Morning Prayer in Sickness

O Thou Holy Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost! I come before Thy holy throne in this morning hour, and thank Thee that Thou hast let me live to see this day. Thou knowest, Lord, that I have spent the night in this sickbed. And yet I cannot sufficiently praise Thy goodness for permitting me to behold again the light of the sun, and letting the pain and the discomfort pass away. O God of love! I thank Thee for Thy protection and help. Thine eye kept watch over me, Thy hand shielded me, Thy grace preserved me.

O my God! The sun now rises again; let Thy grace shine upon me anew. Grant me with this day new strength, new grace, and new patience to bear my sufferings willingly. O Lord, my God! It has pleased Thee to lay me upon this bed of sickness. Thy will be done; I will remain here as long as it pleases Thee to have it so. Perhaps Thou wouldest by this means cut me loose from sinful habits and from my ordinary occupation, in order that Thou mayest speak with me, and teach me how I should care for my soul. Now I have time to examine into my past life and see whether I have served, honored, and obeyed Thee. Thou wouldest have me to mourn over my sins, to be filled with shame before Thee, sincerely to repent, to renew my covenant with Thee, and henceforth to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling.

Grant, O Jesus, that through the entire day I may direct my heart to Thee, pray fervently, think of Thy wounds, Thy blood and Thy death, and reflect upon the true happiness and the eternal salvation of my soul. Speak to ray heart one comforting Scripture verse after another, to assure me of Thy Fatherly love, to seal Thy grace unto me, and to persuade me of Thy speedy help. Preserve me today against sudden accidents, new pains, gloomy hours, and every manner of suffering. Refresh me in my faintness and strengthen me in my weakness through Thy Holy Spirit. If, however, Thou shouldest be pleased to let me endure pain and suffering, then be with me and forsake me not. Help me to bring the day to a happy and blessed end, and to accept with resignation and quiet courage all that Thou mayest be pleased to lay upon me.

Behold, my God, here am I; do with me as it pleases Thee. Thou art my Father; I am Thy child; Thou canst preserve my life and gladden me with Thy help. When evening comes, I will praise Thy goodness, and joyfully extol Thy mercy for all that Thou hast done unto me. Amen.