Prayer for people suffering from chronic pain
By Vivian Bricker
Bible poems:
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my part.” – Psalm 73:26
Listen or read:
Since being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, I have been suffering from chronic pain. Suffering from chronic pain can be extremely difficult both mentally and physically. And it affects me mentally, leading to worsening anxiety, depression, obsessiveness. Every time my physical pain gets worse, my mental struggle becomes even more apparent. Depression and anxiety urge me to give up and stop trying.
If you feel this way today, know that I look at you and God is looking at you. He sees the pain you are experiencing. Because tears have not been missed by him (Psalm 56:8). Sometimes it feels as if God is not paying attention to our pain, but he… and he really cares (1 Peter 5:7). Sometimes, when people around us seem to care or understand, we may think that God feels the same way. But God cares, He understands, and He loves you (John 3:16; Jeremiah 31:3).
Even if we know this, we can suffer from the difficulties of feeling chronic pain. My autoimmune illness causes debilitating pain and extreme lethargy. There are days when it can’t work without painkillers, but I’m still trying my best to keep pushing. I’ve spoken to others with chronic illnesses and it’s amazing to see how we can go despite all the pain we’re experiencing.
From my own personal experience, I often share my pain as I have had others treat me like a burden to express my pain. When my bones hurt, I’m too tired to stand, I just choose to take my time on my own. Also, if no one around us suffers from chronic pain, we can feel ineffective and misunderstanding. In my direct daily life, I don’t come across many people in chronic pain. Therefore, it may be difficult to have a sense of understanding. Since none of my family has chronic pain, how can they understand what I’m going through? When I say I’m feeling pain, I sometimes feel like I’m bothering them, so I choose to push down the pain, take a pain reliever and use the heating pad until the flare is over.
Friends, you may already know how lonely and quarantined this. Fear loves to make us feel alone, but we are by no means truly alone. God is with us and there are other believers all over the world who are experiencing chronic pain like we do.
The Bible says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my part is forever” (Psalm 73:26). As Asaph says in this passage, our flesh and heart may fail, but God becomes the strength of our hearts and our parts of eternal. This passage gives me strength on my weakest day, because it is God’s strength. He strengthens my tired knees and equips my mind for the future day. God may not take away all our pain, but when we go through it, he can help us. Chronic pain may continue for the rest of our lives, but it does not define us. Only Jesus defines us. We need to trust him.
Let’s pray:
Dear God, I suffer from chronic pain, and it has a lot to deal with. I want all the pain to end. I know you may not answer my prayers the way I wish, but I know you can help me and provide peace of mind. Strengthen my heart and remain my part of me forever. I praise me for all your goodness, and I cannot wait to see you in heaven where all the pain will finally end. On this day, I know that there is only love, health, joy and hope. Thank you for giving me this promise for the future. This will help relieve pain in this current life. In the name of Jesus, I pray, amen.
Photo credit: ©getTyimages/plus/mindfulmedia
Vivian Bricker received his Bachelor of Mission and a Master of Arts with a focus on theology. She loves theology, mission work, and everything that helps others learn about Jesus. Find out more about her content on Cultivate: https://cultivatechristianity.wordpress.com/.
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