A sample chapter from Prayers for Oppa, my Christian devotional book for performers and their fans with a focus on the East Asian entertainment industry. For purchase information, click here.

Healing

In spite of our best efforts to stay healthy, everyone gets sick or injured once in awhile. For performers, the recovery process may be a challenging time as they wonder how long it will last and when they will be able to return to their regular work schedules.

God is right beside us during our times of illness or injury, comforting us and watching over our recuperation. As it says in Psalm 41:3 (NIV), “The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”

The Bible encourages us to pray for healing, and God’s Word is full of examples of miraculous recoveries, from King Hezekiah’s fatal skin disease in 2 Kings 20 (NIV) to the hemorrhaging woman in Mark 5 (NIV). Healing was also one of the main priorities of Jesus’ earthly ministry, as seen in Matthew 4:23 (NIV): “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”

When healing seems slow to come, however, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God has a purpose for us in those difficult circumstances. Consider Jesus’ response in John 11:4 (NIV) when He heard that his dear friend Lazarus had fallen ill and died as a result of the illness: “Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’”

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Performer prayer:

Father God, please heal me from (name of illness/injury). Help me not to rush my recovery but to be patient and allow You to restore me fully and completely. Please help me to focus on resting and doing whatever the doctors say I need to do to get better.

Thank You that I can trust You with my career while I’m recuperating, along with any other concerns I have. Please especially help me with (concerns). I ask that You would help me to abide in 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV): “Cast all your anxiety on
him because he cares for you.”

Thank You for caring for me, Lord. I look forward to the day when I am fully healed, and to celebrating like in Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV): “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my
heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.”

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

* * * *
Performer verse:

Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV) – Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

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Fan prayer:

Heavenly Father, please heal (performer’s name) from (name of illness/injury). Help her (him) to take the time she (he) needs for a complete recovery and to not try to rush the healing process. I pray You would guide the doctors who are overseeing her (his) recovery so she (he) receives the best care possible.

Please give (performer’s name) hope and courage and keep her (his) spirits up. Strengthen and deepen her (his) faith in You during this difficult time and help her (him) to draw closer to You. May Psalm 46:1 (NIV) become a reality in her (his) life: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Thank You, Lord, for Your love and healing power in (performer’s name)’s life.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Fan verse:

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV) – Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

– Teresa Santoski

www.teresasantoski.com

Do not repost or translate without author permission. For permission, email prayersforoppa[at]gmail.com.