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"Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courtyards with praise;
give thanks to Him,
and bless His Name."
Psalm 100:4

Prayer During Times of Illness

Many have come to me with concerns that they are having a difficult time praying due to fatigue and brain fog. Lately I too have been experiencing difficulty in articulating my prayers due to fatigue.......both in mind and body. Formulating the needs of so many can be so very tiring and exhausting for us who are ill.

Have you found this to be true for yourself, beloved?

Let me share what the L-rd has been teaching me that has brought me such comfort and encouragement. It is my prayer that it will do the same for you!

Amy Carmichael wrote in Rose from Brier..."I have not found myself that illness makes prayer easier........, Prayerfulness does not seem to be a flower of the spirit that grows of itself. When we are well perhaps we rather take it for granted that it does, as though what is sometimes called a "sick bed" offered natural soil for that precious flower. I do not think it does. A bed can be a place of dullness of spirit as well as of body, and prayer is, after all, work ... the most strenuous work in all the world."

Oh I agree with Amy! Have you wondered if perhaps your prayers were not adequate? I have.

Here is a verse that brings me comfort at times like these:

"...the Spirit helps us in our weakness;
for we don't know how to pray the way we should.
But the Spirit Himself pleads (intercedes) on our behalf
with groanings too deep for words"
Romans 8:26

Verse 26 of Psalm 109 says, "Help me, Adonai, my GOD!"
Amy writes that this simple prayer gave her tired heart such peace, easing her spirit and delivering her from the oppression of the enemy.

"Now there was leaning on Yeshua's (Jesus') bosom one of His disciples, whom Yeshua loved...."

When we do as John did, we can enter into a restful intercession for our loved ones... "The only kind the ill can attain unto, for they cannot pray in detail...but He knows all, down to the smallest wish of the heart. Our Lord who knows us intimately, would never ask us to formulate needs into words....., we're far too tired for that.", writes Amy.

The simple prayer.....
Help me, Adonai, my God!
Help her, Adonai,my GOD!;
help him, Adonai, my GOD!;
help them, ADONAI, my GOD!"
...... is sufficient.

We need not say more for Abba hears the cries of our hearts.

I have been practicing this as I lie upon my bed, or propped up with pillows...Envision that you are lying against Yeshua's breast, just as John did and He can hear the tiniest whisper you utter...either out loud, or in your heart. :-) What joy and peace that brings to our soul when we practice this!!

Praying the Scriptures is another way that we can pray. We should praise Him daily, and here are some of my favorite Psalms to help you enter into His Courtyards with Praise.

Psalm 8:
"Adonai! Our Lord!
How glorious is Your Name throughout the earth!".

Psalm 9:
I give thanks to Adonai with all my heart.....
Adonai is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a tower of strength in times of trouble.
Those who know Your Name put their trust in You,
for You have not abandoned those who seek You".

And Psalms 32, 34, 66, 96, 105, 112, 134, 145, 146, 150. There are many more...I have found since becoming ill that the Psalms are the easiest for me to grasp when my mind is foggy.

We are to find joy in G-d alone...it's not our service that brings us joy. G-d must always be enough. So if we find condemnation coming upon us because we think our prayers are not sufficient, remember dear one, it's the enemy trying to bring oppression to our soul.

Another prayer in Psalms was said by a man who was sick: "Lord, all my desire is before Thee, and my groaning is not hid from Thee." All of our desires are ever before Him, Beloved. Rest assured that you are being heard!

"Do Thou for me, O God the Lord,
Do Thou for me;
I need not toil to find the word
That carefully
Unfolds my prayer and offers it,
My God, to Thee.

It is enough that Thou will do,
And will not tire,
Will lead by cloud, all the night through
By light of fire,
Till Thou have perfected in me
Thou Hearts desire.

O blessed be the love that bears
The burden now,
The love that frames our very prayers,
Well knowing how
To coin our gold; O God the Lord,
Do Thou, do Thou."

Written by Amy Carmichael