Pray For Healing

By Rick Carrol

When you face a sickness, how quick do you go to prayer? Is it your first response? Is it your second response? Is it even a thought at all?

The Bible does not teach us that those who follow Jesus will never get sick, and will be healed every time they pray. Jesus was very clear about the hardships His followers would face on earth. Perfect health is reserved for life in perfect heaven. We’ve confused some of the language of heaven with our experience on earth. We we think God has planned for our lives to be perfect here on earth.

However the New Testament does indeed teach us that when we’re sick, we should pray. In fact we shouldn’t just pray alone, but we should call for leaders and intercessors of the Church to lay hands on those who are sick and pray for them.

As a counsellor, I’m a strong advocate of getting professional support and treatment for the illnesses we face in our day to day lives. However, as a follower of Jesus, I’m reminded that getting treatment should never be in place of a prayer for healing.

“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed”. Mark 16:17-18 (NLT)