Praying for Healing

Posted on Feb 15, 2016 Topic : Weekly Devotionals

~ Read and Consider ~

Jeremiah 17:14-18

“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed” (Jeremiah 17:14).

Healing and body care are two different things. When you ask God to heal you, this is something He does. Taking care of your body is something you do. Both are vitally important.

God knows we are a fallen race and can’t do everything perfectly. That’s why He sent Jesus to be our Healer. But He also calls us to be good stewards over everything He gives us, including our body. He wants us to live in balance and temperance and to take care not to abuse our body in any way. He wants us to glorify Him in the care of our bodies because we are the temple of His Holy Spirit.

Many of us tend to think, “Everything I have is the Lord’s—except for my eating habits. Those are mine.” Or we think, “My life is the Lord’s, but my body belongs to me, and I can do with it whatever feels good.” But when we are the Lord’s, our body has to be surrendered to Him just like everything else. Caring for our body is not something we can do successfully independent of God.

I’ve actually heard people say, “I don’t worry about taking care of my body because the Lord can just heal me when I get sick.” This kind of presumptuous thinking is dangerous and can get us into trouble. Satan’s plan for our lives is to do the very thing that will hurt us the most. We help him along by that kind of attitude. We sabotage our lives by not doing what’s best for our bodies and our health. Ask God to help you resist what is bad for you and to be disciplined enough to do what’s right. God loves and values you. He created you. You are where His Holy Spirit dwells. He wants you to love and value yourself enough to take good care of your body.

However, even after all of our efforts toward taking proper care of ourselves, we can still get sick. And we need Jesus, our Healer, to heal us. Don’t hesitate to ask Him for His healing touch upon your body.

Dear Lord, how grateful I am that You came as our Healer. Thank You for mercifully understanding how much we need Your healing hand. I ask for Your healing touch upon my body today and whenever I need it. I know when You heal me, I will be healed completely. At the same time I ask for Your guidance and wisdom in knowing how to take care of my body—the temple of Your Holy Spirit. Give me knowledge and strength to be able to always do the right thing in that regard.

In Jesus’ name I pray.