Monday Morning Devotion-February 14, 2022

Ifs, Ands or Buts

*from a July 8, 2013 devotion

The boy's father said, "If you can do anything take pity on us and help us."  Jesus answered, "If you can?  Everything is possible for him who believes."      Mark 9:22-23

           Here's what attracted me to this topic.  "We speak a definite, straightforward declaration of what is to be. We do not weaken our request with ifs, ands or buts."    Talking about prayer.

            That's what I read concerning "Healing Prayer" in a book I have often quoted and highly recommend:  "Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home" by Richard Foster.  I'll be drawing heavily on that chapter in this devotion.  A lot of what I write today will be Foster's thoughts seconded by me.

            How much do you know about healing prayer?  If you are like meÐnot enough.  Although I have seen its resultsÐa lot.  There is still a, uh, sort of disconnect for me.  A little haziness about it even though I fully believe God hears and answers prayers for healing.

            First, Foster says: "Healing Prayer is part of the normal Christian lifeÐIt is simply a normal aspect of what it means to live under the reign of God."

            He points out that God employs "an infinite variety of means to bring health and well-being to His people." Basically, he is telling us not to simply pray for someone's healings and expect a miracle.  Is God still doing those kinds of healing-miracles?  Absolutely He is. But He could choose another method of healing.

            He often uses His "friends" the doctors "who with skill and compassion help our bodies fight against disease and sickness. "

            Yes, God could use one of the miracles of healings that Jesus employed.  Like the one Jesus used in Mark 9:22 when approached by a father whose son was demon-possessed.  They needed a miracle. 

            So, in faith the father came to Jesus to ask for relief from this demon who had plagued his son from birth.  He had faith, but he had a glimmer of doubt, too.  Imagine that.  Not total, 100% faith.  Certainly, we are not like that right?  When we pray for someone's healing, especially if it is our own, we have no doubts in our minds about the outcome.  Sure! Truth be told there are many hopeful prayers offered up that have a tinge of doubt attached.

            Thankfully the Lord heals anyway because He loves us.  Faith is a big factor.  There are other factors, but Foster provides us with "four straightforward steps" that provide a logical approach to healing prayer.

            First, we must listen. We listen to people.  We listen to God.  People even in casual discussion, without asking for prayer support, may reveal a deep-seated need.  If we are listening closely, we can often perceive this.  In that case, when we detect this need, we should ask them if we could pray for them and for that need in particular. 

            Foster says, "In over twenty years of praying for people in this manner, I have yet to have one person turn me down---and I have done this in airports and shopping malls and crowded hallways.  It is the most natural thing to show love and concern in this way."

            He says that we are also listening to God and asking Him to show us the key to the problem.  And that leads into the next step.

            Second, we ask.  And it is in writing about this step that Foster revealed the information that intrigued me.  Of course, he logically pointed out is that this step is one of faith.  Makes sense if we don't have faith that this petition will be granted why ask in the first place?

            Here's what I find interesting.  Foster says, "As we come to clearness about what is needed, we invite God's healing to come.  We speak a definite straightforward declaration of what is to be.  We don't weaken our request with ifs, ands, or buts."

            How many times have you heard someone, or you might even have prayed this way yourself?  You pray for something then put an "if "on it.  Or you say "but if it is not your will then help meÐ"  This presents a tentativeness, a tinge of doubt, a way of letting God off the hook.  Okay so we can't force God to answer a prayer just like we want him too. We can't put pressure on Him and expect to get what we want. He's not really on the hook, i.e., obligated to act.

            The good news is that we don't have to.  He loves us and He wants what is best for us.  If there aren't other extenuating circumstances standing immediately in the way He will grant this prayer for healing.  It has happened many, many times.  A lot of those solutions, those answered prayers defy human understanding.  They are supernatural.  Only God knows how it was done.

            So, the point is to ask boldly, and in faith, calling on God's promises (here's where knowledge of the scriptures helps) and while not commanding, strongly expecting, and believing that the desired result will be attained.

            Will that always be the case?  Not always?  Why?  I have the same answer Foster does:  "I don't know."

            The third step is we believe.  That goes hand-in-hand with the faith factor.  We should boldly ask then believe "with the whole person: body, mind, spirit."  If doubts creep in simply ask like the father of the demon-possessed child did when he said, "I believe; help my unbelief (doubts)."

            Focus on God's trustworthiness and steadfast love.  As Francis MacNutt writes: "Personally I prefer to concentrate on the love of God made visible in Jesus, from which flows His healing power."

            Finally, we give thanks. This step is one of gratitude.  It is simple courtesy for a prayer heard, a request answered, a gift bestowed.  God loves to hear our thanks, praise, and appreciation of His love in action.

Prayer: Lord, we give you thanks and praise your name for continued answers to our prayers for healing.  Amen!