Prayer Before Medicine
In 1611, Lewis Bayly published The Practice of Piety, a devotional classic offering practical guidance for believers seeking to grow in their devotion to God. In it there is quite a bit of encouragement for the sick, including meditations on how to respond in times of illness, a prayer to pray when sick, and thoughtful meditations for both the suffering and the recovering. I believe one prayer in particular would be helpful to those who suffer, even in the 21st century, “A Prayer Before Taking Medicine.”
Many Christians are reluctant to take medication, even when prescribed by a good doctor, to treat the heart, liver, or brain, desiring instead to see God heal them supernaturally. Bailey provides a prayer that acknowledges God as the ultimate healer who often heals through the use of means, like medication.
Below is the complete prayer from The Practice of Piety, followed by a shorter, modernized prayer based on Bayly’s original.
A Prayer Before Taking Medicine, by Lewis Bayly
O Merciful Father,
Who art the Lord of health and of sickness, of life and of death; who killest and makest alive; who bringest down to the grave and raisest up again;
I come unto thee, as to the only physician, who canst cure my soul from sin, and my body from sickness. I desire neither life nor death, but refer myself to thy most holy will; for, though we must needs die, and being dead, our lives are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again, yet hath thy gracious providence (whilst life remaineth) appointed means which thou wilt have thy children to use; and (by the lawful use thereof) to expect thy blessing upon thy own means, to the curing of their sickness, and restitution of their health.
And now, O Lord, in this my necessity, I have, according to thy ordinance, sent for thy servant the physician, who hath prepared for me this medicine, which I receive as means sent from thy fatherly hand; I beseech thee, therefore, that as by thy blessing on a lump of dry figs, thou didst heal Hezekiah's sore, that he recovered; and by seven times washing in the river of Jordan, didst cleanse Naaman the Syrian of his leprosy; and didst restore the man that was blind from his birth, by anointing his eyes with clay and spittle, and sending him to wash in the pool of Siloam; and by touching the hand of Peter's wife's mother, didst cure her of her fever; and didst restore the woman that touched the hem of thy garment: so it would please thee of thy infinite goodness and mercy, to sanctity this medicine to my use, and to give such a blessing unto it, that it may (if it be thy will and pleasure) remove this my sickness and pain, and restore me to health and strength again.
But if the number of those days which thou hast appointed for me to live in this vale of misery be at an end, and that thou hast sent this sickness as thy messenger to call me out of this mortal life, then, Lord, let thy blessed will be done; for I submit my will to thy most holy pleasure. Only, I beseech thee, increase my faith and patience, and let thy grace and mercy be never wanting unto me; but in the midst of all extremities, assist me with thy Holy Spirit, that I may willingly and cheerfully resign up my soul, the price of thy own blood, into thy most gracious hands and custody.
Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake; to whom, with thee, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, both now and evermore. Amen.
A Prayer for God’s Healing Through Medicine
Gracious and Merciful Father,
You are the Lord of life and death, and sovereign over every aspect of my life, including my health and sickness.
I come to you, the Great Physician who alone can cure my soul of sin, and my body of sickness. And though you have not promised me health in this life, you have, in your gracious providence, appointed means for relief and healing. These I know I can receive in faith, trusting that you often use these means to cure sickness and restore health.
I thank you for the wisdom and care of my physician, and I receive this medicine as from your fatherly hand. I ask, Lord, that according to your infinite goodness and mercy, that you bless this medicine and use it for my healing.
Yet, not my will, but your will be done. If the days you have decreed for me continue to their end without healing of this illness, I submit myself to your perfect plan. Give me faith to trust, patience to endure, and the help of your Holy Spirit to persevere in the joy of your salvation, learning that your grace is sufficient for me.
All this I ask for my good and your glory, in the name of Jesus Christ, with the help of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(1 Sam. 2:6; Rom. 14:8; Ex. 15:26; Is. 38:21; 1 Tim. 5:23; Jam. 1:17; Lk. 22:42; 2 Cor. 12:9; Rom. 5:3-5)
References and Resources
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The Practice of Piety, by Lewis Bayly
