Whether it's intestinal or viral, the flu is never fun. Yet flu doesn't discriminate, no matter how busy work or family life happens to be. Simple prayers — blessing for flu sufferers, prayer to relieve flu symptoms, child's comfort prayer for the flu, and thanksgiving for recovery from the flu —invite the Christian and his or her family to seek God's healing for a general case of the garden variety illness.
Christian Blessing for Flu Sufferers
With work, family, and various other obligations, few people have time to come down with the flu. For type A personalities and others who just don't have time to be sick, this or another prayer may help direct attention to God:
"Loving God, I surrender this case of flu to You. Help me get the rest and medical care I need to recover fully, and bless all those who tend me during this unwanted illness. As I take time out to focus on my health, free me from worry about what I'm missing [insert specific concerns, such as a work project or child care over to God, if desired]. Instead, invite me deeper into relationship with You, and let me bask in the light of Your love, now and always. Amen."
This blessing can easily become a devotion if desired by expanding upon the intention to focus on God with a long-neglected scripture reading, devotional text, or other prayer resource.
If worry persists about missing life during the illness, despite the illness, practice the bullet prayer, " free me from worrying about [specific obligation] and let me rest in You" when plagued by anxiety.
Prayer for Nausea, Aches, and Other Flu Symptoms
As if being sick isn't bad enough, the symptoms of the flu can really get you down. This, or another prayer, may provide comfort in the midst of flu's discomfort:
"God of healing and wholeness, tend my [insert specific sources of discomfort, such as quesy stomach or achy limbs], that I may rest and recover from this present illness to enjoy my life, family, and other precious gifts from You to the fullest again. Amen."
If desired, experiment with guided imagery while saying this prayer. Imagine Jesus touching and healing the areas of your body suffering from flu symptoms the way that He healed Lazarus and the woman who touched his cloak (John 11:1-44 and Mark 5:21-34). Viewing Jesus' touch as golden light may also be helpful, if you are a visual person.
Child's Comfort Prayer for the Flu
As a parent, caring for a sick child can be a nightmare, especially if you have the flu yourself. The following prayer offers comfort to parents and their children suffering from the flu as well as a devotional activity to share:
"Jesus, You love all the little children, including [insert child's name and other children as desired]. Hold [insert child's name] close as he/she recovers from this illness. Soothe what hurts [encourage child to share discomfort with God], and grant us patience as we wait for our bodies/your body to heal. May you/we recover fully and again do the things you/we want to do, such as [insert plans as soon as healthy again], to the honor of Your name. Amen."
Take time to share the experience of the flu with God, if desired. Encourage the child to pray for many of the other children he/she knows, to boost awareness of praying for others.
Thanksgiving for Recovering from the Flu
After days or weeks of illness, getting back on your feet is certainly cause for rejoicing, particularly if a flu epidemic has plagued the entire family and community. The following includes God in celebrating a return to good health:
"God of power and might, thank you that [insert self as well as others who have recovered from the flu recently, if applicable] have recovered from this latest illness. Help me/us be present again with what's important in life, especially [insert family, work, church, or other obligations on hold during the flu], and live every day as a wonderful celebration of the gift of life in You. Amen."
This prayer may be shared as a family devotion, after a group flu recovery, to focus on important short term goals and for family bonding.
A case of the flu grinds life to a halt. With prayer, a Christian can use the flu as a great reason to connect with God again, for strength not only to recover from the illness, but also to live a life devoted to God.
For more prayers during times of illness, Prayers for a Cold or Prayers for the Hospital may be of interest.
Source:
Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Available online through the Oremus Bible Browser.
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Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
