Prayer

Presumption lies close to faith in praying for the sick.—I have seen so much
of carrying matters to extremes, in praying for the sick, that I have felt that this
part of our experience requires much solid, sanctified thinking, lest we shall make
movements that we may call faith, but which are really nothing less than presumption.
Persons worn down with affliction need to be counseled wisely, that they may move
discretely; and while they place themselves before God to be prayed for that they
may be healed, they are not to take the position that methods of restoration to health
in accordance with nature’s laws are to be neglected.
If they take the position that in praying for healing they must not use the simple
remedies provided by God to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work, lest it be
a denial of faith, they are taking an unwise position. This is not a denial of faith; it
is in strict harmony with the plans of God. When Hezekiah was sick, the prophet of
God brought him the message that he should die. He cried unto the Lord, and the
Lord heard His servant and worked a miracle in his behalf, sending him a message
that fifteen years should be added to his life. Now, one word from God, one touch
of the divine finger, would have cured Hezekiah instantly, but special directions were
given to take a fig and lay it upon the affected part, and Hezekiah was raised to life.
In everything we need to move along the line of God’s providence.
The human agent should have faith and should cooperate with the divine power,
using every facility, taking advantage of everything that, according to his intelligence,
is beneficial, working in harmony with natural laws; and in doing this he neither
denies nor hinders faith.—(Counsels on Health, 381, 382.)
In the word of God we have instruction relative to special prayer for the recovery
of the sick. But the offering of such prayer is a most solemn act, and should not be
entered upon without careful consideration. In many cases of prayer for the healing
of the sick, that which is called faith is nothing less than presumption.
Many persons bring disease upon themselves by their self-indulgence. They have
not lived in accordance with natural law or
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