Prayer, the First Response

The dilemma for many Christians is whether to pray for healing or go to the doctor when they have an illness or injury. The other day I tweaked my knee playing softball. I already had sore Achilles tendons from a two day 150 mile bike ride. The next morning when my knee and ankles hurt so much as I hobbled down the flight of stairs I began to analyze the situation. The Achilles inflammation and swelling will go down with ice and rest. The knee had been looked at three years ago by a doctor who felt I may have torn my meniscus.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of the order I take with a headache. Pray first and take an aspirin only if the headache persists. While, medicine and medical techniques have been revealed to us by God they only go so far. Healing from God is 100% restoration. There are times I persist in prayer and after struggling with a headache all day I take an aspirin and get relief. Why is it that I cannot pray away something as simple as a headache?

I have no good answer, but prayer is still my first response.

Jesus’ disciples saw 5000 people fed with five loaves of bread and 4000 with seven loaves. After experiencing the supernatural they should not ever worry about lack in the natural. But they did.

Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The religious leaders were not teaching about Jesus as the way, truth and light for all their needs, even physical needs. The disciples tasted of the supernatural provision from Jesus and should trust Him first for all their needs.

I have experienced a supernatural healing in my body in the past. Today, I am reaching for prayer concerning my torn and sore tendons and meniscus.

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