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Praying for Healing: God's Will and Our Role

Should we ask God for healing and expect Him to heal us?

AdventAI

Should we ask God for healing and expect that God will heal us of sickness?

AdventAI

Yes, we absolutely should ask God for healing, and we can do so with perfect confidence and full assurance of faith, knowing that He is the ultimate source of all healing. God is always doing everything He can for us, and He delights in doing good for both our bodies and souls.

Here's a deeper look into what is understood about divine healing:

🌟 God is the Great Healer

All healing, without exception, originates from God. It is a great mistake to think of God as merely a "consulting physician" to be called upon only when human efforts fail. Rather, God is the Physician, and no one else can truly heal.

🙏 The Role of Prayer and Faith

Prayer for the sick is a solemn and important act, and we are specifically directed to engage in it. When we pray, we should commit the case to the Lord with calm faith, believing that He hears our fervent prayers. Our prayers should be earnest and persistent, trusting in the sure promises of God.

The prayer of faith is powerful and will save the sick. This faith is a recognition of God as the Healer, grasping this truth and believing it, so that healing becomes a reality. Christ's promises for healing are just as fresh, strong, and trustworthy today as they were in the days of the apostles.

💡 Understanding God's Will and Conditions for Healing

While we should earnestly pray for healing, it is not always safe to ask for unconditional healing. God knows the full story of each individual's life and whether healing would truly glorify His name or lead to apostasy. Therefore, our prayers should include the thought: "Lord, if it is for Your glory and the good of these afflicted ones to raise them up to health, we ask in the name of Jesus that health may be given them at this time." This demonstrates submission to His will and is not a lack of faith.

A crucial aspect of receiving God's blessing for healing is the confession and forsaking of sin. Sin is the primary cause of all disease, and forgiveness of sin is connected with the healing of disease. As it is written, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases" Psalm 103:2-3. When the paralytic was healed, Jesus first said, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins be forgiven you," Mark 9:2.

God cannot work a miracle to prevent the consequences of wrongdoing if individuals are unwilling to abandon unhealthy practices and self-indulgence. Many bring disease upon themselves through self-indulgence and disregard for natural law, and if they are not willing to correct their errors, it is not fair to ask God for a miracle.

🌿 God's Provided Remedies and Human Effort

When a person has done all in their power to identify and address the causes of disease, and the cause is beyond human removal, then they can confidently ask the Lord to heal them. This involves cooperating with God by using the blessings He has provided for our benefit. These blessings include pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, and the use of water. We do not show a lack of faith when we ask God to bless these remedies.

It is our duty to gain knowledge of the human system and how to preserve health, and to learn how to treat disease through simple, natural means without relying on drugs. We should use every faculty of mind God has given us and make an effort to obtain knowledge about our bodies. The Lord will not work a miracle to preserve health if we do not make this effort. True faith involves thanking God for the knowledge to use these blessings to restore vigor.

🏥 Medical Missionary Work and Healing

In His earthly ministry, Christ healed the sick and preached the gospel, linking healing and teaching together. He commissioned us to continue this medical missionary work. This work involves ministering to both physical and spiritual ailments, understanding that many need the forgiveness of sin first, just like the paralytic of old.

Medical missionaries are called to heal the sick, encourage the hopeless, and bind up the brokenhearted. They offer hope and practical care, recognizing that a soul sickness exists that no earthly balm can reach. They point the suffering to Jesus, the Great Physician, who can heal both physical and spiritual maladies.

In summary, we can indeed ask God for healing and expect His intervention, provided we are also doing our part to understand and cooperate with His principles for health and healing, and are willing to confess and forsake sin. Let us always remember that God's desire is for our complete well-being, both physically and spiritually.

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