Praying for the Sick

Topics: Prayer

I just completed a two-part sermon series on praying for the sick:

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In the first part I looked in some detail at the four-step process outlined in James 5:14-15. In the second part I discussed the importance of understanding “healing” from a broader perspective. When our loved ones are sick, understandably we focus only on them becoming well again. But God’s purposes go beyond our limited perspective.

Our vision of “healing” often means, “Change these circumstances.”
God’s vision of “healing” involves making us more like his Son (Romans 8:28-29).

I can state my own theology of prayer for healing in one sentence: We do the praying, and God does the healing, in his own time, in his own way, according to his own will. We are to pray earnestly, fervently, unitedly, repeatedly, obediently, and with all the faith God gives us. If we do our part, God cannot fail to do his.

My final conclusion comes in these two paragraphs:

I come to the end of this two-part series on praying for the sick with great joy in my heart even as I bow before the mystery of a God whose ways are far beyond my meager understanding. Through prayer we have the privilege of lifting the burden from our brothers and sisters. Through prayer we may become agents of healing to those who are sick. What an honor to be used of God in this way.

Here is my final exhortation. Let us pray boldly, confidently, humbly, in faith believing that as we pray for the sick and dying God hears, he cares, and he will do what is best in every situation. When we pray for the sick, we are doing the work of Jesus in the world. Fear not, keep believing, and keep on praying.

Visitor Comments:

August 30, 2009, 3:24 AM patrick Sullivan says:
British / Australian . Retired Pastor. Hospital Chaplain. Creator and Webmaster of www.jesuschristonly.com	Ray . Thank you so much for your two part ministry on Praying for the sick. They give me so much to ponder on and learn from that will be a big help to me in my ministry as a hospital Chaplain . As a Chaplain I have the privilege of praying for sick people many times a week. When I have been given permission sit and talk or to pray for them I usually begin by asking permission to hold their hand or lay my hand on their head as I pray. I believe very strongly in the power of touch in ministry to the sick. Many sick people are touched by nurses and doctors in a very professional way, they get the job done, but some times may be lacking in the warmth of human kindness. I always encourage family and friends to reach out and hold the hand and stroke the arm of sick people. This brings a new dimension into the experience of the sick. I believe God has wired us to respond to ‘A loving touch’. Well I better close this off as it is shaping up to be “Visiting the sick 101” Thanks again for you two part ministry on Praying for the sick. Blessings Pat
August 30, 2009, 9:09 AM Ray Pritchard says:
	Pat, you’ve got a great point about the importance of touch. When I read that, it reminded me of Jesus touching the leper. We can talk all we want but as long as keep our distance, people will wonder about our sincerity, but touch is a language that the sick understand. Ray