# Come to me, all of you who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest
*2008-01-17*

> Bill Young offers a prayer and reflections focused on finding spiritual strength and comfort during times of physical and soulful illness.

## Prayer in illness

Welcome to the 16th episode of Prayer N Lunch. Today, we are focusing on a prayer in illness. Illness can affect both the body and the soul. I would like to dedicate this prayer to John, Roseanne, Marilyn, and Juancom—for those whose bodies may be hurting in pain, but whose souls remain strong.

## Seeking comfort in suffering

Oh Jesus, you said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest.' I come to you brokenhearted by suffering because I feel the need of your comfort. Oh Lord, be close to me at all times, especially when pain torments my body and soul. When desperation threatens to take possession of me, when I consider myself to be useless and a bothersome burden to others, and when everything becomes dark all around me, do not abandon me. When I am at the limits of my strength, O Lord, come to my aid with your grace.

## Offering the sacrifice

You who suffered so much and were prophesied to become a man of sorrows, let me take your merciful hand and offer my sacrifice together with your immolation, which is repeated continuously on the altar. Bless those who assist me in my illness, and give acceptance and courage to all those who suffer in this world.

## Intercession of the saints

Our Lady of Sorrows, who participated with heroic strength in the passion of our Savior, your child, stay by my side as a mother. Do not permit my faith and hope to fail in the hour of trial. I turn also to you, St. Anthony, my heavenly friend and protector. Accompany me on the difficult road to Calvary. Fill me with sentiments of total abandonment to the will of God so that I may never lose my inner serenity. I have always trusted in you; do not let the offerings of my pain be given in vain. Amen.

*In the midst of physical or spiritual illness, we can find peace by uniting our personal suffering with the sacrifice of Christ.*