Sickness
Sickness and disease have historically dictated infant mortality rates and determined life expectancy. The human race is at war with disease constantly, and the medical profession has certainly made great strides in my lifetime. It is a strange irony that the success in battling disease in infancy and old age has led to increased life expectancy which is a major contributor to the pensions crisis we face, and the higher cost of care means the NHS and social care requires a bigger share of the public purse (increasing from 3% of GDP in the early 1950s to around 7% today in the UK – more than 10% in much of Europe).
Wherever Jesus went, he spent much of his time and energy in healing the sick, raising the dead and performing healing miracles. Clearly it was a high priority for Jesus, and if we are to ask "what would Jesus do" then we are called to do likewise.
Perhaps you are not convinced about prayer and healing? Remember what Jesus said:
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Luke 10: 1-2 [NIV]
Many people who are physically healthy have some mental or spiritual sickness that needs to be dealt with. Lifestyle issues can affect our health – living in the world can lead us to be infected with some of the malaise that comes with the territory…
Many who are suffering from physical ill health find themselves facing it alone in hospital or in care. Can you visit someone this week? How else can you help those who are lonely, elderly or suffering?
Dave MacLellan
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