Fiery furnace, in the Catacombs of Priscilla, Rome: Wikimedia Commons.
I have had hot sweats every 30-40 minutes for many years. As the next one broke out yesterday morning, these short couplets simply burst into my mind, overtaking me completely.
This prayer describes a very practical way of responding as each sweat strikes. I can say it as I rip off my jumper and set my electric fan to its maximum setting.
Our skin heats up like an oven.
(Lamentations 5:10; NAB).
My days disappear like smoke, and my bones burn like red-hot coals.
(Psalm 102:3; NLT).
Lord, I’m HOT!
So what? It’s fine,
For I am yours,
And you are mine.
I’ll make this sweat
A sacrifice
Of prayer for all,
Lord Jesus Christ.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
(1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).
Yesterday, as so often, a migraine made my constant hot sweats harder than usual to tolerate patiently. I wrote nothing in the morning, and felt depressed, lonely and isolated. Then, at about 4.30pm, to my great surprise, today’s prayer came to me. Reminding me of the only wise way forward, it brought a moment of relief, and even hope, to an otherwise unrelievedly grey day.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted
(Psalm 25:16; NIV).
I am deeply depressed (Psalm 42:6; CSB).
1. Prince of Peace, I cannot change How lonely and depressed I feel,
2. So, instead, I turn to you,
And beg you, Lord, Hear my appeal:
3. Strengthen me To face this daily struggle, Or my heart Will break;
4. Help me to accept, Endure, And bear my cross, For your love’s sake.
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).
References
Verse 1: Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).
Verse 2: Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help (Psalm 39:12; CSB).
Verse 3: My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word (Psalm 119:28; NIV).
Is not all human life a struggle? (Job 7:1; NLT).
An aching heart breaks the spirit (Proverbs 15:13; HNV).
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise (Psalm 51:17; NIV).
Verse 4: My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NLT).
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will (Hebrews 10:36; NLT).
