N4L 083: "God in the ICU" by Dave Walker, M.D.

SUMMARY From an early age, Dr. Dave Walker, author of God in the ICU, believed two things: that God loved him and that he wanted to be a doctor. But even as a successful anesthesiologist, when personal tragedy struck not once but three times, Walker became disillusioned with God. Gone was his trust in a personal, intimate God. However, when he returned to his childhood practice of praying, Walker could not deny the miracles that unfolded. God in the ICU: The Inspirational Biography of a Praying Doctor reveals the open faith of a man who relies on both science and spirituality to help heal his patients and to become a believer again. KEY POINTS When personal tragedy strikes, Walker’s strong belief in God morphs into cold anger and leads him into a period of spiritual loneliness, and life begins to consist of only random joy and pain. Although he recommends his patients pray for comfort, he doesn’t personally believe God will hear them. A powerful atmosphere of love in church creates a turning point; disillusionment and resentment begin to melt into acceptance and belief. South Africans are more willing to talking about spiritual things than those in the U.S., so offering to pray in the ICU is comfortable. In the ICU, sick people tend to be desperate for people to pray for them. Touching patients when praying for them confirms research that laying hands on a person can enhance healing. Walker learns to pray for patients regardless of the outcome. In the United Arab Emirates, where Muslims highly respect “holy Christians,” Walker prays with and for Christians and Muslims alike. QUOTES FROM WALKER “From early on, I really wanted to help people, and I guess I thought that medicine was the best way I could do that.”   “The surgeon gets all the glamour…but actually, it’s the anesthetist that actually keeps the patient alive…[and] who looks after the care of the whole patient.” "When fighting for your life, you need more than medicine."  “The patients in the ICU--and their relatives as well—needed more than I could give them.” “We always expect God to be dramatic in His healing, but sometimes miracles happen slowly, and sometimes God wants us to be intensely involved in the working of His miracles.” “There’s nothing like prayer to change you as you connect with God.” “If you want to get a tan, sit under the sun; if you want to get a spiritual tan, sit under the Son.” “The more we pray, the more we see God coming through, and the more we see God coming through, the more we’re able to trust Him and to live a life of trust.” "Nothing can shield us from the unpredictable experiences of a fallen world. How we respond, however, especially to God, will determine how it affects us." BUY God in the ICU: The Inspiring Biography of .a Praying Doctor RECOMMENDATION BUY Learning to Play God: The Coming of Age of a Young Doctor Connect with us on social media! Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Special thanks… Music Credit Sound Editing Credit