32 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud
The Bible calls God "the LORD that healeth thee" (Exodus 15:26). Jesus healed the sick everywhere He went, and Isaiah 53:5 says "with his stripes we are healed." Scripture invites us to pray for healing (James 5:14-16) and promises God heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3), now in part and fully in the resurrection.
Prayers and promises that point to God as the one who heals.
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Jeremiah 17:14
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
saying, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, then I will not bring on you any of the diseases I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Exodus 15:26
How it is used today: Used as the root of the name Jehovah-Rapha, 'the Lord who heals': a promise that God heals today, and for some that He keeps disease away from those who obey Him.
First spoken: God spoke this to Israel at Marah, three days after crossing the Red Sea, when the water was bitter (15:22-25). It is a covenant promise with an 'if': if Israel listens and obeys, He will not put on them the diseases He brought on Egypt.
The early Christians: We found no early Christian comment on this verse in our library.
Keep in mind: First a promise to Israel in the wilderness, tied to keeping the covenant. It shows God cares for His people's health, but it is not a promise that no believer today will ever be sick.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds — He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 103:2-4
How it is used today: Used as a call to thankfulness for forgiveness and healing; some teach that all our sins, past and future, are forgiven, and some claim healing as part of God's covenant.
First spoken: David praises God for His mercies to him and to Israel (Psalm 103:7-18). The same psalm says God forgives those who fear Him and keep His covenant (103:11, 17-18).
The early Christians: Chrysostom (2 Corinthians, Homily 3) quotes these verses only for God crowning us with mercy. On the forgiveness the psalm praises, Clement of Alexandria teaches that God forgives sins already committed, and that for sins still to come a person must repent and stop sinning (he tells the thief to steal no more). Chrysostom says forgiveness comes again through repentance after baptism.
“So God grants forgiveness for past sins. But for sins still to come, each person grants it to himself. And this is what it is to repent: to condemn the things past, and to ask amnesty for them from the Father — who alone of all is able to undo what has been done, by His own mercy and by the dew of the Spirit wiping out the previous sins.” Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
“So then, before you learned that it is possible for our sins to be washed away through repentance, were you not in deep distress because there is no second laver? Were you not in despair about yourselves? But now we have learned how repentance and forgiveness come to a successful end, and that we will be able to escape completely if we are willing to use it rightly.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Hebrews
The difference: Today this verse is sometimes read as God having already forgiven every sin we will ever commit. The early writers, teaching on the same forgiveness, say God forgives past sins, and later sins are forgiven through repentance and turning from them (Clement, Chrysostom), not by a one-time pardon for all future sin.
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Jeremiah 30:17
How it is used today: Used as a promise that God will heal my body and restore my health.
First spoken: Jeremiah wrote it to Israel and Judah in exile in Babylon. It comes in the 'Book of Consolation' (chapters 30-33), after God says their wound is incurable because of their sin (30:12-15), and it promises their return and a rebuilt city (30:3, 30:18).
The early Christians: We found no early Christian comment on this verse in our library.
Keep in mind: First a promise to Israel returning from captivity. It shows God keeps His word to restore His people, but it is not a promise that every reader will be healed.
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.
Nevertheless, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal its people and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Jeremiah 33:6
O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 30:2
19Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 107:19-20
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Malachi 4:2
Jesus healed the sick, and His suffering brings healing to the whole person.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 53:5
How it is used today: Used to teach penal substitution: on the cross Jesus took the punishment our sins deserved, in our place, satisfying God's justice, so that all who trust Him are forgiven and "healed" of sin.
First spoken: Isaiah's fourth Servant Song (52:13-53:12), written centuries before Christ, about the Servant who suffers for the sins of the people. The New Testament applies it to Jesus: Matthew 8:17 (v. 4, healings), Acts 8:32-35 (v. 7-8), and 1 Peter 2:24, which adds that we were healed so that we might "live for righteousness" and follow His example (2:21).
The early Christians: The early Christians fully agreed that Christ was wounded for our sins, bore our curse, and heals us by His wounds. Justin adds that this forgiveness is ours if we repent and follow His commandments, and Clement of Rome reads the chapter as Christ's example of humility that we must copy.
“Let none of you say: If His Father wanted Him to suffer so that the human race might be healed by His wounds, we have done nothing wrong. If you truly repent of your sins, recognize Him as Christ, and follow His commandments, then you can claim this; for, as I said before, remission of sins will be yours.” Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho
“You see, beloved, the example that has been given to us; for if the Lord humbled Himself like this, what shall we do who have through Him come under the yoke of His grace?” Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians
The difference: Today this verse is used mainly to explain how the cross works: Jesus took God's punishment in our place, so trusting Him is enough. The early Christians agreed He suffered for our sins, but they used the verse to call people to repent, keep His commandments and follow His humble example, as 1 Peter 2:21-24 also does.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Peter 2:24
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 9:35
And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
“Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Mark 5:34
40And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 42And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Mark 1:40-42
16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 8:16-17
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 4:18
Scripture invites the sick, and the church, to pray.
14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about James 5:14-15
How it is used today: Used to teach that the elders' prayer of faith can heal the sick, with the anointing seen as a symbol or a medicine and the forgiveness as God answering a believer's own confession.
First spoken: James writes to scattered Jewish believers (James 1:1) about a sick person in the church who calls the elders. Verse 16 goes straight on to confessing sins to one another and praying for one another.
The early Christians: Chrysostom quotes James 5:14-15 as proof that the Church's priests (elders) have authority to forgive sins after baptism, and elsewhere speaks of people who put away disease by anointing themselves with oil in faith. He also lists the priests' prayer among the ways sins are forgiven.
“But our priests have received authority to deal, not with bodily leprosy, but with spiritual uncleanness. They do not merely pronounce it removed after examination, but actually and absolutely take it away.” John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood
“For they have authority to forgive sins not only at the time of regeneration, but afterward as well. "Is any sick among you?" it says. "Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood
The difference: Today most Protestants read this as prayer for healing, often with oil as a symbol, and many do not link it to the priests' forgiving sins. Chrysostom reads it as the elders' office: they pray and anoint the sick, and God forgives the sins of the sick person through them, even after baptism.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about James 5:16
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 6:2
The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 41:3
Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
“Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Kings 20:5
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 3 John 1:2
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 147:3
How it is used today: Used as a comfort for grief, heartbreak and emotional pain: God personally heals those who are hurting.
First spoken: This psalm praises God for rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering the outcasts of Israel (Psalm 147:2), so the first healing in view is God restoring His scattered people. Verse 4 goes on to His counting the stars.
The early Christians: We found no early Christian comment on this verse in our library.
Keep in mind: The early writers in our library say nothing direct about this verse. It was first a promise to Israel's exiles, God gathering and restoring His people, and believers since have taken it as comfort for the hurting.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 34:18
How it is used today: Used to comfort anyone who is grieving or hurting: God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues the crushed in spirit.
First spoken: David wrote this after escaping Abimelech (1 Samuel 21). The verse is about those who are humble and repentant before God, the 'contrite in spirit', set against the proud.
The early Christians: No Father in our library explains Psalm 34:18 itself. Our library links it to the same words in Psalm 51:17, 'a broken spirit... a contrite heart': Chrysostom uses them for deep humility before God, Clement of Rome says God wants confession, and Irenaeus calls this the true sacrifice that draws us near to God.
“He shows us a spirit that is not only made low, but completely broken, when he says, "The sacrifice for God is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humble heart God will not despise."” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew
“The Lord, brothers, needs nothing and desires nothing from anyone except that they confess to Him. For the chosen David says, "I will confess to the Lord, and that will please Him more than a young bull with horns and hooves. Let the poor see it and be glad." And again he says, "Offer to God the sacrifice of praise and fulfill your vows to the Most High. And call upon Me in the day of your trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." For "the sacrifice of God is a broken spirit."” Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians
The difference: Today the verse is mostly heard as comfort for every kind of sadness. The early Christians, quoting the same words from Psalm 51:17, read 'broken and contrite' as a heart humbled over sin that confesses to God, and that is the person God draws near to.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 17:22
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 16:24
20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 4:20-22
When healing is slow, God gives grace and a sure hope.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 12:9
How it is used today: Used to teach that God's grace is enough for any personal struggle, weakness, illness or hardship, and that He does not always remove it but gives strength to bear it.
First spoken: Paul wrote this to the Corinthians about a "thorn in the flesh" he asked the Lord three times to remove (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). It comes at the end of a list of his hardships for the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-33), and verse 10 names them: insults, needs, persecutions, distresses.
The early Christians: Chrysostom stops to ask what "weakness" means here. He says the word can mean bodily sickness or weak faith, but in this verse it means persecutions, plots, trials and dangers. Tertullian and Cyprian also use the verse for suffering in persecution.
“But there is also a third thing that is called "weakness." What is that? Persecutions, plots, insults, trials, and attacks. Paul points to this when he says, "For this thing I besought the Lord three times. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you: for My power is made perfect in weakness,'" Chapter 12:8, 9. What does "in weakness" mean? It means in persecutions, in dangers, in trials, in plots, and in deaths.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Second Corinthians
“Why, this very thing shows My power. For My power," He says, "is made perfect in weakness, when you are persecuted and yet overcome those who persecute you; when you are troubled and yet defeat those who trouble you; when you are put in chains and yet convert those who put you in chains.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Second Corinthians
The difference: Today the verse is often taken to mean that God's grace covers our own weaknesses, flaws and illnesses. Chrysostom says the "weakness" here is not sickness or weak faith but the persecutions Paul suffered for preaching Christ, and that God's power shows when believers endure them and win over those who harm them.
29He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 40:29-31
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 41:10
How it is used today: Claimed as a personal promise that God is with me, so I need not be afraid: He will strengthen me, help me, and hold me up through whatever I face.
First spoken: God spoke this to Israel: "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend" (Isaiah 41:8). The nations around were afraid and making idols (41:5-7), and God promised that Israel's enemies "shall be as nothing" (41:11-12) as He brought His people back from exile.
The early Christians: We found no early Christian comment on this verse in our library.
Keep in mind: This was first a promise to Israel, God's chosen servant, as He brought them home from exile. It shows that God keeps His word and stands by His people, but it was not spoken as a promise that every reader will be kept from fear, harm or hardship.
16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 8:18
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Revelation 21:4
How it is used today: Used as a comfort that in heaven there are no more tears, pain or death, often read at funerals for loved ones who are now in heaven; careful teachers add that it describes the new heavens and earth after the final judgment, while still teaching that believers go to heaven when they die.
First spoken: John saw this vision while exiled on Patmos and wrote it to seven churches in Asia. It comes after the last judgment (20:11-15) and goes with "a new heaven and a new earth" (21:1) and the holy city "coming down out of heaven from God" (21:2), where "the tabernacle of God is with men" (21:3).
The early Christians: Tertullian reads the verse as a promise for the raised body: "nothing is eternal until after the resurrection," and the eyes God wipes are the same eyes that wept. Irenaeus says the substance of creation is not destroyed but renewed, with the new humanity living on in a new heaven and new earth, and he teaches that the souls of the faithful wait in a place God assigns until the resurrection, and only then, rising bodily, come into God's presence.
“Well, nothing is eternal until after the resurrection. And, he continues, "sorrow and sighing shall flee away." The angel says the same thing to John: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes," in Revelation 7:17. These are indeed the same eyes that had wept before, and that might weep again, if the loving-kindness of God did not dry up every fountain of tears.” Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh
“it is clear that the souls of His disciples also, for whom the Lord underwent these things, shall go away into the invisible place assigned to them by God, and remain there until the resurrection, awaiting that event; then receiving their bodies, and rising wholly, that is bodily, just as the Lord rose, they shall come into the presence of God.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V
The difference: Today this verse is often used to describe heaven, where believers go when they die. The early Christians read it as a promise for the resurrection: the same bodies and eyes that wept will be raised, on a renewed earth, and they taught that the faithful dead wait for that day rather than having it already.
Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.
“O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.”
Psalms 30:2 KJV · 13 words
Listen“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Psalms 147:3 KJV · 11 words
Listen“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 KJV · 15 words
Listen“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 KJV · 15 words
ListenExact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.
“even those who are engaged in healing many sick persons do not attain their goal, the cure of the body, without divine help.”
“He gave strength to the sick and to those weakened by many kinds of diseases, not by any medicine, but at once, by the force and power of His word.”
The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.
rapha Hebrew · Strong’s H7495
to heal, to cure, to make whole
Hear it & see its versesiaomai Greek · Strong’s G2390
to heal, to make whole
Hear it & see its versestherapeuo Greek · Strong’s G2323
to heal, to cure, to serve
Hear it & see its versesGod calls Himself the Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26). Jesus healed every kind of sickness, and the prophets said His wounds would bring healing (Isaiah 53:5). The Bible speaks of healing for the body, the heart and the soul.
Listen: Exodus 15:26 · Isaiah 53:5
The most chosen healing verse is Jeremiah 17:14: "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed." Many also pray Isaiah 53:5 and Psalm 103:2-3, which praise the God who heals.
Listen: Jeremiah 17:14
James says the sick should call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil, and that believers should pray for one another (James 5:14-16). You can also pray the Psalms, like Psalm 6:2, in your own words.
Listen: James 5:14-15
God is able to heal, and often does. Sometimes He gives grace to carry the weakness instead, as He told Paul: "My grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Full healing is promised when God wipes away every tear (Revelation 21:4).
Listen: 2 Corinthians 12:9
Not always. When the disciples asked whose sin made a man blind, Jesus said it was neither his nor his parents' (John 9:2-3). Sickness is part of a fallen world; it is not a sign God has left you.
Listen: John 9:2-3
No. Jesus said "they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (Matthew 9:12), and Paul called Luke "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). Pray, and also get good care from a doctor.
Listen: Matthew 9:12 · Colossians 4:14
Every verse, read aloud
How the early church read itNo early comment
How it is used today: Used as a prayer for healing: 'I can ask God to heal my body or life, and He will.'
First spoken: This is Jeremiah's own prayer, not a promise from God. He is under attack: people mock him with 'Where is the word of the Lord?' (17:15), and he asks to be rescued and vindicated (17:14-18).
The early Christians: We found no early Christian comment on this verse in our library.
Keep in mind: A prophet's own prayer while persecuted, in the voice of 'I.' It shows we may ask God for healing and rescue, but it does not promise that He will heal every request.