Tag: Prayers for the Chronically Ill

Praise

Posted in Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

Part of learning to live with a chronic illness is learning to praise God.

As you care for yourselves or for a loved one with a chronic illness, often you grow tired and weary. As you tire, you should focus on our Heavenly Father.

The Lord God will strengthen and renew you as you praise him.

Today’s Bible Verse:

Exodus 15:2 (KJV), “The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

What the Verse Means:

We get our strength from the Lord. We should praise God.

Why should we praise him? We praise him to the honor of God. We praise him to exalt his name. We celebrate his praise.

Praise is the Lord God’s only. The tribute isn’t to magnify man but to praise the Lord.

Personalized Prayer Using Today’s Scripture:

  • I confess that the Lord is my strength and my song;
  • The Lord is my salvation.
  • TheLord is my God.
  • I praise Him and will exalt the Lord God.
  • Lord God, teach me to praise you and give God the glory.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Thy Will Be Done

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle.

If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member the book is available to read for free in Kindle format. Over the next two months, I will publish each chapter as a blog post

Worry

Posted in Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

Part of learning to live with a chronic illness is managing worry.

Within the last five years, my wife was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoid and Melanoma cancers. We were told if the Melanoma cancer doesn’t kill her the neuroendocrine carcinoid will. The Melanoma cancer killed her in April 2018.

While I won’t get into her sickness or her chronic illness’s medical details, I will share how I am dealt with the challenges. While she was under a medical team of physician’s care and treatment, my focus was on the spiritual, not the therapeutic.

I am a Christian. My Christian faith is foundational for managing the emotional challenges. I find comfort from reading the Holy Bible, applying the Bible verses to daily life, and praying using the Bible verse(s) as my prayer.

This same comfort is available to you.

Today’s Bible Verse:

Matthew 6:34 (KJV), “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

What the Verse Means:

What the verse is saying in today’s English is give your entire attention to God. Look for what He is doing in your life today. With the focus in the here and now you are able to not get worried or worked up over what may or may not happen tomorrow.

There’s a reason why we shouldn’t get worked up.

The reason? God will help you. I dealt with whatever came our way, no matter how challenging or difficult the trials were. I can testify God walked with me through every step of this hard, heartbreaking process.

Personalized Prayer Using Today’s Scripture:

  • Father in Heaven, help me to focus on today. Help me see you and your activity in my life.
  • Lord Jesus, help me not to get too worried or concerned about what may or may not happen tomorrow.
  • Almighty Father, teach me how to trust in you and let you take control of my life.
  • I thank you for the promise that you will help me deal with whatever hard things are in my future where I will be as prepared as possible when the time comes.
  • I ask for the grace to handle today.
  • I trust tomorrow to the Lord.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Thy Will Be Done

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle.

If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member the book is available to read for free in Kindle format. Over the next two months, I will publish each chapter as a blog post

 

Is It Okay to Cry?

Posted in Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

Part of learning to live with a chronic illness realizes it is okay to cry.

Daily living with a chronic illness or caring for a loved one with a persistent disease will bring tears.

The Heavenly Father cares about our tears. Today’s Bible verse tells what God’s word says about crying.

Today’s Bible Verses:

Psalm 56:8-9 (KJV), “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.”

What the Verses Mean:

Why would God keep tears in a bottle? The idea behind the keeping of “tears in a bottle” is a remembrance. King David, the writer of these verses, is expressing a deep trust in God. He knows that God remembers his sorrow. He knows God remembers his tears. King David also is sure the God will never forget about him. David is confident that God is on his side.

Personalized Prayer Using Today’s Scripture:

  • Heavenly Father, thank you for crying and the resulting tears. Teach me to understand and accept that my tears help me identify and help me deal with my feelings.
  • Lord Jesus, thank you for letting me know crying is okay.
  • Almighty God, it is comforting to know that you notice and keep track of my tears.
  • I turn the sorrow concerning the chronic illness over to Yahweh-Rapha (God that heals).
  • I pray that my family and I would feel the freedom to cry out to God and let the tears flow when the release is needed.
  • I pray that my family and friends would be supportive, loving, and understanding during the times the tears flow.
  • I pray I would just hold on to God during these times without questioning and accept God’s comfort.
  • Help me to have the confidence of King David, the author of these verses, and say with him – for God is for me.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Thy Will Be Done

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle.

If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member the book is available to read for free in Kindle format. Over the next two months, I will publish each chapter as a blog post

 

Accepting God’s Love

Posted in Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler2 Comments

Part of learning to live with a chronic illness is accepting God’s love.

What do you do when the lab results or physician’s diagnosis erase the future you or your loved one had planned?

As you or your loved one confronts a chronic illness, you may feel uncertain about tomorrow. Your hopes and dreams at best are placed on hold. At worst, you face an alternative future to the one you had charted. Feelings of hopelessness, despair, and helplessness may engulf you.

When you are uncertain about the future, you need a perfect love which casts out all fear. You need the love of Jesus Christ.

If you are a caregiver, you may ask, “What is a chronic illness or disease?”

A chronic disease is one lasting three months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic illnesses generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear. Examples of chronic diseases are:

  • Alzheimer disease
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • COPD
  • Crohn disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Diabetes
  • Dementia
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Heart Disease
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Oral lichen planus
  • Parkinson disease
  • Sickle cell disease

Today’s Bible Verse:

1 John 4:18 King James Version of the Holy Bible (KJV), “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

What the Verse Means:

John says that perfect love produces courage in the day of judgment. It casts out fear.

How does the perfect love of Jesus Christ accomplish casting out fear? Perfect love casts out fear because it produces a likeness to Christ and Jesus Christ is the Judge.

There is another way in which love produces boldness. It does this by its casting out fear. The entrance of perfect love through Jesus Christ is for fear a cease and desist letter. It is an order to quit.

When love arrives, it brings hand in hand with itself courage. Boldness is the companion of love, only when love is perfect. Just professing Christians can experience this perfect love of God, a love that casts out fear. AsBeliever’s in Jesus Christ, we can face the future, including chronic illness, and even death with the peace that only comes from Christ’s perfect love.

If you are not a Christian accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior is a prerequisite to obtaining God’s peace. The last section of today’s blog explains how to become a Christian. You can accept Jesus Christ today. 

Personalized Prayer Using Today’s Scripture:

  • Lord Jesus, thank you that there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.
  • Heavenly Father, help me to keep my mind focused on you and your love for me.
  • Remove any fears I may have as I look to the future.
  • Provide your grace to meet the challenges I encounter daily. I cannot travel this journey alone but can with you.
  • Help me to know without any doubt that as a Believer in Jesus Christ my ultimate future is in Heaven.

HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Being a good person doesn’t get you to heaven. Being “saved or born-again” does. Here’s my story of how I accepted Jesus Christ and became a Christian.

On July 11, 1977, my life changed. If you look up that date in history, you will find nothing historically significant happened on that Sunday. It was a remarkable day for me. Sunday, July 11, 1977, was the watershed event in my life.

While attending First Baptist Church of Lakewood in Tacoma, Washington, I noticed a group of men that seemed to have what I was missing. I attended a Bible study with them.

Here I found that God has given us an essential manual for life — the Bible. God has the answers to the problems and emptiness we may face. I found out I was here for a purpose, and not by accident. I learned Jesus loves me and desires to have a personal relationship with me. However, sin separated me from Him.

I realized I had a sin problem.

The Bible says in Romans 3:23 (KJV), “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

But no one is perfect! We have all sinned and therefore cannot save ourselves by just living a good life.

Why not?

I learned there was a penalty to be paid for my sin.

The Bible says in Romans 6:23 (KJV), “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I learned God gives us a promise.

The Bible says in John 3:16 (KJV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I learned that God made a provision for me.

The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10, 13 (KJV), “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

I prayed to accept the gift of eternal life through Jesus.

I prayed, “Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the grave so that I might have eternal life in Heaven with You. I willingly repent of my sins and ask you to come into my heart and life. Take control of my words, thoughts, and actions. I place all of my trust in You for my salvation. I accept You as my Lord and Savior, and this free gift of eternal life. Amen.”

Since then my life has not been perfect. It’s been far from it. I’ve messed up from time to time, sometimes failing miserably in my decisions and choices. However, I have had direction and purpose in my life. I know where I am headed. I have the Bible to give me the principles for daily living. I am never alone. I have had real peace for the last 40 years.

How about you? Have you ever been “saved”?

You can do like I did.

Romans 10:9-10, 13 tells us, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Why not pray this simple prayer and accept Jesus Christ today?

If you prayed the prayer you can leave a simple “I prayed the prayer” in the comments section. It will encourage me and others. May God bless you.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Thy Will Be Done

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle.

If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member the book is available to read for free in Kindle format. Over the next two months, I will publish each chapter as a blog post

 

God’s Protection

Posted in Blog, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

A Daily Challenge

As I face the challenges of applying a yucky tasting prescription steroid gel inside my mouth twice a day and using a compounded prescription “magic mouthwash” that has a cocktail of four different prescriptions I find myself growing weary.

Remembering to use the magic mouthwash at the right times is critical. Swishing and spitting after meals, not before meals is essential where I don’t swallow the mixture’s medicine with food or drink. It is not for internal use. The steroid gel is applied to gauze and then placed inside the mouth in the appropriate location for fifteen minutes.

Even under a physician’s care, it was hard for me to place something in my mouth marked external use only. After removing the gauze the mouth feels like I still have the gauze inside of the mouth for about an hour. Plus there is that terrible taste. Add to that I made the mistake of going to a forum on the disease and treatment. It was scary as I read about people claiming to have lost the sense of taste from using the medication. It made me cry out for God’s protection.

Today’s Bible verse

Psalm 3: 3-4 King James Version (KJV), “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.”

What the verse means

What the verse is saying in today’s English is that God shields me like a force field. His protection is three hundred and sixty degrees.  In Christ, I am both grounded in the reality of the situation and able to hold our head high. I know I am not alone. With all my strength I shout to the Lord. My cries do not go unanswered. He voice thunders His answer from His holy mountain. 

Praying using the verse

  1. Heavenly Father, I pray to You and You alone. I confess You are our shield.
  2. Lord Jesus, You are our glory.
  3. Thank you for being the lifter of our head.
  4. We rejoice knowing we can cry to You and You answer our cries.

Photo Source: Francisque Millet [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; Page URL; File URL.

Trials

Posted in Blog, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

Part of learning to deal with a chronic illness is facing trails.

Today’s Bible Verse

James 1:2-4 (KJV), “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

What the Verse Means

Basically, it says the Believers should look at and face the challenges before them through spiritual eyes, not worldly eyes. When the challenges come our way, there is no escaping them. Many times they come to us by God’s providence, not our own seeking. The challenges allow us to examine ourselves and our trust in the Lord. They allow others to see if we grab hold of and don’t let go of God allowing for God to be glorified. The commentary is Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s.

Praying Using the Verse

  1. God in heaven, we pray that when facing a chronic illness we would keep up an attitude of JOY as we face the continuing challenges of our illness and its treatments.
  2. Heavenly Father, we pray that we would be ready through our faith in Christ WHEN trails of various kinds meet us. Every day is a challenge with the illness and its treatment.
  3. Lord Jesus, we pray that we would be steadfast in our trust in Lord. Why? Where the steadfastness will have its full effect.

Photo Source: Pixaby

Thanks

Posted in Blog, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

Part of learning to deal with a chronic illness is learning to give thanks.

Today’s Bible Verse:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV), “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

What the Verse Means:

The verse reminds us that Christians should not only pray to God but also give thanks to Him. We should thank him for everything, in every circumstance, in joy as well as in sorrow.

Praying Using the Verse:

  1. Heavenly Father, help us always show gratitude to family and friends who help and support us as we battle our chronic illness.
  2. Lord Jesus, help us to praise God daily for who He is and for His love and care for our loved one (or yourself) confronting the chronic illness.
  3. God Almighty, we thank you for a loving church and Bible fellowship class and our brothers and sisters-in-Christ who help and support us.
  4. We give thanks for the good medical care and counsel.

Photo Source: Pixaby

Focus on God

Posted in Blog, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

gazelle-1364422_1920

Dealing with a chronic illness can often lead to depression. Don’t focus on your circumstances. Instead, focus on God.

Today’s Bible Verse

Psalm 42:1-5 (KJV), “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

What the Verse Means

The first five verses of Psalm 42 are the cry of a man far removed from the ordinances and worship of God. It shares the voice of a spiritual believer, possibly under depressions, longing for the spiritual renewal of God’s divine presence. We see him facing doubts and fears as well as clinging to his faith in the living God.

Praying using the verses

  1. Heavenly Father, help our soul to pant or long for you.
  2. Lord Jesus, our soul thirsts for the living God. We ask, when shall we come and appear before the living God?
  3. Lord, we long for you. Our tears have been our food night and day. 
  4. God, our hope is in you for we shall praise you!

Photo Source: Pixaby

Time

Posted in Blog, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

hourglass-695275_960_720

The Bible has much to say about God having the days of our lives numbered.

  • Job 14:5 (KJV), “Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;”
  • Job 21:21 (KJV), “For what does he care for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
  • Psalm 31:15 (KJV), “My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.”
  • Psalm 139:16 (KJV), “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.”
  • Ecclesiastes 3:2 (KJV), “A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.”

Today’s Bible Verse:

Psalm 39:4 (KJV), “Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.”

What the verse means:

The verse shares thoughts concerning the psalmist meditations on human life. He reflects on its brevity, its vanity, and its sorrows. He wonders why was life so short? Why was it so vain? Why was it so full of sorrow?

Praying using the verses:

  1. Father in heaven, remind us how brief our time on earth will be.
  2. Lord Jesus, remind us that my days are numbered
  3. God, help us remember how fleeting our life is.
  4. Lord, we find confidence in knowing you have our days numbered.

Photo Source: Pixaby

Joy

Posted in Blog, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie KeplerLeave a comment

rainbow-2278774_960_720

Chronic pain can cause a person to lose their joy. Casting our cares on God and receiving his comfort can help restore our joy.

Today’s Bible Verse:

Psalm 30:5 (KJV), “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

What the verse means:

When our soul is afflicted by sin or by suffering from chronic pain, we often feel as if we cannot go on or are dead. When we seek our comfort in God either through repentance for sin or the intimacy of bearing our soul and hurts to the Father, it is like life returning to the dead. We find our bliss and favor from God. Only He is so reviving. It is our unending treasure.

Praying using the verses:

  1. Heavenly Father, thank you for turning night into day, sighing into singing, grief into gladness, mourning into music, bitter into sweet, and wilderness into a paradise.
  2. Lord Jesus, we realize that the ups and downs of life are the ebb and flow we need to keep our souls in a healthy constitution. We ask that you walk with us on this journey.
  3. We praise you Lord for the joy that comes in the morning. Help us to keep our eyes on you. Help us to realize every day is a day of new beginnings. Even when we fail you and ourselves, we can start a new daily.

Photo Source: Pixaby