Prayer in the Midst of Pain

One of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia, from which I have suffered since 1994, is neck pain. Sometimes I will awaken in the early morning hours in terrible pain. No matter which way I lay, or how I support my neck, the pain doesn't subside, and I am left to lie there until my pain pills kick in and I am able to go back to sleep.

On these occasions, I try to spend the time in prayer. I Thessalonians 5:17 commands us to "Pray without ceasing." John Gill explains this verse as follows:

"Not that saints should be always on their knees, or ever
lifting up their hands, and vocally calling upon God;
this is not required of them, and would clash with, and
break in upon other parts of religious worship, and the
duties of civil life, which are to be attended to, as well as
this, and besides would be impracticable; . . . But the
meaning is, that believers should be daily, and often
found in the performance of this duty; for as their wants
daily return upon them, and they are called to fresh service,
and further trials and exercises, they have need of more
grace, strength, and assistance, and therefore should daily
pray for it . . . do not leave off praying, or cease from it
through the prevalence of sin, the temptations of Satan,
or through discouragement, because an answer is not
immediately had, or through carelessness and negligence,
but continue in it, and be often at it; . . . the reason for
this rule of praying with frequency and constancy is,
because the saints are always needy, they are always in
want of mercies of one kind or another, and therefore
should continually go to the throne of grace, and there
ask for grace and mercy to help them in time of need."

It is easy to go through our days without praying much. We miss opportunities to "bend the knee," sometimes because we think we need to be in a certain place, or adopt a certain posture. But God doesn't require anything other than a willing heart. I think that He often allows times of pain so we don't forget what is important, and that is communing with Him.

The next time you find yourself unable to sleep, try talking with God. And let me know what happens!

Holding Faith,