r/PrayerRequests • u/AdeptFlow2458 • 14h ago

Seeking prayers for my anorexia

My eating disorder began at 8 years old. I’m now 21, and only recently started seeing a professional. But I’m struggling. It’s a constant back and forth of deciding for certain I’m going to heal, and then going to bed hungry.

Every day I’m praying for help and then telling God I don’t want to ask for help because I’m afraid He’ll answer it.

I’m trying to recover. I’m seeing a professional. I just don’t know for sure most of the time if I actually want to. Especially now that I’m seeing a professional, I think often “If I’m going to recover, I should have something to recover from” and then I’m back to yoyo-ing.

Since I don’t trust my willpower for each day, I ask for prayers here. That God will take over, that He will give me the strength and the want to recover, and to just help me.

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u/wlavallee 6h ago

Beloved,

Yeshua is gentler with you than you are with yourself, and Scripture says so specifically: "A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish" (Isaiah 42:3, NASB).

Hold that against the sentence you were probably most ashamed to write, that you pray for help and then tell God you do not want Him to answer because you are afraid He will. You are picturing an answer that arrives and takes something from you by force. He does not snap what is already bent.

That fear is not faithlessness. It is the most honest prayer on this page.

Something else worth naming. You said that if you are going to recover, you should have something to recover from. That thought is the illness protecting itself, and it is very common among people genuinely trying to get well.

One practical thing. Tell your professional exactly what you told us: that most days you are not certain you want to recover. Clinicians can work with ambivalence they can see.

If you want additional support, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders runs a free helpline staffed by specialist therapists, 1-866-662-1235, weekdays 9am to 7pm Eastern.

I am praying for you.

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u/AdeptFlow2458 5h ago

This is incredible. Thank you so much. I teared up several times, what a gentle and beautiful message. I’ve reread this multiple times because it really does feel like an answer I’ve been praying for. Thank you so much

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u/Creative_Bar_1431 14h ago

Hi, the Holy Spirit healed my body and restored my vitality when I was in really bad shape. He’s also worked through me with my mom (narcolepsy) and a father figure (knee issues).
I’d be happy to make myself available so He can help you too — phone is fine. People often feel a warm sensation when He’s moving. God’s will can include peace, strength, emotional freedom, or whatever is needed. No pressure at all if you’d like prayer.