Having a Healthy Prayer Life
Photo image courtesy Getty Images for Unsplash
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” -- Mark 6:31 (NIV)
I was amused to see this month’s topic, since I'm a physician and a lifelong professional patient. It didn't start out that way. I had bad allergies as a child, but once I hit my thirties, things literally fell apart.
In the film The Princess Bride, one villain, Count Rugen, famously advises the other villain, "Get some rest. If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything." The line gets quoted so often as if it’s pure wisdom, but we always have God with us.
Proper rest is important, but when your mom is in the E.R. with sepsis, your uncle is in another hospital, and your father is in another facility recovering from pneumonia, rest becomes impossible. I relate to that situation Jesus, and the disciples found themselves in. They were so busy they didn’t even get a chance to eat.
Jesus often didn’t get much respite. In the Bible, nine times we see Him go off by Himself to pray.
The other section I totally relate to is the night of Jesus’ betrayal. He retreats to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Bible notes it’s only a stone’s throw away from the three disciples He took with him. That’s not very far. After an agonizing prayer to His Father, Jesus returns to find them all asleep.
"'Simon, are you asleep?’ He asked. ‘Were you not able to keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’” (Mark 14:37-38, NIV)
How many times are our plans foiled by health problems? Worship services missed, holidays and events skipped, meetings not attended, household chores left undone. The spirit may be 100% willing, but the body may be 99% weak.
I’ve also heard, “Well, the least we can do is pray.” This misrepresents the power in prayer because the MOST we can do is pray. God is all powerful, and our prayers are assisted by the Holy Spirit Himself. All we may be capable of is thought, but we can still pray.
Jesus knew prayer was the most important thing He could do, besides dying on the Cross for our sins.
Questions for Reflection:
1. In addition to praying, can you list other ways to help others who are suffering ill-health?
2. If you’re the sick or disabled one, is there a better way to communicate your needs to others who can help?
