10 Biblical Prayers to Encourage You through Chronic Illness
- Annie Yorty Crosswalk Contributing Writer
- Updated Aug 08, 2023
Frequent migraine headaches dogged me throughout childhood and most of my adult years. Pain, my nearly constant companion, was something I simply tried to power through. I don’t recommend this method of getting through life with chronic illness. While at some level, I had an inkling of its inadequacy, its utter failure as a coping strategy crashed into my world when I received a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
Debilitating weakness in my arms and legs, along with severe numbness, forced me to use a cane to walk. Extreme fatigue benched me for hours every day. Systemic pain muddled my thinking. Even the drops of water in my shower felt like darts piercing my sensitive skin. I quickly realized I couldn’t ignore this illness. I wouldn’t be able to push through it. I needed a better way to cope.
When I finally acknowledged my inadequacy and turned to God, He revealed a powerful strategy to experience abundant life right in the midst of chronic illness. He beckoned me to come near to Him through His Word and prayer to find all I need in Him.
If you struggle with chronic pain or illness, He calls you to draw close as well.
Draw Near to God through His Word
The Bible reveals God to us. When we read its pages under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He opens the eyes of our hearts to see and experience Him. When we pray to God using words from Scripture, we know we are asking Him to keep His promises to us. As a faithful promise keeper, God always delivers within His perfect timing.
With that in mind, you can pray the following ten prayers based on God’s Word in your time of specific need. As you reflect on His character and petition Him for help, you will experience His presence, guidance, and strength.
10 Bible-Based Prayers
1. Pain
Dear Father, I am Yours through my Lord, Jesus Christ. My Savior suffered pain and humiliation on my behalf, so He sympathizes with me in my pain today. When I wonder if I can bear it, please surround me with Your mercy and comfort. Please help me to be aware of Your presence and care. Show me how I may pass on Your love and comfort to others. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT)
2. Loneliness
Dear Father, my illness isolates me, and I wonder if anyone understands or cares. But Your Word says You are always with me through the deep waters and scorching fires of life. You hold me above the torrents. You shield me from the flames. You are my constant companion and shield. I will trust You today. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)
3. Weariness
Dear Father, my burden is more than the physical exhaustion of pain and illness. My mind and spirit also drag under the weight. It is too heavy for me to bear. I release every encumbrance to You. You will easily carry it and give me the respite I sorely need—rest in Your gentleness and humility. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29 NLT)
4. Self-Worth
Dear Father, sometimes I have allowed my ability to define my worth. Now, limited by illness, I doubt my value to the world and even to You. But Your Word says You will never withdraw Your everlasting love from me, even when my life turns upside down and even when I cannot produce anything for You. Your love for me flows from Your unchanging nature. I am secure. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54:10 NLT)
5. Hope
Dear Father, pain, anxiety, illness, and exhaustion threaten to snuff out the lamp of hope in my heart. But I don’t need to provide the fuel for hope. No, You are the source of my power and hope. I never need to dwell in darkness because You light up every dark corner with everlasting hope. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. (Psalm 18:28 NIV)
6. Gratitude
Dear Father, I confess I struggle to muster gratitude for chronic illness and pain. But You are always worthy of my praise and thanks. Please help me to see beyond my daily circumstances to Your beauty and goodness. I thank You for Christ, who dwells in me. I will sing praises to You because of the grace You’ve put in my heart. May my gratitude inspire a chorus of worship to You because You are worthy. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Colossians 3:15-16 NLT)
7. Provision
Dear Father, I cannot provide everything I need for myself. You designed me to depend on Your provision for daily living. Your storehouse contains everything I will ever need. Please give me abundant grace to cover every situation in my life. I will depend on You alone. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
8. Purpose
Dear Father, I confess I sometimes wonder if my life has purpose with chronic illness. I cannot serve You in the way I did in the past. But Your Word says You infuse purpose and meaning into every part of life. You allow circumstances to advance Your kingdom. Please show me how You plan to use me in this season of my life. Give me a willing spirit that will seek Your will in my life. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT)
9. Worry
Dear Father, why does anxiety so easily surface when I am physically or mentally weakened? My illness reveals my tendency to exert my own control rather than trust You. I admit I am a poor commander of my life, so I turn over control to You. You have already established a plan for me and will take care of all the details I’m fretting over. I will relax in Your perfect care. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT)
10. Strength
Father, my human strength fails day by day. But Your strength never diminishes, never needs refreshing. Your supply is endless. Because You love me, You give me Your might to bear up and shine for You in the middle of every struggle. Please help me run to You, my Strong Tower. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. (Isaiah 40:28-29 NLT)
God Carries You Through
As a fellow sojourner in chronic illness, I hope you find encouragement and strength in God’s Word. He has carried you since before you were born, and He will not fail you now.
You whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:3-4 NIV)
Run to Him each day with these Bible-based prayers and be amazed by His faithfulness to you, His beloved. Despite chronic illness, you will soar beyond coping into thriving in His presence.
Please note: If you would like to download these ten Bible-based prayers, please visit my website and click the link to subscribe. I will be happy to send it to you for free.
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This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Peace
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Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Prayer for Anxiety
Prayer for Strength
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