When King Hezekiah reigned over Judah, the king of Assyria sent a heavy military force to war against Jerusalem, which was Judah’s capital city. This Assyrian military was led by a fearsome general named Rabshakeh, and by all accounts, he was an extremely scary man in charge of an extremely scary army.
This Assyrian general did a lot of “trash talking,” and eventually, he sent a letter to King Hezekiah, falsely claiming that God Himself would allow the mighty Assyrians to defeat Jerusalem.
This letter greatly distressed King Hezekiah, and we learn in 2 Kings 19, starting in verse 14, what the king did. He literally spread the letter out before God and prayed about it.
Hezekiah prayed:
“O Yahweh, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Yahweh, and hear; open Your eyes, O Yahweh, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to reproach the living God. Truly, O Yahweh, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands and have put their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. But now, O Yahweh our God, I pray, save us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Yahweh, are God.” (2 Kings 19:15-19, LSB)
King Hezekiah practiced what Peter commands in his first epistle:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God … casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 LSB)
Whether you’re involved with prayer for personal healing or prayer for healing for a friend, let’s explore how we can seek healing and cast our anxieties on the Lord.
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Help and healing are possible through our Christian rehab programs.
If you are ready to take the next step and learn more about how a Christian rehab center can aid in your recovery, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
The Power of Prayer for Healing in Times of Struggle
Yahweh is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18 (LSB)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. – James 5:16 (LSB)
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (LSB)
Prayer has long been a source of comfort and strength in times of struggle, offering a way to bring our pain, fear, and hope before a God who listens. Scripture consistently affirms that God invites His people to pray boldly and honestly, trusting Him with every need. Prayer reminds us that we’re not alone in our suffering and that God’s presence is often most tangible in moments of weakness.
The Bible also teaches that God still heals today. Throughout Scripture, we see God responding to prayer with acts of healing and restoration, both physical and spiritual. James encourages believers that the prayer of a righteous person can accomplish much (James 5:16). While we may not always witness immediate or visible healing, prayer aligns our hearts with God’s purposes and opens us to the work He is doing—sometimes in ways we can measure, and sometimes in ways we cannot.
At the same time, faith requires humility. As finite people, we don’t always understand God’s timing or methods, and unanswered prayers can feel confusing or painful. Yet Scripture assures us that God remains trustworthy, even when healing does not come as expected. Prayer, then, is not only about seeking change but about deepening trust—learning to rest in God’s goodness while leaving room for mystery, hope, and the assurance that He is still at work.
Why Christians Seek Prayer for Healing and Restoration
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (LSB)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 (LSB)
… praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. – Ephesians 6:18 (LSB)
Intercessory prayer is the act of coming before God to ask for His help and mercy on behalf of yourself or another person, especially in times of need. Scripture invites believers to bring both personal burdens and the concerns of others to the Lord, trusting Him as the One who hears and responds according to His wise and loving purposes.
Examples of Intercessory Prayers from the Bible
When praying for the healing of yourself or a loved one, it can be helpful to look to examples of intercessory prayers from God’s Word. You can use any of these as a jumping-off point for a short prayer for healing and recovery for someone.
Fervent Prayers by the Church
So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. – Acts 12:5
The text doesn’t give us the content of the church’s prayers, but it says that they were praying fervently. In this passage, the congregation’s prayers were answered, and Peter was miraculously rescued by an angel. However, God doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way that we might be asking, so let’s look next at an example of where the answer was not what was being fervently prayed for.
Fervent Prayer by Jesus Himself
And He [Jesus] withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me, yet not My will, but Yours be done.” – Luke 2:41-42
Jesus—as He was about to be arrested, beaten, humiliated, and crucified to pay the debt for the sins of those who would trust in Him—fervently prayed that He would not have to bear the infinite wrath of the Father. “Yet not My will, but Yours be done,” He said. When we pray, we can both ask for what we want and acknowledge that we ultimately submit to God’s will.
The Example of the Lord’s Prayer
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:9
When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He taught them that it is important to submit to God’s will.
How a Prayer for Healing Supports the Recovery Journey
Up until now, we’ve been talking about praying for recovery from illnesses and injuries. But what about prayer for a loved one who struggles with addiction? As believers, we pray for our loved ones who are caught up in destructive behavior. Remember, we can pray about anything and everything. Paul instructed us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, LSB).
Prayer is one way to support someone you love who’s struggling with addiction. Encouraging them to explore inpatient or outpatient Christian rehab treatment is another option. Northbound’s LINKS programs combine evidence-based therapies with a biblical perspective to address addiction.
Reach out today to explore how combining prayer and faith-based treatment can transform your life.
Get Help Today
Help and healing are possible through our Christian rehab programs.
If you are ready to take the next step and learn more about how a Christian rehab center can aid in your recovery, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
FAQs About Prayer for Healing and Strength
What should I do if I feel like my prayer for healing is not being answered right away?
It’s natural to feel discouraged when healing doesn’t come right away, but unanswered prayers do not mean God is absent or indifferent. Scripture encourages us to keep praying, to bring our doubts and pain honestly before God, and to trust His timing even when we don’t understand it. Seeking support through faith community, Scripture, and wise counsel can also help you remain grounded while leaving room for God to work in ways that may unfold gradually or differently than expected.
Can I pray for healing on behalf of someone struggling with addiction or mental health issues?
As Christians, we lift up our loved ones in prayer, whether they’re struggling with addiction, mental health issues, or any other issues.
How often should I pray for healing?
There is no required schedule. Many people pray daily, while others pray whenever they feel fear, pain, or uncertainty rising. The most important thing is consistency and sincerity. God welcomes every prayer—whether it is long, short, spoken, or silent.
Do I need to use specific words when offering a prayer for healing?
No, God is moved by honesty, not perfect phrasing. You can use Scripture-based prayers, write your own, or simply speak from the heart. The Holy Spirit guides your words when you feel unsure of what to say.
How can I stay encouraged if healing takes longer than I expect?
Staying connected to Scripture, supportive community, and regular prayer can help you remain hopeful. Healing is often a gradual process, and God may use the journey to build resilience, patience, and spiritual maturity.
Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.