The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
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.
