6. A Prayer for Healing

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People who are sick want to be healed. Or do they?

I was made aware of a man named Paisios of Mt. Athos who is said to have prayed for cancer so that he would be able to better minister to those who suffered from cancer.


I admit, I did not pray for cancer, but it does bring up the question about the purpose of cancer in my life. I may not have asked for it, but now that I have it, how can it be used for the glory of God? How can I be used for the glory of God?

Why would a person with cancer listen to a person who is in perfect health describe how good God is? Well He IS good, so will I now have more credibility discussing that goodness to others who suffer?

This brings up another question, should I pray to be healed? If God chose to heal me - and He need only say the word - would my healing glorify Him? Or would my healing say to those who continue to suffer that they were somehow not good enough compared to me?  Or that God cares more about me than He does about them?

I also have little to no patience for the idea that MY faith is what determines whether or not I will be healed. How many have deferred or rejected medical treatment based on the false teachings of the prosperity gospel or "faith healers" who expect you to believe you will be healed in order to receive healing? Is God bound by my false beliefs? No, He is not. And He can be moved by our prayers but not coerced by them.

So yes, I want to pray to be healed. I especially want to be around to take care of my wife in our old age. I want to see my kids become grandparents and see  my grandkids become parents. I want to experience a full life of growing to be like Jesus.

I read a beautiful prayer from the Orthodox Ancient Faith that reads as follows:

Merciful Lord, the true comfort and hope of those who suffer, I entreat that You accept the prayers which I offer to You in my affliction. Grant that this sickness which You have permitted to come upon me may bring me closer to You and lead me to a more righteous life.

 Master, You send down upon us both affliction and consolation. You are the Lord of life and health. You alone can raise me up from this bed of sickness. Without Your gracious help I cannot hope to recover.

 It is true that I am a sinner unworthy of Your mercy. But because of Your goodness You receive everyone who turns to You with a humble heart and a repentant spirit.

 My Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. Say to me as You said to the sinful woman, "Your sins are forgiven." Surely I will not forget Your warning to the paralyzed man, "Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." My health is in Your hands. You need say only the word and I will get well again. Yet Your will, not mine, be done. You know best what leads to my health and my salvation. You have bestowed many blessings upon me throughout my life, and I pray that you will not forsake me now, in this time of sickness.

 I bless and glorify Your name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen

 This is my prayer.

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