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Now let's get into the show. We all want our problems solved. We all want to be healed and we pray for healing. But here's the thing: a lot of times when we pray for healing, it's a last resort. It's never the first priority.
Understanding how to make prayer a priority in your life coming up right now on the Theory Station. You're listening to Clearview Today with Dr. Abadan Shah, the daily show that engages mind and heart for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm Ryan Hill. I'm John Galantis.
Welcome to the Clearview Today Show with our host, Dr. Abadan Shah. We're so glad you're joining us in the studio today. And if you've never listened to the show before, it's your first time. We want to say welcome and we're going to let you know exactly who's talking to you.
Dr. Shah is a PhD in New Testament textual criticism, professor at Carolina University, author, full-time pastor, and the host of today's show. Dr. Shah, welcome. It's good to be here.
Good to see you. Good to see you. We've been walking through the book of James. Yes. James has been such a wonderful journey for us to walk through here on the radio show.
And I know you guys are doing it in Converge as well. We've just started a sermon series here at Clearview in the Book of James. There's such practical wisdom in the book of James. It's things that are so applicable to our lives in 21st-century America that, I mean, I don't think we were even a thought in James' mind as he was writing. I think a lot of Christians treat James like baby's first New Testament book.
That's like because that's where a lot of Christians start, it's simple.
So I feel like I've got the gist of it. And they never revisit it. Yeah. You know?
Well, I have preached on the book of James several times and I have taught it in various settings. The first time I preached the book of James was back in 2003. Wow. That's going back like 23 years ago. I was in This Fifth or sixth grade.
So think about it. This is 2003. I was pastoring this very church because this is my first and only church, right? And for I think you guys as well, it's the first and only place. And I was four years into the pastorate, decided to preach on the book of James.
We had only two children at the time in 2003. Our oldest one was, I think, seven at the time. She was born in 1995, then 2003, maybe eight, maybe turning eight. And our second daughter, she was, who was born in 1999, she was, I guess, four years old, so very young. And This series really touched a lot of people.
Well, the few people that hear me at the time. And then I preached it again in 2011, and our church had grown, not like where it is today, but it had grown some. And then in between I had preached it. Or taught when I was a principal of a Christian school in our morning devotional time. I asked the staff and faculty, I said, What if I walk to the book of James with you guys?
They're like, oh, that sounds good to us. Because typically one of the faculty would lead in devotions each morning, but they said, no, but that sounds good to me. And so I went through the book of James for like a good two, three months, and it was very helpful. I've taught it at family camps, and of course, as you mentioned, Converge. It is such a practical book.
But don't equate practicality with simplicity. It is just a surface book. That's right. No, no, no. It's anything but surfacy.
It is deep. The truths that James sort of puts on the bottom shelf for us are really precious jewels. That's right. And The one we're going to talk about today is regarding Prayer, but in the context of healing. Yeah, and I'm glad you make that distinction because we've done so many episodes on prayer, and a lot of people see episodes on prayer as like kind of like the book of James.
Like, okay, I pretty much get the gist of what you're going to say. But we want to talk about prayer as regards to healing, right? And I may, I feel like, and maybe correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I feel like a lot of Christians will avoid that topic. They don't want to talk about prayer for healing. They're like, I just assume that it's in God's hands.
I'm going to let God just do what He does. I think a lot of times, and I don't know that people would ever articulate this, but we feel like if we pray for God to heal someone and He does not heal them physically, then maybe our faith in God is going to be shaken, or maybe, you know, we feel like we have to offer an apology for God. Like, God's not going to be backed into a corner, so He's just going to not heal them anyway. Like, we have all sorts of mental hoop-de-hoops that we jump through and not pray for healing. And that's nothing new.
Throughout the history of this world, people have struggled with prayer because of the very reasons that you guys mentioned. Because sometimes prayers, it seems like prayers are not answered. I prayed, I prayed diligently for this person to get better, but they didn't get better. They ultimately die. Or I prayed so much for this problem to be resolved this way, or for this relationship to be healed this way, and it didn't happen.
Ah, I don't know. I don't know. You just, and sometimes people become disillusioned.
Sometimes they, you know, walk away from the faith.
Sometimes they don't walk away from the faith like physically. But Emotionally, mentally, they do check out. Yeah, yeah. And both of those things are just as bad because either you're there Or you're not there, but either way, you're no longer Walking by faith and trusting God and praying. The latter might even be worse because if you are going through the motions of faith, you're going to infect those around you.
Yes. I think that's a good point. I mean, you're right there, so other people around you feel the same thing. It's like, eh, it doesn't matter. We pray or don't pray.
I mean, it'll be what it'll be. Yeah. But that's not how James, the half-brother of Jesus, approaches. the topic of prayer during sickness. In fact, if you listen to this in James five thirteen, he says, Is any among anyone among you suffering Let him pray.
The first And most important thing about prayer is It is important to pray for healing. If you're in some kind of sickness, if you know somebody in sickness, it is important, it is vital. To bow your heads, or if you don't bow your heads, that's fine too. Keep your eyes open, it's up to you. But talk to God.
And don't just talk about everything extraneous, like thank you for the day or thank you for this. And God already knows that. That's right. I like John R. Rice's book.
Prayer is asking and receiving. Get to the point. Imagine prayer like an elevator Pitch, you have Less than thirty seconds from your to the one that this this powerful person is going to get off. You're going from level one to level levels let's say five. You have that much time left to ask that person for what you need.
What would you do? Thank you so much for what you mean to us. Thank you for all you do. Just want to say I'm a huge fan of your leadership style. And I look up to you.
Man, you just f you. Oh. See you, man. It's like, see you, Brian. Wait a minute, what?
I mean, let's say that person walks into that elevator and says, anybody needs anything? This is the time to ask. I'm getting off at elevator five or level five. And you do the same thing. Yeah.
Hey, it's been great to know you. Really appreciate all your work. I tell you what, what comes to mind when I think about you is that time that you did, you know, that one thing. Yes. What?
Yeah, you're just in the elevator with that person and just saying, you're a good, good person. It's who you are. It's who you are. I didn't like that one. It's who you are.
I didn't like that one. I know that I'm a good mind to cut that out. I'm a good mind to cut that out. I didn't like that one bit. Get to the point, Chris Tomlin, though.
Yes. Ask God for what you need. Get to the point. Yeah. Dear Heavenly Father.
We need healing at this moment. Get because all this extraneous stuff is simply saying, I'm just. I'm just having a casual conversation because I'm not sure you're going to answer anybody. I'm not even sure if you're listening. I 100% agree with you.
I 100% agree. It's filler. It's filler. It's filler so that I don't look too needy coming to God. Yeah.
And because I don't want to feel vulnerable. I don't want to feel that. And honestly, I don't even know if you're going to do it.
So, yeah. Yeah. That's such a great check. How differently would we pray if we knew God was listening? Yeah.
Because he is. Yeah. It's the same. It's the same like if you approach your boss or if you approach someone who's powerful and you are asking for a favor, you're like, I got to ingratiate this person to me because I don't trust them. I don't really know them.
Right. And I think it's the same with God. It's like we want to ingratiate ourselves with God who has already saved us. Get to the point. Ask God for what you need.
Prayer is asking and receiving. You said that doesn't sound very grateful. Just look at the prayers in the Bible. Yeah. How did Jesus begin?
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. That's a prayer. It means glorify your name. He prayed then. He said, Glorify your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
It's kind of crazy. There's not a single thank you in that entire prayer. But that's most of our prayers: thank you for this, thank you for this, thank you for this. That's right. If you got time, Lord, please heal my son.
But it's not a will. If it's your will, but it's not a huge deal. You know, just if you got time, if you get around to it. But anyway, thank you for this day. Yeah.
No, all of the Lord's prayers, Jesus, I mean, they're imperative statements. They're directed at God. I mean, they're pleas to receive from God. Yeah. Whether it's God's will, whether it's forgiveness, whether it's our daily provisions, leading us away from temptation, everything is plea to God and then receiving that what you've asked for.
And I know there's always going to be people who are like, but you know what? I don't have to do an elevator pitch. I get to spend time with my heavenly father. It's like, yeah, man, you do. But at the same time, be earnest with your father.
Like, seriously, when I go to my parents. Not that I asked my parents for money, but I'm saying, like, if I would, I would not sit down and be like, mother, father. Humble thine servant, your son, and cast me not away in my time of need. I'm just like, hey, what do you need? I need $500.
It's been a rough month. The mortgage ain't gonna happen this month. I need like $500. Or even if our kids came to us and just said, Dad. I really enjoy spending time with you.
Mm-hmm. It's just a blessing to me. You're a blessing to me. That's good. And this time is really just a blessing to me.
Yeah. I see it. I hear you. He's looking at me. That's all.
What? Is there any relationship? My kids ask me for stuff. Do you need anything? That's not important right now.
What's important is just this time we'll just spin together. I really just. But you know, when I see your shoes, I mean, they're falling apart. Eight. That might be the case, and I'll just deal with that.
But you, Father. You're getting sicker by the moment. You are. You are just. I sound like I'm getting sicker.
You are. I just treasure you. Your nose is bleeding. You're going to die soon. Will you just ask me for something, child?
Can I heal you? Can you just ask us? No, no, no, I couldn't. I couldn't even possibly ask that. Oh, well, I couldn't even ask.
I'll see you on the other side. But that's how we treat God. It's so unrealistic. You know, it's let him pray is actually present tense, which means let him keep on praying. Daily, we should be talking to God and talking again and again, asking him for healing.
That's right. Wow. For healing. That's right. There's so many people in our lives.
And I think about all the people who in my life have gotten sick and the people that I have not prayed for. You know what I mean? It's like when you have a conversation like this, it's hard not to go back in time and think about the people who have been sick in your life, deathly sick, and even passed, and go back and be like, even though I didn't, I may not have been close to that person, I didn't pray one time for their healing. It'll convict you. Because we're afraid to be disappointed, I think.
Yeah. Yeah. Dr. Shaw, I feel like there are people out there like this. I had a time in my life when I was.
I probably. 15, 14, 15 years old. And my great-grandmother was very, very sick. And we were very close. I spent a lot of summers at her house.
We had a great relationship. I mean, loved her, loved her dearly. She got very, very sick very quickly. And so I. Prayed fervently.
I mean, I can remember being like on my knees in the bathroom at the hospital in the tile floor. I mean, I remember how that felt to the point that my knees would hurt. I was praying that God would heal her. And she passed away. And for a long time, I was angry for a long time because I was like, you didn't answer my prayer.
I was pouring my heart out and you didn't answer my prayer the way that I wanted you to. And after that, it was a real struggle for me to pray and ask for healing because there was always that thought of like, what's the use? What if God doesn't? Yeah. Yeah, oh, yeah, I know.
And that is the struggle behind praying. And I think you even know, you know that as well as a pastor. You know, we had a gentleman in our church get very, very sick, and the entire church came down. It was something that you led. You said, you know, we're going to do this as a church.
And he passed. And so, how do you do that with, you know? Six or seven hundred people coming down to the altar at one time. And then the next week he's gone, you know? And how do you have the, and maybe this is something you can actually speak to.
How do you have the faith to do that and then get back up next Sunday and say, God's will still was done? Yeah, because it's not based on how God answered that prayer. It's based on the fact that God answered that prayer. Again, to some, it may be a cop-out. To some, it may seem like, yeah, but that's not what you were saying.
You were saying for that person to be healed, but now you're saying it's spiritual, eternal healing.
So come on, that's not the same thing, because you were hoping that that person would still live a few more years. But here you're talking about the person healed, as in in heaven, healed, not the same thing. And I understand that. I understand that. We should always ask.
Every time, with the same childlike faith and intensity, because this passage is going to talk about intensity. We should ask with the same childlike faith and intensity whether in that moment God gives it to us or doesn't. We don't stop asking. We don't stop believing, we come with the same fervency and prayer. And God sometimes answers, sometimes he doesn't.
I just don't want to not pray fervently, and God says, I wish you had. Yeah, because I think you're exactly right. And that's the weird thing where you have to wrap your mind about is that when you pray for someone else's healing or even your own healing, it's just as much for you as it is for them. Like your praying is praying for that person, but it's also strengthening your relationship. Right.
It's bringing you closer to him.
Well, if you think about the many times that people came to Jesus. during his earthly ministry and how passionately and fervently they called upon him. You know now, of course, they were talking to him directly, but we can also see that In the context of prayer, we are talking to God directly, albeit we don't see him as those people saw Jesus visibly. We see him through the eyes of faith, we see God. Through the eyes of faith.
But we still should have the same kind of passionate pleading.
So listen to Matthew 8 and verse 2. And behold, a leper came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. When we're praying for the sick, that's what we should say: Lord, if you are willing, that person should get up. From there. Hospital bed, Lord.
If you are willing, that person should be healed of that ailment. Because we know that you can do it. Then Jesus put out his hand and touched him, saying, I am willing, be cleansed. Immediately, his leprosy was cleansed. That's such an interesting order compared to how we typically pray.
If you are willing, this person will be healed. Versus. If it's your will, God, would you please heal this person, but let your will be done? Yeah, yeah. Like adding that clause that we put just at the end, but let your will be done, is such a cop-out.
Yeah. It's such a, you know, God, you have the freedom to do whatever you want to do. I don't want to box you into something. But it's not for him, it's for me.
So that, so that if, like, I need, you need me to protect your thoughts. It's for my feeble little brain and conscience. Yeah. Right. So that I can carry on believing in God and believing that all this works, even if I don't get what I'm praying for.
Right. Don't have to do that. Don't have to worry about God's reputation. He is more than capable of keeping it. That's right.
You just ask God with a childlike faith, what if it doesn't happen?
Well, how many, many times it has happened? How many times that God has healed? Oh, yes. How many times I prayed for safety and protection when people travel and they came back home safely? How many times have I prayed for people to get better from their sickness and they did get better?
And you know what's funny is we write it off as though that was going to happen anyway. Like, it may not be something that we say, it may not be something we acknowledge, but like you said, like we pray for safe travels and they return home. And then they did. We don't count that as a miraculous answer to prayer. No, yes, we count it as a successful trip.
Or a surgery that goes well. We're like, oh man, I'll tell you what, that's a great hospital. Yeah, yes, we do. The doctors were so nice, and one of them even said, God. Let's take a quick break.
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So thank you for that. Thank you to Mighty Muscadine for sponsoring this episode. Let's jump in. But you know what's funny though? If you ask people, most of the time, I think theologically they'll say, Yes, I believe God does heal people.
It's just, I just don't celebrate it when it happens. I don't acknowledge it or even recognize it when it happens. Yeah, so many, many countless times God does heal. And by the way, here's the most interesting thing.
Some people may disagree with me: God hears the prayers of all people. Oh, yeah. Whether you're saved or lost, God hears your prayers, and many times He answers, and sometimes He doesn't.
Now, what about lost people? Has God hear their prayers, of course? I was lost when I prayed to receive Him, right? Right. Well, no, no, but I'm talking about prayer for healing.
Oh, got you, got you. Of course, you know, the Bible talks about God, you know, to you who hears all prayers, to you, all people will come. That's what it says.
So sometimes people have a problem with that. They say, oh, come on.
Well, here's my question: when those people get better, who healed them? Right. Yeah, that's a good point. Satan? Yeah.
The laws of nature. I don't think so. What healed him? Who healed him? August the doctor.
Who made the doctor? The free guru wrote the laws of nature. The gift comes from above, the father of lights. In whom there is no variation or shadow of turning, which means he. Let's the sun shine on the evil and the good.
Mm-hmm. And the rain fall on the evil and the good.
So he is the one.
Now, he wants those lost people to say the next prayer. And the next prayer is, God, you heal me. Show me who you are.
So I'll follow you. Most of them. 95% of them, I would say 99% of them walk away just like those ten those nine lepers and they go go about their own business. Only one of them came back and he worshiped Jesus. Yeah.
And Jesus even said, you know, weren't there like Ten of you? Where are they? Only one came back.
So, when God heals this, let's say this Hindu lady's child. who's on death bed, or God heals that Chinese man who is on a sick bed, or God heals that person in Eastern Europe, or in South America, or in the heart of Africa, or in Europe somewhere. God heals.
Now He wants that person who's lost to ask the second question, God, you healed me. I want to know you. I want to know you. I'm glad you asked. Amen.
Here's my son. He gave his life for you. Come to him. And find spiritual healing, eternal healing. But most of the people are like, great, thank you, whoever you are.
I'm going to go back worshiping my work, my job, my false idols. Co-creation.
Some Social Marxist philosophy. I'm going to go back to my world. Dr. Shaw, in the time that we have, there may be people who are listening to this episode who maybe prayer is not their first response when there's sickness or suffering or some struggle in their life, praying for healing. Prayer is not their first response.
Their first response is to consult the heart. Open up Web MD. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Weapon up Web MD. Hop on consult the doctor to worry, to talk to other people. Maybe they are struggling to find the words to pray. How would you advise them? Where would you steer them?
How can they articulate their prayer? To begin with, go to God first. Don't make God the last resort. That's right. Let's stop saying something like: tell you what, all we can do now is prayer.
or pray. It's like we've tried all the best options, the best doctors, the best hospitals, the best treatment. All we can do now is prayer. Yeah. That's our last ditch effort.
That's not how it should be. It should be the first thing, the middle thing, and the last thing to do. That's right. Pray, pray, pray. And how do you pray?
You come to him as a little child. Don't try to qualify. in order to pray. Don't say, Oh, I need to go to church so then I can have enough credit built up so I can say, God, I went to church. I gave to church.
I served in some ministry at church.
So now please answer my prayers. You see what I've done for you? Don't do that. Everything in life is by grace, is by grace. Your salvation is by grace through faith, but everything, whether you're lost or saved, is by grace.
That's right. God wants you to be saved. And spend eternity with him, but everything is life is by grace.
So come to God. As a child, And as a child talking to the parent, ask for what you need. Yeah. And especially for physical healing, say, God. I need your touch.
You are the one who created me. You're the one. Who knows my pain, my suffering? And I need you to touch my body. The body of some loved one or somebody you know.
Yeah. You know, Dr. Shell, we have, last time I checked, 72,000 followers of yours on Prey. And that's not counting the millions of people who are going to hear this just passing on Prey radio. Chances are, mathematically speaking, a good, good portion of those people are suffering with some sickness, some illness, maybe even terminal.
Or have a loved one who is. Yes. And. They just need some prayer right now. Maybe they've prayed, but they feel disillusioned with prayer.
Will you just lead them in a prayer for healing right now? Absolutely. Absolutely. And if you're the one who is suffering, or if you know someone who is suffering, God hears the prayers of all people.
Now, of course, if you're lost, the prayer you should be praying after this prayer is a prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior. It's a simple prayer that says, Jesus, come into my life, forgive me of my sins, and take over. And I will follow you the rest of my life as you help me. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for taking my sins upon yourself so that I could be forgiven and go free.
So make sure you pray that prayer. That's right. If you're lost, but if you. Have some sickness, whether you're lost or saved, this is the prayer. Right wherever you are.
Maybe you're driving down the road. Maybe you are. At home, maybe you're in the gym, maybe you're at the hospital right now. Here's the prayer. I know that you are there.
I know that you are real. And I know you can hear me right now.
So I am calling upon you and asking you for your healing touch. in my life. God, I need you to touch my body. Or if you're praying for somebody close to you, God, I need you to touch. This person.
Heal them, Lord. We plead with you. Because there's no one else we can turn to, you are the great healer. And maybe that healing will come immediately, and for that we thank you. Maybe that healing will come over the few days, or weeks, or months, and for that we even thank you now.
We believe, but help our unbelief. Just like that father said, God, we do believe, we do have that faith. But help our unbelief. You reminded us that if you have faith just as big as a mustard seed, that we could order this mountain. to be uprooted and fall into the sea and it will do it.
And so God, we bring that mustard seed size faith. and we ask you, Lord, to touch these lives. to heal them. And God, we thank you in advance. Thank you.
For your healing touch. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. And if you prayed, that prayer, but you were lost and you still are lost.
God will answer that healing prayer. That's right. But I want you to pray the second prayer that I told you a few moments ago, which is to ask Jesus into your life. That's right. And if you are.
Saved, great God will heal. But are you following him? Are you truly following Jesus Christ every day?
Well, how about you? Commit your life to following him again. Amen. It'll be the best decision you ever make. That's right.
And we believe in the power of prayer here on the Clear Read Today Show.
So, if you prayed one of those prayers today, either for healing or to accept Christ for the first time, we want to know and we want to pray for you. We want to walk alongside you in that journey.
So, write in and let us know: 252-582-5028. We'd love talking to our Clear Read Today Show family, and we would love to hear from you. That's right. Make sure you join us for tomorrow's episode as we continue to explore the book of James. Big thank you to our sponsors for making today's episode possible.
And if today's episode was a blessing for you and you want to bless other people, consider giving financially to the Clear Read Today Show at Abadanshah.com forward slash give. That's right. We want to also encourage you guys to pre-order our Byzantine text form. This is the Robinson PierPont 2026 edition. Links are in the description below.
Thank you to everyone who is already pre-ordering. And we also want to remind you that our newest show, which is Learn to Read Biblical Hebrew or How to Read Biblical Hebrew with Dr. Abadan Shah, is available as a video podcast right now on iTunes. And we're announcing for the second time ever that we have a new podcast coming. In the summer, how to read biblical Greek.
We can't wait for you to hear more about it. And in the meantime, make sure you are texting us: 252-582-5028. That's right, we love you guys. We'll see you tomorrow. We'll clear you today.
