Prayer of Thanks after Recovery from Illness

O almighty and gracious God! I come into Thy holy presence, and thank Thee from my inmost soul, that Thou hast restored me from my illness. The anxious hours, the intense sufferings, the wretched nights, the great danger in which I lay, — all these things are still fresh in my memory. But behold, Thy mighty hand has raised me from my bed. Thou hast placed me upon my feet again, and enabled me to go out and in. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.

Lord, Lord, Thou hast done great things for me, whereof I am glad. Hitherto Thy love and mercy have helped me: and now I know full well, that he who serves Thee will be comforted after trial, be delivered out of trouble, and find grace after chastening. For Thou, O Lord, takest no pleasure in our destruction. Thou turnest the storm into sunshine, and our tears into smiles. I have experienced this mercy and faithfulness of Thine during my sickness; and I will remember it through all my life. I will recall the anxiety which oppressed my soul; but I will also, almighty God, make known before the congregation what Thou hast done for me. Thou hast blessed my medicine, soothed my pain, given me strength to overcome my affliction, and granted me days of refreshing after the tedious and wretched nights. Thou hast pitied me even as a father pitieth his children, Therefore, bless the Lord. O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all His benefits. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, all ye who, like me, have been in trouble, sickness, and pain; and let us exalt His name together. For when we poor ones cried, the Lord heard us, and saved us out of all our troubles. They who look unto the Lord in their affliction, and pray to Him, their faces are not ashamed: He does not let them go away sorrowful from His throne, but has compassion upon them.

O my God, let me ever bear in mind the grace and mercy which Thou hast shown me. Now I know from experience, that Thou art a mighty God; that Thou canst make the dead alive, the sick well, the weak strong, and the sorrowful glad. I was nigh unto death, but Thy goodness preserved my life. Therefore, God, I have resolved that I will, by thy grace, employ to Thy glory the health which Thou hast restored, and spend in true godliness the life which Thou hast given me anew, and the years which, according to Thy will, I am yet to enjoy in this world. I have learned in my pain and illness, that silver and gold, and the honor and glory of the world, and good friends, cannot take the burden of my cross from me; and that if Thou hadst not helped me, I should have perished in my distress. Henceforth I will therefore no longer seek after vain things, but find my delight in Thee. I will avoid the sinful society of the world. I will compass Thine altar, O Lord, that I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. Since Thou hast shown me this mercy, I will deny all ungodliness and wicked works, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, that, when the hour of my death which Thou hast appointed comes, I may be ready, like the wise virgins, to enter in at the marriage of the Lamb, and share eternal joy and glory. Amen.