Patiently Waiting for Healing

(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which he wrote completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)

“LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long?” (Psalm 6:1–3, NIV)

LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

Heavenly Father, I am often unaware of my need for discipline. Too often I am blind to the sin in my life. Help me see my sin more clearly. Make me aware of the things I need to turn away from. Father, I want to follow you. I want to live in a way that brings you glory and honor.

Yet, Father, I ask that you do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. If you were to give me what I deserve for my sins, I couldn’t stand it. I’d collapse. Father, I’m thankful that you are slow to anger and steadfast in your love. I’m thankful that you don’t give me what I deserve, but you continue to pour out your grace and mercy in my life. 

Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.

So, Father, I ask you to continue having mercy on me. I need any drop of mercy you can give me. I’m tired and worn out. I keep trying to follow you and I keep messing up. I keep slipping and falling down. I need your mercy. 

Father, I also need your healing. I don’t want to keep slipping and falling down in my sin. I don’t want to keep messing up and disobeying you.  I want to be more than simply forgiven for my sin. I want you to heal me from my sin. I want you to make me a new creation. I want to look more like Jesus. 

So, Father, please heal me. Heal me so I am no longer weak and weary. Heal me so I can live the life you’ve called me to live. Heal me so I can more fully glorify you with my life.

My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long?

Father, I long for the day when I can be healed fully. I know that it won’t happen until I go to You or You come to me. It will be awhile, but I long for that day with hope.  I can’t wait until I can experience life without all the pain and sorrow that comes from sin in the world. 

Father, how much longer before you act? How much longer before you come again and make all things new? How much longer before you come to restore the heavens and the earth—to restore my life? 

Yet, Father, until that day comes, I will wait patiently with hope. I will trust that you will accomplish your plans and purposes in your perfect timing. I will trust that you haven’t acted yet because you have something better in store. So, I will continue longing for your complete healing, but will continue to live my life in this world, patiently waiting for You to act. I trust you, Father.