Prayer is powerful, especially when lifting up those who are sick. Today, we’ll uncover what the Bible says about praying for healing, trusting God’s will, and caring for the needs of others.
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What Does The Bible Say About Praying For The Sick
James 5:14-15
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
This verse encourages believers to seek the help of the elders in the church for prayer and anointing when they are sick. It highlights the power of prayer and the faith that can bring healing to the sick. It also emphasizes that spiritual healing is intricately connected to physical well-being.
This verse reminds us of the importance of communal prayer, involving the church community in times of illness. It encourages believers to have faith in God’s ability to heal and restore, both physically and spiritually. It also highlights the connection between sin and sickness, indicating that confession and forgiveness can contribute to healing.
Matthew 18:19
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
This verse emphasizes the power of agreement in prayer. When believers come together and pray in unity, their requests will be answered by God. It encourages believers to seek support and agreement from fellow believers when praying for the sick.
It reminds us that prayer is not limited to individual efforts, but it is a collective act that can bring about miraculous results. This verse underscores the importance of community and unity in prayer, as the combined faith and agreement of multiple individuals can have a powerful impact on the outcome of their prayers.
Mark 16:17-18
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will … lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Jesus assures His followers that miraculous signs will accompany their belief. This includes the ability to lay hands on the sick and see them recover. This verse highlights the authority and power believers have in the name of Jesus when it comes to praying for healing.
It encourages believers to step out in faith and minister to the sick, knowing that the power of God is at work through them. This verse reminds us that healing is not dependent on our own strength or ability but on the power of God working through us. It instills confidence and trust in God’s ability to bring about supernatural healing.
Psalm 103:2-3
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”
This psalm calls believers to praise and remember the goodness of God, particularly in His ability to forgive sins and heal diseases. It reminds us that God is the ultimate source of both physical and spiritual healing.
It encourages believers to approach God in worship, acknowledging His power to heal and restore. This verse instills hope and confidence in the faithfulness of God, knowing that He is willing and able to bring healing to those who seek Him.
Jeremiah 17:14
“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”
This verse is a prayer of Jeremiah, expressing his plea for healing and salvation. It reflects the desire of believers to experience God’s healing touch and deliverance from affliction.
It serves as a reminder that our ultimate hope and trust should be in God alone. It teaches us to approach Him with a heart of praise and worship, recognizing His power and sovereignty over our lives. This verse emphasizes the importance of surrendering our needs to God and trusting in His plans for our well-being.
Psalm 6:2
“Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.”
In this psalm, the psalmist cries out to God for mercy and healing. It conveys a deep sense of desperation and physical pain, appealing to God’s compassion and ability to bring relief.
This verse teaches us the significance of bringing our sufferings and ailments before the Lord. It encourages us to pour out our hearts to Him and seek His healing touch, knowing that He is both willing and able to alleviate our pain.
Psalm 41:3
“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
This psalm describes God’s faithfulness in caring for the sick. It portrays God as the sustainer and restorer of individuals who are confined to their sickbeds.
It offers hope and comfort to those who are ailing, reminding them that God does not abandon or neglect them in their times of sickness. This verse highlights God’s compassion and His desire to bring restoration and healing to His people.
Psalm 30:2
“Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.”
The psalmist exclaims his gratitude to God for answering his cry for help and bringing healing. It acknowledges God’s willingness and ability to respond to the prayers and pleas of His people.
This verse encourages believers to approach God with confidence, knowing that He hears their cries for help and is capable of bringing forth healing. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer in seeking physical restoration.
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
This verse acknowledges the frailty and vulnerability of human bodies, but it also affirms the enduring strength of God. It conveys the psalmist’s unwavering trust in God’s sustaining power and eternal presence.
In the face of illness and physical weakness, this verse reminds believers to find solace and strength in God alone. It assures us that even when our bodies fail, God remains our refuge and source of everlasting comfort.
Isaiah 58:8
“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.”
This verse speaks of the restoration and healing that come as a result of following God’s ways. It assures believers that obedience to God’s commands and seeking justice can bring about personal healing and blessings.
It encourages believers to live righteously, knowing that God’s favor will surround and protect them. This verse emphasizes the inseparable connection between spiritual and physical well-being, illustrating that true healing extends beyond the physical realm.
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3 proclaims the compassionate nature of God, especially concerning those who are emotionally wounded and brokenhearted. It speaks of God’s restorative power in bringing genuine healing to wounded souls.
This verse offers comfort and assurance to those who are in emotional pain or suffering from brokenness. It reminds us that God is near to the brokenhearted and is capable of bringing healing and restoration to their wounded spirits.
Proverbs 17:22
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 emphasizes the impact of one’s emotions and attitude on physical and mental well-being. It contrasts a cheerful heart, which brings healing and vitality, with a crushed spirit that leads to a decline in health.
This verse highlights the significance of cultivating a positive and joyful mindset, as it can contribute to overall well-being. It cautions against allowing negativity or despair to take root in our hearts, understanding its detrimental effects on our health.
3 John 1:2
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
This verse serves as a prayerful wish for the well-being of a dear friend. It expresses the desire for physical health to align with the prosperity of the soul.
It reminds believers of the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical health, emphasizing the importance of nurturing both aspects of our being. This verse encourages us to pray for the holistic well-being of others, desiring that their body, mind, and soul be in harmony.
Exodus 15:26
“He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.’”
This verse contains God’s promise to the Israelites, assuring them of His protection and healing as long as they remain obedient to His commands. It reveals God’s desire to spare His people from the afflictions and diseases that plagued their oppressors.
It highlights the importance of obedience and following God’s instructions for experiencing His healing and blessings. This verse reminds believers of God’s faithfulness and His ability to shield them from harm and bring about healing as they align themselves with His will.
Psalm 147:1-3
“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
This passage begins with a call to praise and worship God, acknowledging His goodness and faithfulness. It continues by declaring God’s restoration of Jerusalem and His ability to heal the brokenhearted.
It reminds believers of the power of praise and worship in inviting God’s healing into their lives. This verse encourages us to find solace in the Lord, knowing that He gathers and restores those who are brokenhearted, bringing healing and wholeness.
Matthew 9:35
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”
This verse encapsulates the ministry of Jesus, who traveled from place to place, preaching the good news and healing diseases and sicknesses. It emphasizes His authority and compassion in ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of people.
It serves as a reminder of Jesus’ role as the ultimate healer, showcasing His ability to bring forth miraculous healings. This verse encourages believers to have faith in Jesus’ power to heal and to look to Him as the source of ultimate restoration and wellness.
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.”
This verse prophesies about Jesus, describing His sacrifice on the cross and the healing that comes through His wounds. It highlights the redemptive power of Jesus’ suffering, which brings peace and healing to humanity.
This verse reminds believers of the significance of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, emphasizing His role as the ultimate source of healing and restoration. Through His wounds, we find spiritual and physical healing, experiencing the fullness of His grace and love.
Psalm 107:19-20
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”
This psalm recounts the deliverance and healing God brought to His people when they cried out to Him in distress. It acknowledges God’s ability to save and heal through His powerful word.
It serves as a testament to God’s faithfulness and His willingness to come to the aid of those who call upon Him. This verse encourages believers to turn to God in times of trouble, knowing that He is able to rescue and restore, bringing about miraculous healing.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
This verse contains God’s promise to His people, conditional upon their humility, prayer, repentance, and seeking of His face. It offers hope for healing at a national and communal level.
It reminds believers of the power of collective prayer and repentance in seeking God’s healing and restoration. This verse encourages us to pray for the healing of our nations and communities, recognizing that true healing requires both spiritual renewal and a turning away from wickedness.
Mark 5:34
“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’”
In this account, Jesus speaks to a woman who had suffered from a physical ailment for twelve years. He attributes her healing to her faith and pronounces her release from suffering.
It highlights the essential role of faith in experiencing healing. This verse encourages believers to have unwavering faith in the healing power of Jesus. It assures us that through faith, we can find freedom from suffering and restoration to a state of peace and wholeness.
Psalm 119:50
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
This verse expresses the psalmist’s consolation and resilience in the midst of suffering. It acknowledges the sustaining power of God’s promises in preserving one’s life.
It reminds believers of the importance of holding on to God’s promises, even in times of affliction. This verse encourages us to find solace and strength in God’s word, knowing that His promises are our source of comfort and confidence, bringing restoration and resilience in our suffering.
Mark 10:52
“‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
In this encounter, Jesus commends a blind man for his faith, affirming that his sight has been restored. It exemplifies the connection between faith and healing, portraying Jesus as the source of both physical and spiritual restoration.
This verse encourages believers to place their faith in Jesus’ ability to bring healing and transformation. It inspires us to trust in His power to restore what is broken and to follow Him in gratitude for the healing we receive.
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds, you have been healed.”
This verse speaks of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, which brings about salvation and healing for humanity. It emphasizes the redemptive power of His wounds, through which believers are restored and reconciled to God.
It reminds believers of the transformative work of Jesus on the cross, highlighting His ability to bring about healing on a spiritual level. This verse encourages us to embrace the healing and new life that come through our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice.