CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 707

“ Promote Healing”

Isaiah 53: 5 (ESV) But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
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I banged my thumb at work and took a large chunk of skin off of the knuckle. Over the next few weeks as I dressed the wound each day, I marveled at the way God has designed our bodies to recover from their wounds and heal. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. – Psalm 139:14

As I reflected on our bodies’ ability to heal from wounds, the Lord spoke to my heart about the wounds suffered in His body – the church. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. – 1 Cor 12:27

As Christians, we remain imperfect beings in this world and we will on occasion hurt other people whether at work, in our families and neighborhoods and yes, even others in the church body. The Body of Christ, like our human bodies can be wounded. Medical science teaches us that in order to promote healing in our physical bodies we must have a proper diet, avoid prolonged pressure at the wound site, and to bathe the wound. Is such advice equally applicable to the spiritual Body of Christ in promoting healing?

Diet – Our physical bodies require a diet rich in protein and essential vitamins to promote healing. We need a spiritual diet rich in God’s Word to promote healing in the church body. Jesus is the living Word of God and it is essential that we remain in communion with Him for wounds to be healed. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. – John 6:55

Avoid Pressure – A festering sore will not heal if it is under prolonged pressure and chafing. Within the church body of believers, gossip only serves to chafe and delay healing. The taking of sides by others only serves to apply pressure to the wounded party or parties and further prevent healing.

Bathe the Wound – A warm, gentle sitz bath cleanses the wound and promotes healing. Likewise, wounds suffered in the church body should be bathed with the water of the Word of God in prayer.

… if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. – Gal 6:1

Imagine that the only recourse to my wounded thumb was for its amputation. This sounds ridiculous, yet it seems that far too often that is the recourse of choice within the local church body. Sadly, it has been said that the Christian church is the only ‘army’ that shoots its own wounded. We quench the presence of God by our pridefulness and intentional failure to forgive or seek forgiveness. People harbor unforgiveness and wonder why their prayers about the situation are not heard. The continual pressure applied when the root of bitterness is allowed to take hold only serves to effectively ‘amputate’ the ‘limb’ from the local church body.

As Christians we are sanctified, set apart, and called to be different from the world. If you have been wounded or are an involved party in your church body’s woundedness, can you rise up in spiritual maturity by the power of God’s Holy Spirit and promote healing?

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God