For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14 NIV)
’Tis the season… not for Christmas, but for colds, flus, and other germs. After several months of being basically cooped up inside without much fresh air or sunshine, many people are struggling with their health. I’m fighting off a cold (and winning!), but I’m certainly not the only one.
My nieces are supposed to be in their high school play this coming weekend, but sickness has ravaged the cast. Monday night’s tech week rehearsal was cancelled outright, Tuesday’s included only the main characters, and the show opens Thursday. If I were the director, I would be rather nervous, because—in my experience—these talented but young actors need the time and focus of tech week to finalize the show.
Whether a germ is a virus, bacterium, microbe, parasite, or pathogen, it’s still an invader of the body, which then launches all the immune system weapons it has in order to neutralize the threat. Thankfully, for most people, God’s design for the immune system is enough to take out the invaders if given some backup support. For some people that’s antibiotics or other pharmaceuticals; for others it’s homeopathy or certain foods and teas. I, personally, have been loading up on all sorts of things to support my immune system. I don’t want my energy or focus hijacked by organisms almost too small to see even under a microscope.
Today, let us pray for those who are struggling with physical health this season, and pray for a quick return to full health and full energy.
Praise the Lord, all our inmost beings; praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases, who redeems our lives from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion, who satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Lord, we praise you that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that you have created each of us with intricately designed immune systems to fight off pathogens. We ask that you would work through whatever natural or spiritual means you choose to defeat these invaders, so that those who are ill may return to full health and renewed strength.
We pray especially for the cast and crew of this high school play. May their final rehearsals go smoothly, and may every role be filled by someone who is healthy and whole. We also ask that you provide sunshine, fresh air, and any needed shifts in the weather to help drive away these germs.
While we look forward to the day when there will be no more sickness, pain, or sorrow, today we ask in Jesus’s name for healing for all who are sick. AMEN
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5 NIV)