocates (toll free: 1-800-537-8295) to help her practice what to say and how to say it


3. Get a free long-distance calling card from NACR so that she can call her family and talk with them.


4. Use the "I-messages" in the "communication branch" to help learn good ways to phrase questions


5. I don't know / not sure

Helen doesn't have any family living close by, but you probably do. Who would you ask for help so that many others are praying for you?

1. My family


2. My friends


3. My religious / spiritual leader


4. A tribal elder


5. NACR's Native Patient Advocates (toll free: 1-800-537-8295)


6. Other

To read more stories about Helen, click on her leaf above or click Here

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