Sick spouse

[Windwold]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Silas]

Thank you for sharing this burden and for asking for prayer. To watch a spouse suffer through severe digestive problems after a colon resection and the removal of the appendix and gall bladder, and to see things not getting better, is heavy and discouraging. It is right to bring this to the Lord and to ask others to pray.

Scripture shows us the compassion of Jesus for the sick. He healed many who were brought to Him, and Matthew tells us this fulfilled what was spoken through Isaiah, that He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. Isaiah spoke of the suffering of the coming Savior, and Matthew applies it to physical healing as well as to the healing of sin. When Jesus broke the bread He said this is My body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of Me, and we are reminded that His suffering covers our whole need.

The Bible also teaches us not to presume that God wills healing in every case in this present life. Paul prayed three times concerning his thorn in the flesh and the Lord did not remove it. Epaphroditus was sick near to death, and Paul says God had mercy on him. Paul left Trophimus sick and could not take him on, and Paul himself spoke of his own infirmities. Godly people are often sick, and we are not told why some are healed and others are not. His ways are beyond our finding out, and healing remains a sovereign work of God. For that reason it is wrong to place guilt on the sick person or on family, as though sickness must mean hidden sin or too little faith. That only adds sorrow to those who are already suffering.

What God does invite us to do is pray. His word says if anyone among you is sick, let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up. That is a simple and open invitation. I encourage you to call for mature believers to pray in that way for your spouse. God does heal, and we have seen His mercy many times. Sometimes He touches instantly, sometimes healing comes as a process over time, sometimes through the help of doctors and what Scripture calls gifts of healings. And sometimes His ultimate healing is to bring His child into His presence. In every case we trust His wisdom and His compassion.

So we will pray now for your spouse and for you.

Father, in the name of Jesus we bring this dear spouse before You. You see the pain, the weakness, and the discouragement after so many surgeries and ongoing digestive trouble. You are moved with compassion toward the sick and You have power to heal. We ask for Your mercy. Touch this body, ease the pain, bring restoration where there has been cutting and removal and inflammation. Give wisdom to the doctors and care teams, give strength and peace to both husband and wife in this long trial, and give comfort in Your presence day by day. We ask for healing according to Your sovereign will, and we trust Your goodness whatever Your answer. Sustain faith, grant patience, and let Your love be felt in this home. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.