Hello, everyone. Following on from yesterday, today’s prayer looks at some of the potential plusses of living with chronic illness and disability. It’s also interesting to reflect on the difference between suffering with God, and suffering without God:
Suffering
His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him” (John 9:2-3).
Three times I appealed to the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”
(2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Father,
Without you,
Suffering is meaningless,
Because it has no purpose.
We face it
With stoicism or self-pity,
Anger, bitterness or bravery,
According to our nature.
But with you,
Suffering builds perseverance,
Character and hope.
It helps us to offer love and understanding
To those who suffer alongside us.
It teaches us to care for them,
Listen to them,
Support them,
And pray for them;
And this is the meaning
And purpose of suffering.