Prayerful in Sickness

Prayerful in Sickness

Philippians 2:25–30 ESV

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Introduction

Let me open this lesson up tonight with this question.

Would you agree that often, we find ourselves grappling with the realities of life that leave us questioning, wondering and, at times, doubting?

One of the realities that we often grapple with, is sickness.

Sickness, in its many forms, is a common thing that we all face.

We are all human and none of us can escape sickness.

I think we all would agree that sickness or disease if left to our to our natural mind will unravel our faith, our hope, and our joy.

Before we go any further, I want to remind us all that we serve a God who is not unfamiliar with our struggles, a God who is not distant from our pain.

Our Scripture for today is from Philippians 2:25-30. The apostle Paul writes:

"But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me."

Understanding God as Healer

In the passage we read, we see a man named Epaphroditus who was gravely ill. This wasn't a minor cold or a fleeting headache. No, this was a sickness that brought him to death's door. But in his darkest hour, God showed mercy. God intervened. God healed. This is a powerful testament to the nature of our God. He is not a distant, detached deity. He is a God who cares, who intervenes, who heals.

This is a truth that we see echoed throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, we see God healing the sick, curing lepers, and even raising the dead. In the New Testament, we see Jesus doing the same. Healing was a central part of His ministry. It was a sign of the Kingdom of God breaking into our world. It was a demonstration of God's power, His compassion, and His desire for our wholeness.

But God's healing is not limited to physical ailments. He also heals our emotional wounds, our spiritual sickness, our broken relationships. He heals our hearts. He heals our minds. He heals our souls. He brings wholeness where there is brokenness, peace where there is turmoil, joy where there is sorrow.

In the face of sickness, we are reminded of this truth. We are reminded of God's power to heal. We are reminded of His compassion for our suffering. We are reminded of His desire for our wholeness.

But what does this mean for us? How does this truth impact our lives? How does it shape our response to sickness?

Firstly, it means that we can trust God in our sickness. We can trust that He is able to heal. We can trust that He is willing to heal. We can trust that He is working for our good, even when we can't see it.

Secondly, it means that we can turn to God in our sickness. We can bring our pain, our fears, our questions to Him. We can cry out to Him for healing. We can lean on Him for strength. We can find comfort in His presence.

Thirdly, it means that we can hope in God in our sickness. We can hope for healing. We can hope for restoration. We can hope for a future where there is no more sickness, no more pain, no more death.

Lastly, it means that we can serve God in our sickness. We can use our experience to comfort others. We can use our testimony to encourage others. We can use our faith to inspire others.

So, as we face sickness, let us remember the truth of God as Healer. Let us trust Him, turn to Him, hope in Him, and serve Him. And as we do, may we experience His healing in every area of our lives.

Upholding Faith in Times of Sickness

In the midst of the storm, when the waves of sickness crash against us, we are called to stand firm in our faith. This is not a passive stance, but an active engagement with the promises of God. We see this exemplified in the life of Epaphroditus. Despite his illness, his faith did not waver. He remained steadfast, anchored in the truth of God's word and the assurance of His promises.

Epaphroditus was not just a passive recipient of God's mercy. He was an active participant in God's work, even in his sickness. His faith was not weakened by his physical condition, but rather, it was strengthened. His illness did not deter him from his mission, but rather, it propelled him forward. His sickness was not a hindrance to his service, but rather, it was a platform for his testimony.

In the face of sickness, Epaphroditus did not retreat, but he advanced. He did not shrink back, but he stepped forward. He did not succumb to despair, but he rose up in faith. His faith was not a mere belief, but it was a conviction. It was not a mere sentiment, but it was a commitment. It was not a mere profession, but it was a lifestyle.

The word "distressed" in verse 26 is the Greek word "adēmonōn," which means to be troubled, anxious, or distressed. It is used here to describe Epaphroditus's emotional state upon hearing that the Philippians had learned of his illness. This same word is used in Mark 14:33 to describe Jesus's emotional state in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before His arrest and crucifixion. In both instances, the word conveys a deep sense of emotional turmoil and distress.

In the face of sickness, Epaphroditus did not isolate, but he connected. He did not withdraw, but he reached out. He did not hide, but he shared. His faith was not a private matter, but it was a shared experience. It was not a solitary journey, but it was a communal endeavor. It was not a personal pursuit, but it was a corporate engagement.

In the face of sickness, Epaphroditus did not capitulate, but he persevered. He did not give up, but he pressed on. He did not lose heart, but he gained courage. His faith was not a fleeting emotion, but it was a lasting endurance. It was not a temporary phase, but it was a permanent state. It was not a momentary lapse, but it was a continual pursuit.

In the face of sickness, our faith is not only tested, but it is also revealed. It is not only challenged, but it is also strengthened. It is not only questioned, but it is also affirmed. Our faith is not a liability in times of sickness, but it is an asset. It is not a weakness, but it is a strength. It is not a burden, but it is a blessing.

The Power of Prayer in Illness

As we continue to reflect on the truths found in the book of Philippians, we now turn our attention to the power of prayer in times of illness. Prayer, my dear friends, is our direct line to God. It is our means of communication, our way of expressing our deepest fears, our greatest joys, and our most desperate needs. And in times of sickness, prayer becomes even more significant, even more crucial.

The first thing we need to understand about prayer in times of sickness is that it is a declaration of dependence on God. When we pray, we are essentially saying, "God, I need You. I can't do this on my own. I need Your strength, Your healing, Your comfort." This is a powerful statement of faith, particularly in a world that often encourages self-reliance and independence. In his book "Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God," Timothy Keller writes, "Prayer is the only entryway into genuine self-knowledge... It is also the main way we experience deep change—the reordering of our loves. Prayer is how God gives us so many of the unimaginable things he has for us. Indeed, prayer makes it safe for God to give us many of the things we most desire."

The second aspect of prayer in times of sickness is that it invites God's intervention. When we pray, we are not merely expressing our needs; we are inviting God to move, to act, to intervene in our situation. We are saying, "God, I trust You to work in this situation. I believe that You can and will bring healing, comfort, and peace." This is a powerful act of faith, and it is one that God honors. In James 5:16, we read, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Now, let's consider the role of community in prayer during times of sickness. We are not meant to face our struggles alone. We are part of a body of believers, a community of faith. And when one member of the body is hurting, the whole body feels the pain. When we are sick, we are called to reach out to our community, to ask for their prayers, to lean on their faith. And when others are sick, we are called to pray for them, to intercede on their behalf, to stand with them in their pain. This is the beauty of the body of Christ. We bear each other's burdens, and in doing so, we fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

Lastly, prayer in times of sickness is an opportunity for spiritual growth. It is in our moments of weakness that we are often most open to God's work in our lives. When we are sick, when we are weak, when we are vulnerable, we are more receptive to God's voice, more aware of His presence, more attuned to His work in our lives. Sickness, while difficult, can be a catalyst for spiritual growth, a doorway to deeper intimacy with God.

So, dear friends, let us not shy away from prayer in times of sickness. Let us declare our dependence on God, invite His intervention, lean on our community, and open ourselves up to spiritual growth. Let us remember the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Let this be our response in times of sickness, and indeed, in all times.

Conclusion

As we close today, let's remember that our God is not a distant God. He is right here with us in the midst of our struggles, our pain, and our sickness. He is our Healer, our Comforter, and our Strength. He is the one who upholds us when we feel like we're falling. He is the one who hears our prayers and responds with love and mercy.

In the face of sickness, we have a choice. We can let it unravel us, or we can let it draw us closer to God. We can let it weaken our faith, or we can let it strengthen our trust in Him. We can let it silence our prayers, or we can let it amplify our cries to God.

Beloved, let's choose to see sickness not as a threat to our faith, but as an opportunity to experience God's healing power. Let's choose to uphold our faith, not because it's easy, but because we know that God is faithful. Let's choose to pray, not out of desperation, but out of a deep trust in God's love and mercy.

Let's pray together.

Dear God, as we close this time of reflection and learning, we thank You for Your presence with us. We thank You for Your healing power, Your sustaining grace, and Your listening ear. Help us to hold onto these truths in the face of sickness. Help us to trust You more, to lean on You for strength, and to pray with faith and hope. We ask all these things in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

And now, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Go in peace, beloved, and serve the Lord with gladness. Amen.