Mark 1.40 - 2.12
People have prayed desperately recently for miracles:
we saw them crossing themselves, and heads bowed eyes closed
longing and promising anything
if only the Irish penalties would go in
and the Spanish penalty takers would take their eye off the ball
Well, those prayers didn't work - maybe the Spanish prayed harder?
But seriously, we do long
especially when things are tough and people we love are sick
that God would intervene and change the situation
and we can get frustrated and puzzled when prayers seem not to be answered.
Let's look at some aspects of healing.
Miraculous healing is reported in waves of activity in the Bible.
Sometimes more, as in the time of Moses, Elijah,
in the ministry of Jesus and in Acts;
sometimes less as in large parts of the Old Testament
and in the letters of Paul, Peter, John, Jude and Revelation.
Paul refers to his own sickness and to that of friends
without implying that they should be looking for miraculous healing,
although he does refer to gifts of healing in 1 Corinthians 12.28.
It is quite likely that his thorn in the flesh' in 2 Corinthians 12.7-10
was at least in part a physical weakness
for which God tells him that his grace is sufficient.
Peter interprets Isaiah 53.5 'by his stripes are you healed'
as a promise of restoration from sin (1 Peter 2.24).
From all this we may conclude that miraculous healing is a possibility.
God sometimes gives us glimpses of heaven
in healing the sick in answer to prayer.
The two extremes are to be avoided which declare
either that such healing must not happen or that it must.
Either extreme brings us into legalism,
requiring God to act or not act in a rigid pattern,
that quenches the free operation of the Holy Spirit.
For miraculous healing to take place
the following two conditions are needed:
THAT GOD WILLS IT
A leper once said to Jesus: ''Lord if you will, you can make me clean.'
Filled with compassion,
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!'
Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.' Mark 1.41-42
We need to find out what God wants
in any matter for which we pray.
That does not mean that we must tack on 'if it be your will' to every prayer
It does involve allowing the Holy Spirit to search our motives and desires (James 4.3).
It involves being open to God's plan and being willing to submit to it,
even though our pain or that of our friends is not immediately relieved.
But this is not fatalism.
Accepting God's will should bring a sense of joy and peace,
as we rest secure in a father child relationship with him.
If the Father says 'No' or 'Wait' we should not respond with a tantrum,
but seek to learn patience,
knowing that there is something better coming instead.
(Romans 12.12; 2 Corinthians 4.16-18)
THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE Jesus constantly looks for faith
in the person seeking help or their family and friends.
(Mark 2.5, 4.34, 36)
Faith does not have to be a big spiritual effort that we work up;
we should be honest about how little faith we have (Mark 9.23-24).
Faith simply says 'I can't but God can'
People sometimes wonder if they are praying the right prayer or in the right way.
Is there a special wording they must follow, or a special posture
and if they don't do it exactly the right way they are blocking God's power.
Look at the people who come to Jesus for help in the gospels:
their prayers are never long, they are simple and direct
Bartimaeus: ''Jesus son of David, have mercy on me!'
The woman in the crowd wordlessly reaching out to touch him
the father of the epileptic child 'Lord, I believe , help my unbelief'
These people do not have profound spirituality more than the rest of us
their grasp of theology is not deep, their prayers are not impressive
what they have in common is a heart's cry to be helped
and a belief however feeble that Jesus can do it.
And wonderfully, in very case Jesus hears their heart's cry and brings healing,
And yet we all know that miracles don't always happen,
they are not on a tap today, if they ever were.
If miraculous healing does not happen, the following response is needed:
LOVE, NOT CONDEMNATION
It is very hurtful to accuse people of not having enough faith.
Jesus did rebuke people for little faith. He knew their hearts; do we?
It is even worse to insinuate
that there has to be some hidden sin that is making them sick.
If people are concerned that they are being punished in an illness,
encourage them to ask the Holy Spirit
to show them very clearly and specifically what sin they need to repent of.
The Holy Spirit convicts and brings a sense of God's love and peace
when we confess our sin;
the devil instead condemns
and seeks to keep us burdened by a sense of guilt and failure.
The Bible's promises are very clear that we can have freedom from guilt
and peace with God, even though we continue to suffer: Romans 5.1-5
God will bless even where he does not physically heal.
Many people find that prayer with laying of hands
brings them a sense of God's blessing and peace
even though their physical illnesses may not have been healed.
Always remember that the ultimate healing is in heaven.
Revelation 21.1-4, 22.1-5
It is good to desire to see God living and active
in people's lives in a very demonstrable way,
but in our medically advanced and consumer driven society we must avoid
the craving that demands that we be free from all pain all the time.
God will not always deliver us from every difficulty
but he promises to be with us in the difficulties. Psalm 23.4
God does often heal in ordinary ways.
Miraculous healing should not be so emphasised
as to despise and reject the insights of medicine.
Christian ministry of prayer for healing is best understood
as a partnership with ordinary medicine, not a rival to it.
Christian ministry of prayer for healing is 'Christian',
i.e. exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.
It is not to be confused with other types of spiritual healing,
which may seem to work
but can draw those involved away from saving faith in Christ.
There is controversy over which of the many alternative therapies
available today are compatible with Christian faith.
Some such as aromatherapy, chiropractic, herbalism, osteopathy,
seem to pose no challenge to the authority of Christ;
others may involve commitment to philosophies or spiritual systems
which are profoundly unChristian.
It is wise to enquire about the underlying assumptions and practices
involved in a 'therapy'
to see if they are compatible with the Lordship of Christ.
But let me conclude not with talk but a trial, not with theory but practice
encouraging you to seek opportunities for healing through prayer.
We have shared in prayer for the names written down earlier
If at any time you would like prayer with laying on of hands in your home
speak to me afterwards and we can arrange that.
Risen Lord Jesus
Roll away the stone of our doubts-,
let us trust you.
Roll away the stone of our reserve-,
let us proclaim you.
Roll away the stone of heavy hearts
Let us rejoice in you
Roll away the stone of our fear.'
let our confidence always be in you
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