Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor,
but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.“ Mark 2:17
Lord Jesus, I often read this text looking in the rearview mirror, as though I no longer need your medicinal doctorly care. Indeed, hear me shout for joy, and watch me dance with delight. I’ve been completely healed of my cancerous and condemning guilt. The Gospel is my declaration of a clean bill of righteousness-health. Hallelujah! But I need your ongoing healing in several areas of my life.
Yesterday I felt flu-like, and for good reasons. A dear friend’s instinct led to me getting tested, and sure enough I have the flu. I haven’t felt this weak and poorly in a long time. By Tamiflu, hydration, rest, and your sovereign Spirit, please heal me, Jesus.
Jesus, as you have freed me from the guilt of my sin, please heal me of the shame of my sin. Shame has the power to mute my voice and shut down my heart. I’m not asking for greater self-esteem, but for more Gospel-health and freedom to love others as you love me. May your love always have more power over my heart than what anybody thinks and says about me.
Thank you for freeing me from the penalty of my sin, once and for all. Lord, please continue to heal me of the power of sin at work in my thinking, emotions and choosing. I’m not a victim making excuses, but your beloved crying for quicker and deeper repentances.
Heal my thinking from the ever-present disease of unbelief. Heal my emotions from the disease of self-interest. I want godly anger, not destructive pouting. I want Gospel-joy, not circumstantial happiness. I want sadness born from good-grief, not melancholy fueled by not getting my way.
Heal my choosing from the disease of stubbornness and selfishness. Jesus, may your will be my bread, your grace be my portion, and your glory be my passion. So very Amen, I pray, in your holy and healing name.