Psalm 6
Prayer for Recovery from Grave Illness
To the leader: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.
3 My soul also is struck with terror,
while you, O Lord—how long?
Lord,
It seems that the poet is ill, threatened by death, and he is terrified. “My bones are shaking with terror…. My soul is struck with terror.”
This man of unquestioned faith is quaking in fear! Is that allowed? Of course it is. You take each of us exactly as we are in the moment. You do not flinch nor are you squeamish but rather you see clearly the deepest reality of our lives and you receive us exactly as we are.
If he is terrorized, does that mean that he is not completely trusting in you? Yes! If he were completely confident that you would heal him, he would not be fearful for his life. He would quietly and patiently wait for the healing.
Instead he boldly declares his fear, his anemic hope for healing, and he gives that fear to you in prayer. His faith? He dares to pray and plead and hope without resorting to the feigned piety of pretended optimism. He confesses his absolute dependence on you and prays that you are willing to respond.
He knows his own guilt and he prays that you will not hold his sin against him but will instead forgive and heal. He prays that illness is not the result of sinfulness and even if it is, he asks to be made whole.
Today, I’m healthy. Thank you. But there are many in our midst who struggle with cancer and heart disease and mental illness and they are terrified for their lives. Each of us is frightened for their well-being. So, knowing that we have no right to claim anything, knowing our faults and failures,we come to you, exactly as we are, seeking your healing and help.
Your Personal Prayer:
Ask God for the healing that you need.
Pray that God will make whole you know to need God’s special grace. Offer their names to God now.
Name 5 things in your life for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen
4 Turn, O Lord, save my life;
deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who can give you praise?
6 I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eyes waste away because of grief;
they grow weak because of all my foes.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my supplication;
the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror;
they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame.
[1]
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
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