How do I pray for healing?

According to Barna research, Prayer is by far the most common spiritual practice among Americans. No matter what religion someone professes, the odds are high that they pray. We’ve spent a lot of time on the basics of prayer in general but there are a few things that most Americans pray for more than others. While the majority of people who pray give thanks and praise to God, they also ask for three things more than others. These three things aren’t the only things people ask for but they tend to get more prayer time than other things. Everyone has doubt at some point but even when people doubt they still have hope in the power of prayer.

Before you read on, watch this inspirational video on the power of prayer. I hope it encourages you to continue enriching your prayer life and connecting with God.

Praying for Healing

The number one thing that people ask for is healing. It’s no wonder. Jesus healed a lot of people. Jesus healed every disease and sickness in Galilee (Matthew 4:23). The Bible promises healing through prayer (James 5:14-15) but we often have a linear perspective on what healing is when in fact there are many different kinds of healing:

• Miraculous Healing: Sometimes Jesus heals us and there is no known medical explanation of why we were healed. These are similar to the types of healing we think of in scripture. They happen. Often. But when they don’t, perhaps another type of healing will happen.
• Medical Healing: This one should really be listed first. When you need healing, GO TO A DOCTOR!!! God has gifted certain people with the wisdom and abilities to diagnose and treat illness. They are part of the healing process. In my opinion, to not see a doctor is being unfaithful to the ways in which God can heal you.
• Spiritual Healing: Sometimes our physical ailments aren’t cured but we have a spiritual transformation because of our response and reaction to the illness we are going through. This is also a miracle. Don’t forget that.
• Ultimate Healing: Sometimes our time on this earth is at an end and we live our eternal life in heaven. This is not a failed healing. This is an ultimate healing. A cause for celebration that our illness is no more and we get to live with Jesus in eternity.

Praying when you don’t have the right words…

Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Sometimes our hearts are so filled with loss or pain that we have no words. These are times when I like to practice Lectio Divina. This is the practice of Holy Listening to Scripture. The idea here is just to be with God. God will remind you that He has never left you and that although you are in grief now, this is just a season.