Welcome to the Prayers of Rest podcast. I'm your host, Ashrida Chuchu, and today we're praying for those who are suffering from a chronic illness.

If that's you, then I invite you to personalize this prayer for yourself.

And if it's not you, then consider praying

with me for someone who is going through chronic illness or a cancer diagnosis, and then

text them this prayer with a short note letting them know that you've been praying for them.

It might be exactly what they need today. As we begin, take a deep breath as we become

aware of God's loving presence around us and within us. Today's prayer comes from Jeremiah

17, verse 14. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed. Save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

Let's begin by reciting God's goodness, praising Him for who he is and for what he has done in our lives.

Oh, creator of heaven and earth, we do praise you because you are the one who made us

and you sustain us. Every cell in our bodies must submit to your sovereign will.

Just one word from you, and the sick are healed and the dead come to life.

God, nothing is impossible with you.

So we worship you today as the almighty one, as the all-powerful one, as the one who can do anything.

So take a moment now to reflect on your relationship with this person who is suffering from

this chronic illness. In what ways has God revealed his goodness and His mercy even through the heart?

Take a moment now to praise Him for that. Let's continue by expressing our neediness.

And Lord God, just like the friends of the paralytic man lowered

him through the roof, so I bring to you my friend who's battling the sickness.

I know I cannot help, but you can. God, you use modern medicine and doctors' hands and treatments and protocols. And you also work

in mysterious and wondrous ways that just baffles medical staff. But God, we believe that you

are alive and you are active and you are working in the world.

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