A shirt button can take a surprising amount of courage on a painful morning. So can asking somebody else to fasten it. These prayers for arthritis make room for both kinds of courage, and for the frustration we sometimes feel before breakfast.
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” — Psalm 55:22, KJV
Find the prayer you need.
- When I first wake up
- When my hands are stiff
- When I need more time
- When plans need changing
- When worship is uncomfortable
- For the work I love
- When pain wears down my patience
- When grandchildren come to visit
- Before I speak with my clinician
- For a friend living alone
- On a difficult night
- When I am offered help
- For tomorrow morning
How to use these prayers.
Choose the heading that sounds most like your day. Address your heavenly Father, bring Him the particular thing weighing on you, and communicate what you need in your own words. You can pause after one sentence.
1. When I first wake up.
Scripture
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1, KJV
Some mornings getting out of bed is the first hard task.
Prayer:
Father, before my feet reach the floor, You know which joints ache this morning. The first few steps can feel like a whole journey. Your Word calls You a very present help. Be present with me here.
When I hear others moving about before I am ready, quiet my impatience. Let me greet the first person I see with the same kindness I am asking You to show me.
Please ease this stiffness. Give me patience to begin at the pace I can manage, and grace to receive the hand that reaches out to steady me. Amen.
2. When my hands are stiff.
Scripture
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2, KJV
Receiving help with a button can feel surprisingly personal.
Prayer:
Lord, yesterday I fastened this shirt without a thought. Today my fingers will hardly manage the button. Such a little thing can bring tears I never expected.
I remember when these fingers did such things without a second thought. Give me room to grieve that loss, and a little humor for the mornings when a stubborn button finally gives way.
Help me tell the person beside me what I would like help with and what I still want to do myself. Thank You for people who understand the dignity of being asked. Amen.
3. When I need more time.
Scripture
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7, KJV
There is dignity in saying how much time you need.
Prayer:
Father, I can hear everyone gathering their things by the door. I am still working on my shoes, and I feel the urge to apologize for the time I need.
Help me tell my family ahead of time when an earlier start would make an outing easier. Let us learn one another’s pace well enough that getting out together can still be a pleasure.
Give me courage to say, “Will you wait for me?” Bless the one who sits down beside me and turns these awkward minutes into a little time together. Amen.
4. When plans need changing.
Scripture
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4, KJV
A cancelled outing can be a real disappointment.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I had my clothes set out for today. I had been looking forward to that visit all week. Now my joints hurt, and I am disappointed enough to cry. You welcome those who mourn.
Be near to my friend as well. They may have set a place or prepared something special. Let me ask about their afternoon and listen to the things they hoped to share.
Help me tell my friend how much the visit meant to me. If we can share ten minutes by phone, let those ten minutes be a real comfort to us both. Amen.
5. When worship is uncomfortable.
Scripture
“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” — Psalm 100:2, KJV
A voice raised from a chair belongs in the congregation.
Prayer:
Lord, when the congregation rises to sing, I sometimes feel conspicuous in my seat. Then I hear a familiar hymn, and I remember why I came. You know every word I sing from this chair.
When the service ends, help me linger long enough for a conversation. Somebody else may be waiting for a friendly face, and my seat can be a place where that friendship begins.
Receive my worship today. Bless the person who sits beside me, and open my eyes to someone else who would love a little company after the service. Amen.
6. For the work I love.
Scripture
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” — James 1:5, KJV
The work of our hands can carry memories and meaning.
Prayer:
Father, my hands have done work I am proud of. You know what it costs me to leave a job unfinished. Give me wisdom about the parts I can still do and the parts I can teach another person to do.
Bring back to mind the patient person who first taught me this work. Help me offer that same encouragement when a younger pair of hands needs time to get the hang of it.
When someone works alongside me, let us enjoy each other’s company. Give me patience to explain what long practice has taught me and gratitude for what I can learn from them. Amen.
7. When pain wears down my patience.
Scripture
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1, KJV
Pain can shorten a conversation we wish had gone differently.
Prayer:
Merciful Jesus, I have been hurting all morning, and someone I love received the sharp edge of my answer. I wish I could take those words back. Please forgive me.
When forgiveness is offered, let me accept it without rehearsing the moment all afternoon. Show us a way to begin again, perhaps over a cup of tea or a quieter conversation.
Help me go to them while the hurt is still fresh and say plainly, “You deserved a kinder answer.” Then give me the words to explain what I need today. Amen.
8. When grandchildren come to visit.
Scripture
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” — Psalm 107:1, KJV
A familiar story can bring a grandchild close.
Prayer:
Father, my grandchild came running in with a game I used to play on the floor. I miss being able to join in that way. Thank You that the delight on that little face still belongs in my day.
Let me take an interest in the game even if I cannot play it the old way. Give me the patience to learn its rules from this small person who is so eager to teach me.
Help me invite them up beside me. Bring to mind a story they have never heard, and let them leave remembering how their face made mine light up. Amen.
9. Before I speak with my clinician.
Scripture
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” — James 1:5, KJV
One everyday example can explain what a difficult week was like.
Prayer:
Lord, when someone asks how I have been, I often say “fine” out of habit. At this appointment, help me describe the jar I could not open and the night I could not get comfortable.
Help me remember to mention the things I still enjoy and hope to keep doing. I want the person across from me to understand the life I am trying to take part in.
Give my clinician a clear picture of my days. Help us talk about what matters most to me and what support might help with the tasks I miss. Amen.
10. For a friend living alone.
Scripture
“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” — Hebrews 13:16, KJV
A specific offer is easier to answer than a general one.
Prayer:
Father, my friend lives alone, and I wonder which chores have quietly become hard. Give me the thoughtfulness to call before I visit and the good sense to ask before I take over.
If my friend says today is difficult for visitors, help me receive that answer graciously. Let me offer another day and follow through, so they know the invitation was a sincere one.
Help me make an offer they can answer freely. If carrying groceries upstairs is what they need, let me carry them gladly and stay long enough to hear how their week has really been. Amen.
11. On a difficult night.
Scripture
“Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” — Psalm 121:4, KJV
God hears the prayer we whisper while the house sleeps.
Prayer:
Keeper of Israel, I have shifted the pillow again. The house is quiet and I am weary of looking for a comfortable position. Please ease the ache and give my tired body rest.
When the same prayer comes to my lips again, remind me I am welcome to bring the same need to You. You know how much courage an ordinary night can sometimes require.
As I wait, let the promise of Your watchful care come gently to mind. If I need help in the night, give me courage to call for it. Amen.
12. When I am offered help.
Scripture
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2, KJV
Allow someone else the joy of serving today.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have washed dishes after so many meals. Tonight somebody has rolled up their sleeves at my sink, and I hardly know what to do with myself. Teach me to receive this kindness freely.
Thank You for the years when I could do that work for others. Give the person at the sink the same satisfaction I used to feel when the last clean plate was put away.
Help me sit at the kitchen table and enjoy the conversation. Let my thank-you be simple, and let the person helping know that their company means as much as their work. Amen.
13. For tomorrow morning.
Scripture
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” — Psalm 107:1, KJV
Before turning in, remember one kindness you received.
Prayer:
Father, tonight I remember one moment when a task was easier because somebody stayed beside me. Thank You for letting me glimpse Your goodness in another person’s patience.
Bring to mind someone who might be glad to hear my voice tomorrow. Let me ask a real question and give them time to answer, the way others have made time for me.
Tomorrow has its own demands. For tonight I entrust them to You. When morning comes, show me one kindness I can give from wherever I am, even if it begins with a phone call from this chair. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A question readers ask.
How can I help someone whose joints hurt?
Offer one specific kindness, such as carrying a bag. Give the person time to tell you whether that would help today.
Action step.
Which part of your day do people rarely see? Tell someone you trust about one ordinary task that has become difficult, or ask someone living with arthritis that same question and give them time to answer.
For another moment of prayer, visit 101 Prayer Points for Healing with Bible Verses.
Declaration of faith.
I can give and receive kindness, even on a painful day.
Conclusion.
As you go about the next ordinary task, give yourself time. May the Lord meet you there, whether you are offering a steady hand or reaching for one.
For another specific prayer need, see prayers for High Blood Pressure or prayers for Headaches and Migraine Relief.
About the Author
Ordained Christian Minister Since 1988
Pastor David Small has served in Christian ministry for 38 years, preaching, teaching, and encouraging believers to grow in their relationship with God. His experience includes pastoral leadership, evangelism, biblical teaching, and helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges through faith and prayer.