You wake up ready to greet a new day, step out of bed, and there it is- pain. Debilitating pain that will keep you from walking properly, thinking clearly, and forcing you to forgo all the things you had hoped to accomplish today.
I don’t remember the exact day I started dealing with the long road of gout, but I know too well now all the obstacles and frustrations of waking up with a flare up and knowing that managing my pain would take precedence over the day. When you’re dealing with a disease that causes excruciating and unpredictable pain, it can seem impossible to find joy in everyday life.
It’s so easy, so tempting, to allow myself to begin wallowing in my pain and lamenting about all of the things I can’t do rather than the things I can. I can easily become envious of others who don’t have to deal with chronic pain and even resentful of family members and friends whose problems don’t always seem as big as mine.
If I’m not careful to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord, my eyes will only see my limitations and soon I’ll find myself avoiding life and all of its goodness and giving into self-pity. But is that what God wants for us? Are we to sink into our struggles and allow ourselves to lean into despair? Or are we to persevere through our suffering and rejoice in the Lord always?
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produced steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
Every day that we deal with gout and choose to focus not on our suffering but on Jesus Christ who is with us in our suffering, we are producing steadfastness. We don’t get to choose our trials, but we can trust that God is holding us through our trials and giving us strength.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
The words of Isaiah are so dear to me when I am in the midst of spiritual and physical suffering. We can rest easy and continue to run our race because we have God with us in every single moment, wiping away every single tear.
It can be so frustrating to look outside on a beautiful day and see people walking and running, seemingly without a care in the world. It can be heartbreaking to have to cancel long-anticipated plans with loved ones because you can’t always predict when those painful days are going to be.
It can be exhausting to perpetually figure out medications and diet to try to keep flare-ups at bay, all to wake up in pain…again. But we can rest in knowing that God put us in this particular situation at this particular time facing these particular trials all for his purposes.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
We need to trust that God will support us and help us throughout our pain, and despite the difficulties, we still have so much to be grateful for. The loving family, the caring doctors and supportive prayers and of course His presence.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I’ve given you 5 prayers for gout, but feel free to customize them to your specific situation. Please leave prayer requests in the comments so we can pray with you!
Short Prayer For Relief From Gout
Father God, I know that you are sovereign and that you are in control of all circumstances. I come to you asking you to keep my gout in remission. I live with debilitating pain almost every single day. I am discouraged and defeated. I want to walk in the world without suffering. I ask that you take away this pain and relief from this disease. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer For Living with Gout
Lord, I come to you weak and weary. My body suffers and every day is a challenge for me. Some days I cannot walk or even get out of bed. While my body seems to be failing me, my spirit suffers too. Every day is hard and unpredictable. I worry about making any big plans with loved ones or scheduling any events or trips because I have a constant fear of being in too much pain to enjoy them.
I see so many of my friends out enjoying life and I feel like I am constantly trying to manage my pain. Envy and anger creep in and the more I hurt, the more I find myself pushing others away who are trying to care for me.
Father, help me to see You in my suffering. I know that you are carrying me through this disease and that you have a purpose for my pain. I don’t want my friends and family to see me as someone living in misery. I want them to see Your light shining through me even in my suffering. Help me to use this trial as a testimony of your steadfast love for me.
Help me to be the vessel of Good News You created me to be. I don’t want to wallow in self-pity. I don’t want to dwell on my limitations. Please help me to focus on the things I can control, and to find joy and peace in each day. Lord, help me to live in hope and to rest in your love. In Your Name, Amen.
Prayer For Loving Someone With Gout
Lord, I come to you today asking for patience and understanding. It is so hard to care for my friend who lives with gout. She is in constant pain and suffers greatly. I want to be a good friend and caretaker, but I often feel exhausted and discouraged. One day she is fine, and I feel like she is on the road to recovery, and the next day she cannot get out of bed. I don’t often know how to help in the more challenging moments.
Help me to know the right words to say to comfort my friend. I know her pain causes her so much despair, and I ask for your divine wisdom in knowing to respond to her in her hour of need.
Give me the strength to persevere through the difficult moments, and the grace to show love and compassion to her when times are hard. Lord, if it is your will, I ask you to keep my friend’s gout in remission and take this pain away from her. In Your Name, Amen.
Prayer For Doctors Treating Gout
Father, I come asking you to be with the doctors who are treating those suffering from gout. Doctors work tirelessly to provide healing and comfort. Give them the knowledge and skills they need to provide the best possible care to their patients. Provide them with the wisdom to make the right decisions for their treatment plan. Give them the empathy and compassion needed to lift their patients’ spirits and encourage them on their road to healing.
I also ask that you give our medical professionals rest and take care of their minds and bodies while they care for others. In Your Name, Amen.
Prayer For Dealing With Fear Of The Future While Living With Gout
Lord, I come to you with a heavy heart and full of fear as I navigate the future while living with gout. I don’t know if I will ever feel better or what that means for my quality of life. Please give me the strength and courage I need to face days, weeks, and years of potentially living with this pain.
I may not understand why you placed this trial in my life, but help me to trust your plan and surrender my fears to you. Help me to find peace in the midst of uncertainty, and to know that I am not alone.
I ask that you surround me with love and support from those around me and help me to find the right resources and care I need to stop living in fear. In Your Name, Amen.
Final Words
Dear friend, I know it’s hard. One day we will have heavenly bodies that always work well and never tire or get sick. We will run every race, climb every tree, and never feel an ounce of discomfort again.
We can find joy today because we know the future our Savior has planned for us. But today I am hurting with you, and praying with you, and knowing without a doubt that God is with you. If you are suffering today or caring for someone who is, please comment and let me pray for your struggle.
