In the New Testament, there are several instances in which Scripture seems to promise healing. One verse often cited is 1 Peter 2:24:

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed.

With this verse many claim healing from God based upon the suffering of Christ on the cross. In context, however, this verse refers to healing from sin, not disease. It does not promise immediate healing from disease.

Jesus Healed Everyone

The healings of Jesus are used as examples to illustrate that God wishes everyone to be healed.

When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon possessed. And He cast out spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses" (Matthew 8:16,17).

Does not the fact that Jesus healed all who were sick and had compassion upon the multitudes show us that God wants everyone well? Not at all. Jesus healed out of compassion for the people, but His healings were also a sign that He was the Messiah. He never said that it was Gods desire for everyone to be made healthy.

Sometimes Equates

The Bible sometimes equate sickness with sin. For those who celebrated the Lords Supper unworthily, the Apostle Paul said:

For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep (1 Corinthians 11:30).

But sickness is not always equated with sin:

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him" (John 9:1-3).

God Allows It

God has said that He is the One who allows people to be sick. The Old Testament records God saying to Moses:

So the Lord said to him, "Who has made mans mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?" (Exodus 4:11).

There are no Scripture verses that specifically promise healing for those who have a disease. God may have a purpose beyond our comprehension in allowing someones sickness. Hence, we pray for His will to be done.