The Long Middle: Printables & Group Guide
Free cards to keep by your bed or hand out at church, plus a four-week guide for small groups, care teams and support groups. Print the whole page or just what you need.
Flare-day prayer cards
Cut along the dashed lines. Keep one by your bed, in your purse, or on the fridge.
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Pray: “Your grace is enough for this hour.”
CLAIMED BY GOD DESIGNS · THE LONG MIDDLE
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart.”
Psalm 73:26
Pray: “Be my strength when I have none.”
CLAIMED BY GOD DESIGNS · THE LONG MIDDLE
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Pray: “Jesus, I’m here. You’re here.”
CLAIMED BY GOD DESIGNS · THE LONG MIDDLE
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
Isaiah 40:29
Pray: “Hold me up. I can’t hold myself.”
CLAIMED BY GOD DESIGNS · THE LONG MIDDLE
“Thou God seest me.”
Genesis 16:13
Pray: “You see the pain no one else does.”
CLAIMED BY GOD DESIGNS · THE LONG MIDDLE
“I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”
Isaiah 43:1
Pray: “I am not less Yours today.”
CLAIMED BY GOD DESIGNS · THE LONG MIDDLE
Cards to hand to the people around you
For when explaining is too much.
How to love me in the long middle
- Believe me, even when I look fine.
- Ask “how are you today?” not “are you better?”
- Please skip cures and “more faith” advice.
- Offer one specific thing: a ride, a meal, a call.
- Keep checking in. It’s a long road.
GALATIANS 6:2 · CLAIMED BY GOD DESIGNS
For my church family
I want to stay connected, but my health makes Sundays hard. Please check in with me, share the livestream, or sit with me when I can come. If I leave early, it’s not personal. I’m still part of this body.
“Those members… which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.” 1 Corinthians 12:22
CLAIMED BY GOD DESIGNS
Four-week small group guide
About 45–60 minutes each. Works for small groups, care teams, chronic illness support groups, or two friends. Let anyone pass on any question, keep the space confidential, and let people sit, stand or leave as their bodies need.
Week 1 · You are seen
Read: Genesis 16:7–13
Discuss:
- What part of your health is hardest for others to see?
- Hagar named God “the God who sees me.” When have you felt seen by God, or not?
- What’s one thing you wish people understood?
Practice: Each person names one need. The group prays for each one by name.
Week 2 · Faith is not a cure-meter
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; 1 Timothy 5:23
Discuss:
- Have you been told illness means weak faith? How did it land?
- What does it mean that God answered Paul with grace instead of removal?
- How can we pray boldly for healing and still trust God if it doesn’t come?
Practice: Write a one-sentence reply you can use when someone says “more faith would heal you.”
Week 3 · Lament and rest
Read: Psalm 13; Matthew 11:28–30
Discuss:
- What’s your honest “how long?” right now?
- Why do you think God kept angry, honest prayers in the Bible?
- What makes rest hard for you, and what would faithful rest look like this week?
Practice: Pray Psalm 13 together, one verse per person.
Week 4 · Carried and sent
Read: Galatians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4; 1 Corinthians 12:21–26
Discuss:
- Why is it hard to let people help?
- How has your illness made you more able to comfort others?
- What could our church do to make more room for people with chronic illness?
Practice: Each person names one specific ask, and one person they’ll encourage this week.
Spiritual encouragement, not medical advice. If someone in your group is thinking about not wanting to live, call or text 988 (US) together, right away.
