ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The family of a young child who was told in June he has an incurable brain tumor and less than a year to live is putting out a plea to their community and country for prayers on his behalf on Ray’s sixth birthday, which is coming up September 23.
“There’s strength in numbers, so that’s the reason I’m asking the city to come together and pray with us for Ray, [for] healing,” Ray’s grandmother, Yvonne Rhodes, told KTVI in St. Louis.
Ray Lathon was diagnosed in June with a brain tumor, and the family was told at that time Ray only had about 6 months to a year to live.
Rhodes says their family has a strong belief in the power of prayer, and so in honor of Ray’s upcoming birthday they are asking others to join them in offering prayers on the child’s behalf.
"We need to come together and pray," Rhodes told KTVI. "Because it is power in prayer. I've seen it before. If you believe in prayer also, why not join in?"
KTVI reports young Ray is known for helping others by doing things like serving food to the homeless each month or visiting nursing homes. Ray loves Batman and sports, and his family says the fifth of six boys has a heart of gold.
Young Ray’s favorite scripture passage is the Lord’s Prayer, which his family said he was able to recite during an Easter Service at the age of three.
Ray’s family is building a prayer circle for him, and they said their hope is that on Ray’s birthday, September 23, people around the country will come together to pray for Ray to be healed.
For those in St. Louis, a day of prayer and Ray’s party are planned to be held at Penrose Park on September 23 at 2 p.m.
Visit KTVI in St. Louis for updates and local coverage of this story.
