A Prayer for Chronic Illness
For the long-haul unwell — strength for today, grace in the limits, hope that holds.
Some illness does not resolve in a season; it moves in. This prayer is for the long haul — for bodies that ache daily and faith that gets tired.
The prayer
Father, you know this body better than any consultant — every symptom, every flare, every weary morning. I bring you the long haul of it.
I still ask for healing; you are able, and I will not stop asking. But for today, I ask for what you promised Paul: grace sufficient, strength made perfect in weakness.
Give me patience with my limits and freedom from guilt about them. Give the people who care for me endurance and tenderness.
And keep my hope anchored past this body — in the day when this mortal puts on immortality and pain is a memory. Until then, be near, be enough. Amen.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
My grace is sufficient for thee — present tense, renewed daily, exactly the schedule chronic illness runs on.
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