So if you haven't figured it out... I believe prayer changes things. Big things and small things. I think a lot lately I pray for small things. personal comforts, weather, awkward moments, the nature of my overwhelmingly normal life and existence ... But a few days ago I was reminded that as much as prayer is about having those every day conversations with God about life, love and happiness. It is also something that I do when big things... and I mean BIG SCARY things are out of my control and I need God in his wisdom and mercy to intercede and change the course of a physical reality.

When I first moved to England I got involved with a team of young people who were in love with Jesus and put Him as a priority in life. We spent sooo many  late nights praying in prayer rooms, drinking cups of tea while we fought out what church is and often challenging each other to game of less than enormous feats (who can do the most push ups, dance offs, trying to balance a tennis ball on someone unused crutches!!).

In that group was a young lad named James. He was only 18 when I met him, but often acted more like a 30 year old man trapped in a teenagers body. He always had us in fits of laughter from the "games" he would get everyone to play. He had a lovely voice and every now and again we could get him to sing a song or two and people loved it! He was always up for weird grand adventures and the number of "walks" we all went on were fabulous. Not to mention he had an unforgettable head full of curly golden locks.

As a team of people (and more so as a group of friends) we talked of hopes, dreams and the long lives we would all live pursing God, trying to do good in this world and creating opportunities for others to do the same. We were all too young to know any better and too old not to.

After that year we all have gone on to do such different things. Some moved back to their homes, some went on to jobs, other back to education, others into full time mission, some even married each other (wink wink!).

A few months back we got word that my friend James wasn't doing so well. He was living in Ibiza volunteering to help pick up clubbers and partiers off the streets to be the actual hands and feet of Jesus when he started getting sick and had pain in his chest.

To make a long story a bit shorter one of the people that has inspired me most in my faith has cancer... really scary cancer that could steal his life away... and its not ok with me.

His family also believe in God and prayer and the hope of living life. They wrote this incredible prayer and have asked their friends and family to be praying this over the next month to believe that a miracle can happen and James' physical body and life here on earth can be long and healthy.

If you know James or if you want to join in praying this prayer with his family and friends then Please join us for the next month in praying this every day and believing that through prayer change with come. If nothing else be inspired that a family in probably one of the most scary times of life have a relationship with God so deep that they can write something like this:

We thank you for James and the gift that he is to our family.  Thank you that this cancer was discovered and treated quickly, that the tumor has reduced in size, and that James is free of pain and able to sleep.  We thank you he has avoided infections, complications, and has been able to attend all treatment appointments.  Thank you for the fantastic care of medical staff and free access to treatment.  We thank you that James is gaining weight and is beginning to feel stronger.  We thank you for your love and care Lord, and for the many who join us in prayer, encouraging us and him to keep going.

• May he find a great wife and be married
• May James’ reproductive system be protected and may they have children
• May he pursue his chosen career and serve you fully Lord
• May he live cancer free for 5 years, and then beyond
• May his voice return so he can sing