Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (
- Print-Friendly
- Email this article
For the most part, we need encouragement to believe that God does heal people. But after we do summon up the courage to launch out and start praying, we may get discouraged when we realize that people are not always healed through our prayers. This is especially puzzling to those who have been exposed to a very simplistic approach to healing: “All you have to do is claim your healing.”
The best point of view, I think, is to see that God’s ordinary will is that people be healed. We need to believe in God’s healing power and pray for healing, while at the same time realizing that there is a mystery involved and that this particular person may not be healed. In my ministry, I have discovered a number of these reasons, some of which are given below:
A False Value Attached to Suffering. While it is true that some suffering is redemptive and is for a higher purpose, we must balance this statement by saying that most sickness does not appear to be redemptive. I have been asked to pray for people who didn’t really want to be free of their suffering. It seemed to me that their sickness was destructive and was not a blessing sent by…
The full article is available to subscribers only
Access all articles, daily meditations and readings, as well as special resources, by becoming a subscriber. View subscription options.
Special Offer: Two week free web-only trial subscription. Sign up now.
Existing Print & Web-Only Subscribers: Login for full access.
