Pray for Edward Donnelly
Edward Donnelly is one of the greatest blessings to the church in our day. He is a model of godly humility and pastoral wisdom. He is also one of the finest preachers I have heard. You can listen to his sermons here.
The following is an except from a letter written to a friend of mine regarding an urgent prayer need for Rev. Donnelly. He has suffered a severe disability from a case of encephalitis. Please commit him to prayer as there has been no improvement to his speech as of yet.
Pastor Donnelly was taken to hospital ten days ago with a suspected minor stroke. However, after several days of steady deterioration in his speech and motor skills the doctors finally diagnosed encephalitis, a rare and serious disease of the brain. He is receiving IV antiviral medication and will continue to do so for the next two weeks. It’s impossible to know at this stage how much recovery he will make, but any recovery will be very slow. At the moment he seems to understand everything that is said to him, but can’t speak easily himself – just a few words. However as of Friday/Saturday it seemed that the deterioration stopped and he hasn’t got any worse since, which is a wonderful answer to prayer.
Please pray that God will grant him steady improvement, however slow that may be. But his condition remains very serious, and it is currently not possible to predict how much of his powers he will recover. Please also uphold in prayer his wife Lorna and his family and congregation in Northern Ireland (which he has pastored for 35 years) at this difficult time.
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Indeed; he is one of my favorite preachers and I have been praying for him since I heard about this news from a friend. Thanks for bringing this to the attention of others.
Mark
Pastor Donnelly is a dear dear man and a gifted preacher beyond any who are living that I have been priveledged to hear. He exalts Christ in a way that causes you to burst forth in doxology! We are praying for a complete recovery as this is our true desire but we know that our Lord is good and does all things well. Whatever His plan is for Ted it is a good plan and we know that he will rejoice and praise the Lord as should we.
I have been praying for him and his family ever since I learned of his illness. He is a kind friend and I esteem him highly.
“Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.” My prayers must surely fall short; but, God helping me, count yourself covered completely in a tapestry of prayer, Brethren. Love from South Haven, MI. Sue B.
What is his condition now? Any updates?
Thank you!
From Jonathan Moore: The latest news on Ted Donnelly is that he’s still in hospital. There has been a slight improvement in speech and his temperature is more stable, but he still has a long way to go.
Update via Iain Murray:
“Saturday Dec.4, 2010
I spoke to Lorna Donnelly this morning and it was good to hear that Ted came home last night. The diagnosis of encephalitis was confirmed. His speech is ‘wonderfully’ improved but he is in need of therapy for speech, and at present the doctors cannot be sure the speech will proceed to full recovery
or ‘level out’ before that. There has been loss of memory and stimulus for memory and speech is now important and the home situation is obviously better for that. His general physical condition has improved, a chest infection has cleared, but there remains a blood clot in a leg which is being treated with warfarin. Movement is of course important, and he does move about although is not always steady on his feet.
I assured Lorna that, as she knows, they are both being remembered far and wide. She is very conscious of the Lord’s help and thankful for continuance of prayer for them.”
Praise the LORD
Mark,
Thank you for the updates on Rev. Donnelly. Please keep them coming as you are able. I have many people asking me how he is doing and I have no way of receiving updates. Thanks again.
As of this past Lord’s Day, the church (http://www.trinityrpc.com/our_pastor/ourpastor.htm) website says that Pastor Donnelly was able to participate in the communion service with his congregation, which is wonderful! Thanks God for this improvement!
Ted Donnelly is now out of hospital and able to speak. But apparently it’s still doubtful whether he will ever be able to preach again.
How is Ted doing now?