Good Vibes? Kind Thoughts? Prayer!

I’ve been noticing lately that when someone is ill, they ask for good vibes, kind thoughts and prayers. My husband and I were talking. Exactly what is a good vibe? How do you send them? Is there some sort of account where they go? How are they used? How many do you need? I can certainly think kind thoughts but once again, how do they help someone? The only way I know to change things is through prayer. And I would imagine that part of the problem is that our prayers are not always answered the way we want. So perhaps this is why people equate them with good vibes and kind thoughts. But God is not a vending machine. You don’t plug in your prayer and get what you want.

He is the designer of the Universe. He made you and me and we are masterpieces. Time in creation always points me to God. This world did not happen by accident. 

Prayer is powerful and it can definitely change things. Perhaps in the case of illness, the prayer does make a sick person well. (See James 5:14 and Matthew 8 & 9 for other instances of healing). But it might not. The healing might come in eternity (for those who believe).  The healing might be instant or it might evolve very slowly.  Healing might not look like we want it to. But God always hears our prayer and responds.

God has revealed himself in his creation and his word, the Bible. And if you truly want healing, that’s the best place to start. Don’t look into good vibes or kind thoughts. They will not change things. 

God wants us to run to him for anything. You can always bring it to him. Whatever it is, you can pour it out to him. Imagine him sitting next you and just talk to him. But ultimately he loves us, he designed us and he wants us to come to him because of who he is and not for what we think we can get. He wants a relationship. 

If you want true healing, seek him. Not these other things.

The lyrics below are as true today as when this originally written by preacher Joseph M. Scriven as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother, who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

by Sharon