A Map Through The Valley: Give Life Month; Organ Donation

PRAYING FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT

By Gail K. Kachnycz; 8 March 2021, update 29 March 2024

Sometimes the life of someone with chronic illness can be transformed with an organ transplant. Choosing to be a live donor, or even give the organs of a loved one who has died, is a great sacrifice. April is Give Life Month; here are some thoughts on how to pray regarding organ donation.

Very few types of organs can be removed from a living donor; one kidney is the most common. One lung, or a portion of the liver, pancreas, or intestine can be taken from a living donor. In each case, the surgery is elective, that is, voluntary, and not necessary to improve the health of the donor. In addition, the donor chooses to undergo the risks of anesthesia, surgery, and the changes to their own health after the operation. Living donors are true heroes.

The vast majority of organs are “cadaver” donations. That is, vital organs needed for transplantation are harvested from a person who has had severe traumatic injury resulting in brain death. Examples of organs obtained in these cases are: heart, heart valve, both lungs, corneas, and bone tissue. A prayer for these types of organs to be supplied is, in a way, a prayer for someone to die.

How then, should we pray? God has provided wisdom to doctors and scientists to explore the possibilities of transplantation, and these procedures can be life-saving or greatly improve the quality of life of the recipient. If you know someone who needs a transplant, I would suggest the following guidelines:

FOR LIVING DONORS

1. Thank God for their generosity and true demonstration of love. In some cases, the recipient is not a relative and the donor is helping a stranger. Ask God to bless them, and draw them closer to God (and saving faith, if they have not taken that step).

2. Ask God to protect them from complications of anesthesia, surgery, and the changes in their own health status after the operation.

3. If direct contact is permitted between donor and recipient (if they are unrelated to each other), seek to bless the donor with expressions of thanks.

FOR DONORS WHO ARE DECEASED

1. Pray for the families of the organ donor. If the injured person did not designate themselves as a donor, the family may be approached to authorize donation. Of necessity, this takes place at a time of crisis for the family. Pray that they would be comforted by the Lord, and that they would understand the blessing that the recipients will receive.

2. Pray for people to become aware of the option to donate organs in the event of their death. In Pennsylvania, citizens have the option to designate organ donation every time their driver’s license is renewed. Motor vehicle crashes sometimes result in the types of injuries that are fatal. It is not pleasant to think about, but planning for someone else to be blessed is an act of generosity.

3. Pray that the health of the organs can be preserved as they are harvested, matched, and transported. Time is of the essence.

FOR BOTH TYPES

1. Pray for skill and wisdom for the transplant team. Pray that the surgery will take place without complication.

2. Pray that recovery would be without complication and that the organ would not be rejected.

3. If direct contact is permitted between the recipient and the donor’s family, seek to bless the family with expressions of thanks. Uphold them as they go through the process of grieving their loved one. The decision to donate organs, whether specified by the donor or made by the family, may be difficult to think about. The family may wonder if they made the right decision, if they did not know the wishes of their loved one.

FOR YOURSELF: Consider becoming an organ donor.

1. Check if that option is available the next time your driver’s license is renewed. Or, sign up at:

www.organdonor.gov/

2. Discuss your decision with your family so they are aware of your desire to donate organs.