Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:29 — 6.9MB)
Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Prayerful Situations: Illness, focuses on how to pray when you or others are sick.
Show Notes: Prayerful Situations: Illness
Today’s episode is the 45th one since I began the podcast over a year ago. And I’ve struggled more over this topic, illness, than any other. How do you pray when every person in the world deals with sickness themselves or in their family? And the disagreements among Christians on what is right or wrong when it comes to praying about illnesses boggle my mind. How do we pray with empathy and kindness when people are suffering?
James Robison, of LIFE Today Ministries, said something that has stuck with me for years. He said he prayed for people who were sick or injured because that’s what Jesus did. And the Bible is full of scriptures that encourage us to pray when people are sick.
“These twelve (disciples) Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” Matthew 10:5-8 ESV
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” Matthew 4:23-24 ESV
“Is anyone among you sick? 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… Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” James 5, verses 14 and 16. ESV
James Robison went on to say that he prayed for the sick and left the results to God. He said if every sick person he prayed for died, it still wouldn’t stop him from praying. And that’s where I am when it comes to this topic. When people ask me to pray for them or I see a need in the community, on social media, or on television, I pray in faith for healing. I truly believe God can heal anyone the same way I believe he can save anyone. But all are not healed on this earth and some die cursing God. So, I’ve decided to leave the results to Him. I’ll never stop praying, no matter if I see the outcome I want or not.
Illness comes in many ways and forms but today we’ll focus on physical healing. Four categories come to mind: common illness, chronic illness, injuries, and life-threatening/catastrophic illness. What are ways we can lift up ourselves or others when our health is in jeopardy?
- Common illness-Colds, flu, stomach virus, headaches, allergies, etc. They tend to be more disruptive than life-threatening but can often turn into greater problems if not dealt with. Pray for healing and comfort. Often, people don’t take time to heal during a minor sickness. Pray for others or yourself to be patient enough to slow down and take care of physical needs. I remember Jim Henson, famous for the Muppets, who died of pneumonia at the age of 53 because he didn’t take the time for treatment until it was too late.
- Chronic illness-heart disease, arthritis, asthma, lupus, diabetes, etc. Chronic illnesses tend to linger over time and require long-term management for a better quality of life. I suffer from asthma, which must be managed if I’m to enjoy my life to the full. Pray for the ability and perseverance to take care of one’s self over long periods of time. Pray for financial resources to manage doctor bills, medicine, and medical equipment. Pray against stress, depression, and the hopelessness that often accompanies a diagnosis of chronic disease.
- Injuries-Sprains, strains, fractures, concussions, burns, cuts, etc. We can be injured by playing football or raking leaves. Swimming or taking a shower. Prayers can include proper diagnosis and care, strength and restoration to the injured body part, and complete recovery if surgery is required. Pray for wisdom, safety, and discernment when engaged in any activity. Pray against the fear of being injured again. And slow down. Many times, my injuries have happened when I was in a hurry or not paying full attention to what I was doing.
- Life-threatening/catastrophic illness-cancer, heart attack, stroke, brain injury, car accidents, etc. To me, these are the toughest to pray for because they are usually totally unexpected and unpredictable. Pray first for the ability to deal with any shock and denial. Pray against a loss of identity, that they understand that the illness/injury doesn’t define them. Pray against depression, anxiety, and substance abuse like alcohol or prescription drugs. Pray for the healing of the body and the mind. Pray for financial help, for the family/friends of the suffering person, and for God to make a way where there is no way.
The bottom line is to pray. When something is very minor, we might not see a need or if it’s too major, we feel hopeless. If this happens, listen carefully to God’s heartbeat in the situation. Then move ahead in prayer and faith, knowing the God of the universe hasn’t left the dance floor of life. He’s beside you every step of the way.
Let’s pray: Father God, so many people suffer in our world and we don’t always know how to pray. Our words come out clumsy and seem meaningless. But you see our heart. Help us to pray for the sick by faith and rest in Your promises. We’ll partner with You through prayer and leave the results in Your mighty hands. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
When we pray for the sick, let’s put ourselves in their place and show kindness. Next week, we’ll turn our attention to the problem of pain. Until then, stay determined to dance.
Printable Resource of Prayerful Situations: Illness
Links:
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope
Determined to Dance Podcast on Spotify
Remember: Prayerful Situations: Illness
Video of the week:
I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.
Let God take care of the results–that’s good advice every area of our lives as long as we don’t use it as an excuse to do nothing.
So true!