“I pray constantly as I am listening to people - for the opportunity & courage to bring the gospel to each person”
Prayer and privilege - two words that describe the life of Geraldton Hospital Chaplain Jeremy Rice.
Jeremy provides providing pastoral care and home visits to hundreds of patients, their families and staff each year.
“It’s such a privilege to be with people at this time in their life. Suddenly they have an accident or a diagnosis with a bleak outlook. They come to a crossroads and everything is different.
“As a Chaplain I have a precious opportunity to speak with people about the hope of the gospel and the saving grace of Jesus Christ.”
His role in a public hospital requires great sensitivity and he is guided by the teaching in 1 Peter 3:15, ‘But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’
“I pray constantly as I’m listening to people. So often I feel weak, cowardly and inadequate to the task. I ask God to give me the opportunity and courage to bring the gospel to each situation and I pray that I won’t make a mess of it.
“It’s amazing the conversations that open up. I look to find a point of contact by exploring how a person makes sense of life, what gives their life meaning and what they most value.”
Jeremy has seen God at work in the lives of the dying: a professed atheist joining in prayer each visit; a self-reliant man claiming Jesus’ forgiveness and salvation for the first time; and the joy of sharing the Scriptures, prayer and fellowship with dying Christian patients and their family.
“Support can involve listening and talking generally or discussing deeper issues like ‘Why is this happening?’ and ‘Where is God in all this?’ Conversations can be about Jesus, healing, hope and may involve reading the Bible and praying with patients. Others don’t want a bar of talk about God but they might still want to talk.
“My aim is to listen well and to combine truth and love in my words, manner and actions — doing all to the glory of God.”