Popular Christian author and speaker Rachel Held Evans, whose books like Searching for Sunday and A Year of Biblical Womanhood have inspired and challenged millions, was placed in a medically induced coma on Friday. According to a blog post from her husband Dan, Evans began experiencing seizures during complications that arose from an infection. Doctors are struggling to determine the cause and proper treatment.
The hashtag #PrayforRHE trended on Twitter as news of Evans’ condition spread. Evans’ Evolving Faith Conference co-curators Sarah Bessey and Jeff Chu organized a social media prayer chain that prompted an outpouring of gratitude for Evans’ ministry. Even former theological sparring partners like author Rod Dreher and Southern Baptist Convention leader Russell Moore weighed in with their remembrances, along with many women who credited Evans with inspiring them to get involved in preaching and teaching, and a huge collection of “misfits” who said she helped them find a space in Christianity.
Rachel, I love you.I’m so grateful for you. You are a light in the darkness. Woman of valor. Courageous warrior. Defender of the broken. A light in the darkness. A beacon of hope.May Jesus, Mary, and all the angels and saints attend to you now. Lord, hear our prayer. #PrayForRHE
— Elizabeth Esther (@elizabethesther) April 19, 2019
I’m seeing a stream of tweets from women saying, “I wouldn’t be preaching if not for @rachelheldevans. I wouldn’t be in seminary if not for her.” (I’m one of them) God, thank you for Rachel’s work in raising up your daughters to serve your church. Heal her now. #prayforRHE
— Becky Castle Miller (@bcastlemiller) April 19, 2019
I can think of few people who are such examples of what I imagine a healthy Christian would look like as @rachelheldevans. So, I’ve been on my knees in intercessory prayer that I’m not sure I believe in this morning. #PrayForRHE
— Science Mike (@mikemchargue) April 19, 2019
I love Rachel Held Evans so much. God, please bring her protection and healing. Please bring comfort and peace to her husband and their two precious little ones who need their mother. Please bring wisdom to her doctors and help her recover. This world needs her. #PrayforRHE
— Matthew Vines (@VinesMatthew) April 19, 2019
Lifting the gift to us which is Rachel up, and celebrating the beautiful friends she has around the globe as they stand with her. Rachel, peace and strength to you.
— Bob Goff (@bobgoff) April 19, 2019
I’ve scrapped intensely with the progressive Christian writer Rachel Held Evans, but I’m grieved to hear that she is in the hospital in grave condition this Easter weekend. Please pray for her, and her family!
— Rod Dreher (@roddreher) April 19, 2019
This is the beauty and power of Rachel’s ministry; that a bunch of church misfits are gathering to pray for her because we love her so, even if we don’t consider ourselves pray-ers anymore. She abounds in grace and love and wisdom. Lord bring healing. Lord be near. #PrayForRHE
— Lindsay Smith (@lvsmithauthor) April 19, 2019
I don’t really pray quite like this anymore – but for Rachel I’d do just about anything. Join us. @rachelheldevans #PrayForRHE https://t.co/ytcp9HzRDp
— Glennon Doyle (@GlennonDoyle) April 19, 2019
Dan Evans says he will be updating this blog post with regular updates about his wife’s health.
