Category: sickness

Hell on earth

Ruth Kirk

How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days (Matthew 24:19; NLT). 

I pray for those whose lives
Are hell on earth:
The sick; the grieving;
Those who lack self-worth;

The homeless; those in prison;
Lost; abused;
The poor; the dying;
Those who are confused;

Those with mental illness;
Lonely; sad;
And those who are rejected –
Seen as ‘bad’;

The hungry; refugees,
And those who thirst
For hope, Lord:
Help us all to put them first.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-5; NLT).

The last will be first, and the first will be last (Matthew 20:16; NIV).

References

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands (Luke 21:10-11; NLT).

They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land (Jeremiah 17:6; NLT).

I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? (Psalm 42:2; NLT).

When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them (Isaiah 41:17; NLT). 

Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT). 

When you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me (Matthew 25:45; NLT).

The strength of my soul

Ruth Kirk

I am sick (Psalm 69:20; YLT). 

Father,
I’m sick, but you are my goal:
Lord,
Please increase
The strength of my soul.

Father,
I’m weak – just ashes and dust:
Lord,
Though I fail you,
Help me to trust.

Father,
Your grace is all that I need:
Lord,
May your Son
Work through me, I plead.

Father,
I’m glad that to you I belong:
Lord,
Though I’m weak,
With you I am strong. 

I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10; NLT).

 References 

My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings (Philippians 3:10; CSB). 

On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul (Psalm 138:3; Grail Psalms). 

I am weak (Psalm 6:2; NLT). 

I am nothing but dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27; NIV). 

Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23; NLT). 

I trust in you, my God! (Psalm 25:2; NLT). 

He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me (2 Corinthians 12:9; NLT).

I belong to you (Psalm 119:94; NET). 

So mighty

Ruth Kirk

God is mighty (Job 36:5; NLT). 

You are so mighty, Lord,
Constantly there;
Strength and compassion
Beyond all compare.

You are so tender, Lord,
Endlessly here;
Sharing our sickness, our grief,
And our fear.

You are so loving, Lord,
Always within;
Hearing our prayers,
And forgiving our sin.

You are so steadfast,
Our staff and our rod;
Our Guide, our Good Shepherd,
Our Lord, and our God.

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

I find you

Ruth Kirk

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death (Philippians 3:10; NLT). 

Lord,
I find you in my sickness,
Grief, depression, fear and pain.
Suffering with you is freedom:
Every loss becomes a gain.

Lord,
I meet you in acceptance,
Knowing that you always care.
Suffering with you: my mission:
Every sigh becomes a prayer.

Lord,
I long to serve your kingdom.
May each hardship be a cue
To intercede for all who suffer,
As I strive to follow you.

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:
Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).
The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17; NLT).
You live under the freedom of God’s grace (Romans 6:14; NLT).
The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).
To live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21; ANT).
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28; NIV).

Verse 2:
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul (Psalm 31:7; NLT).
This has been given to you on behalf of Christ, not only so that you may believe in him, but even so that you may suffer with him (Philippians 1:29; CPDV).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Verse 3:
We must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22; NLT).
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).
Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him (Colossians 2:6; NLT).

My offering

Ruth Kirk

When Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer” (Hebrews 10:5; NLT). 

Offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:24; NLT).

I offer you my sickness, Lord,
Of body, heart and mind.

Accept this willing sacrifice, Lord God,
For humankind.

I pray for those who suffer, Lord,
With all my strength and soul

As Jesus did, and ask you
To have mercy: make them whole.

He wounds, but His hands make whole (Job 5:18; NKJV). 

References 

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ (Colossians 1:24; NLT).

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NIV).

Since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too (1 Peter 4:1; NLT).

You have had the privilege granted you on behalf of Christ – not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf (Philippians 1:29; WNT).

If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT). 

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (Luke 9:24; NLT). 

Use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God (Romans 6:13; NLT). 

May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do (2 Thessalonians 1:11; NLT).

Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2; RSV).

Bad dreams

Ruth Kirk

While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed (Daniel 4:10; NLT). 

Lord God,
I dream of failure every night;
Of suffering, depression,
Shame, and dread.

Before, I might have
Begged you, Lord,
To take these dreams away,
But now,
I choose to welcome them,
Instead.

So, I will face these dreams,
And when I wake,
I’ll pray for all those
Living with defeat:

Draw near, Lord God,
Please cleanse and soothe 
Our wounds with oil and wine.
May all who fail
Be healed,
And made complete.

Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him (Luke 10:34; NLT). 

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God (Ephesians 3:19; NLT). 

References 

All things come from God (1 Corinthians 11:12; CSB). 

Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT). 

Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16; AMP).

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds (Psalm 147:3; NLT). 

Sickness (#1 of 2)

Ruth Kirk

I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born (Psalm 22:10; NLT). 

May sickness drive me
Straight into your arms,

And sorrow, draw me
Nearer to your care.

May dread, Lord, bring me
Closer to your heart,

And anguish, always lead me
Into prayer.

Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV). 

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

References 

He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; BLB). 

He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38; NIV). 

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NIV). 

Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV). 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT). 

Life

Ruth Kirk

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Life brings us
Face to face
With all our fears;

With pain and anguish,
Sickness, grief,
And tears.

One by one
We tackle them
With you –

Please help us, Lord,
And strengthen us
Anew.

He renews my strength (Psalm 23:3; NLT).  

References 

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

Shared suffering #2

Ruth Kirk

Below are the first two lines of the prayer I posted on 14.2.24. (see https://wp.me/p45bCr-gdT):

Lord,
We suffer along with you;
You suffer along with us.

…and here is what followed that prayer the very next morning:

Lord,
May we suffer with others,
As you did,
By caring for family, neighbour,
And friend.

Lord,
May we suffer with others,
As you did,
By helping the sick, and the poor,
Without end.

Lord,
May we suffer with others,
As you did,
By welcoming strangers,
Not turning aside.

Lord,
May we suffer with others,
As you did,
By loving our enemies:
You are our guide.

To you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them (Luke 6:27-9; NIV).

References 

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink (Proverbs 25:21; NLT).  

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:14-15; NLT).

He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die (Psalm 48:14; NLT).

Solidarity in suffering

Ruth Kirk

Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20; NLT).

Let’s face our sickness willingly,
Give thanks in Jesus’ name,
And pray for all who suffer,
As we share his sacrifice.

Let’s face our sorrows steadfastly,
Give thanks for them each day,
And ask that all who grieve will know
Christ’s joy, in paradise.

Let’s face our terrors gallantly,
Give thanks for them to God,
And beg that all will trust his Son –
Christ’s courage will suffice.

Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NLT).

I am full of the courage that the LORD’s Spirit gives (Micah 3:8; NET).

References

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT).

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).

Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15; NIV).

Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43; NLT). 

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do (Hebrews 4:15; NLT).

You, O LORD…give me victory and restore my courage (Psalm 3:3; GNT).

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJB). 

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” (Mark 6:50; NLT).

Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).

He will give great courage to their warriors who stand at the gates (Isaiah 28:6; NLT).