Praying the Word: When Your Child Faces a Medical Crisis

On the surface, prayer seems simple. It’s talking to God. But in practice, we may have a lot of questions. Am I doing this right? Is there a “right” way to do it? What am I supposed to say? Are there things I shouldn’t pray about? Or maybe we feel pretty comfortable with praying, but we struggle with getting bored or losing focus. 

Whatever our struggles with prayer, Scripture can be helpful. As Donald Whitney explains, “Praying the Bible isn’t complicated. Read through a few verses of Scripture, pause at the end of each phrase or verse, and pray about what the words suggest to you.” (You can read more from Donald Whitney about how to pray Scripture in this article.)

In the Praying the Word series, we’ll take the idea of praying Scripture and make it practical by sharing a passage of Scripture, an example prayer, and some guided questions to help you make it your own. The example prayer might serve as a model, or you can use it as a prayer for yourself. As you give this a try, don’t worry if it feels awkward or you’re not sure what to say. Remember, the power of prayer doesn’t come from the words we say, but from the One who hears them. 

Example Scripture

Hebrews 4:14-16

[14] Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

[15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

[16] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus, my child is facing a medical crisis, and I feel paralyzed with fear. My mind is reeling, trying to make sense of all my eyes have seen and all my ears have heard. Though I want to pray, in the shock and trauma of our circumstances, I feel unable. The words just won’t come. I am shaken and overwhelmed. I don’t even know what we need, let alone what to pray.

As the Son of God, you walked here on earth. You lived. You loved. You suffered. And through your death and resurrection, you ascended into heaven to now sit at God’s right hand. You serve as my Great High Priest: the One who makes it possible for me to come before God with my petitions.

And though in this crisis I feel unable to pray, you don’t think less of me as a mother. You don’t condemn me. In the moments when it really counts and I fall short, you don’t judge my ineptness. Instead, in your humanness, you lovingly sympathize with the weakness I feel. You are both the God who sees me and the Suffering Servant; you see me in this moment, and you understand.

As my Great High Priest, you are near and accessible. You invite me to confidently draw near to your throne of grace with petitions and supplications for my child. And when I still can’t string together my thoughts, you assure me that the Holy Spirit intercedes for me through wordless groans.[1] You remind me that you, seated at the right hand of God, also pray for me.[2] What a comfort it is to know that when I come up short, you do not. What a blessing it is to know that in my weakness, your power is made perfect.[3]

Right now, in your lovingkindness, you’re offering mercy and grace to my family in our time of need. Though I cannot anticipate what that mercy and grace will look like and whether it will align with what I want, I can count on the fact that what you give is good. You are the giver of good gifts. Though the circumstances of our crisis are far from good, you, in every essence of the word, are good. 

Lord, help me to face my child’s medical crisis. Help me to humbly approach your throne and lower myself to a position of surrender to you. Enable me to remove this heavy burden from my shoulders and lay it at your feet, relinquishing control. Break down my walls so I can give you full access to my heart and our circumstances. Gently open my hands to you. Give our family refuge and be our safe place. Sustain us with the hope and promises found in your Word. And may your grace and mercy carry us through this season.

Make It Your Own

Praise God: Every good and perfect gift is from God, including your child. Despite your current circumstances, thank God for the gift of your child and for the privilege of being his/her mother. Thank him for both the time you have had with your child and the time he will grant you with your child.

Confess: Do you trust God’s sovereignty in your circumstances? Do you trust that he is who he says he is? Do your actions show reliance on him? Confess any areas where you aren’t entrusting your child or your child’s circumstances into his hands.

Share Your Heart: There are many uncertainties when it comes to a child’s medical crisis. Though God already knows your thoughts, openly share your fears, your worries, and your doubts with him.

Ask: God sees the full picture; his vantage point is perfect. Ask the Lord for direction and wisdom as you navigate this medical crisis. Ask him to point you to gospel hope that you can cling to in this season.

[1] Romans 8:26

[2] Romans 8:34

[3] 2 Corinthians 12:9