Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Healing Through Worship

Psalm 20
V7 “Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
    but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.” 
                                                              

What does healing and worship have to do with each other? Some would have us believe that if we attend their worship sessions, we will walk out being healed of our diseases. Is this what is taught in scripture? We need to reflect on what worship and healing are. Worship in its simplest definition is to ascribe worth. However the word itself doesn’t capture the totality of what can be seen in Biblical worship is. Worship is not only an event, it is a life-changing experience that is supposed to lead to action. We see an example of this happening in the vision of Isaiah. We see a sequence of events which includes the heavenly beings praising God, Isaiah recognizing the holiness of God which leads to a penitent heart, God calling for action, Isaiah responding to God’s call, and God cleansing and preparing Isaiah to carry out His work. In the New Testament we see an instance of worship which led to a conversion experience. In Acts 16, we see Paul and Silas worshipping God while imprisoned. Their worship was so powerful that an earthquake ensued causing the doors of the jail to open and them being freed from their chains. This incident brought about the conversion of the jailer.
It would also be wise to reevaluate our thoughts about healing. It should expand to include the healing of our body, mind, soul, and spirit. When thinking about healing as seen in the Bible, we tend to think of all of the healing signs performed by Jesus or Naaman being healed by Elisha. However scriptures reveal the healing also can be spiritual.  1 Peter 2:24 says, “by his wounds, you have been healed.” Proverbs 17: 22 teaches us about the importance of emotional health, “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” Acts 10:38 describes an aspect of Jesus ministry by saying, “He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Proverbs 3:7-8 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.” This reveals the natural effect that godly living can have in your life. We should also expect sickness and suffering as believers as we see in the life of Job and Paul. Both these individuals did not allow their illness and suffering to get in the way of worship. In the midst of his suffering Job was able to say, “the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Paul was able to rely on God’s promise, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
Psalm 20 gives us a powerful tool in combating the various sickness that those around us suffer from. We see in the first few verses a people interceding on behalf of the King for success against the enemy. This unified prayer give the king confidence and assuredness of God’s provision. Intercession and supplication are a key component of our worship. As a community of believers, when we intercede with unity of purpose, we will be a source of strength to those for whom we pray. They will be able to say with confidence, “we shall rise and stand upright.”

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank for your promise of seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened. Help us to be a community of believers that intercede for the healing of those around us. Help us to always remember that unwavering faith and reliance in you are of utmost importance in our prayer life. Please bring healing into our lives and the land as whole. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When we are committed to God, he becomes our strength.

Vivin Varghese

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more