A Prayer about Suffering in the Body

Compassionate Lord,

Today we lift up, and we pray our prayers will truly lift up, 

those who are weighed down 

with the heavy burden of chronic illness or ongoing suffering 

in their bodies. 

Some have chronic pain that no medication can touch, 

some have seen doctor after doctor in efforts 

to find out why they feel terrible all the time. 

Others live with chronic depression or anxiety, 

still others have struggled with a barren womb 

or multiple miscarriages for years. 

Oh, good Father, may we pause for a moment 

and bring to mind people we know, 

whether friends, family, or acquaintances 

who suffer in their body. 

May we imagine what their days are like. 

Now we ask you, 

be so very near to them in all sorts of ways—

provide physical relief, 

provide hope through a new medical professional 

who really listens to them, 

provide comfort through our compassion.

As they struggle to believe that you truly are near, may we draw near to them, 

not with quick fixes 

but with long-suffering and listening hearts.

Save those who are crushed in spirit. 

Strengthen their faith, 

surround them with community who will believe on their behalf 

as they walk through (or feel they are stuck in) 

the dark valleys. 

By your Spirit, 

draw them near to you 

that they may see 

how you have come near to them 

in your Son’s suffering. 

In Jesus’ kind name we ask. Amen. 

Read Psalm 34:10-22; Psalm 22.