June 9, 2008 - Prayer When We Are Afflicted With Very Serious Illness

Meditation on Psalm 6

Once a while, we may encounter severe sickness in our lives. Let us remember to pray like David to deal with all the physical and emotional stresses that come with it.

First of all David wanted to settle the issue about sins in his life. He pleaded with God not to punish him. He was physically and emotionally in pain. (v.1-3)

"Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for your mercies' sake!" (v.4 in NKJV) He sensed that God's favor was not with him. He cried that God would forgive him and come back to him because God was merciful.

David gave another good reason to God that He must hear his prayer in verse 5. What was that?

David's sickness and people's verbal attack caused him to have tremendously emotional pain and worries. He cried so much that his constant tears wet his bed and his eye sight was affected. (v.6-7)

Finally David trusted that God would hear his prayers. Those who attacked him would be ashamed because God was going to heal him. (v.8-10)

One of Jesus' ministries on earth was to heal the sick. The apostle Paul prayed for the sick. Today, the church as Christ's Body can continue to pray for the sick as James prescribed in James 5:14-16.

Each born again believer should remember to pray like David when he himself is seriously ill so that God will answer his prayers.