"Terminally ill woman choosing to end life checks last item off bucket list" is the headline that grabbed my attention today. As many already know, a very alarming and tragic story continues to be exploited by the media. A young bride has chosen suicide over natural death. And people are using it to promote suicide.

I am very sorry for this young woman, Brittany Maynard, who is close in age to me. My heart breaks for her current situation. But I am also very concerned for her position in eternity. She seems so hopeless. And I pray that she knows Jesus. Soon. VERY soon. He is the only One that can handle death and pain for her. He makes all the difference both here and hereafter.   The end of life decision should be made by the Author of life, the One who died so that we might live: Jesus Christ. He died the most painful, agonizing death and bore our sins on the cross. Then He rose again and conquered it for us!

Fear of pain can be very daunting. I know that. Hey, I have experienced sustained level 10 pain on a scale of 1 to 10. It’s very hard, but Christ has been with me. And I know I don’t know the half of what this young woman has been through and faces.   Yet I have been at the bedside of the dying numerous times. I have prayed and sung over them as they neared their departure to Heaven. There is nothing more profound and precious than the death of a Christian who has true hope and confidence in Christ.   I have also been with those who are unsure about life after death. And it is a fearsome thing to behold. No hope. No light. No life.

Today, I urge you to share this article so that others can have something to think about and pray about. Pray for the young lady who is planning to kill herself. Pray for her to know Jesus in time. Pray for people who have read about her story in the media and who don’t know the true hope of Jesus. And remember that “Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5, AMP).

When you know Jesus, you know what I mean: You can do anything through Christ who strengthens you. If you don’t know Him, it’s impossible to understand what I mean. Yes, Jesus loves you, and, when you accept Him as Savior and Lord, He’s with you all the way – no matter what.

Stacie Ruth, cofounder of PrayingPals.org (where thousands of people worldwide have opted to join and/or share prayer requests, anytime and anywhere)