Coming to Jesus as friend for your Healing
When we come to Jesus for healing, it is often because we are in pain or discomfort in some way. This pain may be due to trauma from our past, negative emotions that we are experiencing, or even demonic oppression. Regardless of the cause, Jesus is a friend who is always willing to help us and bring us healing.
When we pray to Jesus, we are entering into a personal and intimate relationship with Him, and we are able to receive the guidance, comfort, and support that we need in every area of our lives.
In the Bible, Jesus is described as our friend and savior (John 15:13-15). He is the one who laid down His life for us and who offers us the gift of eternal life (John 3:16). He is also the one who is always ready to listen to us and to respond to our prayers (Matthew 7:7-8).
One of the first steps in Christian inner healing is to acknowledge the pain and hurt that we have experienced. This can be difficult, as it requires us to confront difficult emotions and memories. But by bringing these feelings to Jesus, we can begin to release them and let go of the pain that they cause. In doing so, we open ourselves up to the healing power of his love and grace.
Once we have acknowledged our pain and hurt, the next step is to forgive those who have hurt us. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is essential for our own healing. By forgiving those who have caused us harm, we release ourselves from the grip of bitterness and anger, and open ourselves up to the possibility of healing and restoration.
In forgiving those who have hurt us, it is important to remember that forgiveness is not for their benefit, but for our own. It is not about excusing their behavior, but about letting go of the hold that it has over us. By forgiving, we free ourselves from the chains of resentment and hurt, and open ourselves up to the healing power of Jesus’ love.
John 15:13-15 (NLT)
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
John 3:16 (NLT)
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)
7 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Praying to Jesus as our friend means coming to Him with honesty and vulnerability, and opening our hearts to Him in a way that we may not do with anyone else. It means letting Him into the deepest parts of our lives and trusting Him to guide us and support us. Jesus tells us to continue to shamelessly and persistently keep knocking until the door opens.
Luke 11:5-8 (NLT)
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence
Here are some tips for praying to Jesus and coming to Him as a friend:
Start by thanking Him for who He is and for what He has done for you. Take a moment to express your gratitude for His love and sacrifice, and for the fact that He has made you His friend.
Next, open your heart to Him and let Him know what is on your mind and in your heart. Be honest and genuine, and don't be afraid to share your struggles and your concerns with Him. He is a loving and compassionate friend, and He wants to hear from you.
Ask Him for guidance and direction in the areas of your life where you need it. Whether you are dealing with a difficult situation, making a decision, or trying to overcome a challenge, He is ready and willing to help you.
Remember that Jesus is always with you, even when you don't feel His presence. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), and He is always ready to listen and to offer you the support and encouragement you need.
Proverbs 18:24 (NLT)
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
One way that Jesus brings healing to brokenhearted issues is through His voice (John 10:27-28). When we come to Him in prayer, He may speak to us and give us a confirmation that our healing has begun. This confirmation may come in the form of a word of encouragement or instruction, or it may be a feeling of peace and calm that washes over us. Regardless of the form it takes, when we hear Jesus's voice, we know that He is present and working in our lives.
John 10:27-28 (NLT)
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me."
This passage is part of Jesus's discussion with the religious leaders about His identity as the Good Shepherd. In this passage, Jesus is speaking to His followers, whom He refers to as "sheep." He tells them that He knows them and that they listen to His voice. He also promises them eternal life and protection from being taken away from Him. This passage reminds us of the close, personal relationship that Jesus has with His followers, and of His love and care for them. It also reminds us of the eternal life that is available to all who follow Him.
Another way that Jesus brings healing is through encounters with Him. These encounters can take many different forms, but they all involve a direct, personal experience of Jesus. For example, we may have a dream or vision of Jesus, or we may feel His presence in a powerful way during worship or prayer. In these encounters, Jesus often takes away the pain and discomfort that we are experiencing, bringing us a sense of peace and healing.
In Acts 9, God appears to Paul in a vision and tells him to go to Ananias, who will pray for him and restore his sight. After this vision, Paul is healed of his blindness.
Finally, Jesus may simply take away the pain and discomfort that we are experiencing without us even realizing it. This can happen when we are not expecting it, and it can be a powerful confirmation of His presence and work in our lives. When this happens, we may find ourselves feeling better without any clear reason why, and this can be a great source of encouragement and hope.
The centurion believes that Jesus has the power to heal his servant by simply sending His Word, and he trusts that Jesus will do so. Jesus responds to this faith by healing the servant instantly.
Jesus is amazed by the centurion's faith and says, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." (Matthew 8:10) And then, "the servant was healed at that very moment." (Matthew 8:13)
Overall, coming to Jesus as a friend for healing is a powerful and effective way to receive the help and comfort that we need. Whether we hear His voice, have an encounter with Him, or simply feel His presence, Jesus is always ready and willing to bring us healing and peace. So if you are in pain or discomfort, don't hesitate to turn to Jesus and ask for His help. He is your friend, and He loves you and wants the best for you.
Praying to Jesus and coming to Him as a friend is a beautiful and rewarding experience. It allows us to experience the love and grace of God in a personal and intimate way, and it opens the door to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Him. May you experience the blessings and joy of praying to Jesus and coming to Him as a friend.
Try it today! Come before Jesus as friend and start pursuing the Lord in your prayer life.
Blessings,
Pastor Timothy Tomlinson
Healing the Brokenhearted
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