Persevering prayer for the sick

²² And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. ²³ And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” ²⁴ And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” ²⁵ Then Jesus^[c] laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8

Have you prayed for someone to be healed?  We know that our bodies heal naturally.  We know doctors have found medicines that respond to illnesses in our bodies to make us better.  How does the power of God heal supernaturally?

Jesus healed blind eyes in several different ways, thus indicating that healing does not follow a certain method.  Sometimes he touched the hurt in the body, other times he just spoke healing.  In this particular healing he added another practice, he asked a question.

Sometimes we may feel impressed to pray for healing.  We ask God to heal.  We look at the person and nothing appears to have changed.  So we end the pray with “if it is your will, then you can heal.”  In reality we are saying, “I guess my prayer didn’t work, so it must not be God’s timing for healing.” 

Jesus question helped him know that the man was not yet totally healed.  IT says clearly that Jesus laid his hands on the man, AGAIN.  If Jesus had to engage in healing prayer a second time, how much more should we be willing to persevere?  When God begins to bring healing in a body, the physical part of the body begins to respond.  Sometimes the person may feel a warmth in the area receiving prayer.  They may begin to hear a little bit of noise or begin to have a little movement where none existed before.  Asking questions and having the person do something that they could not do before increases faith in the praying process.  Both the one receiving prayer and the one praying are encouraged to pursue God more for complete healing because of “movement” of healing in the body.

It is wrong for us to think that we have to expect perfection in regard to praying for healing.  Not all persons may receive complete healing, but some may.  I remember one person that prayed often for people to be raised from the dead.  A skeptic asked if everyone was raised from the dead that he prayed for.  No, he replied, but some do.

The devil will not tempt you to step out of your comfort zone to pray for someone’s healing.  But God will.  He invites you and empowers you to step out in faith and pray for another’s pain.  Go in pairs and trust God.  Someone needs prayers for healing…will you be that person to pray for them?

Father, we need the boldness of the Holy Spirit to pray for the sick.  Silver and gold we may not have.  But we have the authority, the power, and the commission of our Lord Jesus Christ to see His kingdom come to earth.  Thank you for choosing to use us.   In Jesus Name, Amen.