Pray Anytime
Our guest blogger, Dr. Marilyn Murphree, shares this devotional about prayer.
Why We Avoid Praying for Others
Many times we avoid praying for someone because we are struggling with the same or similar problems. We think, “When I get my prayer answered, then I will have faith to pray for someone else. Until then I will remain silent and will pray once I get my struggle resolved. Then my faith will be strong enough to believe for somebody else.”
Moving Mountains 
In the middle of our struggles we have been given the authority to speak to our mountains. Jesus told us how in Mark 11:23.
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. NKJV
We are to believe and not doubt. It is as good as done already, not “maybe some day.”
Pray for Others, Even When You Need Healing
James 5:16 encourages us to go ahead and pray for others when you still have needs yourself.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. NKJV
Authority to Heal
In Luke 9:1 and Matthew 10:1, we see that Jesus gave his disciples authority to cast out all evil spirits and to heal all diseases. That means to heal every kind of disease and illness.
The word authority means that Jesus gave them the right to believe for things in prayer, and he gave them power, which is the ability to carry it out. If you have been given the right to ask for something in prayer, then you are not asking amiss.
Healing is God’s Will
Scripture tells us that healing is within God’s will, “for by his stripes ye were healed.” (II Peter 2:24) In another place the Bible tells us that “Healing is the children’s bread.” (Matthew 15:22-29)
Matthew 7:7 tells us,
Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened.
Getting Your Own Answer May Take Awhile
We have been given permission to go ahead and pray right in the middle of having our own tough situations. In spite of our answer not coming as quickly as we would like, Ecclesiastes 11:1 says,
Cast your bread on the waters, for you shall find it after many days.
Pray Without Ceasing
Go ahead and send your prayers out, for eventually you will see the return. Don’t stop praying for yourself and for others.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)
Marilyn goes into more depth regarding praying for healing in this book, available on Amazon:
Dr. Marilyn Murphree is a retired guidance counselor and pastor. You can read a number of her sermons on Sermon Central.
