Prayer for Assurance in Illness

O dearest God and Father, who hast loved me with an everlasting love, and drawn me with loving kindness! Behold I am sick, and come to Thee, humbly praying that Thou wouldest not forsake me in my bodily weakness. Thou knowest, O God, that without Thee there is no help for me. Thou art the mighty God of Jacob, the Defender of Israel, the Refuge of the afflicted, the Helper of the needy, our Stay in trouble. The Lord is on my side: I will not fear. He will arise and have mercy upon Zion; for the time to favor me, yea the set time, is come. Men say, We cannot help you; and thus I am forsaken by all men. Yet I know that I am not forsaken by Thee. For thou, O Lord, forsakest none who trust in Thee. And though we do not understand Thy ways, we need not fear. In Thine own time Thou wilt deliver us.

O God, forsake me not. Behold, how long I have suffered. In the evening I think, I will be better tomorrow; at noon I long for the evening; and in the night I cry, Watchman, what of the night? My soul waiteth for Thee more than they that watch for the morning. O my God, forsake me not. Behold how my sufferings constantly increase. O let not the burden overwhelm me utterly. Take away the heavy stone which rests upon me, the rod which smites me, the pains which torment me. Thou knowest how weak I am. Thou knowest how much I am able to endure. My God, forsake me not. Behold how manifold are my sufferings. It seems that my troubles increase instead of diminishing. Whither can I go, if Thou forsakest me? If Thou wilt not help me, no one can. If Thou forsakest me, I am left without help.

But I know that Thou wilt not forsake me. I plead Thy promise: “I will not leave Thee nor forsake thee.” They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. The Strength of Israel has promised to give strength unto His people, and to deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. I trust in Thy Word, and believe that Thou in heaven wilt keep Thy promise. Thou canst not forsake me; for I am Thy child. I am Thine own, purchased with Thy precious blood, and therefore Thou wilt and canst not forsake me. I am confident that Thou wilt not forsake me; for Thou didst never yet forsake me in trouble and affliction, though sufferings without number came upon me, and the waves of trouble struck together above my head; and Thou wilt not forsake me now. With this hope I rest content. I trust in Thee, and am of good courage, and say, Lord, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me and help me in such a manner as may be pleasing to Thee. Amen.