Day 8 - A Whole Heart

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A Whole Heart - Calvin Hoffman

In our house, a prayer for healing is very common–for anything and everything. It’s a practice that has been ingrained in my wife, Jacqlene. If I were to be honest, it’s not always my first thought to ask God to heal my bellyaches or stubbed toes. But if you were to spend any short amount of time around Jacqlene and I, I wouldn’t be surprised if you heard her calling for me from the other room, “Babe, will you pray for me? I have [insert common ailment here].”

I admire this about Jac. Here’s why. Rarely have we seen or experienced her headaches or other ailments leave instantly upon praying, but over the 11 years we’ve been together, the amount of prayers for healing haven’t decreased. She continues to trust that the Lord has her best in mind and is willing to hear her pleas. Her faith is inspiring. Her faith is what the Father is seeking. He delights in showing mercy and pouring out healing… and she believes that truth. And I would be the naive one if I said that none of those prayers were answered with healing.

I believe that the suffering we experience in life always carries a greater purpose–whether the enemy caused it or the Lord allowed it.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

But I also believe that every single instance of suffering is an opportunity for us to experience the love of God in a healing way. Every instance of pain is an invitation into faith in the Father.

Consider the woman with the 12-year-long issue of blood in Luke 8. She approached Jesus with bold faith that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she’d be healed. And she was. Jesus stopped the crowd to acknowledge what happened and responded with, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; Go in peace.”

So, with whatever you’re facing today–whatever ailment or suffering–whatever diagnosis or injury–see it first as an opportunity–an opportunity for God to produce something powerful in you. Then, see it as an opportunity to get close to the Lord–closer than ever before. Are you close enough to touch the hem of His robe? Finally, have the faith to believe that your Father loves you and will provide the healing necessary.

Father, I pray that whatever my friend reading this is experiencing would not be in vain. I pray that would produce endurance, character, and a powerful hope in You. I pray that they feel a beckoning into Your presence–that there they would find all the strength they need. Finally Lord, as a child begs his parents, I ask that by authority of your name, that sickness, disease, heartache, injury, even bellyaches and headaches would be removed from them in Jesus’ name. You don’t trivialize or minimize our pain–big and small, it all matters to you. Thank you for your kindness, Lord. Amen.

Scripture Reading: Luke 8:40-56

Spiritual Practice

Take the next few minutes to pray but start only by praising God for the healer that He is. Use stories from the Bible and use any personal experience to guide your words. Then, wrap it up by asking Jesus for the healing you desire.

Here’s an example you can use: God, thank you for being my healer. Thank you for keeping my body and mind in your care. You are the God that even just the hem of your garment carries enough power to heal. Surely, not one of my ailments is too big or too small for you to heal. And surely, not one instance of my suffering will you allow in vain. So Lord, I ask you to heal me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.