Chapter 54—Prayer for the Sick
The Scripture says that “men ought always to pray, and not to
faint;”
Luke 18:1
; and if ever there is a time when they feel their need
of prayer, it is when strength fails and life itself seems slipping from
their grasp. Often those who are in health forget the wonderful mercies
continued to them day by day, year after year, and they render no
tribute of praise to God for His benefits. But when sickness comes,
God is remembered. When human strength fails, men feel their need
of divine help. And never does our merciful God turn from the soul
that in sincerity seeks Him for help. He is our refuge in sickness as in
health.
Christ is the same compassionate physician now that He was during
His earthly ministry. In Him there is healing balm for every disease,
restoring power for every infirmity. His disciples in this time are to
pray for the sick as verily as the disciples of old prayed. And recoveries
will follow; for “the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” We have the
Holy Spirit’s power, the calm assurance of faith, that can claim God’s
promises. The Lord’s promise, “They shall lay hands on the sick, and
they shall recover,”
Mark 16:18
, is just as trustworthy now as in the
days of the apostles. It presents the privilege of God’s children, and
our faith should lay hold of all that it embraces. Christ’s servants are
the channel of His working, and through them He desires to exercise
His healing power. It is our work to present the sick and suffering
to God in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in
the Great Healer. The Saviour would have us encourage the sick, the
hopeless, the afflicted, to take hold upon His strength.
Conditions of Answered Prayer
But only as we live in obedience to His word can we claim the
fulfillment of His promises. The psalmist says, “If I regard iniquity
in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
Psalm 66:18
. If we render to
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