Of course it is! Physical sickness was not a part of God’s original creation. It’s only natural that we call out to our Creator to make us well.
The gospel accounts share numerous examples of Jesus healing people who had all sorts of illnesses and maladies.[1] Like a trailer from a highly anticipated movie, this is one of many ways Jesus gave previews of what it looks like when the power of God’s Kingdom comes to earth.
As we pray for healing today, it’s helpful to keep before us two New Testament passages that show us God will respond with healing or with grace.
On one hand, there is James writing, “Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.” (James 5:13–14)
On the other hand, there is the apostle Paul who asked Jesus to remove what he called a “thorn in my flesh.”[2]
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8–9)
And in his last letter, Paul alludes to a co-worker that he left behind because of illness. “Trophimus I left sick in Miletus,” he writes.3 Sometimes God chooses not to heal His servants immediately.
The New Testament assures us that only when God’s Kingdom is fully implemented in the future will death and sickness and pain be eradicated.4 Until then, it’s good to pray for physical healing. The answer we receive won’t be healing or no healing. It’s healing now or healing later—with the grace to live faithfully and joyfully in anticipation of a full and permanent healing in God’s new heavens and new earth.
[1] Matthew 4:23
[2] 2 Corinthians 12:7
3 2 Timothy 4:20
4 Revelation 21:1-5
