10/07/2022
Prayer heals us; it heals our physical illnesses, and it heals our spiritual sickness. The answer of prayer can be seen in the lame walking again, and it can also be witnessed in the forgiveness of sin. What is our need today? Is our body, or the body of a loved one, in need of prayer? Are we desperately in need of salvation, or the forgiveness of sin?
“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:15-16 ESV
Some try to link sin and physical sickness in this scripture together saying that we are sick because we sin. While that might be true on occasion, it is not because of sin that sickness comes, but because of the activities involved in specific types of sinning. Stealing is a sin but it does not make us sick, but sexual promiscuity can. So just because someone is sick doesn’t mean that they are embroiled in sin. Scripture tells us the outcome of sin is death... not sickness.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 ESV
In our opening scripture we saw that sin and healing were in two separate sentences in regards to prayer. The act of sinning and being sick are not necessarily linked, but faith, forgiveness from sin, and prayerful healing are.
“The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”
Proverbs 15:29 ESV
God answers prayer, but we need to be righteous and faithful. To society today that sounds abhorrent... we are a “something for nothing” society, and think that everyone should have whatever they desire... whether they deserve it or not. This is not biblical. Certainly we are told to feed the hungry, but that is a mercy, and under normal circumstances should not be an expectation forever. Listen...
“"If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed. You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.”
Deuteronomy 15:12-14 ESV
We are meant to earn our own way. Those that help us are meant to do so until we are back on our feet. It is the same in righteousness... we are expected to be of faith, and righteous, when we pray.
So prayer heals us physically of illness, and spiritually of sin, but faith and righteousness are the foundation of prayer. Are you a non-believer who prays as a means of hedging your bet? If so think about what you are doing, and don’t hold God in judgment for your unanswered prayer... His Word is truth... not just the promises, but the stipulations He places as well.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for hearing my faithful and righteous prayers. I thank you for your forgiveness, and for leading me in a righteous life. You care for me Holy Father, and desire that I be healthy, and free of sin. Don’t let me be deceived as Satan makes me ill, and then takes that illness away... proclaiming healing. Help me to discern his subtle lie, false healers, and to lean on you for all good things. As I pray Heavenly Father, hear my prayers of contrition as I ask for your forgiveness, and hear my righteous prayers for healing in the fullness of my faith. You are loving and great Father. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God of goodness, truth, and answered prayer. All Glory be to you my Lord.
“And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
John 9:2-3 ESV
Rich Forbes