Prayer for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Exhortation #92

If rheumatoid arthritis has brought pain, stiffness, inflammation, or exhaustion into your body, you are in the right place to bring it before God. Settle into His presence and allow this prayer to invite His healing, mercy, restoration, and peace over your joints, your immune system, and your entire body.

Dear God, I thank You
and praise You
for Your presence,
Your mercy,
and Your unfailing love.
Thank You
that I can come to You
with every pain,
every concern,
and every burden
I have been carrying.
After all,
I am fearfully
and wonderfully made
by You.
So Lord,
You see
what rheumatoid arthritis
has brought
into my body.
You see
the stiffness.
You see
the swelling.
You see
the burning inflammation
within my joints.
You see
the mornings
when my hands,
my wrists,
my feet,
or other parts
of my body
feel difficult to move.
You know
how frustrating it can be
when simple movements
become difficult.
You know
the exhaustion
that can settle
deep within my body.
You understand
the uncertainty
of not knowing
when another flare
may come.
And You know
the thoughts
that can rise
about the future.
Lord,
I bring all of it
to You.
The frustration.
The weariness.
The uncertainty.
The concern
about losing strength
or independence.
The moments
when I have wondered
why my own body
seems to be working
against itself.
Today,
I choose
not to remain
in that struggle.
I place
my body
into Your hands.
I place
my immune system
into Your hands.
I place
every joint,
every tissue,
every cell,
and every system
within me
into Your hands.
Lord,
I also bring before You
anything known
or unknown
that may be connected
to what I am experiencing.
If there are choices,
habits,
burdens,
patterns,
or things carried
through generations,
I ask for Your divine mercy
and healing from them.
Let nothing
known or unknown
stand in the way
of the restoration
You desire
to bring.
Stretch forth
Your healing hand and restore divine order
within my immune system.
Let every cell
recognize what is healthy. Let every response
within my body
return to balance
with the power
of Your Holy Spirit.
Let my immune system
protect what needs protection
without attacking
healthy tissue.
Bring harmony
where there has been
confusion.
Bring peace
where there has been
internal distress.
Cool every joint
that feels hot
or inflamed.
Let swelling subside. Let stiffness loosen. Bring soothing relief
to every place
that feels tender,
painful,
or difficult to move.
Touch my hands. Touch my fingers.Touch my wrists.Touch my feet. Touch my knees.Touch my shoulders. Touch every joint
affected by inflammation.
Restore the lining
of my joints and restore healthy movement
through my tendons
and ligaments.
Protect and strengthen
my cartilage.
Restore flexibility
where movement
has become restricted.
Let every joint
move more freely.
Let every step
become easier.
Let every movement
become smoother.
Lord,when morning comes,
help my body
awaken with greater ease.
Help my hands
open freely.
Help my fingers
bend comfortably. Help my feet
carry me with strength.
Let stiffness release sooner. Let movement return gently.
Give me renewed strength
for each day.
Restore the energy
that inflammation
and exhaustion
have taken from me.
Lift the heaviness
from my body.
Renew my strength. Renew my endurance and renew my ability
to move through my day
with greater comfort
and confidence.
Send Your Holy Spirit
gently through this body.
Let Your divine light
flow through
every joint,
every muscle,
every tendon,
every ligament,
every tissue,
and every cell.
Let Your healing presence
move into every place
where restoration
is needed.
Bring peace
to my nervous system.
Quiet the tension
that comes
from anticipating pain.
Help me release
the expectation
of another difficult flare.
Teach my body
to settle.
Teach my mind
to rest.
Let peace
replace the feeling
of being at war
within myself.
Help me see
this body
with compassion.
Help me care for it
with wisdom.
Help me work
with my body
rather than against it.
When discomfort comes,
help me respond
with patience and yur divine peace.
When progress feels slow,
keep me encouraged.
When I feel tired
of treatment,
appointments,
medication,
or uncertainty,
renew my strength.
Surround me, Lord, with wise medical guidance,
supportive people,
helpful resources,
and every form
of care You know I need.
Give those caring for me
wisdom and discernment.
Guide every decision
concerning treatment.
Guide my choices
about rest,
movement,
nutrition,
stress,
and the way
I care for this body.
Help me recognize
what strengthens me.
Help me release
what places unnecessary strain
upon my body.
Protect my heart
from discouragement.
Protect my mind
from dwelling
on the worst possibilities.
I will not allow
today’s discomfort
to determine
my entire future.
I will not allow
a difficult morning
to define
the rest of my life.
Instead, I will trust
that You are with me
one day at a time.
I believe
You can restore balance.
I believe
You can bring relief.
I believe
You can strengthen
what has become weak.
I believe
You can bring harmony
to every system
within me.
Let Your goodness
and mercy
surround me.
Restore peace
within my mind.
Restore balance
within my immune system.
Restore comfort
within my joints.
Restore flexibility
within my body.
Restore strength
within my hands
and feet.
May this body
become a testimony
of Your mercy,
Your wisdom,
Your faithfulness,
and Your healing power.
I trust
that You are working
even in the places
I cannot see.
I trust
that You are guiding me
through every step
of this journey.
Thank You, God for making me joyful!
for being with me,
for strengthening me,
for restoring me,
and for carrying me
one day at a time.