Faith | Could prayer take away physical pain? He got an on-the-spot answer

A few weeks ago, I was playing in a local tennis tournament, when the lower muscles in one my legs tightened painfully and threatened to pull me out of competition.

I had played a straight six hours of tennis the day before and was now in my third hour the next day, with three hours to go.

What was I to do? I fretted.

There was no time to sit and convalesce, yet I couldn’t limp around and play effectively either. I settled on the one option I could see at the time, which was to pray for a quick spiritual healing.

One of the spiritual truths I’ve learned over the years, is that each of us have a spiritual individuality made in the likeness of God that is never hurt by anything that happens to the physical body.

This spiritual self is not found in the physical organism with all its muscles, organs, and bones. It is present in Spirit, safe in God’s care, and ours to enjoy through spiritual sense for all of eternity.

I’ve also learned from my study of Jesus Christ’s healing method, that the more we understand our spiritual being with God, the easier it is to heal the physical body of suffering through prayer.

What we experience physically, is improved by what we understand to be true spiritually. So, in obedience to Jesus Christ’s rule for healing, “Know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NLT), I prayed to better understand my spiritual existence with God that had never been hurt.

I remembered a statement from the Bible that states, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4, NLT).

It reminded me that I was more than muscles and flesh moving around on court. I was a spiritual being expressing spiritual qualities that included strength, endurance, poise, grace, dominion, calm, peace, and buoyant movement.

I recognized that Spirit doesn’t get muscle cramps. Spirit doesn’t limp around in pain. Spirit manifests the ever-present harmony and peace of God. There is no strain or stress in Spirit. There was the calming and comforting presence of spiritual truth to enjoy in my being with God.

As I thought more about how expressing my divine individuality was the most important part of playing my tennis games, my thought relaxed.

A noticeable tension and strain in my body melted away. I focused on expressing spiritual qualities, instead of trying to muscle my way through the next point.

My thought calmed down and the muscles in my leg relaxed. Healing came quickly and I was able to finish the next three hours of playing with no trouble. I was grateful for the freedom.

I have seen many similar physical healings over the decades from seeking out a better understanding of my spiritual being with God. Spiritual truth is a powerful corrective for whatever ails the body.

Praying for a deeper understanding of spiritual truth can do wonders for eliminating pain.