"Beyond PRN"

“Beyond PRN”

One of my duties as a hospice chaplain was making an assessment of new patients’ spiritual needs. From this initial contact I developed a plan of care which included the frequency of visits, usually once or twice a month. But I always added “prn” to my report. This is the abbreviation for the Latin phrase “pro re nata”, which means “for an occasion that has arisen”. In hospice-ese it simply indicates “as needed”, suggesting availability beyond the stated plan when unforeseen circumstances come about.

When I was hired by our local hospital last year my title was (and still is) “prn chaplain”. In this role I’m on call for emergencies during off hours for a week at a time as well as to fill in on day shifts when a staff chaplain isn’t present. God has opened unique and unexpected opportunities to minister to patients and families as I serve in this capacity.

Recently I was asked to lead our Sunday School class for three weeks as our teacher recovered from a medical procedure. We’re studying the early history of Israel’s monarchy recorded in 1 Samuel. My assignment was the story of David and Goliath recorded in Chapter 17. Just prior to this incident David had helped Saul during his times of struggle (“…Whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better….”--! Samuel 16:23, NLT). So 3000 years ago there was such a thing as a prn music therapist. Hospitals today see the value of this practice and provide this service on a prn basis.

Scripture suggests God’s “prn” accessibility (“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”—Hebrews 4:16, emphasis added). But it’s far beyond what I can offer. I’m always available when I’m on call at the hospital, but God is everywhere at all times, not simply on call (“I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!—Psalm 139:7, NLT). So it’s not His presence which is prn since He’s always with us, but His grace comes prn as we ask. And it’s always enough (“My grace is sufficient for you….”—2 Corinthians 12:9). So let His grace meet your need whenever one arises.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan