Before you respond (or react) to this question, this focuses on a specific scenario in which we will analyze together.
Let me paint a picture for you:
You are a pastor. You routinely pray for people each Sunday during a time of ministry. You know that it’s important, and you certainly believe in the power of prayer.
You noticed that one particular parishioner, let’s call her Bernice, routinely asks you for prayer for persistent numbness in her feet and mysterious nonhealing wounds on her lower legs. She tells you the numbness is beginning to affect her balance and she is very concerned about the open wounds increasing tendencies for infection.
You pray over her, agreeing for healing, week after week. However, Bernice continues to return with the same prayer request and no change in symptoms. Upon further discussion, you eventually find out that Bernice has a group of symptoms that are called type 2 diabetes. You also find out that she is routinely seeking doctor’s care, and they tell her repeatedly to avoid sugars, processed foods, grains and other refined foods that are driving the current existing condition.
When considering this scenario, here’s some questions: What is your specific prayer about now? Did it change? What is your agreement? What is healing? Is healing for the numbness to go away? The wounds to heal? Or is your prayer that Bernice will be healed of type 2 diabetes?
We bring up these questions since we have previously educated our readers on self-driven disease processes. To that end, it is clear that choices have contributed and are contributing to Bernice’s current condition.
Based upon that, our prayer should center on a change in mindset, therefore, a change in choices.
It is very important to understand that changing mindset and certain behaviors are extremely difficult when we’re talking about lifestyle. Could Bernice lose something by getting well? Perhaps she could lose your comfort, attention and prayers as her pastor? Would this make her happy or give her a letdown?
The purpose of this is to get one thinking about the possibility that there exists a deception wrapped around finding comfort in the midst of a continued disease process. Remember, Satan, our enemy, is the master of telling us that diseases are only supposed to be managed. Jesus, however, exhibited complete healing and total remediation of disease processes.
The encouragement is this—discern how to pray, be bold with instruction and encouragement and understand that people need to be loved and experience true healing. {eoa}
Mark Sherwood, naturopathic doctor, is on a mission to help you achieve wellness in every area of your life. Dr. Sherwood and his wife, Michele L. Neil-Sherwood, D.O., have a successful medical practice, the Functional Medical Institute; have a television and radio program; and provide resources, including their Amazon bestseller, The Quest for Wellness; nutrition plans; fitness instructional videos and helpful mental and emotional steps to provide relief from stress and to help people form better habits so they can live well.
