Prayer for God’s Presence in Sickness

O Faithful God! Thou beholdest my sad and wretched condition. My strength is failing, my flesh is wasting away, and the cross presses ever more heavily upon me. Lord, O Lord, my God, who nearest my supplications and who seest my sufferings! I beseech Thee most fervently, remain with me and forsake me not. I plead Thy promises in which Thou hast assured me: “Fear not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen Thee: yea, I will help Thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” And again: “I will not leave thee nor forsake thee.” And now, O my God, I depend upon Thy Word. I need Thy help so badly; I cannot endure my sufferings, if Thou wilt not abide with me and help me to bear them. My sickness will soon overwhelm and destroy me, if Thy hand sustain me not. Remember that I am but dust. O how easily this earthen mold, my body, can be broken; how readily I sink; how speedily my life will pass away and how soon my end will come, if Thou wilt not, by Thy divine power and Thy Fatherly hand, uphold me, and, according to Thy mercy and gracious promises, support me; Thy help is my greatest comfort; for if Thou, O God, art with me, I am not afraid.

If it be comforting to me to have my friends surround my bed in the day-time or watch over me at night, how much more comforting it is to have Thee, my God, with me! Men may indeed pity me and express their sympathy for me; but if Thou art with me, then I have the best Helper, Deliverer, and Physician by my side. Thy holy presence will quicken and sustain me, assuage my pain, and quiet my anxious heart. Therefore, leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. As a mother will not forsake her child, so Thou, O God, wilt not forsake me. Let me experience Thy gracious presence in the inward joy, the blessed consolation, the sweet thoughts, which Thy presence brings. Comfort me in my sufferings as a mother comforts her child. O my God, confirm my faith, sustain my strength, help me to fight and gain the victory. Thy strength is made perfect in my weakness. I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me. Amen.