Constantly Chronic

One of our daughter in laws, who is a very thoughtful gift giver and incredibly intelligent and compassionate hospice nurse, sent this Anja Acupressure mat and pillow to me for my birthday. She knows I deal with a lot of pain and had heard great things about these alternative options to pain relief.  It will take some getting used to before I can stand or lie directly, bare skinned, on these pointy plastic petals, but I'm up for the challenge. I've conquered the pillow and really like it.

This same beautiful, young, woman has been quite ill for over a year, battling an unknown infection which has doctors and researchers baffled. The fevers and pain she endures are excruciating, but she handles all this with grace and a flourishing faith despite the battle.

We are thankful for the many persistent prayer warriors calling out to the Lord on her behalf.  A few weeks ago, I came across a blog titled "Constantly Chronic" and wanted to share these 10 things to pray for the chronically ill.

1. That they would know God’s comfort

There is no comfort like the compassionate comfort of God toward His children. He sees all of their suffering and every bit of pain. The main way that God comforts His children is through His Word. Pray that your chronically ill friend will experience the comfort of God through the words of the Bible. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to mind verses of comfort at times when they are most needed. The other main way believers receive the comfort of God is through each other, so don’t merely pray, but use your words to encourage and comfort them as well.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation…”2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.” Psalm 119:50

2. That they would have hope

As Christians, our hope is not just wishing something will happen, but it is a sure confident expectation that God Has done what He said He did and will do what He says He will. Pray that your sick loved one will not put confidence in themselves or worldly things, because it is only by hoping in God and what His Word reveals that we can have real hope. Pray that they would be able to look forward with hope that even if their pain never ends on this earth it will be completely taken away in heaven because of Jesus’ salvation.

 “Our soul waits for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.” Psalm 33:20-22

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that 
we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4

3. For their family and relationships

Chronic illnesses tend to put a lot of strain on relationships. The illness affects everybody the sick person comes in contact with to varying degrees. The family especially has to take on many responsibilities in order to care for the ill person, as well as bear the weight of daily seeing how much the chronic illness has changed their loved one. Pray for relationships between family, friends, and the sick person to be strong and grace-filled.

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” Romans 12:10-12

4. That they would have joy

It is so hard to keep our thoughts from sinking into despair when our bodies are riddled with pain and illness each and every day. It takes tremendous effort to choose to have joy and not dwell on all the negative things we are going through. Pray that God would fill them with a joy that transcends their circumstances and is rooted in the gospel.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

5. For them not to be discouraged

Becoming discouraged is so easy when all you feel is pain. Pray that instead of being discouraged they will remember that God is just as constant as the pain feels.

 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

6. For wisdom in making medical decisions

There are numerous decisions your chronically ill loved one has to make. Some examples include: what medications to take, what other treatments to pursue, what tests to have done, what hospital or doctors to see, what procedures to have done, and more. With minds that are shrouded in brain fog and exhausted from physical pain, it can be difficult to know what choices to make. These decisions are very important and affect our battle with illness greatly. God holds all wisdom in His hand and He promises to give it to His children as they seek Him. Pray for God to give them wisdom in all the decisions they have to make.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;“ Proverbs 2:6

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

7. That God would strengthen their faith

Trials are huge testers of our faith, and without the strength of God keeping our faith grounded, we would not be able to endure. Pray that God would keep their faith strong in the gospel even in the midst of chronic illness.

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

 “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:16

“if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.”  Colossians 1:23

“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”  1Peter 1:7

8.For them not to be anxious

Anxiousness is something your loved one will have to combat continually throughout their lifetime will chronic illness. It is in our nature as human beings to look at our challenging circumstances and become overwhelmed with our inability to control it. By looking to God and His Word and remembering that He is in control and at work in every single thing we face, we can resist the urge to worry and trust in Him instead. Pray that your loved one will keep their gaze focused on God and His infinite power and compassion. Pray that they would not be anxious, but rest in God’s sovereignty.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”  Philippians 4:6

9. That they would trust more fully in God

This ties into the previous item on the list. We are tempted each day to fail to trust in God and instead dwell on our circumstances. But as Psalm 9:10 says, God has never forsaken his Children. God alone is worthy of our trust. Pray that your friend will be able to focus on God’s faithfulness in the past and as a result trust the only One worthy of our complete trust. There is an amazing peace that comes with fully relying upon out trustworthy God.

 “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10

“Oh, how great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19

 “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trustunder the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36:7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

10. Healing

This is the most obvious thing to pray, so it doesn’t require much of an explanation. Our all-powerful God is able to do anything!  Pray that God would heal them, but don’t forget to daily pray for them to have the strength to glorify God until the day He does heal them (whether that be on this earth or in heaven.)

“I know that You can do everything and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” Job 42:2