Let's Unite in Prayer for Dwight

I gather that you are reading this blog because you have some relationship to Dwight Matsuda. You may be a friend, family member, relative, colleague, or former student. Perhaps you live near him, in which case you have had the privilege to visit him in the hospital; however, you may live on the other side of the country or the world, only reading online updates on his current condition.

Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Dwight in several years, and we haven’t corresponded in way too long. My knowledge of his condition is limited, and at least at the time of writing this, I have yet to speak with his family. I also don’t know his medical chances of survival and healing. What I do know is this:

1. Dwight is a beloved child of God whose upright life exhibits the unconditional love of God.
2. Due to Dwight’s cardiac arrest at the wheel and the resulting car accident, he suffered severe brain damage and is fighting for his physical life.
3. The stability of his condition after being removed from the ventilator on Monday is a miracle in and of itself.
4. God can and does work miracles! (I have become more and more convinced of this following my cousin’s motorcycle accident one year ago this week. His miraculous recovery has defied all odds, and Adam, once in a coma, is now eating, walking and talking!!! Read more here if you’re interested in his wife’s daily update and journey. Check this site devoted to prayer and fasting for Adam to see what this site for Dwight is all about.)
5. I have never felt surer that we need to unite as prayer warriors for Dwight.

Hello, my name is Hillary Mortensen, and I was a teammate in Kazakhstan with Dwight during the 2006-2007 school year. There, I had the pleasure of working, serving, and playing alongside Dwight six days a week. I have long admired his gentle spirit, thoughtfulness, patience, and willingness to show us how to prepare the SPAM “sushi” with the maker someone sent him.

If you are reading this, I presume you have been impacted by Dwight’s life in some way, whether directly or indirectly. I invite you as friends and family of Dwight to join me tomorrow, Thursday, May 19, in a united day of prayer and fasting on his behalf.

My father initiated corporate prayer and fasting on behalf of my cousin last year, and likely not coincidentally, this post was written one year, to the day, after his introductory post. At his prompting, I am moving forward in the endeavor to unite prayer warriors for Dwight, and I am honored to use much of my father’s content going forward in providing background information on the hows and whys. (Yes, much of it is word for word. Thanks, Dad!)

Why Thursday? Why not? We need to act quickly, but also leave a little time for some planning and preparation. (We'll share a few tips between now and then.)

Why Fasting? I will provide some more information in subsequent posts. For now, just consider that hundreds of us could be united together in a spiritual practice commanded by Jesus.

It isn’t too much to ask, is it? I am not an expert on all the spiritual aspects of fasting, but I have done it, and survived (better than I thought I would, actually!)…and I have finished amazed at both God’s response to requests, as well as his faithfulness in growing me personally. I just believe that giving up a few meals to spend time in prayer is the least we can do to support Dwight and seek after God.

(Note: We will also share information about "partial fasts" for those with medical or health conditions.)

I am not a pastor or theologian, but I believe that a unified day of prayer and fasting is a good way for our requests to be heard and for us to grow. The fasting portion is a sign of obedience to God, and the sacrifice of not eating indicates the seriousness of our requests.

Folks, it’s time to get serious. Will you join me on Thursday?

Life is short. Pray hard.