Divine Healing, Part II

"Three times I [Paul] pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"¹

Continuing from yesterday in our mini-series on divine healing, the reality is if we follow and live by sound biblical principles, we will have a much greater chance of living healthily and being healed of many DIS-EASES; that is, things that are troubling us and cause us to be ill at ease. At other times, when our illness has not been caused by irresponsible living and/or is totally out of our control, God does heal. Thousands of people can attest to this fact. Even the secular media reports how prayer is a powerful means in the healing process.

It seems to me that the important thing to do if we have an illness or any other problem, and want to be healed is to pray the right prayer. First (based on James's admonition to confess our sins and faults before praying for healing) if you know of any sin or unresolved guilt, worry, anxiety, resentment in your life, confess and resolve this/these to clear the way for healing.

Second, if there is a deeper, hidden cause behind your sickness, ask God to reveal this to you and lead you to the help you need to resolve it.

Third—also in harmony with James' admonition—call for the elders of the church to pray for you and anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord.

Many, I'm afraid, go directly to the third step, ignoring the first two. Not good nor effective!

On the other hand, regardless of what some people and authors say (even if we follow the preceding steps), not every Christian who gets prayed for is healed. Some do. And some don't. Dorcas (in the Bible) was raised from the dead. John the Baptist lost his head and stayed dead. The Apostle Paul had some kind of problem but was never healed of or delivered from it. (God had a higher purpose for him and he may for us also.)

Here's what Paul wrote after having a profound, heavenly experience: "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."²

By way of interest, it was because of Paul's profound spiritual experiences and responsible position that God allowed a messenger of Satan to torment him. If we are not truly committed to and faithfully serving God, it's not too likely Satan is going to torment us for something that we are not experiencing or doing!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, here are the symptoms in my life (name them). Please confront me with any area in my life where I am not acting responsibly, and any unresolved issues in my life that may be a cause behind my symptoms, and lead me to the help I need to resolve this so I can be healed. Help me to know what to do and, if it is in harmony with your will for me, please heal me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NIV).
2. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NIV).

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