Most of us have family members or friends whom we’ve prayed for when they are sick or injured. Some get well and others do not. And often we wonder why.
I know I do.
Right now, two people whom I’m very close to are very sick—my Dad and my friend Denise.
My Dad, is 85 and has congestive heart failure, complications of Type II diabetes, and other ailments. He can barely walk, even with a walker and is very weak. I pray for him every day to be free from pain and get the care he needs.
Right now, my brother and his wife are in the process of finding an assisted living place for him (which is another prayer request).
My friend Denise has multiple things wrong with her. She has been in the hospital for weeks with a rare bacterial infection, and other ailments that I don’t want to describe that are causing her pain. The doctors are miffed.
Because of this, I’ve been looking at what the Bible says about healing.
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal that God has the desire and the power to heal our bodies from sickness and disease.
That is good news.
Healing Verses in the Bible – Old Testament
Some key verses on HEALING from the Old Testament say:
“… I am the LORD, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
“LORD, my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.” Psalms 30:2
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD” Jeremiah 30:17
Healing Verses in the Bible – New Testament
In addition, the Bible’s New Testament reveals some helpful verses about healing as well:
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
James 5:14-15
Jesus Christ himself healed people. He performed miracles and healed the sick and those with disabilities.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” Matthew 9:35
There was the woman with the issue of bleeding, for example, who touched the clothes of Jesus. And He knew power had left him.
“He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34
And, Jesus healed a blind man by putting mud on the man’s eyes and sending him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. And he could see! See John 9:5-11.
So why does it seem that God heals some people and not others?
The answer? We don’t know why.
God, in His sovereign, infinite wisdom has not revealed that to us.
But someday we will understand.
In the meantime, we choose to trust God, have faith and press on in prayer.
1) We trust that, no matter what happens, God is good and loving and faithful. He is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
2) We pray for those who are sick to be well and to EXPECT healing. In the midst of it all we know that somehow, God “works all things together for the good” (Romans 8:28) and His purposes stand.
3) We discover that whether the situation changes or not, PRAYER CHANGES US. We grow closer to God through the trials, and closer to those with whom we are praying.
4) We stand in awe at the mystery of God’s ways, and look to His hands of compassion and grace. He alone knows the answers. And we choose to TRUST Him no matter what.
5) We choose to stand strong and confident that God’s love for us never changes. We keep our eyes on Him, not our circumstances.
6) We praise. When God does heal, we thank Him and praise Him. And if He does not (at least, not in the way we think He should), we praise Him still. Knowing that one day He will make all things right. Heaven awaits. One day: no pain. No tears. Only joy and complete freedom and peace!
We trust God is at work, in the good times and in the difficult times of life.
Our times are in His hands.
PRAYER
Lord, I humbly and boldly come before you and ask for healing to this person I care about. Will you please heal him? Will you please help her? Take away their pain and bring relief. Show the medical professionals what to do. Help me to be a source of comfort. May your strong healing hand come, and bring relief, peace and new hope. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
