An illness may not be because of sin. After all babies become ill -- what sin have they committed?

Not every seeming bad thing that happens in this world is some sort of cause and effect due to sinning. Quite the opposite is true -- many evil people prosper and never have a sick day in their lives.

Sin, like illness, is a tool. A parent may use "time out" with a child one day, the next the parent may take away a favorite toy for an hour. Different methods are used to exact results.

While it is true that we should pray to G-d in times of turmoil (like illness) we need to remember that prayer is a form of communication. It isn't just for asking favors. Tefillah is not a one way street.

When the term salvation is used in the Tanach it is generally speaking of physical lives being saved -- as in the Exodus. The reason is that we are judged by what we do in this realm. If we sin and do not repent and grow from the experience we are judged accordingly. We are able to bring ourselves closer to G-d (or father away) based on how good a person we try to be and the mitzvot we are able to perform.

In other words, Harry, we save ourselves. But don't confuse this with not needing G-d. G-d created us with this inherent ability. It is our purpose in life. To learn to grow and to become holier, and thus farther away from sin -- but it is US who must do this.

To one who is never taught and who does the best s/he can G-d judges differently than one who has been taught and turns away. We are judged by our abilities.

As a famous rabbi once said, when we die G-d won't say "Why weren't you like Moses?" He will say "Why weren't you the best Sophiee you could be?"