It’s Always OK to Pray for Healing

I've been approached more than once by someone who, in their grief, tells me, "I prayed they would be healed. I should have prayed for something else, like peace." It's easy to think that spiritual healing and a physical cure are the same. They are not, I assure you. I've witnessed healing in the moment of death. Therefore, I am inclined to say that it's always OK to pray for healing.

You may be inclined to remind me that when Jesus healed people, they were physically cured. I'd invite you to consider the means of communication at the time of Jesus. Telephones, computers, and even the printing press had yet to be invented. Yet thousands came to hear Jesus speak parables. It is a safe assumption that the means of communication was the dramatic healing events that, yes, included a cure, that people experienced in Jesus's presence. If not for those dramatic events, Jesus's ministry would not have reached nearly as many people.

I'd also point out that, ironically, Jesus was not one to take credit for such dramatic events. In three Bible passages, Jesus told people who had a healing experience in his presence, "Your faith has made you well." (These were the blind man, the woman that bled and touched the hem of his garment, and the 10 lepers.)

It is important to note, as we explore the difference between healing and curing, that in some translations of the Bible, Jesus stated, "Your faith has made you whole," instead of well.

Theologian Myrtle Fillmore wrote: "What is the spiritual meaning of the words health and to heal? The words are from the same root as the word whole. Heal comes from the Saxon helium: to cover, to conceal, and to be made whole. The Danish verb heelen, to heal, is equivalent to being whole, entire, and holy. A state of health is a condition of wholeness, completeness, and entireness. The word holy is from the same root as the word heal. Holiness and health in their root significance are the same and are a state of wholeness."

Out of curiosity, I looked up the root of the word cure. While care, concern, trouble, those who administer care, and even some spirituality is implied, there is one word noticeably absent from the root of cure; that was the root of the word heal. Holy.

When we examine the word holy, we understand it to have several meanings, including being consecrated or dedicated to God or possessing Divine qualities.

So, while a cure from a disease can be included in a healing event, healing is more of a sacred or holy event. Conversely, a cure may or may not have an aspect of holiness. Do you see why it might be OK to pray for healing even if a cure is not anticipated?

However, if we are engaging with a person, praying with them, it's essential to explore what healing means to them personally. It's fabulous to ask, "Tell me, what does healing look like to you?" It can open the doors of heartfelt, authentic discussion about what's going on with someone we care about.

Nurses have a scope of practice that includes physical, mental, and spiritual health. It is safe to say that healing falls under the category of spiritual health. Spiritual health can be evidenced by a life of faith, a sense of purpose, and peace with our circumstances. All things I consider holy and sacred are indeed Divine qualities or attributes associated with healing and wholeness.

While we know it's not always possible to have good physical or mental health, good spiritual health is ALWAYS possible.

So yes, yes, yes. It’s always OK to pray for healing.

I thank you for reading, be blessed this day.