Healing Prayers: How God Uses Worship and Medicine for Transformation
“Father, I pray that You provide healing today…”
It’s 7 AM, and in the cool of the operating room, the warmth of God’s Spirit fills the space, bringing peace that surpasses understanding. This is where worship and medicine intersect for me, a worship leader turned surgeon.
The Calling to Worship and Medicine
As a high schooler, I faced a choice: become a worship leader or pursue a career in medicine. I had incredible mentors in both areas of my life. Growing up in a church renowned for producing worship leaders and Christian music, I was immersed in worship gatherings—camp meetings with the Gaithers, and youth conferences with Chris Tomlin. During high school, I led a youth worship team and continued leading worship at Cru Ministries at Miami University, where we gathered nearly 1,000 students for worship services. Even though I was an average musician and vocalist, I felt called to listen and follow God’s lead. Witnessing God connect with people through worship energized me, and I often thought, “I hope I can do this for the rest of my life.”
Discovering God in Science and Medicine
Yet, there was a tension within me. I also loved science and medicine—fields that, to me, pointed to our Creator. My father was a physical therapist, and I found joy in volunteering with patients, witnessing their recovery after trauma. The healing process fascinated me, especially seeing how Jesus met people’s physical needs, leading them into worship (Luke 17:16). I thought, “Jesus changed lives through healing, and I want to follow His example.”
“He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.” Luke 17:16
For a long time, I believed I had to choose between the two callings. But as doors to formal ministry slowly closed, so did doors to medical school. During those years of uncertainty, I wrestled with God: “Lord, I know You’ve called me to this, so why is this happening?” His response was simple but profound: “Trust me.” God was molding me into the person and physician He wanted me to be.
Finding Worship in the Operating Room
Today, as a Christian surgeon, I encounter people at their lowest points—patients whose lives have taken unexpected turns. They once had dreams of being a soccer star, running marathons, joining a pickleball league, or traveling in retirement. Instead, they find themselves asking the same question I once did: “Why is this happening?” It’s in these moments that I pray for God’s healing power to not only restore their physical health but to draw them closer to the God who loves them. This, too, is worship.
Worship Beyond Music: A Life of Trust and Gratitude
We were created to worship, and while many think of worship music and singing in church, worship extends far beyond that. True worship is a life lived in awe of God’s presence and God’s miracles. It’s about recognizing His creation, His grace, and His providence in every part of life. It looks like trusting God, expressing gratitude, and maintaining a prayerful heart. When we embrace this perspective, we experience love, joy, hope, and peace—even in the face of challenges.
Leading Worship in Everyday Life
Leading worship begins with your own heart and spills out into every relationship and encounter. Our hurting world is in desperate need of spiritual and physical healing, and God invites each of us into His rescue plan.
So, who are you going to lead in worship today? Remember, it may not involve a worship song or a worship band. It could be through the way you interact with others, how you serve in your workplace, or how you offer compassion to those in need. Ask yourself: How can my relationships, attitudes, and actions point others to Jesus Christ? How can my vocation, position, or platform promote the Kingdom of God?
Embrace Your Calling as a Worship Leader
While some are called to full-time ministry, we are all called to be worship leaders in our everyday lives. None of us are perfect, but God doesn’t call us to perfection—He calls us to progress. Whether in a church, an operating room, or anywhere in between, we each have the opportunity to lead others closer to God.
It’s 7 AM, and in the cool of the operating room, the warmth of God’s Spirit fills the space, bringing peace that surpasses understanding. This is where worship and medicine intersect for me, a worship leader turned surgeon.
Here Are 5 Discussion Questions for You and Your Team:
- How do you define worship beyond music?
Discuss ways we can express worship in our daily lives, outside of singing or playing instruments, and how that understanding can shape our role as a worship team. - In what ways have you experienced God’s guidance during worship?
Share moments where you felt God’s presence leading or guiding you during worship services, and how those experiences have impacted your personal faith and leadership. - How can we cultivate a spirit of unity within our team while leading worship?
What practical steps can we take to build trust, encourage each other, and foster a sense of unity, both on and off the stage, so that our worship reflects a heart of unity to the congregation? - How does understanding the different seasons of life affect the songs we choose?
How can we select songs that minister to people in various seasons—joy, grief, uncertainty—ensuring that our worship sets resonate with the diverse experiences of our church community? - What role does prayer play in our preparation for leading worship?
Reflect on the importance of prayer individually and as a team before worship services. How can we make space for intentional prayer in our rehearsals and in our personal preparation?
These questions are aimed at fostering deep conversations, helping worship teams connect their roles with a greater sense of purpose and spiritual growth.
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Orthopaedic Sports Medicine specialist at Vanderbilt University, serving Franklin, TN and the greater Nashville area. Team physician for Vanderbilt University and the Nashville Sounds.