Discipline from the Father would not include the temptation to sin as that comes from Satan and his evil representatives here on earth (James 1:13-17).   In fact, outside God’s word and the conviction of that word, God doesn’t send sickness, disease, misfortune, persecution, or death as a form of His discipline.  The option, once His children experience these things is whether He allows them to continue for our benefit or remove them for our benefit. He, alone, is all-knowing and is the only one able to determine the outcome of such trials. James tells us,
Count it all joy when you fall in divers temptations, knowing the trying of your faith works patience… (James 1:2).
This may include the sorrow from mistreatment of others who would wrongfully abuse us and say all manner of evil against us falsely.  It may come from ongoing temptations to which we refuse to yield or to sickness and physical disabilities over which we have little control.  But pain, sickness, and death are neither a gift from God’s hand nor a form of punishment from God’s hand toward His children.
- Physical Cares
There is no doubt that God still cares about our physical needs and intervenes to provide healing. As already noted, however, life in the Son is not about making us physically comfortable, here. Though He is not the author of sin, sickness, and death and finds no satisfaction in our suffering, He doesn’t always remove the physical suffering.   Yet, through it all, he provides the strength to endure so that the blessings that are derived are spiritual in nature.  We are often made stronger from trials, hardships, and even temptations.  Yet, in all of them, we are not left defenseless or without spiritual resources to overcome. Those in Christ are overcomers through Him and, while in the flesh, are subject to that which can touch the body that is destined to return to the dust from which it came.  Our prayers, therefore, do not reflect a heart that longs for things of this life, and the freedom from pain, sickness, and death. These are inevitable and to pray that we are kept from them is to pray amiss.  Though tears may trickle down our frail cheeks from human loss and pain, we are rejoicing from within. In addition, division and sinful pride surround our physical surroundings, but those in Christ who focus on the heavenlies are the rich recipients of peace and unity with fellow citizens of the kingdom. It’s not about church growth, bank accounts, and prosperity. It is about a blessedness that exists in a spiritual realm untouched by the physical dimension.
For what, then, should God’s people pray?  The common response to the description above is discouraging because it is assumed that we need not pray for anything related to the physical body and needs.  However, though the spiritual requests seem to take precedence over the physical, several examples can be cited of prayers for the physical well-being of saints. Therefore, we may pray for comfort from the fears, and concerns of the body as long as we are not intending to consume it upon our own lusts.  Our bodies are to be holy unto the Lord as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:2). Paul gives us the example to imitate. Being in a straight between dying or living in the flesh, he explains that his only reason for remaining in the flesh is to serve his fellow Christians.  Otherwise, there would be no desire to stay in this pilgrim land.  If this motivation is not behind the requests of our hearts, then, we question the truth of our reign with Christ in the heavenlies. We can admire the weary soul burdened with cancer of the body, praying that God would extend the life to raise their children, or be given opportunities to reach a soul outside of Christ.  We are not doubting that God intervenes by giving healing and life to those who ask Him. But the cause must be nobler than merely enjoying one’s physical blessings, here.  This focus on things below does not describe the reign of Christ within that soul because their affection of heart is not in heaven (cf. Col. 3:1-3).  That God would just extend life for the sake of giving more earth time is not consistent with the mind of Christ. To grant such physical blessings in order to advance the praise and glory of God is altogether different and may give cause to grant requests for healing, financial resources, or support.