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 our physical healing. Our transformed and deepened 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 before coming to heal him. Jesus was interested in doing a bigger miracle. He was testing the hearts and minds of his beloved disciples, Mary and Martha. He wanted their declaration of faith. He wanted the conversation that they had together to be a record for all eternity. He wanted the world to know that He was not only a healer, but in fact, the resurrection and the life. He wanted the world to know that he had power over death. Then the Bible says, "Jesus wept." [John 11:35.] Before actually healing Lazarus, Jesus wept. Then He called forth Lazarus as a testimony to His healing power, and to the promise of the Resurrection.

In His time, Jesus will call forth our healing. He is the Sovereign God, not us. He knows what's best for each and everyone of us. He knows when the time is right for our healing to take place. If for some reason we don't get the healing we desire, at the time we desire, we will keep on believing, and growing in faith. We will trust, that God knows what He's doing, We will draw closer to Him day by day. In the Psalms we read, “The righteous God tries the hearts and reins.” In other words, He tries our inner man. [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. 

In James we read,

"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.]  

If God is trying to teach us patience, maybe He has a good reason for delaying our healing.

Apostle Peter similarly wrote,

 "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.]

Therefore, with praise on our lips we will patiently wait for our healing. 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, in His time. [2 Timothy 1:12.]

If God doesn't heal us, He will teach us how to overcome our difficulties. He will 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 tears and sorrows. Though our hearts or bodies be broken, our faith will be strong. We will 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 cleave to Him in the good times and in the bad. He loves each one of us and is working all things together for our good. [Romans 8:28] He will prove His love to us through it all.  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.]

All we need to do is to cling unto Jesus 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 our suffering. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” [Luke 9:23] 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. Let us in everything give thanks, even in our sicknesses and afflictions, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning each and everyone of us! [1 Thessalonians 5:18.] In God's time and in His way, "let it rather be healed." [Hebrews 12:13.]

May He help each one of us to keep on keeping on in all we do and say, as we wait for that healing or answer to prayer. "Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come." [Habakkuk 2:3b] God is still on the throne and prayer changes things!

Originally published June 2, 2024