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Praying for healing
Praying for healing is a difficult topic in many Christian circles. How can we pray faithfully, asking God to heal those we love and care for? Tracy Andrews brings us a good word on what the Bible teaches about healing.
Whenever we pray we are aligning our will to Gods, to carry out His work. The Bible shows us many different approaches to the topic of healing, and ways we can safely, confidently and faithfully approach sickness and healing in the power of God.
We must always begin in a spirit of humility, asking the Holy Spirit to help us discern God's will, and anything we ask or pray is through the name of Jesus, because God has given the governorship of heaven and earth to Jesus as the coming King (Ephesians 1:20-21).
Declaring wellness
‘Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”’ - Acts 3:6
Here we find Peter declaring that a sick person be healed. Any time we preach, pray or prophesy, we must be doing so under the power of the Holy Spirit, which will prompt us in this to declare and pray the will of God.
Claiming scripture
'He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace is upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.' - Isaiah 53:5
As Christ-followers, we understand that the Bible is our manual for learning who God is, and understanding what His will is for us. We know that through studying the word of God, asking the Holy Spirit for insight and applying it to our lives, and so becoming 'doers of the word, not hearers only' (James 1:22) that we will see God work and intervene to bring healing.
Healing touch
‘And these signs shall follow them that believe... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’ - Mark 16:17-18
Sometimes we're privileged to be asked by God to reach out and touch another in a way that will change their life; to be His hands and feet. Sometimes through laying our hands on others (always asking permission to do so first), we can see and feel the healing power of God clearly.
Healing ministries
'As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.' - Acts 5:15
Did you know – just as the hem of Christ’s cloak healed the sick, this scripture tells us that Peter's shadow healed people! Some Christians have a particular 'healing ministry', where the Holy Spirit has gifted them with signs and wonders for miraculous healing. We know the power to heal comes from God, and sometimes these Christians hold 'healing meetings'.
This is a particular revelation of God's work, and one to be treated with discernment and the instruction of the Holy Spirit.
Asking God (prayer)
'Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.' - James 5:14-15
God does amazing things as a result of praying, faithful believers (Mark 2:1-12). The Bible says that the 'effective, fervent prayer of the righteous does much' (James 5:16). So, coming to God in prayer for another will always mean that God's will is revealed to us, our faith is strengthened and we can pray and believe in faith that God will do good things.
Simple prayers for healing can involve just saying 'Lord, we bring this woman/man before you and ask that you heal them of their sickness and pain right now, in Jesus' name. Amen'.
My question to you is: Are you ready to go and unleash God's power of healing and deliverance on the world?
Will you join with me as we pray against the fear of man, asking God for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to lead us in healing every part of those who call on God - emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally?
God, we thank you that above all - You are holy.
You are good. You are not like us, and yet You love us. Your Word tells us that you long for the good, the holy and the love of yourself to be revealed to us. We pray that as Christians, we might understand how You work. We ask that we would have greater faith as we wait.
We adore You and come before You asking You to align our will with Yours when we pray for healing. Thank you for Who you are, Almighty God, and we pray the work in us is pleasing to You.
Amen.
By Tracy Andrews
WM Author