A Few Words on Healing

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be
healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces
wonderful results.
(James 5:16)

Ours is a world of enormous pain and hurt. Every one of us knows someone who is enduring an intensely difficult time of physical or emotional trauma—or both. We know sincere people of faith who have prayed for healing in their lives . . . and still they suffer. We are also aware that there are those today who claim to have been healed instantaneously.

As we carefully work our way through instructive verses on healing, several timeless principles emerge, all of which are worth claiming today.

Confession of sin is healthy—employ it. When you find that you are wrong, say it. When you have done something offensive to another person, admit it. Confess it to God and then find the person you have hurt and confess it to that person. Full confession can lead to full restoration.

Praying for one another is essential—practice it. When someone says, “Will you pray for me?” take the request to heart. Don’t just glibly respond, “Oh, yeah, sure,” then promptly forget about it. Ask for some details. Write down the specific requests. I have a little notepad on my desk in my study, and when someone requests prayer, I write down the person’s name and needs. I won’t remember if I don’t write it down. Later on, I like to follow up and ask if God has answered prayer.

Medical assistance is imperative—obey it. Regardless of the ailment, the nature of the illness, or the excuses you may be tempted to use to cut that corner, seeking medical assistance is both wise and helpful.

When healing comes from God—claim it. Praise Him for it. Don’t give credit for your healing to some person on this earth. God alone is responsible for your relief. Healing doesn’t come because you pay someone for it or stand in line for it or appear before some individual who claims he or she is able to do it. Healing comes because God sovereignly and mysteriously chooses to say yes to you. It falls under the heading of undeserved favor— GRACE.