Why Should Christians Go To Hospitals If God Heals Diseases Through Prayers?

We have been discussing divine healing, emphasizing that the Christian God heals diseases by prayer. There are clear biblical evidences of God’s servants being used to heal sick people who went to them in faith.

For instance, under the Old Testament, we read about a Syrian army commander going to Elisha, trusting God to heal him of leprosy. And God powerfully healed Naaman through the man of God (See 2 Kings Chapter 5).

And under the New Testament, Jesus and the earliest ministers of the gospel were used to heal diseases. I have discussed them with examples in my previous articles. Interestingly, many ministers today continue to be used to heal sick people through faith.

Now, if God powerfully heals the sick, why should Christians who have been saved from sin, have relationship with Jesus Christ, and pray everyday go to doctors for medical treatment of their diseases? Do they not, by this act, portray themselves as lacking faith? Or do they mean that God does not heal the sick today?

Well, some Churches and Christian movements, including Christian Science, Faith Tabernacle, First Century Gospel Church, and others have religious beliefs against most forms of medical care. Thus, they do not go to hospitals; they depend on God only for healing.

Their belief appears to have been influenced by a wrongful interpretation of 2 Chronicles 16:12 which states, “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians.

Does that mean Christians who seek medical care at hospitals commit sin, do not have faith in God, or do not trust Him for healing? To answer these questions, we need to know the position of the Bible on this matter.

First, we need to understand that no where in the Bible is it commanded that disciples of Jesus should resort to only divine healing when they fall sick. In other words, Scripture does not forbid Christians from seeking medical care.

Second, the modern word, “hospital” is not found in Scripture; however, a word synonymous to medical doctor is found. It is physician. These health professional were common in the first-century as they skillfully treated sick people.

Jesus Christ did not only acknowledge their presence, but also regarded their role in treating the sick. In Mark 2:17, Jesus says, “…Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick…” (Mark 2:17).

In the verse above, our Lord recognizes the role medical doctors play in employing scientific methods to heal the sick.  He does not condemn or rejects them, but acknowledges their significance and contribution to healthcare delivery.

Doctors are not just good professionals, they are servants of God as “every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). The brains and the knowledge doctors have to help the sick were given by God. Thus, they participate in God’s healing project through natural approach.

Remember that the natural substances including herbs and oils used to manufacture medicines or used as medications were created by God. For instance, Isaiah 1:6 talks about the use of bandages, James 5:14 stresses on the administration of oil, Ezekiel 47:12 draws attention to the use of leaves while Jeremiah 8:22 emphasizes the application of balm.

This implies that Christians can pray to God for healing, or go to hospitals to seek medical attention. It also means that seeking medical care is not in any way showing lack of faith. It is understanding the natural and supernatural methods by which the sick can access health.

By James Quansah