In an intimate letter written in a hospital by his ailing wife’s bedside, Michael Sweet, who formed hard rock band Stryper in 1983 with brother, Robert, told fans last week that that he and his wife, Kyle, are walking through the darkest time of their lives.
“I constantly wrestle with the reality of this monster that invades [Kyle’s] body and I can tell you that it’s been a tremendous struggle to see my wife so sick,” Sweet wrote in his letter, which he later posted on his Web site. “I have felt so helpless and at times completely hopeless; we covet and cherish every prayer from everyone of you.”
Sweet, 45, asked fans to pray specifically for his wife’s immune system and digestive system. “She hasn’t eaten for days due to nausea and it won’t pass,” he said. “She’s very weak and I just want to take her home. I’ve stood faithful and hopeful in prayer through this battle, yet to see my love suffer and endure the pain and discomfort that she has over the past two years breaks my heart into a million pieces. No one deserves this, especially Kyle.”
Last Thursday, a group of Sweet’s friends and fans organized a day of prayer for “divine intervention,” urging people to incorporate fasting with their prayers so that she would be completely healed. “This is serious. Kyle has been fighting for her life,” wrote “Penny,” who organized the “prayer warrior” team at michaelsweet.com. “She is too weak to fight this monster in her body now, we have to stand up and fight for her. If there has ever been a time that she needs us interceding for her it is now.”
In last week’s letter, Sweet also said his wife’s grave condition has driven him into loving, honoring and appreciating her like never before. “Standing by [Kyle’s] side and seeing her physically and emotionally face this horrible disease, I’ve realized that not only is she the love of my life, she is an angel and the most inspirational person I’ve ever known,” Sweet wrote. “She is the backbone of our family, a pillar of strength, and as unselfish as one can be. She has given me so much joy and I guess I just wanted to give all of you a glimpse of who Kyle is and the character that she bestows.”
Stryper sold millions of albums during the 1980s and was a Grammy Award-nominated band whose music soaked up plenty of airtime on MTV. The band’s hit song, “Honestly,” broke into secular pop music’s Top 40.
After breaking up in 1992 due to a loss of artistic direction, Sweet released solo projects over the years and also helped regroup Stryper in 2003. The band released Reborn in 2005 and is slated to release Murder By Pride this year.
Sweet thanked those who have been praying and supporting he and his wife during their painful hardships. “You do not know how much [your prayers] mean,” he said. “Kyle sends her love too. She lit up when I told her that I would post and ask all of you to pray. It means so much. More than you know.”
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