Prayer for healing

Our prayer list grows longer by the day as we meet more friends. At our age, a large number of our friends are getting on in years with deteriorating health. We've often been asked to pray for the sick which includes the young as well. This we do everyday.

We pray for healing, rightly so. The word of God tells us to pray for the sick. "Is any one among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.... The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5: 13-16. The writer uses Elijah as an example of a prayer warrior. There are other portions of Scripture that urges and encourages us to pray for healing.

We pray for healing as the word of God tells us. Sometimes miracles happen; other times our requests or pleas to the Lord are denied. Why are some believers miraculously healed while others are not. This is something that baffles many people. I spoke with one young lady recently who gave her reason for not attending church any more. She said, "God does not answer my prayer. Why should I bother to worship Him"

Casting our demons and healing people was our Lord's way of showing who He was. While He had great compassion and love, that was not the primary purpose of the miracles nor the primary purpose of His ministry. Christ came took on our humanity and died on the cross for our sin, give spiritual healing and bring us back to God. (1 Peter 2:24-25)

Jesus healed many, but there were those whom He did not heal. The miracles proved He Had power over disease and demons. It showed He was the only Who could save people from their sins

Can God heal us? Certainly and we should pray for healing in accordance with His will. We must also seek wisdom and find solutions like going to the doctor and also take care of our own health. God's ability to heal does not absolve us from our own responsibility to take care of our own health and seek medical advice and treatment.

Let me give you another very encouraging verse of Scripture. "Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 (See also Psalm 145: 18, Isaiah 58: 9, Matthew 7: 7) His answers - sometimes He grants us straightaway, at other times He lets us wait for His timing. There are times when He in His wisdom denies out request. He has something better for us. He knows what is best for His children.

Yes, we are to intercede for each other.

Prayer Is The Soul's Sincere Desire
1 PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed;
The motion of a hidden fire,
That trembles in the breast.

2 Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

3 Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

4 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways;
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, 'Behold he prays!'
(Charles Wesley)