It may shock you to hear that I am a Christian who suffers from chronic pain but doesn’t pray to be healed. It’s not that I don’t pray at all, it’s just that the content of my prayers and the motivation behind them have changed. Here is why I don’t pray for healing anymore.
You see, I used to be angry because of the chronic pain and the infirmities of my flesh. I begged God to take them from me and restore my health because I didn’t want to suffer.
Why I Don’t Pray for Healing Anymore
Every time I prayed, the Lord gave me the same answer…
2Corinthians 12:8-10 KJV ~ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Repeatedly I heard, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” I began to loathe these verses because I didn’t want grace. I wanted to be healed. Ugly, right?
God showed me I desired healing more than the Healer. I basically communicated that I would rather have a healthy body more than a healthy relationship with Him.
I had a heart that needed to be healed more than my body did. Share on X
I Believe in the Power of Prayer
I did not stop praying for healing because I lack confidence in God’s ability to heal. I know He can do all things, and if it were His will to rid me of this chronic pain, I believe He could and would remove it. I have strong faith and absolutely believe in the power of prayer.
I regularly quote verses like “ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2) and “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I’m familiar with Jesus’ teaching on persistent prayer in Luke 18:1-8.
I take God at His word when He says that if I have faith as a grain of mustard seed, I can move mountains (Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23, Luke 17:6). And I know beyond any doubt that “with God, nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).
But for me, the mountain I need moved is not chronic pain. I need to direct my faith-filled prayers to the actual issue at hand, which is pride and self-sufficiency. To pray for healing doesn’t address that heart problem.
Being healed isn't my ultimate goal. Being right with God is. Share on X
Instead of Praying for Healing
Someday I’ll have a glorified body and won’t have to suffer another second. Until then, my prayer list looks different from what it once did.
Instead of praying for healing, I pray for:
- Grace
- Peace
- Patience
- Gratefulness
- A sober mind
- Humility
- Contentment
- Joy
- A right heart attitude
- Maturity
- God’s will to be done in my life
- A closer walk with Jesus
Pray for His Name’s Sake
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:10 that he takes pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake, because when he was weak, then he was strong. I am SO far from this kind of attitude. To actually find pleasure in the pain is a level of maturity I am not at yet, but God will get me there.
Maybe by then, I’ll be able to pray for healing again, with a pure heart motivation for God to be glorified and not solely for my benefit. To pray not for my convenience, or to make me comfortable, but for His great name’s sake.
Until then, I will keep praying that God continues to mold my heart into a devoted disciple of Christ. I’ll let Him strengthen me in my weakness. And I’ll praise Him for the good that He is working in and through me because of this chronic pain.
Philippians 3:10 KJV~ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
You Should Pray for Healing
If you suffer from chronic illness, please hear me when I say that prayer is always a good idea. Just because this is what the Lord is laying on my heart doesn’t mean it is the course of action He wants you to take.
Prayer is a necessary component of our walk with Christ and vital to our spiritual growth. The content of our prayers will vary from person to person.
The way the Lord deals with me may look very different from how He does you. That’s why it’s called a personal relationship with God. Everyone is unique.
Please don’t adopt my approach to chronic pain as your own unless the Spirit convicts you to do so. I don’t pray for healing anymore, but praying for healing may be exactly what the Lord wants you to do!
More articles about prayer or chronic illness:
The Importance of Intercessory Prayer
3 Keys to Helping Someone with Depression
3 Prayers for Someone With Chronic Pain
A Day in the Life of a Christian with Chronic Pain
Am I Suffering Because of Sin in My Life?
The Importance of a Sober Mind for Spiritual Stability
18 Psalms for a Sober Mind in Suffering
Draw Near to the Healer With a ‘My Jesus Journal’
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Pray With Confidence
Whether we pray for healing or the grace to endure it, prayer is a necessary part of our spiritual growth. If you want to grow in your prayer life, check out Pray with Confidence. It is a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors.
Here are some articles I wrote that will renew your mind and strengthen your prayer life:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
When Your Prayer for Pain Relief Goes Unanswered
Check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs as well. There are many great options for your spiritual growth!
I loved reading your thoughts on this! I believe God can heal but I think we need to be guided by him in what we are praying for, as you are doing. It’s easy to get fixated on physical healing when often there is a lot of deeper work God wants to do in us.
So true! Thank you for reading and commenting, I appreciate the feedback! Blessings! 😊
So agree. I have a rare bone disease and have written a very similar blog post recently. I believe healing can come in many ways with acceptance of our circumstances being one of those . Thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights xx
Thank you for sharing yours as well! I’m going to go read your article now! Blessings to ya! 😊
I can so relate to this. I thought no one else understood, and I am so glad I found your post. I have chronic migraines and no one understands that I’m not praying for healing, I’m just praying for a closer walk with Jesus. Thank you, Annie. For letting me know I’m not alone.
Praise the Lord, I’m glad it was a blessing to you. It does help to ease the suffering when we realize we’re not walking this path alone. Praying for you! 🙂
Now this is BEAUTIFUL! Real, raw, powerful. I just know your words are going to resonate with some many!!
I really hope so! Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I appreciate your feedback! Blessings! 😊
I love hearing testimonies like this! The change of hear is the greatest power the Holy Spirit does! I have a dear friend who through her chronic pain has used it to bring so many people to the Lord. I’m always amazed at the ministry god has blessed her with despite her chronic pain. Many blessings to you! Thank you for writing!!
Praise the Lord, what a blessing! 🙂
Annie – Oh no I am confused now. I quit praying for healing years ago (for my loved ones.) Instead I pray all around it. For strength, wisdom, for me to be the momma they need, and much more.
Then last week we had a sermon on healing and I went back to praying about healing. In doing that I had to face some startling things about why I quit praying for healing. Now I know God can heal but the big question is will he? I also know it will be in his timing.
Yet, when I pray for healing it does drive me closer to GOD but at the same time I got tired of being disappointed he didn’t heal.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer any type of prayer is great. I love your list of what you pray for.
Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up.
Maree
I am praying for you right now!!!! I am praying for healing for you as well as all the things you listed. Im sorry you have to live with chronic pain. It must be hard at times.
It’s hard every day, but it does drive me closer to Jesus and He gives me the strength I need. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with praying for healing, it’s biblical. But for me, physical healing is not the primary prayer need. It may be for you, so please don’t let me influence you to stop praying for your healing. We each have a personal relationship with Jesus, and He knows the deep needs of our soul and the issues of our heart. The Spirit reveals how we should pray and what areas we need to repent, surrender, obey, and grow in. How He deals with me is not going to be how He handles you. If the Lord is laying on your heart to pray for healing then definitely do it! I’ll be praying for you too!! Thank you so much for your feedback! 😊
There are still many things in life that are hard to understand this side of heaven and healing is one of them.
I was miraculously healed in 1984, lost my healing in 2010 but regained it in 2018.
My husband has been praying for healing for 7 years, a miracle of a new kidney but has not received it, yet. Some are healed right away while others do not receive their healing. Such a mystery.
You’re right though, that God is concerned with our heart issues more than our physical health. I appreciate your point of view on this and I’d like to examine this further. Thanks for sharing your heart!
Thank you for reading and for your feedback! I’ll be praying for your husband! Blessings to ya! 🙂
Though I cannot identify with your struggle, I think you have gotten to the point Jesus wants us to be in. I did a bible study by Laura Story recently that really explores this kind of thing. Jesus is much more concerned about our salvation/eternal health than our current health in this world. There were certainly people in each town he visited that didn’t get their healing for one reason or another. Ultimately he wants us in heaven with him. This world is wretched and sadly pain is part of that. I like Natalie Grant’s song “More Than Anything”. I sang it at church recently as a solo. The lyrics really help me come to terms with the fact that we will have trouble in this world, but we can overcome with Jesus (not necessarily healing or solutions to our emotional issues).
So true!! Thank you for reading and commenting! You’re a blessing! 😊
Wow this is such a great post. Something I really needed to read.
Praise the Lord! I’m glad it was a blessing to ya! 🙂
I’m your Mom – I will never cease to pray for your complete and total healing ……..but most of all my daily prayer is for your relationship with Jesus to continue to grow and that you will love and serve Him well all the days of your life. Your faithfulness to Him in spite of your illness proves that my prayer is being answered every day.
I have no doubt the Lord will release you from this pain when the time is right. “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36
I love you sweet daughter. I am always amazed at your great love for God. I praise Him for your faith!
Thank you for your prayers, love, and support. You’re the best mom and I love you so much! 🙂