“Praying for the sick is a most solemn thing, and we should not enter upon this work in any careless, hasty way. Examination should be made as to whether those who would be blessed with health have indulged in evil speaking, alienation and dissension. Have they sewed discord among the brethren and sisters in the church? If these things have been committed they should be confessed before God and before the church. When wrongs have been confessed, the subjects of prayer may be presented before God in earnestness and in faith, as the Spirit of God may move upon you. But it is not always safe to ask for unconditional healing. Let your prayer include this thought, ‘Lord, thou knowest every secret of the soul. Thou art acquainted with these persons: for Jesus their Advocate, gave His life for them. He loves them better than we possibly can. If, therefore, it is for thy glory, and the good of these afflicted ones to raise them up to health, we ask in the name of Jesus, that health may be given them at this time.’ In a petition of this kind no lack of faith is manifested. There. are cases that are clear and the Lord works with His divine power, decidedly, in their restoration. The will of God is evidenced too plainly to be misunderstood.
“The ‘Lord doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.’ ‘Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him; for He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.’ He knows our hearts: for He reads every secret of the soul. He knows whether or not those for whom petitions are offered would be able to endure the trial and test that would come upon them if they lived. He knows the end from the beginning. Many will be laid away to sleep in Jesus before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon the world. This is another reason why· we should say after our earnest petition, ‘Nevertheless not my will, but thine, 0 Lord, be done.’ Such a petition will never be registered in heaven as a faithless prayer.
‘The apostle was bidden to write, ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors: and their works do follow them.’ From this we can see that everyone is not to be raised up, and if they are not raised to health, they should not be judged as unworthy of eternal life. If Jesus the world’s Redeemer prayed, ‘0 My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me,’ and added, ‘Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt,’ how very appropriate is it for poor finite mortals to make the same surrender to the wisdom and will of God.
“In praying for the sick, we are to pray that if it be God’s will that they may be raised to health, but if not, that He will give them His grace to comfort, His presence to sustain them in their suffering. Many who should set their house in order, neglect to do it when they have hope that they will be raised to health in answer to prayer. Buoyed up by false hope, they do not feel the need of saying words of exhortation and counsel to their children, parents and friends, and it is a great misfortune. Accepting the assurance that they would be healed when prayed for, they would dare not make a reference as to how their property shall be disposed of, how their family is to be cared for, or express any wish concerning matters of which they should speak, if they thought they should be removed by death. In this way disasters are brought upon the family and friends, for many things that should be understood, are left unmentioned, because they fear expression on these points would be a denial of their faith. Believing they will be raised to health by prayer, they fail to make use of hygienic measures which are within their power to use, fearing it would be a denial of their faith.
“I thank the Lord that is it is our privilege to cooperate with Him in the work of restoration, availing
ourselves of all possible advantages in the recovery, of health. It is no denial of our faith to place ourselves in the conditions most favorable for recovery.”
“Prayer For the Sick.” E. White.