I have prayed for healing for my mum, begging God for respite from her many chronic illnesses … yet she has not been healed. (Emily J. Maurits)
PRAYER IS A SACRED ACT
For years, I have stood by my chronically ill mum, providing hugs, housework, and understanding (but also feeling utterly helpless to fix things). When my younger sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor, I spent every other day at the hospital caring for her in many physical ways (but unable to remove her major health problems). What I could do was pray.
Is anyone among you sick? …Pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save those who are sick, and the Lord will raise them up. (James 5:14-15, paraphrase)
It is exciting to talk to the living God. Let’s never lose sight of that! It is an immense privilege and blessing paid for by the blood of Jesus. We pray at a price, and because of this, prayer never ceases to be a sacred act. As such, it cannot be overlooked, forgotten, or discounted.
PRAYING FOR HEALING CAN BE FRUSTRATING
Prayer is always personal—yet, as a response to someone else’s illness, praying for healing can also be frustrating. This is because:
- prayer doesn’t always result in physical healing.
- it can seem silly or childish to talk to someone who’s not there.
- it can be difficult to talk about because it’s an abstract concept, and like every part of our faith, there is an element of mystery.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE BIBLE VERSES THAT PROMISE HEALING?
Some personal observations:
- Some people in the Bible were healed by prayer, but many were not. This lack of physical healing did not cause their faith to crumble.
- Biblical context is crucial. We may not know that context, but the original readers did, so we can learn from their responses.
- Many of my objections and frustrations disappeared once I left my ego at the door before I read those “troublesome” Bible passages.
- Am I looking for a magic word or a quick fix when reading prayer passages? Am I looking for God or a “wish-granting factory?”
- There are many passages I still find difficult, but I try to treasure them for what they tell me about God and His character instead of what I want them to do for me.
GOD DID NOT HEAL MY MUM
For over fifteen years, I have prayed for healing for my mum, begging God for respite from her many chronic illnesses. Other people have prayed, too. My mum has been surrounded by prayer for over forty years, yet she has not been healed. On the contrary, her illnesses have worsened. I don’t understand why.
GOD DID HEAL MY SISTER
When my sister was seventeen, the doctors found a brain tumor. She was in the hospital for three months and had over ten different operations. When the surgeons went in for the last time, they could not find the tumor. They couldn’t believe it—but we could.
My sister had been miraculously healed.
We had been praying for only ten weeks.
Her recovery was long and slow. We wanted her home before Christmas. I was dry and exhausted. I was sick of it all. I had even half-given up praying.
One day, I could take it no longer. I sat down and begged God to bring her home on the day before Christmas Eve. The next day, the doctors told us she definitely would not be able to come home before Christmas. Yet, she came home.
For the second time, God answered my prayer—miraculously. I don’t understand why.
I KNOW THE GOD WHO HEALS
What can I say? What encouragement can I give? God does what is best according to His glorious purpose. Do I always like His purpose? Definitely not. Does that mean His purpose is wrong or cruel? Absolutely not!
I have difficulty remembering this (but I know it is true): We do not need to know the outcome of our prayer before we pray; we simply need to know whether the one we pray to is trustworthy.
That is what makes the prayer worth it. The one we pray to is trustworthy.
LET US PRAY.
PRAYER
Dear God, it’s hard to watch those we love suffer. As we bring their needs (and ours) before You, help us to trust Your character. Remind us that You, in Your wisdom, are trustworthy no matter the answer. Prompt us to keep talking to You in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name, amen.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- When have you prayed for healing?
- What questions have you asked God about why He did or did not heal someone?
- Can you rest in His character today? Lift a prayer right now and trust Him with the outcome.
INVITATION
As you pray today, you may find these Prayers for the Journey helpful and encouraging.
Emily J. Maurits
After working for several years in public health, Emily is studying theology. She believes we are all called to love suffering people because it is what Jesus did. She is passionate about equipping and encouraging others to do just that and founded calledtowatch.com for the family and friends of those with chronic illness. In addition to uncovering God's presence in the chaos of life, she enjoys reading, running, and writing. Check out her memoir Two Sisters & a Brain Tumour.
Prayers for the Journey
In the middle of illness, uncertainty, or pain, find a quiet invitation to pause and breathe. These Prayers for the Journey remind you that you are fully known and never alone. Draw near to God and find your strength.
You are beautiful inside and out. I see your Holy Spirit glow. How marvelous that your mum has been given the countless gifts you have given her to know God’s vessels of love and caring are alive and well.
I have suffered for a similar amount of time as your mum. Sadly, the last two years have escalated, but I do struggle to find local support except for the medical field, but alas, I pay for that, don’t I? However, some are keepers because of how genuine they truly are.
Most, including the majority of my family, do not have the time or interest to encourage me. I am grateful for my husband, who has Parkinson’s and is still my caregiver, and a local daughter who now has her own set of health issues appearing. We form a support group.
I work hard to be independent on the home front, caring for my personal needs and trying to stay as positive as I can. My three cats and, yes, stuffed animals, plus the grace and love of my Heavenly Father, help me on the two days that my husband works from 7-5.
I thought grief was behind me. Perhaps that was not a reality for me. Sometimes I do not recognize all the changes in me over such a long time. It is hard to let go and surrender parts of oneself. I am almost 72 and a recent survivor of cancer, on top of varied and many varied physical and emotional health issues. Complex, I am yet I know God is greater still.
I have not found Christian friends to be that helpful at all. Sadly, families, plus church settings, tend to only want whole, not broken vessels. Or at least, we remain second-class citizens, not daring to mention anything remotely sad/hurtful. I do not buy that at all. It must grieve Him as well. I do not come across as self-pitying but yearning for understanding and compassion as the scriptures invite us to show for one another. I know I am imperfect and do not expect perfection. Yet, the body of Christ can be so cold.
I am looking forward to learning more about your ministry. I have eye problems now due to an autoimmune condition, so I must limit computer time. Gave up Facebook. Gave up groups that were not that nourishing anyway. Tried a small group of family and friends, but can tell they only want what they want. It’s okay. I thought it was worth a try, though. I must make them feel most uncomfortable. For in a sense, I strongly feel dismissed.
Thank you for listening. God bless you for your heart and article. It has helped me see and understand that others do see the need for things to change. I would love the energy, focus, and a pain-free life where I could be entering into more ministry work. I do not have that kind of stability. I know I have worth and value just as I am. However, I am shocked by the escalation in my health and people’s responses to me since this past May.
Sincerely in His love, grace, and power,
Julie