My dear friend and his wife recently got C19 and I had an opportunity to pray for them. The Lord has pressed upon my heart that I Need to not only pray for things specifically but to also believe that God will answer my prayers.
The Lord brought me to a passage in scripture right before the news came to me about my friends. Acts chapter 2 is a message by Peter to those who would soon become believers and start the vital church in Jerusalem. And I thought the Lord was bringing me to this for another reason but like many things in our walk of faith, sometimes the Lord has other plans doesn’t He?
The initial response of Peter was due to the crowd mocking the disciples because of the things they were saying as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The crowd was confused, and it was their natural response to ask “what ever could this mean?”
It says that when Peter heard the people he “raised his voice “ and I believe that he not only was speaking louder thus subjecting the crowds din, but he was also raising His prayers to God in belief that the Holy Spirit would bring more disciples into the fold. They had been obedient to the word of God in Psalm 109:8 “let another take his office” and now they were going to be obedient no matter what. Even if sudden events came upon them suddenly like they did on the day of Pentecost.
And so our response in obedience should be the same as Peter. Even when we have not been faithful and even denied the Lord. If we read that Jesus was praying to the Father then we know He is also praying for us too.
With boldness we can know that the Lord can heal those He wills to do so with. Corona or cancer, we can have the confidence that if we believe in the gospel we are new creations in Christ. God raised His own Son up from the pains of death because it was not possible that He should be held by it. Acts 2:24
So when we hear of others who are sick let us pray with the same boldness as Peter did, and David did before him in saying
“Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’”
Acts 2:26, 28 NKJV
Prayer for them to receive rest from the Lord. Don’t make it sound morbid, maybe even tell them that and have a great opportunity to share the gospel with them.
As Jesus said regarding Lazarus “this sickness will not be unto death”
So as Peter said “speak freely”, and share the love of Christ with them.
Pray for them, and believe that they will be healed. If you have any doubt that they won’t either because of a lack of faith on your own behalf or because they are most saved, just remember that God will do as He promised. He poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples, and to you, and He will do it again.
May you grow in the Lord and gladly receive His Word today.