The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened; I have not rebelled or turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. (Isaiah 50:5-7; all verses from New Living Translation.)

Father, I have several problems in my spine and I know a number of other people who have back pain. 1 Peter 2:24 says that by His stripes we were healed. That means that when Jesus’ back was beaten, He was paying the price for my back pain and for the issues others have as well. Jesus conquered death when He rose again and in verse 5 He overcame the pain and sickness Satan puts on us.

If we believe your Holy Word, then we believe that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior we have eternal life with You. Why is that so much easier to believe than the fact that when Jesus’ back was beaten my back was healed? Why is that difficult to apply to other infirmities we have?

We know that in order to please You, Father, we must have faith and believe that you reward us (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). Father, by far I’m not the only one who struggles with this. Thousands of Christ-believers pray for healing, hope for healing and wait for it to come.

We say we believe your Word the Bible and we accept all the miracles in it and all the healings Jesus and his disciples performed. Why do we experience difficulty believing You will do those same healings today? Is it because we believe the lie of our enemy who tells us those things only happened in the Bible and aren’t for today? Then why are people in other countries miraculously healed but in my country with all our medical knowledge we are not? Is it because we rely on our doctors and pills more than You?

Father, in Mark 9:14-27 we read the story of the father whose son was unable to speak but that spirit caused convulsions in him also. This father asked Jesus to have mercy on them and help, if He could. Jesus answered, “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief” (verses 23-24).

While I’m getting closer, I still make that same plea – help me overcome the bit of unbelief that remains! I have no doubt that God has all power to do whatever He wants. And according to many scriptures, God’s provision for his children includes healing. Now that needs to go from my head where I know it to my heart where I can experience it.

If this picture fits you, here is my prayer for both of us:  Father, show us what hinders our faith in You to heal us. We know something blocks this victory but don’t understand what it is. Enlighten us. Possibly different circumstances in the past affect this faith now, so show us what those are and heal those broken places so we can enjoy in this life all the blessings You promise your children. We come boldly to your throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Thank you that when we ask without sin in our hearts, that You hear and answer our prayers (1 John 3:21-22). We ask this because Jesus paid the price of our suffering by the stripes He bore for us. We come before You in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.