As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. (Acts 9:32-35)
James said: “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will raise them up.” (James 5:13-15)
James’ words are a promise for restoration when we’re sick or in trouble. Aeneas was one of the Lord’s people who prayed. I can imagine he praised God every day for the people who carried him on his mat and made sure he was fed because the name Aeneas means to praise. He also surrounded himself with leaders of the church. Peter was there and healed him with faith in the name of the Lord. His prayer made Aeneas well and the Lord raised him up.
We often pray, “God, if it’s your well, please heal me.” That’s all we do and expect to be healed. But God wants us to pray bold words of faith such as, “Jesus Christ heals you.” And He wants us to praise Him even when we need others to carry us. He also wants us to ask leaders in the body of Christ to pray over us. When we do all these things, the Lord will lift us up. We’ll respond in faith and pack up our mats because when we’re with Jesus, we can walk on our own two feet.
Father God, I praise you because you’re the Great Healer. Thank you for your promise to restore me when I pray to you, praise you, and call on people in the body of Christ to pray over me with a prayer of faith. I will be restored, and you will lift me up. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.