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Releasing God’s Grace Through Suffering
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." – Hebrews 4:16
BIBLICAL INSTRUCTION TO PRAY FOR HEALING
The Bible is clear. God heals. It is the compassion of an all powerful sovereign God that allows us to confidently approach Him in prayer for healing. The following scriptures give us insight to our part in asking God to heal us.
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." —James 5:13-15
"His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him." —Acts 28:8
"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."—John 14:13-14
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." —Hebrews 4:16
PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE
What can you do when praying for and seeking God’s healing?
1. Give thanks to God. This allows our focus to be on the One who has our lives in His hands
(1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 31:15).
2. Seek a humble heart, for it is He who will give your heart the faith you need (Romans 12:3; James1:6-8; Philippians 2:13).
3. Saturate your life with God’s Word (John 15:7; Romans 10:17).
4. Ask the elders of the church and others to pray with you (James 5:13-15).
5. Expect a miracle by trusting in Christ’s power (Ephesians 3:20).
6. Rejoice if healing comes this day. Rejoice if it does not come in the present hour
(Philippians 4:4, 11-13).
7. Know that God’s delays in answering prayer are not necessarily denials of those requests. Sometimes God has a larger purpose in mind that, when realized, results in His greater glory (John 9:3; 11:4, 14-15, 45; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and in good for us (Romans 8:28).
Note: The Bible acknowledges the proper use of medical care (Matthew 9:12; Luke 10:34; Colossians 4:14; 1 Timothy 5:23).
HINDRANCES TO GOD’S RESPONSE TO OUR PRAYERS
A Lifestyle Of Unrepentant Sin (Psalm 66:18; Romans 1:24-25; Hebrews 12:4-13)
The Bible states that God is not obligated to listen to or answer the prayers of the unrepentant. A continual sinful lifestyle often results in the believer experiencing the discipline of God through the consequences of behavior that is rebellious toward Him. Our iniquities separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and He will not hear us.
An Improper Relationship With Our Spouse (1 Peter 3:7)
When a spouse habitually treats their mate with disrespect, harshness, and unfaithfulness the Bible promises a prayer life that is severely hindered.
An Unforgiving Spirit (Mark 11:25; 1 Timothy 2:8)
Jesus reminds us that before we ask God for anything in prayer we must first make sure that we are not holding back our forgiveness from another person’s offenses against us. We are to forgive them. Anger and disputes make lifting holy hands to God in prayer difficult.
WHAT IF I’M NOT HEALED?
A Confusion Concerning The Sovereignty Of God (Job 34:12; Isaiah 55:8; Jeremiah 29:11)
We believe that God has the power to heal all sickness and disease yet we do not fully understand why some are healed while others are not. The Bible does tell us that God is all knowing and that He alone in His infinite wisdom orchestrates the events in our lives with perfect purpose and understanding.
A Confusion Concerning Sickness (1 Timothy 5:23)
Sickness is not always a result of sin or an inadequate, sub-par faith in God. Some of God’s greatest servants experienced sickness (i.e. Paul, Job, Timothy). Unfortunately some teachers have wrongly conveyed that any and all sickness is a sign of some spiritual problem. It is perfectly fair to say that some sickness is simply the result of the natural aging process and/or our environment.
Sometimes Sickness Is A Judgment For Sin (Psalm 107:17; 41:4; 1 Cor. 11:30-32)
Unfortunately, there are times when our illnesses are a result of sin and God’s judgment. God can still heal if He chooses, but our repentance and spiritual healing is much more important to God than our physical healing.
WHAT CAN I BELIEVE IN THE MIDST OF MY SUFFERING?
God Has Not Lost Control
"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God. My times are in your hands’…" — Psalm 31:14-15
God Is Walking With Me
"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore." —Psalm 125:1, 2
God Will Use My Suffering To Adjust And Prioritize My Focus
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." —2 Corinthians 4:17-18
God’s Grace Is Sufficient For Me
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." —2 Corinthians 12:9
God Will Use My Suffering To Strengthen Me
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." —James 1:2-4
God Will Use My Suffering To Comfort Others
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so we can comfort those in any trouble, with the comfort we have received from God." —2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God Can Receive Glory Through My Response
"…and may result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed!" — 1 Peter 1:7
HEALING TO THE WHOLE PERSON
The redemptive power of God through Christ is effective to bring wholeness to our lives. God’s desire is to restore us and bring abundant life to our days on this earth (John 10:10). This includes healing to our heart, spirit, mind, and broken relationships. Gaining inner peace, strength and joy are just as important to a healthy body. By faith we can seek God’s wholeness in these areas of our lives.
CONCLUSION
Whether in sickness or in health, life or in death, God can be glorified in and through us. The apostle Paul near the end of his life writes these words, "I learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:12-13)
He also writes, "but our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." (Phil. 3:20-21)
Let us be reminded that ultimately God is honored when His people turn to Him for healing and also when they turn to Him for peace. Let us pursue both. |