“He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” John 9:14

Healing Lord, 

You know my sweet husband often jokes 

that if either one of us ever woke up and our bodies weren’t in pain, 

we’d know we had died and gone to be with you. 

Today I pray for all who have chronic illness and ailments, 

for those who have visited doctor after doctor, 

sought help from numerous resources, 

hoping for a diagnosis, hoping for a cure.

We confess, we don’t understand why some people 

are healed and others aren’t. 

And yet, we trust that you are merciful and kind, 

that you are working in the midst of affliction, 

just as you worked in the midst of Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Today, give us the courage to pray 

that even if we are not yet healed, 

your grace would be sufficient 

and our suffering would reveal your glory. 

Today, give us the courage to pray for healing 

and to trust that if healing doesn’t come in our bodies or minds, 

it will come in our hearts 

in the form of greater endurance, 

greater faith, 

greater hope (Romans 5:3-5). 

In your redeeming name. Amen. 

Read John 9:1-41; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.