Two days ago, David Leonard asked the Christian community to pray for his daughter River. Today, the situation is critical.
The acclaimed singer-songwriter and All Sons & Daughters artist posted an urgent update on March 25 revealing that his 7-year-old daughter has taken a serious turn for the worse. River, who was admitted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital earlier this week after fluid returned around her heart, is now on a ventilator and fighting for her life.
"Y'all, today our little one is fighting for her life," Leonard wrote. "I write this asking for you to lift her up. We are in need of what only the Father can do. Lord bring a miracle."
A second update posted the same day asked for continued specific prayer - that River's blood pressure would stabilize and would not require medication to maintain.
What has happened this week
On March 24 that River had been readmitted to Vanderbilt after fluid began building around her heart again - a condition she had previously faced and recovered from years ago. At that point Leonard was trusting God for the fluid to drain naturally, writing that he had seen the power of prayer and was believing for it.
In the days that followed, River's condition escalated into a life-threatening emergency requiring ventilator support.
Who River is
River is the youngest daughter of David and his wife Natalie. She is seven years old. Their older daughter Ella Kate is also part of this family that has been known in the Christian music community for their transparency, their faith, and their willingness to invite others into the most tender places of their lives.
For David Leonard, River's story has always been inseparable from his music. Her name, her arrival, her earlier health battles - all of it has poured into songs that have ministered to hundreds of thousands of people. Now those same people are being called to minister back.
How to pray right now
Leonard's specific requests as of March 25 are clear - pray that River's blood pressure stabilizes, that the ventilator does her work while her body fights, and that God does what only He can do.
The Christian community worldwide is asked to lift up River Leonard, her father David, her mother Natalie, and her sister Ella Kate by name today.
