Prayer for the Sick
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that the Saviour’s loving presence constantly surrounds every human
agent ordained of God for the impartation of spiritual blessing. The
remembrance of this will give vitality to his faith and earnestness to
his petitions.
Then to those who call upon him for help he can impart the health-
giving power of God’s truth. He can talk of the words of healing
wrought by Christ, and direct the minds of the sick to Him as the great
Physician, who is light and life, as well as comfort and peace. He
can tell them that they need not despair, that the Saviour loves them,
and that if they surrender themselves to Him, they will have His love,
His grace, His keeping power. Let him urge them to rest in God’s
promises, knowing that He who has given these promises is our best
and truest Friend. As he endeavors to direct the mind heavenward,
he will find that the thought of the tender sympathy of the One who
knows just how to apply the healing balm, will give the sick a sense of
rest and quietude.
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The divine Healer is present in the sick-room; He hears every
word of the prayers offered to Him in the simplicity of true faith. His
disciples today are to pray for the sick, as verily as did the disciples of
old. And there will be recoveries; for “the prayer of faith shall save
the sick.” [
James 5:15
.]
* * * * *
In the word of God we have instruction relative to special prayer
for the recovery of the sick. But the offering of such prayer is a
most solemn act, and should not be entered upon without careful
consideration. In many cases of prayer for the healing of the sick, that
which is called faith is nothing less than presumption.
Many persons bring disease upon themselves by their self-
indulgence. They have not lived in accordance with natural law or the
principles of strict purity. Others have disregarded the laws of health
in their habits of eating and drinking, dressing or working. Often some
form of vice is the cause of feebleness of mind or body. Should these
persons gain the blessing of health, many of them would continue to
pursue the same course of heedless transgression of God’s natural and
spiritual laws, reasoning that if God heals them in answer to prayer,
they are at liberty to continue their unhealthful practices and to indulge