Praying to Apollo, Asklepios and Epione
Recently, we were told that our former professor was going to undergo major surgery to remove tumors. It came as a surprise, as he took care of himself and often reminded us to do the same. (Given how law students tend to be stressed, sleep deprived or sick. Sometimes all at once.)
So as I worship Apollo, I prayed to him regarding the matter.
I prayed to Asklepios and Epione as well, along with offerings and my usual libations.
I prayed for his healing, his recovery, and for any pain their family experiences from this be soothed over time as they heal as a family unit. That the hospital treats them in a dignified matter (even in private hospitals, sometimes medical practioners can be a bit jaded and act dismissive in this country) that their doctors and nurses may be guided and ever effective.
Honestly, if I had been able to worship the theoi during my own father's hospitalization and passing I might have processed it with less trauma developing. Given that I'm around mostly Christians, they kept telling me to "believe, and he will be healed.", "any day now he'll wake up and recover." but when he passed, all of a sudden it was "God's plan". I know they meant well, and even I felt comfort from their words at one point. I'd be lying if I said I didn't resent them for a while as some made snide remarks that maybe if I attended service or prayed more, my father might still be alive. Although it wasn't phrased like that verbatim, they kept telling me, a mourning daughter, to go to church more moving forward. As if I had a debt that needed to be settled so my dad was taken to teach me a lesson.
Bad experience aside, I found myself reflecting on how I pray now.
As I've been worshipping Apollo, I'm familiar with how warm and assuring it can be to pray to him. The same feeling was present when I prayed to Epione and Asklepios.
I just wanted to share, as I dedicate myself more to our gods, I feel more and more comfortable with praying. Not always in exchange for things to be granted, but how devotion really is something one must develop on their own.
In no way do I intend to badmouth the religion I was born into, I just don't agree with organized religion and the cultures that developed within it.
However, the fearmongering I personally experienced within the religion has truly affected me negatively in my younger years.
Again, I would like to reiterate that this is my personal experience and do not wish to offend anyone by insinuating that every church or religion under the Christian God is like this.
If I may humbly ask for any prayers or offerings you've made to the gods mentioned, feel free to add them here as well.
TLDR: I prayed to Apollo, Asklepios and Epione for my professor's healing and recovery and reflected on the difference of how I pray now vs. before.