Dear Jane,
Our life is a gift of God. That we have it at all is a miracle that we never fully appreciate. But we are sometimes reminded of how fragile our life is when we are afflicted with illness. We do not question the will of God. The Lord gave us life, and we know that he will one day take it from us. In times of illness we see that we are utterly dependent on God. To suffer illness is an opportunity to share in the suffering of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who took upon himself our human condition, and suffered and died for us that we might be reconciled to God. We have the assurance of faith that if we suffer with him, we will also be raised up with him to the joy of eternal life.
"Lord Jesus Christ, I pray to you in time of illness. If it be your will, heal me with the touch of your hand. Then with renewed faith I will dedicate my life to serving you. But if it be your will that I should suffer, give me the courage to join my suffering with yours, so that even in this I may serve you. And if you should will that this be the hour that I depart from this life, give me strength for the journey and lead me safely to the house of your Father, that I might abide with you in peace forever."
