Daily Devotion for Friday 27th September 2024
Acts 4:30
“Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Reflection
Luke reminds the apostles and followers of Jesus that we are commanded to pray for healing from suffering, But it is clear that even though we may have faith, quite what response there is to our prayer is entirely up to God. Individuals who were suffering that encountered Jesus were healed: when they had faith, Bartimaeus, the woman who was subject to bleeding for twelve years, the leper, the servant of the centurion all were suffering, Jesus healed them.
Commissioned by Jesus, the disciples go out and heal, but initially cannot, and come to Jesus and ask why they couldn’t drive out a demon and heal a boy? Jesus replies, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Quite clearly the disciples and apostles’ faith became sufficient for them to heal those who were suffering with so many examples in Acts and other books of the New Testament. The Holy Spirit was with the apostles and Jesus’ followers, and it was clearly God’s will that those they ministered to would be healed.
So what should our response be to the challenge of suffering? Should we pray for healing? Indeed Luke says “Stretch out your hand and heal” so absolutely we should pray for healing, but in doing so we must draw close to God, listen to the Holy Spirit, and direct our prayers to those to whom we are guided. In praying we must also acknowledge that we may not perceive or understand any healing that may take place, for it may be not for us to know the healing: God may choose to heal spiritually rather than physically. Whatever happens when we pray for healing, we must trust God and remain confident in our faith as we continue to listen for God’s will.
Prayer
The Lord is near
do not be anxious
but it every situation
with prayer and petition
and with thanksgiving
present your request to God
and the peace of God
which transcends all understanding
will guard your heart and minds
in the love of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6