Acts 9:32–43
Be still: Lord, where I am busy and distracted, settle my soul. Bring my mind and body gently into your presence and lead me in this time of reading your Word. Amen.
Read: Acts 9:32–43
‘Aeneas,' Peter said to him, 'Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.' Immediately Aeneas got up’ (v34)
...Turning toward the dead woman, he said, 'Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.’ (v40)
Encounter: I am struck by the simplicity and boldness of Peter’s words as he prays for healing. Healing prayer can feel daunting, and I may assume it requires complex words, and lengthy prayers. And yet, here we see Peter simply say the words ‘Jesus Christ heals you’ and ‘get up’. Is that it? So short and decisive. And is he allowed to command? So boldly with assurance.
The simplicity and boldness of Peter’s prayers speak to something deeper within. It reflects a clear assurance that healing is of God’s will, that the Holy Spirit lives within him, and he has the power ordained by God to heal. The confidence allows Peter to speak boldly and with few words, for he knows it is not in his control to heal but in God's control. He does not need to convince God with lengthy prayers but to lean into confidence in God's power.
I breathe a sigh of relief. It's exhausting holding on to responsibility especially when praying for healing. How wonderful that we can let go of control anxiety and lean into the knowledge that we’re vessels for God’s Spirit, and that while we aim to steward well, we are not responsible for the outcome. We know that healing doesn’t always occur, and that can be disappointing and hard to grapple with. By letting go and leaning into our identity as God's children, we can pray freely for healing with the simplicity and boldness we see from Peter.
Apply: Ask God to help you let go of any control or responsibility you may be holding on to, especially around healing prayer. Are there opportunities today to let go and pray for healing freely, leaving the outcome to God?
Devote: Thank you God that you have the power to heal and perform miracles, and thank you that you entrust me with your Spirit and power to pray for them. I ask for confidence to pray for healing and for help to let go where I may be holding on to responsibility that isn't mine.