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're invited to join us for Prayer Prompts & Posts
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!
Gayl Wright
For healing of cold/flu which I've had since Sunday. No fever now but achiness and fatigue and nasal congestion. It seemed I was feeling better a couple of days ago but it seems nothing has changed.
Received: December 17, 2020
Anonymous
I got bad news from my PCP about at least two conditions that can be treated with meds, but I cannot physically tolerate meds at all. I have a condition which the meds make unbearable. Please pray that God will make a way. It appears hopeless but he is the God of hope.
Received: December 9, 2020
Gayl
Just found out my brother and many family members have had Covid, but it's been mild and they are at the tail end of it now. But my brother, Greg, has had back trouble for awhile that has been controlled, but now it's gotten much worse. He can't walk very far at all. He may have to have surgery but doesn't know yet for sure. Please pray for wisdom for doctors and relief from pain.
Received: December 9, 2020
Gayl Wright
On Monday we almost lost my youngest grandson, Jonah, who is 9. It came up suddenly, but they found he has Type 1 Diabetes. He is doing pretty well and is now home, but will need insulin before each meal and at bedtime. This means a lot of changes and he's being very positive about it. Please pray that all goes well and he doesn't have much trouble getting used to all the changes.
Received: December 9, 2020
Jaime
I am 35 and have a whole array of different diseases. Some very severe. I am disabled and unable to work anymore from them. Recently last week they found two nodules on my lungs, we are not sure what it means yet. I have been having severe shortness of breath and other issues like fevers, night sweats, etc. Please pray that it is not cancerous and it is something we can find the cause and treat I am very scared and feel very alone I am social distancing with the pandemic. Bless you all!
Received: December 8, 2020
Terri Reed
Please pray for my son's friend. He is only 24 and he has been having chest pain. The doctor has found that he has a lump on his left lung. He hasn't had the appointment yet to have the lump checked out further. Please pray that it will be benign. Please pray for salvation for him and his family. Thank you.
Received: December 5, 2020
Anonymous
My mom had a major stroke today. She is 96 and I don't think she is saved. she has been in great health until.today. Please pray for her recovery and salvation and that she would get the best medical care possible. My brother said she was able to speak a little this morning, so that is good. Please also pray that my brother and sil would be able to get second opinions as necessary. Thank you so much.
Received: December 5, 2020
linda evans
Pray for Jennifer and Crystal to be healed mentally and emotionally and that God would remove all the hatred and anger and unforgiveness and they would be reconcilled to their folks and their folks (pastor jim and deb) would be healed and all affliction and abuse and paranoia would be removed and that deep seated wounds would be healed. Pray that they would get good jobs, be able to move into some good housing, and have all the legal stuff taken care of properly.
Received: December 3, 2020
linda evans
Please pray for my finances and that I would have abundance this holiday season -that i would either find a good job or my jewelry and art business would be successful. Pray for continued healing mentally and emotionally and healing sleepwise. Heal my ability to read and remember so i can read and enjoy it again. Help me continue to do good with my gym work out and lose weight. Help me flow with Creativity and abundance.
Received: December 3, 2020
Malissa
Hello my name is Malissa Matthews and I have CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia and PTSD I need prayer plz I'm in chronic pain 24/7 I'm currently homeless and no income so I'm waiting on my disability hearing on Jan.26th. please pray for me and share to your prayer warriors too. I didnt know how to post in the prayer pond. thank you and God Bless
Received: December 2, 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 is not what is done by us, but rather what is done by the Holy Spirit in us. Henri Nouwen
Prayer
Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him. St. Augustine
Prayer Posts
Prayers for Our Lenten Season • Prayer Prompt
Will you join us, and pause with these 6 Scriptures and Prayers for our Lenten Season? They can be filled with worship for the freedom He has given us.
What is the Meaning of Love? • Prayer Prompts
What does loving well truly mean? As we pray and seek the answer to that question. We will see that truly Jesus is the meaning of love.
Vocabulary of the Heart • What Poetry Taught Me About Prayer
I believe the very work of writing a prayer as poetry takes us deeper into our hearts, giving a new vocabulary to offer our longings to God.
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.