Does God Heal?
The Bible gives many examples of God granting healing as an answer to prayer and by the miracles done by Jesus, the Son of God, while on the earth. There are many verses that we can claim for healing in our lives: physically, emotionally and spiritually. The following verses teach that God heals us when we walk by faith and live by His laws (spiritual and physical):
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: … who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2,3).
“But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
“And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1).
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5:14, 15).
Praying for God’s Will
In prayer for the sick it should be remembered that “we know not what we should pray for as we ought” (Romans 8:26). We do not know whether the blessing we desire will be best or not. Therefore our prayers should include this thought: “Lord, thou knowest every secret of the soul. Thou art acquainted with these persons. Jesus, their Advocate, gave His life for them. His love for them is greater than ours can possibly be. If, therefore, it is for Thy glory and the good of the afflicted ones, we ask, in the name of Jesus, that they may be restored to health. If it be not Thy will that they may be restored, we ask that Thy grace may comfort and Thy presence sustain them in their sufferings.”
God knows the end from the beginning. He is acquainted with the hearts of all men. He reads every secret of the soul. He knows whether those for whom prayer is offered would or would not be able to endure the trials that would come upon them should they live. He knows whether their lives would be a blessing or a curse to themselves and to the world. This is one reason why, while presenting our petitions with earnestness, we should say, “Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Jesus added these words of submission to the wisdom and will of God when in the Garden of Gethsemane, He pleaded, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me” (Matthew 26:39). And if they were appropriate for Him, the Son of God, how much more are they becoming on the lips of finite, erring mortals.
Greater than the temporary healing of physical health is the mental and emotional healing of knowing we are forgiven and are right with God (Matthew 9:2, 5-7). So, we can have hope to be in a place with no more sickness or sorrow (Revelation 21:4).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
