Taking Medicine Vs Praying for Healing from Illness?

If religious people pray to God for the healing of someone’s illness, why do they need to take medicine? To clarify further, if they truly believe in God and His power, why do they need to take medicine? Why not simply surrender it to God?

This is my answer...

This is a good question. My wife is a doctor, and someone who believes in God. As others have already written, science and faith are not mutually exclusive. Think about this - the writer of the books of Luke and Acts was a doctor.

"Greetings to you from our dear doctor Luke and from Demas" Colossians 4:14

Luke wrote about the miracles of Jesus, Peter, Paul, and others, and as far as we know, he (Luke) found no contradiction between his faith and his work. Paul said to Timothy to,

"Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine, because of your digestion and your frequent illnesses." 1 Timothy 5:23

In this context wine was used as 'medicine.' What is interesting is that Paul did not tell Timothy to pray (although he did not say that explicitly either). We know that Paul believed in the power of prayer, and he himself also healed people. What can we learn from this?

Why do Christians make use of science and medicine rather than only praying for healing?

I have at least 3 reasons, namely:

1. God provides gifts - We must make use of them. His gifts include medicinal substances (chemicals, etc.) and people’s healing abilities (doctors, nurses, radiologists, etc.). Why should we not use the gifts God has given?
2. God receives glory when His gifts are used and enjoyed. Just as parents also take pride in their children’s achievements, God is honored when we experience healing through prescribed medicine or the skill of a surgeon.
3. Workers receive joy. Those who provide healing can rejoice because their skills are being used for the benefit of others. Of course this is not something exclusive to the medical profession, but there is satisfaction in using one’s abilities to help someone in great need. Bringing relief from pain, hope for a better future, or a longer life is a very fulfilling experience. Why should we deny that person the joy?

There is a time for us to pray for healing, and there is a time to take medicine. Indeed, it is wise to do both because God has provided the medicine.

What do you think is the balance between prayer and medical intervention?

Your brother,

Malcolm

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