6 Uplifting Prayers for a Scary Medical Diagnosis
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One of the great trials in this life is illness. Sometimes it is an annoying cold that makes the body weak and sore, but there is the assurance of recovery. Other times, people are faced with a diagnosis that is a true risk to their wellbeing, or will involve long and painful recovery times. Such diagnoses can be daunting, even for Christians, and can lead to anxiety or despair.
God is both Healer and Comforter, our Great Physician and Shepherd. He cares when people get sick and has it in His power to make them better, though it may not always be in His will. Going to the Lord in prayer during a time of illness is important, and can be the difference between losing hope and growing closer to the Lord in-between sickness and health.
1. A Prayer for Faith
Holy Father,
Thank you for always being there for us, for Your steadfastness, and Your patience. Lord, I am facing a serious illness, and in my weakness, I know that my faith will be rocked through this experience. It will be tested, tried, and I don’t want it to be shaken.
Your Word says that faith like a mustard seed can do many wonders, and I want my faith to grow during this difficult time. Please help me stand firm in my belief, and to draw closer to You even as I go through this illness. My flesh is weak, weaker still while I try to recover. But Your Word says that we walk by faith and not by sight, and that without faith it is impossible to please You.
I know that trials and tribulations can grow someone’s relationship with You if they are willing to trust. I am willing, but help me to grow. Help me to learn from the experiences of Your servant Job, who refused to denounce You during His experience with illness. Lord, strengthen me. Also, please strengthen the faith of my friends and family, since seeing other people suffer and struggle can cause others to have doubts and lose heart.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/gorodenkoff
2. A Prayer for Healing
Holy Father,
Thank you for caring about all aspects of the lives of Your children, including the well-being of their physical bodies. Thank you for every time You have healed my body in the past.
Lord, I am facing a serious illness now, and I know that healing may take a long time. I know that You are the Great Physician, and I am asking You to please heal my body of this disease. The prophet Jeremiah cried out, “Heal me O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved, for You are my praise” (Jeremiah 17:14). You forgive our sins, and You have the power to heal the body, just like you did for Hezekiah.
I also know that You can heal miraculously or through the help of medicine and doctors. It would be wonderful if You would work a miracle, but I accept that it may take time too. Please bring healing to my body, Lord. I ask that You would work to remove the illness and restore proper function.
Your will be done in my body and with my health. Please give me a good spirit during this period of healing Lord, as the Word says that a joyful heart is good medicine. I know it won’t cure me, but it will help my spirit through the process.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Jacob Wackerhausen
3. A Prayer for Loved Ones
Holy Father,
Thank you for my friends and family, for bringing people into my life that care about me. Thank you for loving me, for being there for me, and for giving me the ability to call You Father through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As I face this diagnosis, I know that I will have struggles, but so will the people that care about me. Please have the Holy Spirit lift them up and provide comfort and strength during this period of our lives. You Word says You are the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, that You comfort us in all our affliction, so that we may comfort one other. I pray that I will be comforted so I can extend comfort, and that my loved ones will receive Your peace.
Jesus taught, blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Grow their faith while we travel this road. Help them to see Your guiding hand through the moments of pain, uncertainty, and even ones where it seems like there is no hope. O Lord, help them to feel Your hand and Your presence. Turn their tears and sorrows into joy.
In Jesus name, I pray,
Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/kate_sept2004
4. A Prayer for Your Doctors
Holy Father,
Thank you for giving people the gift of healing, the gift of medicine, and burdening them with a desire to help others. Whether they have the gift of spiritual healing, or they are trained doctors, thank you for making people with those talents and desires.
Lord, please help my doctors as they provide me with treatment. Give them wisdom, steady nerves, and help as they are working on my care. Please give their families support as well. Give me an ear to listen to advice and accept the guidance and instructions from my doctor.
Lord, if my doctor is not saved, please let this be an opportunity for me to share the gospel with them. If I need to go to a different doctor, help me to know at the right time in my treatment course, so that I am not set back. Please bless the staff, the nurses, and everyone who is supporting me medically during this difficult time, and please be working through my time in and out of the doctors’ offices.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray,
Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Dragana991
5. A Prayer for Patience
Holy Father,
Thank you for being patient with Your people. Thank you for being so patient as to extend us mercy when we do not deserve it, and for holding back Your wrath even though humanity continues to be wicked.
Lord, while You are patient, I am impatient, and I know that I am going to want to be cured immediately from this illness. I want to be well, but I also know that You work in Your way, in Your time, and for Your glory. Please, help me to have patience while waiting for a resolution to my illness.
Also give me patience with my loved ones, who may not understand everything that I am going through. Let them have patience with me too, as I know there will be times when my illness impacts their lives for the worse. Extend patience through all my connections so that we can be supportive of one another, and that this battle with illness does not break relationships or cause division. Thank you for always being there for me, and I ask that You be patient with me as I go through this. I’m so thankful that You know the future. You hold tomorrow, and I take comfort in that, but help me to be patient in the meantime.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Gorodenkoff
6. A Prayer for Salvation through the Situation
Holy Father,
Thank you for loving us sinful people so much that You sacrificed Your Son so that we may have our sins forgiven and we can have eternal life with You. I am so grateful for the opportunity to know that You no longer remember my sins because I confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and because I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. Your grace is incredible!
Lord, I ask that You use my illness as an opportunity to share the gospel with people who don’t yet know You. I pray that it would bolster my testimony, and open doors for individuals who are ready to hear the good news. Lord, please go ahead of me and prepare hearts so they may be open and receptive to the gospel. I want this illness to be a pathway for others to be redeemed from their sins and into eternal life. Please make use of this sickness for the good of others and for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
Whenever we go through trials and tribulations, including illness, the Lord promises that He is there, and we know He always hears our prayers. Going to Him to request healing and blessings is something He encourages.
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise” (Jeremiah 17:14).
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/SDI Productions
Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.