Topical Encyclopedia Sickness, a condition of physical or mental ill health, is a recurring theme in the Bible, where it is often depicted as a consequence of the fallen world. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on how believers are to respond to sickness, emphasizing the importance of prayer and faith in God's healing power.Biblical Foundation for Prayer in Sickness The Bible encourages believers to pray for those who are sick, highlighting the power of prayer in bringing about healing and comfort. James 5:14-15 instructs, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." This passage underscores the communal aspect of prayer, where the church body comes together to intercede for the afflicted. Jesus' Ministry and Healing The Gospels recount numerous instances where Jesus healed the sick, demonstrating His compassion and divine authority. In Matthew 8:16-17 , it is recorded, "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.'" Jesus' healing ministry not only fulfilled prophecy but also provided a model for His followers to emulate in praying for the sick. The Role of Faith Faith plays a crucial role in the context of healing and prayer. In Mark 5:34 , Jesus tells a woman who had been healed from a long-term illness, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction." This highlights the importance of faith in the process of healing, both for the one who is sick and for those who pray on their behalf. Intercessory Prayer Intercessory prayer, where believers pray on behalf of others, is a powerful biblical principle. In the Old Testament, Moses interceded for the people of Israel, and God responded to his prayers (Exodus 32:11-14). Similarly, in the New Testament, the early church prayed fervently for Peter when he was imprisoned, and God miraculously delivered him (Acts 12:5-7). These examples illustrate the effectiveness of intercessory prayer in times of need, including sickness. The Apostle Paul's Perspective The Apostle Paul, despite experiencing his own "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-9), encouraged believers to pray for one another. In Philippians 4:6-7 , he writes, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Paul's teachings remind believers to bring their concerns, including sickness, before God with a heart of gratitude and trust. God's Sovereignty and Healing While the Bible affirms God's ability to heal, it also acknowledges His sovereignty in all circumstances. Not every prayer for healing results in immediate or miraculous recovery, as God's purposes and timing are beyond human understanding. Romans 8:28 assures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse encourages believers to trust in God's overarching plan, even amidst sickness and suffering. Practical Application Believers are called to actively engage in prayer for those who are sick, seeking God's intervention and comfort. This includes personal prayer, corporate prayer within the church, and practical acts of love and support for the afflicted. By doing so, Christians fulfill the biblical mandate to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and reflect the compassion of Christ to a hurting world. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 28:8And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. Torrey's Topical Textbook James 5:14,15 Library Beloved, and yet Afflicted The Divine Liturgy of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the ... Election and Ordination of Bishops: Form of Service on Sundays. How Internal Livers Ought to Behave Themselves in Time of Sickness ... Meditations for the Sick. I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also- The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest. A Stanza of Deliverance A Group of Miracles And in the Morning of that Day He Went Out Very Early... Resources Is it sometimes God's will for believers to be sick? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is kingdom theology? | GotQuestions.org Why does God allow birth defects? | GotQuestions.org Sickness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sickness: Christ Compassionate Those In Sickness: Christ Healed by Imposition of Hands Sickness: Christ Healed with a Touch Sickness: Christ Healed with a Word Sickness: Christ Healed: Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Not Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Through the Touch of his Garment Sickness: Faith Required in Those Healed of, by Christ Sickness: God: Abandons the Wicked To Sickness: God: Comforts Saints In Sickness: God: Exhibits his Love in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Mercy in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Power in Healing Sickness: God: Hears the Prayers of Those In Sickness: God: Often Manifests Saving Grace to Sinners During Sickness: God: Permits Saints to be Tried By Sickness: God: Persecutes the Wicked By Sickness: God: Preserves Saints in Time of Sickness: God: Promises to Heal Sickness: God: Strengthens Saints In Sickness: God's Aid should be Sought In Sickness: Healing of, Lawful on the Sabbath Sickness: Not Visiting Those In, an Evidence of not Belonging to Christ Sickness: Often Brought on by Intemperance Sickness: Often Incurable by Human Means Sickness: Often Sent As a Punishment of Sin Sickness: One of God's Four Sore Judgments on a Guilty Land Sickness: Pray for Those Afflicted With Sickness: Saints are Resigned Under Sickness: Saints: Acknowledge That, Comes from God Sickness: Saints: Ascribe Recovery From, to God Sickness: Saints: Feel for Others In Sickness: Saints: Mourn Under, With Prayer Sickness: Saints: Praise God for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Pray for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Thank God Publicly for Recovery Form Sickness: Saints: Visit Those In Sickness: The Apostles Were Endued With Power to Heal Sickness: The Devil Sometimes Permitted to Inflict Sickness: The Power of Healing: One of the Miraculous Gifts Bestowed on the Early Church Sickness: The Wicked: Forsake Those In Sickness: The Wicked: Have Much Sorrow, With Sickness: The Wicked: Visit not Those In Sickness: Visiting Those In, an Evidence of Belonging to Christ Related Terms |
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