Father God,

Today, I pray for those who go through their days with misunderstood illness by those around them. I pray that as so many today suffer from unexplained symptoms, symptoms that disrupt their lives and steal joy from their days, they would be comforted that You know their struggles, that You are with them.

I pray that as they walk through another day with pain which others cannot see, or fatigue that others cannot measure with the eye, or body functions that just don’t work yet again are not visible to others, You would be present, You would relieve their suffering, You would send those who understand.

I pray that You would open the eyes of those around them to understand without seeing, how their family member or friend is suffering. I pray that family members would learn to walk alongside the one who struggles to make it through a day. I pray that family members would learn to listen more and talk less about just pushing through it.

I pray that You would move the body of Christ as well to love the invisibly broken lives which come through their sanctuary doors weekly. I pray that the sufferers would find a secure place within the body of Christ to ask for help, to be honest about their struggles, and to find others who love them in spite of their weakness. Teach us as Your children to love another well through the storms.

In Christ’s Name,

Amen.

Father God,

Today, I pray for those who must press into the preserving of their life through various therapies and procedures. Because of the fallen nature of our world, so many are facing various life-threatening illnesses. They live each day having to far more than just breathe and eat and drink for the continuance of their lives.

They endure a variety of treatments, some with and some without a measure of suffering physically, but knowing that their lives depend on the success of their therapies in an earthly sense means that there is always some emotional burden to carry. They must live each day with an acute awareness that they may not have as many tomorrows on this earth. Their families also know that and walk through the emotional roller coaster with them.

For those that know You, they look to You, they cry out to You, their families cry out to You. They plead that Your power will work through the therapies to release them from the illness’ grip. They ask for release from the threat that illness presses down upon them in whatever way that Your Will chooses.

Today, I pray with them for the captor to be driven back, the illness to release its hold upon them, the pain to be overcome, the threat to pass over without harm, the sun to shine through the clouds again. Meet them in their darkest hours and be their Great Physician.

In Christ’s Name,

Amen.

Prayers for families, moving mountains

Father God,

Today, I pray for those who walk through life feeling the weight of the world in their body, some days barely having the energy to move. Our world is becoming harder and harder for so many as it goes faster and faster, demanding more and more. For those with energy, it is a challenge, but for those whose bodies are struggling against them, their fatigue can overpower them.

I see so many that to the physical eye, look healthy, look normal, yet their stories reveal something invisible. Their bodies do not refresh with rest, with sleep. Their bodies do not have extra energy for the challenges of the day. Their bodies do not want to move, to go on, to handle the load. Their willpower may push them through much of their days, but the emotional toll is high

Those around them do not understand, cannot fully sympathize, and often do not take them seriously. They end up keeping their struggles to themselves after being told to push through it a thousand times or just ignored. They become isolated, not able to fully engage in life and most others move on without them.

Lord, I pray for the weary in body and for the weariness of soul that weighs further upon them. I pray that those around them would hear their cries, empathize and put fully in practice the call to love one another in the body of Christ. I pray that we who have the strength would walk alongside them and love them well. Let Your light shine into the darkness and release the captives.

In Christ’s Name,

Amen.

Father God,

Today, I ask that You draw us together in prayer as Your people under Your Name before Your throne with faith in Your promises and Your power. While our daily prayer in solitude feeds us, sustains us, and keeps us before the throne, I pray that Your Name would be magnified and the power of prayer multiplied by our joining in unison against the darkness of this world.

Give us hearts that long to pray with others. Give us courage to push aside the distractions and excuses that prevent our joining together. Give us strength to press into the promises You have laid out for our blessing and provision. Teach us to have the faith that moves mountains. Teach us to pray without ceasing. Teach us to cast aside the distractions of this world and look to our Deliverer.

Through our collective prayer, set us free to do the work that You have called us to do in this world as sojourners yet conquerors.

In Christ’s Name,

Amen.

Father God,

Today, I pray for those who are pursuing You with their lives and feeling the intense resistance of the enemy fighting them at every turn. We know there will be persecution for those who carry the banner of Your Name, the world will fight back. We are told that clearly in Your Word and we see it so many times whether in churches trying to follow You or individuals trying to stand for Your Truth in their areas of influence and vocation.

The enemy comes at us in so many ways, whether through physical afflictions, relational disruptions, obstacles to our work, or simple distractions from the real calling. We may stand on our faith, but we still feel the attacks in our bodies and souls. We pray together that You would be our shield and extinguish the fiery arrows. We pray that You would make our armor strong to resist whatever attack the enemy uses.

Grant that we would have success over the enemy’s work against us as we seek to apply Your Word in all areas of life. Drive back the darkness and tear down the gates of hell arrayed against us. Set us free from the enemy’s fingers of oppression. Heal our sickness. Make right our relationships. Tear down the obstacles erected in our way. Raise up Your Name through our work and give light into the darkness that cannot be hidden.

In Christ’s Name,

Amen.