Billy Graham's family ask for prayer after granddaughter suffers two heart attacks

Rachel-Ruth (L) with her mother Anne Graham Lotz. (Photo: BillyGraham.org)

The granddaughter of late evangelist Billy Graham is in hospital after suffering two back-to-back heart attacks over the weekend.

Rachel-Ruth Lotz was hospitalized on Saturday night after suffering the first heart attack. She then suffered a second heart attack on Sunday afternoon. 

Her mother, Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham, is asking for prayers. 

"Multiple times I have prayed Psalm 73:26 for people who were struggling with heart issues: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever," Lotz said on Facebook.

"I am now driving the stake of my faith down deep into this promise for my daughter, Rachel-Ruth." 

Lotz said she had been told by a doctor that Rachel-Ruth suffers from a rare condition called 'broken heart syndrome', which the Mayo Clinic describes as "a temporary heart condition that's often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions". According to Mayo, the causes of broken heart syndrome are "unclear". 

"I am urgently asking you to join my family in praying for Rachel-Ruth," Lotz said.

"Please pray for her heart to stabilize; for accurate diagnosis and treatment; for the doctor's supernatural wisdom; for peace and comfort for all of us."

She concluded by quoting Scripture. 

"The lead verse in today's Daily Light from Psalm 103 was very encouraging ... Bless the Lord, O my soul ... Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies." 

Rachel-Ruth is married with three children and serves on the board of directors for her mother's outreach AnGeL Ministries where she also chairs a weekly prayer team.

Lotz's brother, Franklin Graham, has asked his social media followers to pray for his niece. 

"Please join me in praying for my sister Anne Graham Lotz's daughter, Rachel-Ruth," he wrote. 

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Royal College of Nursing criticised for display of trans flag
Royal College of Nursing criticised for display of trans flag

Typically a flag denotes the ownership of a tribe or group over an area.

Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis
Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis

So far 131 people have been killed by the outbreak.

Without a culture shift, Christian street preachers will continue to be arrested
Without a culture shift, Christian street preachers will continue to be arrested

Christian street preachers are almost invariably arrested under a section of law that was originally intended to deal with football hooliganism.

Thoughts on Ruth
Thoughts on Ruth

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on poor judges and famine through the lens of the book of Ruth.