Sanctify My Sickness
Bereans:
Our congregation has had a lot of sickness lately, from short-term to long-term illnesses, and from ER visits to planned surgeries. We know the Lord is our Great Physician and that one day all sickness will forever be a thing of the past! (Revelation 21:4). Even though we know sickness and suffering will be gone one day, we still have to deal with it in the present. One of the best ways to respond to sickness and suffering without sinning is to always keep before us that God providentially uses sickness and suffering in the lives of saints for His purposes, and a primary purpose is often our sanctification. When we trust that He is working all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28), then we can face sickness and suffering with a higher view in mind than simply the present.
I came across this Puritan prayer that I had saved some time ago. Unfortunately, I can't find the reference, so please forgive the lack of citation. If any of you happen to know the source, please send it to me and I'll cite the author. Regardless of who wrote it, I think it has a lot to offer to those who are sick or suffering.
Sanctify My Sickness
Loving Father, if it be your blessed will,
remove this sickness from me and
restore to me my former health,
that I may live longer to set forth your glory
and be a comfort to my friends who depend upon me.
And then Lord, you shall see
how religiously and wisely I shall redeem the time,
which so far I have so poorly and profanely spent.
That I may be delivered from this pain and sickness,
direct me, O Lord, I ask, by your divine providence,
to such a doctor and helper by whom,
through your blessings upon the means,
I may recover my former health and welfare again.
And, good Lord, as you have sent me this sickness,
would you likewise send your Holy Spirit into my heart,
so this present sickness may be sanctified to me.
May I use it as your school
to learn to know the greatness of my misery
and the riches of your mercy.
I renounce all confidence in myself,
and I put the whole trust in your all-sufficient merits.
May the Lord use this prayer to help you in times of sickness and suffering now and in the future.
Grace and peace to you,
J.W.
Our congregation has had a lot of sickness lately, from short-term to long-term illnesses, and from ER visits to planned surgeries. We know the Lord is our Great Physician and that one day all sickness will forever be a thing of the past! (Revelation 21:4). Even though we know sickness and suffering will be gone one day, we still have to deal with it in the present. One of the best ways to respond to sickness and suffering without sinning is to always keep before us that God providentially uses sickness and suffering in the lives of saints for His purposes, and a primary purpose is often our sanctification. When we trust that He is working all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28), then we can face sickness and suffering with a higher view in mind than simply the present.
I came across this Puritan prayer that I had saved some time ago. Unfortunately, I can't find the reference, so please forgive the lack of citation. If any of you happen to know the source, please send it to me and I'll cite the author. Regardless of who wrote it, I think it has a lot to offer to those who are sick or suffering.
Sanctify My Sickness
Loving Father, if it be your blessed will,
remove this sickness from me and
restore to me my former health,
that I may live longer to set forth your glory
and be a comfort to my friends who depend upon me.
And then Lord, you shall see
how religiously and wisely I shall redeem the time,
which so far I have so poorly and profanely spent.
That I may be delivered from this pain and sickness,
direct me, O Lord, I ask, by your divine providence,
to such a doctor and helper by whom,
through your blessings upon the means,
I may recover my former health and welfare again.
And, good Lord, as you have sent me this sickness,
would you likewise send your Holy Spirit into my heart,
so this present sickness may be sanctified to me.
May I use it as your school
to learn to know the greatness of my misery
and the riches of your mercy.
I renounce all confidence in myself,
and I put the whole trust in your all-sufficient merits.
May the Lord use this prayer to help you in times of sickness and suffering now and in the future.
Grace and peace to you,
J.W.
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