Why Aren't We Healed Instantly When We Pray For Healing?

Dennis Edwards

Why don't we get the answers to prayer immediately or in the way we desire or ask? Why does God take so long to answer our prayers? Why aren’t we instantly healed when we pray for healing? Answer: God may be more interested in the formation of our character, than in the instant healing our bodies. Apostle Paul wrote, 

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." [2 Corinthians 4:16-18.]

God may know that the forming of our character, the lessons we are learning, are more important than His instantly and miraculously healing us. He does heal when the conditions are right for the results that He Himself wants to bring. Until then, we have to wait and approach God in all we do and say. He is the Sovereign Lord and the healing will come in His time. If it doesn't, the lessons we learn on perseverance will make up for the physical healing. Our transformed character and personality will shine forth the interior healing that has taken place.

Martha and Mary were dismayed that Jesus didn't come immediately and heal their brother when he was sick. Jesus purposely waited until Lazarus was dead. He was doing a bigger miracle and testing the hearts and minds of his beloved disciples, Mary and Martha. He wanted their declaration of faith and the conversation that they had to be a record for all eternity that He was the resurrection and the life. God had tested Job in the Old Testament in a similar manner. Job passed the test and proclaimed, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” [Job 13:15.] A promise sweet that many have since held on to. The Bible says, "Jesus wept." [John 11:35.] Then He called forth Lazarus as a testimony to His healing power, and to the promise of the Resurrection that would take place only a few days away.

In His time, Jesus will call forth our healing, but if He doesn't, we will keep on believing and growing in faith and in trust and in drawing closer to Him day by day. In the Psalms we read, “The righteous God tries the hearts and reins,” or our inner being. [Psalm 7:9b] God tests our faith to see if it’s pure gold faith. He allows us to go through the fire, to see if we’ll come out as ashes, or real gold. We are in our test of faith, the fiery trial of our faith that James, the brother of Jesus, and Apostle Peter both wrote about.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (or various trials); knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience." [James 1:2-3.]  

 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." [1 Peter 1:7.]

We will not doubt though all our ships, "or hopes," come home with broken sails. We know Whom we have believed and we are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him until that day. [2 Timothy 1:12.]

If He doesn't heal us, He will teach us how to overcome our difficulties, and make us more than conquerors through Him in Whom we have believed and Who loves us. [Romans 8:37.] He will teach us how to bear the pain and smile through our sorrows. Though our hearts or bodies be broken, our faith will be strong, as we cling to Him, Who is the author and finisher of our faith and our lives. We will trust in Him no matter what happens. We will cling to Him in the good times and in the bad. He loves each of us and is working all things together for our good and will prove His love to us through it all. [Romans 8:28.] He tell us, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.” [1 Corinthians 2:9.]

God bless each one as we cling to Him and that old rugged cross. The symbol of Christianity is a cross, a symbol of suffering. We need to embrace the cross and grow through it. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] Whether or not we are healed or rescued, whatever happens, let it be a testimony to the love of our wonderful God and Saviour. Let us trust Him through it all, and in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning each one of us! [1 Thessalonians 5:18.] "But let it rather be healed." [Hebrews 12:13.]

May He help us to keep on keeping on in all we do and say, as we wait for that healing or answer to prayer. God is on the throne and prayer changes things!