Jan 20 Devotion: Help For Our Healing

13).  Is any among you afflicted?  let him pray.  Is any merry?  let him sing psalms.  14).  Is any sick among you?  let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him. annoiting him with oil in the name of the Lord:  15).  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  16).  Confess your faults one to another, and pray for another that ye may be healed.  The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.   

                                  JAMES 5:13-16

God cares about our physical well-being.  After all, He created our body to be a temple for His Spirit.

Ungodly choices can lead to illness (John 5:14). So when we’re afflicted, it’s wise to ask God to search our heart and reveal anything He wants us to address (SEE PSALMS 139:23-24). Most of the time, though, health problems are simply part of our human condition—a symptom of mankind’s fallen state rather than evidence of personal sin. The truth is, disease and sickness affect just about everyone at some point. So what response does God desire from us?

Our heavenly Father wants us to be aware of His presence and to stay in communication with Him (SEE 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17), leaning on Him as we receive medical treatment. Developing a pattern of prayerfulness is the best way to prepare for the unexpected.

God’s Word also calls us to intercede for one another. Its instructions include calling the elders of the church to pray and anoint the afflicted person with oil in Jesus’ name (SEE JAMES 5:14).

Our Father is able to heal, but He sometimes allows the condition to remain. When requesting restored health, we should ask with faith in God’s ability and confidence in His perfect will.

-IBC