A South Texas family is holding onto faith today as they wait for one moment they have been praying for: the moment their 26-year-old son, Abel Barrientos, opens his eyes.

Right now, that is the prayer. That is the hope. And his family is asking others to stand with them.

Mary Eljure reached out asking for prayers for Abel, who remains in the ICU after a devastating crash in Brownsville, Texas. According to his Rio Grande Valley family, Abel’s vehicle was badly crushed, leaving him pinned against a pole before first responders were able to rescue him.

He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, swelling on the brain, a collapsed lung, multiple broken ribs, and a fractured clavicle. Since then, doctors have kept him heavily sedated to help protect his brain while his body fights to heal.

Now, his family says Abel is facing another critical step.

Doctors are expected to stop his sedation today, and his loved ones are praying that he wakes up, responds, and begins taking another step toward recovery.

Even through the fear and uncertainty, Abel’s family says there have been small signs of hope. His brain swelling has started to improve. A bronchoscopy helped re-expand his injured lung, allowing him to breathe more on his own. His white blood cell count, which had been dangerously high after the crash, has also been moving in the right direction.

His aunt shared one detail that has brought comfort to the family during this painful wait:

“His eyes seem to be straight since his head trauma is so severe. In other cases eyes get distorted. His are straight. Praise Jesus.”

She says Abel is young, strong, and still has a long road ahead. But every sign of progress, no matter how small, reminds the family to keep believing, keep praying, and keep holding onto hope.

Today, they are asking for one specific prayer:

Please pray that when the sedation is stopped, Abel wakes up.

Pray that he responds to his doctors.

Pray for strength, healing, and peace for his family.

And pray that this young man continues moving toward the recovery everyone is hoping for.