Prayer Pond
YOUR SAFE HARBOR FOR PRAYER
The Prayer Pond is your safe harbor for prayer. Share prayer requests, updates, and shouts of praise.
It’s safe, secure, and always without judgment.
What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! Psalm 107:30 NLT
PRAYER IS THE HEARTBEAT OF CHRONIC JOY®.
Welcome to the Chronic Joy® Prayer Pond, where you can share your prayer requests, updates, and shouts of praise. At Chronic Joy®, we’re passionate about prayer.
You are invited to pray for this ministry, for those affected by chronic illness and mental illness, and for each prayer request tossed into our Prayer Pond.
Whether a request, praise, lament, loss, joy, hope, or grief, prayer ripples beyond this day and the boundaries of our world.
We often hear, “Prayer is the least I can do,” when in reality, prayer is the most we can do. As we connect with our Heavenly Father and with one another in prayer, our serving hearts grow and thrive.
“For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20
PRAYER POND
What happens when chronic pain drives us to bed day after day?
What happens when we feel the weight of loneliness?
And what happens when we’ve searched for answers, but found none?
Many of us have felt the sting of wounding in the very places we sought safety. Sadly, even as we have requested prayer, some of us have been met with words cloaked in shame, judgment, or condemnation.
At the Prayer Pond, we invite Jesus to meet our heavy hearts with His Good Word.
OUR SAVIOR IS A SAFE HARBOR
In Christ, we always have a safe harbor to come to just as we are.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
The old-fashioned word in the middle of the verse – supplication – simply means to humbly ask. Jesus will never turn us away. In fact, He specifically asks us to bring our requests to God. As we lift our hearts, He lifts every burden, wrapping us in peace.
Is this world of chronic illness a place where life is stunted? Or could there be a hidden gift of intimacy with our Lord not seen before? Perhaps it is precisely the place where prayers are born.
Could it be that the unrelenting pain is exactly what causes us to cry out to God for help?
We believe chronic illness invites us to shelter under Christ’s outstretched wings. Jesus is present in our unrelenting pain, where His own sweet breath becomes our every prayer. For in this place of crying-out, hidden longings are lifted up to Him and the Spirit moves to intercede in and through His Presence in us.
EXPRESSING OUR DEEP LONGINGS IN PRAYER
There is a longing in our souls that rises from the deep places, of “Deep calling out to deep,” Psalm 42:7, as we long for God to, “Hear the voice of [our] supplications,” Psalm 28:2.
Sometimes those vague terms cause us to flounder and set aside His call to prayer. Yet what if this safe harbor for prayer is also a safe harbor to learn how to pray, to express the vague and unnamed feelings lingering in our hearts?
Want to Learn More?
Join us at the Let’s Pray page, a safe and inviting harbor to explore a breadth and depth of prayer.
Click on an image to learn more.
Let's Pray!
Prayer is Precious Invitation from God
Axe Head Prayer
Redeeming your spiritual edge.
Holy Attention
The Spritual Discipline of Noticing and Appreciating
Breath Prayers
Connect to God with Every Breath.
Lament
An Honest, Vulnerable Expression of Pain
Journey Deeper into Prayer
Cultivate a vibrant life of prayer!
Prayer of Examen
Reflections with God
Lectio Divina
Savor the Words of Scripture
Prayer Journaling
A Touchstone of God’s Love
Praying the Psalms
God’s Prayerbook for His People
The Questions of Jesus
An Invitation to Prayer and a Deeper Faith
Show me, Lord
Teach me. Guide me.
Suffering & Joy
Joy Thrives in the Midst of Suffering
Share Your Prayer Requests at the Prayer Pond
You’re invited to share your prayer requests in a judgment-free zone. While we love to pray for you by name, we’ve included an anonymous option, because we understand that sometimes just the effort to share a request is vulnerable and hard.
At Chronic Joy®, you are prayed for, and every request is prayed over. If you share your address with us (which is always kept confidential) we would love to send you a note of encouragement.
Before you leave the Prayer Pond, please #PrayItForward by lifting others’ requests. When you click the “I PRAYED FOR THIS” button, the requester will get an email saying, “Someone just prayed for you.” What an honor to love and serve one another in prayer!
Whenever we pray – on sleepless nights, in the heat of the day, or as dawn breaks on a new day, God will hear us.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17 KJV
You are a precious, vital member of the Kingdom of God and of this community. We’re glad you’re here. Grateful for your presence. Blessed to lift you in prayer.
Thanks to everyone for who prayed for me. It is so encouraging to get a notice in my email indicating someone prayed for me. Blessings to all Chronic Joy prayer warriors. ~ Edna
You are invited to share your prayer requests and praises related to chronic illness to our Prayer Pond using the form below. Once your note is received, we will share it according to your instructions. Feel free visit us often and share updates!
Larry Miller
Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. In a manner of 4 months, your ministry has helped me realign my perspective. I will love more and suffer more. I will see more light and more darkness. More grace and more sin, and more of God and more of humanity.
More love, more God, more humanity. Somehow, that has enabled me to connect the dots. Keeping my balance has always been important for me. Pray that I will be a good steward of and advocate for this ministry.
Received: December 29, 2020
BettieG
I am so grateful for all of the prayers here at the Prayer Pond. My Dr called and scheduled my 2nd ablation for my occipital neuralgia for Jan 25. And then we got a call that my husband's ultrasound showed his heart condition has worsened, and he has an appt with a new cardiologist on Jan 19. I appreciate prayers that we would cling to the Lord and trust Him through every step.
Received: December 28, 2020
Linda
Please pray for me. I suffer from clinical depression. I have been going through a very dark time for the last couple of years due to a family trauma. Our son has cut ties with his whole family and has done and said several very hurtful things to his family and to himself. He needs a lot of prayer. I pray constantly for his healing. It is due to his destructive behavior that I have spiraled downward into deep depression. I also have chronic lymphocytic leukemia. I was diagnosed 5+ years ago.
Received: December 26, 2020
Anonymous
We need a miracle. Please unite with our my family to pray for my dad who is in the ICU due to covid.
My dad is a kind, sweet and loving father who serves the Lord. I am believing by faith with many prayers- God will restore his health.
My dads name is Jose from Oceanside, California.
Thank you
Received: December 25, 2020
Gayl
Though I don't have any fever and each day seem to get a little bit stronger, I am still feeling the congestion and fatigue which began about 1 1/2 wks ago. I feel a little stronger after eating in the morning, and I want to think I'm on the mend. I just need wisdom to know when and if to seek medical attention and also my 24 yr. old son wasn't feeling well this morning. Thank you for prayers.
Received: December 24, 2020
Bettie G
Please pray for my dear writing friend, Mandy. She suffers from several autoimmune conditions, and just tested positive for Covid, after having been ill for almost a week. Others in her family have also tested positive.
Received: December 21, 2020
Laura Schmuck
I am at the end of the rope right now in my life. I have horrific pain in my lower body that feels like it is on fire constantly with stabbing lightning bolt jolts going down both legs. I have been to many doctors, tests, medications, physical therapy, injections and nothing has touched the pain. Doctors are not sure why I am having all this pain. I feel maybe God is punishing from years of abuse to my body through anorexia that I have had for 30 some years and now I am experiencing the results
Received: December 21, 2020
Candace
Hi prayer worriers. Thank you deeply for lifting me up to our Great God. Or rather, lowering me through the roof to our Great God. Would you please pray over my health. My lungs have a constant tickle. Sometimes they feel tight and sometimes nothing at all. It makes me want to cough. Please pray for complete healing so I can continue to care for my children and other gifts from our Lord. Bless you all! I will be praying over you all as well!
Received: December 20, 2020
Dr. James McReynolds
I am deeply depressed. Little things keep me down. Today I feel alone, put out to pasture as a retired 78 year old. I continue to write books on joy. I first studied JOY while pursuing a D.Div. degree.
Received: December 18, 2020
BettieG
My occipital neuralgia pain has returned, along with other side effects, as my Rheumatologist doubled a medication for me 10 days ago. Will you pray for the disappointment I feel, and that I would continue to cling to Jesus thru it all? I am waiting for a call back from my Doctors.
Received: December 18, 2020
You Get Mail!
Would you like to offer a kind word, encouragement, an inspiring quote, or prayer to a fellow chronic illness traveller? On hard days when it seems almost impossible to take one more step, sometimes it soothes the spirit to extend ourselves a bit. Writing a note to a fellow traveller could be just that.
Who do you know that you could bless with a note of encouragement? Ask God who you could send a little #PenToPaper love, then just write from the heart – a scripture verse, an inspiring quote, a prayer, and/or a few few short sentences to brighten someone’s day. If you need a little inspiration to get you started, scroll down to the prayer printables for some great ideas
Would you like to receive notes of encouragement? We invite you to sign-up, so encouraging and inspiring #PenToPaper snail mail and other fun printed materials can find their way to your mailbox.
ADULTS
We would love to bless you with inspiring images, encouraging words, and an opportunity to share a little #PenToPaper love with others. Sign-up today to receive your own beautifully-designed, free, snail mail packets. (*Limited international delivery.)
TEENS & YA • You Get Mail!
Teens and young adults, we invite you to sign-up for #PenToPaper packets designed especially for you. Fun, edgy, and transformational snail mail will wing its way to your mailbox several times a year. Sign-up today, and invite a friend! (Safe and secure.)
Free Prayer Printables
Prayer Prompt Guide
Chronic Joy® Prayer Prompts are an invitation to take one gentle step, to pray in a comforting and familiar or perhaps new-to-you way, or to cry out on behalf of one precious life today … maybe even yours.
Prayer is...
Prayer
Prayer Posts
The Lord is the Stronghold of My Life • Prayer Prompt
How many of us pause long enough to think about what these words actually mean. Do we know that the Lord is truly our light and stronghold?
Breaking Through My Clouded Dawn with God’s Light
God had lifted the haze for me to uncover the deepest desire in my heart known only to Him. He broke through the clouded dawn of my heart.
Heart Longings at Christmas • Prayer Prompts
Christmas: Little children light up with a glow of excitement when the word is mentioned. The word itself has become a season all its own. But why is it that the word “Christmas” stirs in our hearts a longing for gathering together and rejoicing?
Prayer Books
The Way of the Heart: Connecting with God Through Prayer, Wisdom, and Silence
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Discover a spiritual path consisting of three stepping-stones: Solitude (learning not to be alone but to be alone with God); Silence (the discipline by which the inner fire of God is tended and kept alive); and Prayer (standing in the presence of God with the mind in the heart).
Beside Still Waters: Words of Comfort for the Soul
Charles H. Spurgeon
This devotional is an inspired collection of Scripture-based readings that offer daily encouragement for dealing with illness, loss, depression, anxiety, and other personal problems.
Prayer That Works
Jill Briscoe
Through studying the lives of Elijah and Elisha 1 Kings 17-19 and parts of 2 Kings, readers will be challenged to pray bold prayers rather than settle for meek prayers not offered in deep faith. Readers will learn to cultivate their prayer lives, surrender to God's timing, and plan and persist when prayers seem to go unanswered.
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
Timothy Keller
Christians are taught in their churches and schools that prayer is the most powerful way to experience God. But few receive instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful. In Prayer, renowned pastor Timothy Keller delves into the many facets of this everyday act.
