Bible Verses About Healing for Body and Soul
Addiction wounds the body, the mind, the family, and the soul. The Bible calls God a healer, and it shows Jesus asking hurting people what they want. Healing in Scripture is rarely only physical. These verses speak to the whole person, and to the slow way most healing happens.
One note before you read: God often heals through doctors. If your body is hurting, see one. Prayer and medical care work together.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Broken hearts are on God’s list. The same God who counts the stars, in the next verse, bends down to bandage you. Nothing you feel is too small for Him.
Do you want to get well?
“When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”
The man had been lying there thirty-eight years. Jesus asked a strange question: do you want to be made whole? Some of us had grown used to being sick. Then Jesus told him to get up and carry his bed. Healing came with something to do.
“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.”
A short, honest prayer. Heal me, and I’ll be healed. Save me, and I’ll be saved. You can pray it in your car.
“Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.”
“My bones are vexed.” David felt it in his body. Early recovery can feel like that too: tired, sore, shaky. You can tell God exactly how you feel.
Wounds that heal
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Jesus was wounded so we could be healed. Your deepest wound, the separation from God, was healed at the cross. Everything else grows from that.
“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”
The same hand that let you feel the pain is the hand that binds it up. Coming back to God is the way to that healing, not around it.
“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”
Healing in His wings, and calves jumping out of the stall. It’s a happy picture. Some days in recovery you’ll feel that kind of lightness.
Healing through people
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Confess to one another, pray for one another, that you may be healed. Secrets keep wounds infected. Telling the truth to another person, the heart of Step 5, lets air and light in.
“Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.”
Paul called Luke “the beloved physician.” God’s people have always valued doctors. Getting medical help isn’t a lack of faith.
Come back and say thanks
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”
Ten men were healed. One came back to say thank you. Jesus noticed. As you start to feel better, don’t forget who did it.
A prayer for healing
“Lord, I want to be made whole. Heal my body, my mind, my family, my heart. Bind up what’s broken. Give me courage to confess what I’ve hidden and wisdom to get the help I need. When I feel better, let me come back and thank You. Amen.”
Today’s step toward healing
Answer Jesus’ question in writing: “Do I want to get well? What would I have to give up?” Then share your answer with one person you trust.
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Common questions
Does God still heal today?
Christians believe He does, in many ways: sometimes suddenly, more often slowly, and often through doctors, counselors, friends and time. Healing of the heart and of relationships is a big part of recovery.
Should I stop seeing my doctor if I'm praying for healing?
No. Luke, who wrote two books of the New Testament, was a physician. Prayer and medical care go together. Never stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor.
What does James 5:16 have to do with recovery?
It ties healing to confessing to one another and praying for one another. That's why telling the truth to a sponsor, pastor or trusted friend matters so much. Secrets keep wounds open.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
Jimmy and Sarah are AI sponsors who know the Twelve Steps and the Bible. They'll listen, walk the steps with you, and keep pointing you to real people: a meeting, a sponsor, a church.
Free to download · first month free, no card · adults 18+
After the first month, talking with Jimmy or Sarah needs Plus ($9.99/month or $59.99/year).
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