“Do you think it’s the evil eye?” my friend Layla asked after showing me a rash covering her back and stomach.

I told her it looked like an allergic reaction, but her family didn’t think so. Nor did the local pharmacist, who had refused to give her anything to help treat the rash. They all believed her ailment had been caused by a curse brought on by the evil eye.

Layla and those around her believe they’re affliected with the evil eye afflict when someone else harbors jealousy toward them. Many Muslims believe the evil eye causes sickness, hardship, and even death. They avoid these curses by wearing charms, hiding their children from the public, and sprinkling themselves with water that has been blessed with prayer.

“If it were the evil eye, what would you do?” I asked Layla.

She told me about an Islamic folk healer who, for about three days’ wages, will write verses from the Quran on a wooden board using a special ink. He washes the board, collects the water, and has her drink the ink water.

“This is how God wants us to deal with cuses,” Layla said.

“But why would something God that gives for free cost so much?” I asked. I told her a story from 2 Kings 5 about Naaman, an army commander who suffered from leprosy. In search of a cure, he went to the prophet Elisha who told him to wash seven times in the river. Naaman did as he was instructed, and God healed him of his leprosy.

Naaman offered the prophet gold and other gifts in exchange for healing. Elisha refused to accept them, explaining that healing comes freely from God (2 Kings 5:16).

I asked Layla if she thought a free gift from God should not cost money.  She nodded. When I asked if I could pray for God to heal her in the name of Jesus, she joyfully accepted.

• Pray for Muslims like Layla who spend their meager resources in search of healing and deliverance.
• Ask the Lord to heal Layla and others so they can discover the free gift of God: eternal life in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23) and freedom from sin, death, evil, and illness.
• Pray that Muslims will be set free from fear of the curse of the evil eye and rejoice in the assurance that God freely delivers His children from evil.
• Ask God to give Frontiers field workers opportunities to minister to Muslims who live in fear without the hope of the Christ.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names have been changed for security.** 

Original article: https://www.frontiersusa.org/blog/article/the-cost-of-healing