First, it is good to keep on persistently praying for the healing of someone who is close to you, and who you love dearly. Even when it seems that prayer is the only hope that is left, do keep on praying. Equally, when some are close to death and are suffering, the prayer can turn to a prayer for peace and a merciful end to the suffering. Again, this is a reflection of our deep heartfelt concern for the sick person.

Second, be specific, and do pray for the range of issues connected with the illness. You may not only want to pray for the healing of the particular problem, but for the sick person's inner strength to cope with their illness, for a quality of rest or sleep which would aid the recovery, for concerns that are causing anxiety, for other family members and so on.

The next point relates to the means that God may use to heal. Most Christians believe that God uses the skills he has given to doctors and nurses to bring about healing. Many also believe that God has the power to bring miraculous healing without the use of the medical profession. Human experience suggests that the majority of healing is through the medical profession, but this should deny neither the hand of God in it, nor the corresponding influence that prayer can have in medical healing. God has given skills to individuals, and has equipped the human mind with the creativity to discover more about ourselves and how to look after our bodies.

Whilst there are many spectacular healings recorded as a result of prayer, yet prayers for healing may  appear to have gone unanswered.Why, we are not privileged to know. On one level, it is clear that it is not God's purpose for us to live out eternity on the earth, and that therefore, each of us has a time when we can move onto the heavenly experiences that await all those who believe in Jesus Christ. Yet that doesn't answer the question as to why some loved ones have to endure long and painful illnesses or conditions that have a terrible debilitating effect on the quality of life. There are no easy answers, but the quotes below from three different perspectives may shine some light on the question.

1. David Watson, in "Fear No Evil" writes of his own personal struggle with cancer. "There are seldom good reasons for suffering, but there can be good responses. I am not suggesting that such good responses are easy. Far from it. ... However, the more I make myself aware of God's love (whether I feel his love or not - usually I don't) the more God can change my negatives into positives..... It's not what we do, but who we are that matters most in life; and its not what we endure, but the way we endure it that counts."
2. Fred Smith writes of his granddaughter's death from leukaemia aged 20 : "My granddaughter's death was, and still is, a cause of great sorrow to me. I do not understand why she was not healed. But I do trust in God's supreme victory and sovereignty, and ultimately I can say "I do not understand, but I do believe". Her death has not in any way prevented me from feeling compassion for those who are sick, and wanting to pray for them. Even if only one person was healed as a result of my prayers it would still be worthwhile - one person healed is a lot better than no-one. " (God's Gift of Healing, New Wine Press, 1986.)
3. John Noble wrote an article some fifteen years ago in Renewal magazine titled "Do's and Don'ts for people not healed". The first was : "Don't let despair get the better of you. You're no worse off than you were without the prayers. At the very least you can see people around you who care and want to join wiht you in your suffering. Thank the Lord for this and the blessed promise he has made to be with you through even the darkest hour. Thousands of saints stand as proof that he will never leave you or forsake you."

What is clear, though, is that nothing is impossible for God, and that through persistent prayer, the Father can and does respond to our heartfelt requests. So keep on praying!