Prayer for God’s Mercy in Illness

O Lord God, who art full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth; who forgivest iniquity, transgression, and sin, who dost not keep Thine anger forever; and who hast mercy upon the afflicted, and raisest up them that be bowed down! Poor and afflicted I lie here before Thee, and pray: O, look down upon me from Thine exalted throne, and hear me.

Lord, I know and believe that my sufferings come from Thee. Thy hand wounds, but it also heals; it maketh sore, but also bindeth up. And since my sickness cometh from Thee, I will also look up to Thee for help. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help; my help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. From Thee I have received life, health, and prosperity: shall I not also accept this sickness? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? The trees in the field stand at times in full bloom, adorned with leaves and fruit beneath the warming rays of the sun. But in winter they look dead, suffering from tempest and frost; and all this comes from Thee, O God. Therefore I will also remember that this is my time of suffering and affliction which Thou hast meant for me.

Lord, even as Thou knowest where a star stands, whether high or low in the great heavens, so Thou knowest also my present condition. Thou knowest how heavy is the burden I bear and how long I have been suffering; Thou knowest exactly how much strength I have to endure these things, dear Father, lay upon me as much as Thou wilt; but give me grace and strength to bear it. I know that without Thy will not a hair can fall from my head, and that still less can I be sick. If not a sparrow falleth, how much less can I be subjected to pain, discomfort, and sickness and even die, without Thy will. Since then, my sufferings come from Thee, they come from my Father; since they come from my Father, they come from loving hands and a loving heart, not for my destruction, but for the welfare of my soul.

Correct me, my Father, but with judgment, lest Thou bring me to nothing. Afflict me, but make me glad again. If Thou hidest Thy face, let it shine upon me once more. Let Thy face shine upon me, and I shall recover. If I have deserved punishment, I will gladly fall into the hands of my Father, for His anger endureth but for a moment, and in His favor is life. He will have mercy upon Zion, and be gracious to His child. Amen.