Prayer for Patience in Prolonged Illness

O holy and wise God! I perceive it to be Thy will and counsel that I should remain confined to the house and to my bed for weeks, yea as long a time as it may please Thee. I do not find fault with Thy holy will nor murmur against Thee, but say: Here am I, Lord, do with me as seemeth good to Thee. Should I not drink from the cup which the Father has placed at my lips? My Father will not pour out poison instead of medicine for me. I will bear the Lord’s anger; for I have sinned against Him. These bitter sufferings cannot be other than salutary for my soul, even though flesh and blood revolt from them. Thou hast been my Father and God from my youth up, and Thou wilt continue to be such to me now while I am sick.

My God, if Thou hast decreed that I shall lie here and suffer for a long time, let not the time be too long, but give me occasionally hours of relief in which I shall be free from pain or at least find it alleviated. If I am called upon to suffer much, give me also much strength. Thou knowest how weak I am, and how impossible it is for me to endure much more; therefore do not lay too much upon me, lest I perish. Thou knowest well what I am able to bear, and how frail my life is. The wind passeth over me, and I am gone like a flower. O deal with me as a mother deals with her weak child: help me to bear my burden, carry me in Thine arms, hold me in Thy bosom. Should my sufferings become more intense than they are now, do not forsake me, but help and support me by Thy grace. Should I have more sleepless nights, let me retain the comfort that Thou art still my God, my Father, and my Friend. I know that when Thou sendest affliction upon Thy children, Thou dost so, not in order to destroy them, but to draw them closer to Thee. Therefore, draw me, my God, through this sickness, away from the evil habits and pleasures of the world to Thee, to holiness, to godliness, to heaven, and to salvation.

Yes, my God, although Thou dost let me suffer, I will not part from Thee. Though Thou, my Shepherd, leadest me upon a path beset with thorns, which wound my body and soul, I willingly follow Thee. If the Head has worn a crown of thorns, the members cannot tread upon roses. I loved Thee when Thou gavest me health and happiness and well-being. Therefore I will also love Thee now in sickness, in sorrow, and in pain. I know that Thou canst and wilt help me. Amen.