The fever that now afflicts your son is no strange thing to our Lord. Consider the nobleman of Capernaum, who came to Jesus pleading for his own child, burning with fever and near death. Christ spoke only the word, "Thy son liveth," and at that very hour the fever relented. The father believed and his whole household with him. Such is the power of our Master: distance does not dim His sight, illness does not outlast His command. He needs no time, no medicine, no gradual recovery; as He touched Peter’s wife’s mother and the fever left at once, restoring her strength fully, so He can raise your son from his bed in an instant. Entreat Him, then, with unwavering faith. Cry out from the depths of your heart, "Lord, come down ere my child die," and trust that His word alone is more than enough.
But while you pray for the little body, do not forget the soul. Bodily fevers come and go; they are but shadows of the inward burning that wastes the spirit. The lust of the flesh, the love of money, the heat of anger, the inflammation of pride, these are the true fevers that destroy eternally. Your love for your child is right and good, yet let it be a spur to seek for him not only physical health but the healing that saves. Even as you beg the Physician of bodies, bring also the sickened soul before Him. The same Lord who rebukes a bodily fever can cast out the fever of youthful passions, the disease of covetousness, the blindness of idolatry. He is the great Physician who tasted death for us that we might be whole.
Therefore, let this trial drive you closer to Him. If your son’s fever is lifted, will you rise and serve, as Peter’s mother-in-law did, with a life wholly given to Christ? Do not waste the deliverance when it comes, but let the whole house believe and be saved. And if the fever lingers a little, yet still trust. As the body sometimes rests long under a malady so that the cure may be more manifest, so God may permit this for a time to display His glory and to refine your faith. In all things, give thanks.
I will pray with you now: O Lord Jesus Christ, the true light and life of men, who didst speak and the nobleman’s son lived, who didst touch and the fever left Peter’s kin, stretch forth Thy right hand and quench the fire in this child. Speak the word, and let health return swiftly and completely, that this family may rejoice and bear witness to Thy power. But more than this, heal every soul present. Cast out the fever of sin, grant the cool refreshment of repentance, and bring them at last to the eternal health of Thy kingdom. For Thine is the glory, now and ever. Amen.