Illness, chronic pain, and sickness are all life situations that no one desires to face. Those who suffer from chronic sickness often live in the painful space between harsh reality and the hopeful desire for physical healing. Chronic sickness is a physical condition in which we face sickness or lack of well-being in our body or mind. Chronic sickness often comes with a limited life expectancy (less than three years). In many past experiences with the ministry, I have witnessed those who suffer from chronic sickness, both in their physical body and in the condition of their spirits. The human spirit is known to suffer due to prolonged physical decline. Often, the question, “Lord, why do I have to experience this form of suffering?” emerges as we experience chronic sickness. The answer is to receive peace and healing from the hand of our good and loving heavenly Father.
The negative influence of chronic sickness can manifest in several ways in our lives as it can progress through several levels or stages. I will list them below, along with a brief explanation:
Stage One--Denial: This first level of chronic sickness involves avoiding the reality of the pain and suffering that often occurs due to the negative influence of sickness. It could result in stating such phrases as, “This can not be happening to me right now.” “I do not feel symptoms today, so (type of illness) must not exist anymore.”
Stage Two--Anger: The second stage of chronic sickness involves anger towards God, others, and ourselves for the pain or suffering we may face. Such phrases as, “Why do I have to be sick?” and “God is mean, unfair, or a tyrant” are all commonly seen at this level.
Stage Three--Bargaining: This third level of chronic sickness involves our desire to try and change the reality of what we face. This could mean bargaining with God through good action or possessing enough faith to receive physical change. Phrases such as, “If I can just do better, God will heal me and take away my pain” or “I have to believe enough or deny my symptoms, and I will get better.
Stage Four--Despair: The fourth level of chronic sickness involves feeling deep sadness and hopelessness for the future of our physical health. We often say, “I would be better off if I wasn’t here.” “I am such a burden for being sick.” “If I can help myself, who will be able to help me?”
Stage Five--Acceptance: This final level of chronic sickness involves seeing our current illness with fresh eyes and through the lens of freedom and emotional healing. At this level, we see God’s heart of love for us in our pain and accept His healing touch on our bodies and our emotional pain. Phrases in this level are often, “Lord, I receive Your truth about my physical condition.” “I choose to honor You with my mind, body, soul, and spirit in whatever state I am in.” Lord, teach me how to partner with Your healing, even as I experience symptoms of chronic sickness.”
An important principle when praying for breakthrough from chronic sickness is embracing Christ's sufficiency for freedom and emotional healing. So often, those bound by this negative influence have partnered with despair and the negative influence of ongoing infirmity. This partnership commonly empowers a lack of healing and bondage to sickness. Jesus is our healer and desires to give us divine healing, which is found in His atonement on the cross.
Questions to Ask:
On a scale of 1-10, with one being exceptional and 10 being constant illness, how would you place your health most days?
How have you processed (understood) your journey with sickness at the present moment?
How long has this been an issue for you?
How has your relationship with God been impacted due to your physical sickness?
Can you see God’s hand in your day-to-day life?
Do you have a community to walk with through the various forms of suffering/pain/sickness you face?
Are you honest with them about moments of victory and moments of defeat? How So?
Do you see any form of resolve or ending to your chronic sickness?
Are there any lies you are believing about God’s Word, your identity in Christ, or God’s promises to you that may be influenced by chronic sickness?
Connected Influences: Allergies, Arthritis, Asthma, Miscarriage, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Bone Problems, Cancer, Heart problems, Mental Illness, Neurological problems, Diabetes, Fatigue, Lung Problems, Migraines, MS, Viruses, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Reproductive Problems
Scriptural Truth:
“He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.” (Psalm 103:3-4)
“When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (John 5:6-8)
“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
How to Pray for Pray for Breakthrough from Chronic Sickness:
You may pray aloud, using each step below:
REALIZE: "Lord, I confess (negative influence) is an area that limits my walk with You. Would You show me the first time I experienced this?"
RELEASE: "Lord, who I need to forgive for influencing this in my life. I choose to forgive (name of person) for (what they did or failed to do). It made me feel (share your emotions with the Lord). I release them from any debt they owe me and repent for judging them. I choose to bless them."
"Lord, do I need to forgive myself for how I responded to this negative influence?”
"Lord, am I holding onto judgment or unmet expectations of You because of this negative influence?"
REPENT & RENOUNCE: "I repent partnering with (negative influence). In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce my agreement with (negative influence). I choose to hand this to You.”
Lord, I also renounce my agreement with (any connected negative influences).
RECEIVE: "Lord, what do You want to give me in exchange for the negative influence I have given You?"
What truth do You want me to walk in, based on Your Word, Your promises to me, and my identity in Christ?" (Write down and give thanks for the truths that you received from the Lord!)
You can break free from every negative influence present in your life! If you want to go deeper into the spiritual and emotional wholeness that God has for you, check out my book, Encountering Abba’s Heart, or use the purchase link below.
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