Often sin becomes a stumbling block to approach God and receive healing. That is why when four men brought the man who needed healing to Jesus, He gave him forgiveness before releasing him from the sickness: “‘So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!’” (Mk 2:10-11). In our lives also, first we need to ask for forgiveness for our sins before we plead for healing. May God cleanse us from our sins and heal us of our sicknesses, because He alone has the authority to liberate us from both.

Abba, thank You for being there to forgive us and heal us. Let Your Spirit bring us to the Seat of Mercy whenever we commit sin or fall sick, in Jesus’ Most Powerful Name, Amen.