My Body Is Sick

MY BODY IS SICK

a prayer to open

In the midst of my pain, Lord, I cry out to you.

When darkness sets in and I can’t see the light,

lead me in the way of hope, and fill my heart with joy.

O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger

or discipline me in your rage!

Your arrows have struck deep,

and your blows are crushing me.

Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;

my health is broken because of my sins.

My guilt overwhelms me—

it is a burden too heavy to bear.

My wounds fester and stink

because of my foolish sins.

I am bent over and racked with pain.

All day long I walk around filled with grief.

A raging fever burns within me,

and my health is broken.

I am exhausted and completely crushed.

My groans come from an anguished heart.

You know what I long for, Lord;

you hear my every sigh.

My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,

and I am going blind.

My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.

Even my own family stands at a distance.

Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.

Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.

All day long they plan their treachery.

But I am deaf to all their threats.

I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.

I choose to hear nothing,

and I make no reply.

For I am waiting for you, O LORD.

You must answer for me, O Lord my God.

I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me

or rejoice at my downfall.”

I am on the verge of collapse,

facing constant pain.

But I confess my sins;

I am deeply sorry for what I have done.

I have many aggressive enemies;

they hate me without reason.

They repay me evil for good

and oppose me for pursuing good.

Do not abandon me, O LORD.

Do not stand at a distance, my God.

Come quickly to help me,

O Lord my savior.

The psalmist’s words are extreme and attribute his physical illness to sin. Although sickness and disease might not be attributable to a particular sin, these things are the product of sin in the world. Sin and death are the precise maladies Jesus came to save us from, and he is even now working to bring healing and wholeness to all things, including our bodies. But before our full restoration, our bodies hurt, weaken, and ultimately fail. To face this truth is often the most difficult thing we do in our lives, yet the truth is that we will receive new, glorified, everlasting bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-58). Until then, we must rely on God’s promises and presence to sustain us.

• Review the opening verses of today’s psalm. What pain, sickness, or disease in your body are you longing for God to heal? What frustration do you need to express to him about that bodily suffering?
• Now review the next verses. In what ways do you feel as if your family and friends are lacking in empathy and sympathy for the pain you are suffering in your body? How might your experience inform the way you empathize with others experiencing physical suffering? Who comes to mind as someone who’s suffering physically?
• Finally, review the closing verses. What is your plea to God in the midst of the pain you are experiencing? What is your hope?

Answer my prayer, Lord.

Heal my pain and suffering.

Don’t abandon me or leave me alone.

Come quickly to help me, my healer.