“When health fails,” says the author, “one of the first responses of both the sick and their loved ones is to pray. And the healing that can come from prayer takes many forms, from feeling supported by others and by God, to acceptance of the situation, to even an actual cure. Many sick people who pray and have been prayed for report finding greater strength, peace, and courage to endure.” The author’s conclusion is convincing: As a complement to sound medical care, praying for healing is one of the best medicines we can take on the journey through illness.

By Joel Schorn