Divine healing is a foundational aspect of the Christian faith, rooted deeply in the Word of God. It’s not just a concept but a powerful reality that believers can access through faith. The Bible clearly states that healing is part of God’s will for His people, and this assurance is reaffirmed throughout Scripture. However, stepping into the realm of divine healing requires more than just a passive belief; it demands an active, unyielding faith that stands firm against the tactics of the enemy. In this blog post, we will explore how to minister divine healing, the importance of spiritual grit, and the role of persistence in seeing God’s healing power manifest in our lives.
Key Points
Understand the Scriptural Basis
The Bible is clear that divine healing is not just possible but promised to those who believe. Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV) says:
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16:17-18
This passage underscores that the only condition for ministering divine healing is faith. Those who believe in Jesus Christ have been given the authority to cast out demons, speak in new tongues, and heal the sick. The act of laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover is not reserved for a select few but is a sign that follows all believers.
Don’t wait – Just do!
One common misconception is that believers need to wait for a specific spiritual experience, such as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, before they can begin to minister healing. However, this is not supported by Scripture. In fact, the twelve disciples healed the sick (Matthew 10:1) long before they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Similarly, the seventy disciples were sent out by Jesus to heal the sick (Luke 10:1) without having yet experienced this baptism.
Historically, there have been numerous accounts of healing before the advent of modern Pentecostalism in 1901. For example, John G. Lake, a well-known healing evangelist, ministered healing for 17 years before he experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This demonstrates that while the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a powerful and transformative experience, it is not a prerequisite for ministering divine healing. The only requirement is faith in God’s Word and His promises.
Also, some folks think they have to wait for a special leading from the Holy Spirit to do healing ministry. We don’t see that in the Bible. Jesus was usually moved by compassion, not by a “leading”. It’s also something we’ve been asked to do. Expecting God to give you an extra nudge on top of what He’s already asked you to do is like a cop asking for permission every time he has to do something he was hired for.
Command the sickness to leave
When praying for someone who is sick, many pray statements like “God, if you are willing…”, which itself is a prayer of unbelief, because it shows an uncertainty about God’s will to heal. So “if it is your will”, should never come in prayer. God paid for our sickness 2000 years ago (Isaiah 53:5), and if you are still saying things like “if it is your will” or “May your will be done”, that is a cop-out prayer. People say that they don’t want to disrepute God if the healing doesn’t happen. Well, I think you are worried about your reputation with those cop-out prayers.
Moreover, remember that we are not pleading the sick person’s case to God, but rather representing God to the sick person or the forces causing the illness. With this in mind, treat the sickness as if it were a person and command it to leave in Jesus’ name. This is an exercise of the authority that believers have received from Christ. You don’t have to “pray and ask God to heal the person”. If you have doubts, look at all the healings mentioned in the New Testament. It was not a matter of praying to God for healing, but rather speaking to the situation or commanding the sickness to leave. This is part of our new creation mandate.
Believe in God’s Promise
After issuing the command, believe that God will do what He has promised. It is like how we live on earth. We are so accustomed to the laws of nature and laws of gravity that we dont even think about them, and expect them, and do things. We sit on a chair take law of gravity for granted, and never expect to go upwards like a rocket.
Similarly, trust in God’s Word without doubting, you have been asked to believe in His Word and command, and God will take care of the rest and honor His Word.
As you believe, eternal life in you, will flow out into that person, and the way life dispels darkness, sickness will be dispelled.
The Importance of Spiritual Grit
Once you have commanded the sickness to leave, it is essential to stand firm. You can either add to the life again, that you have allowed to flow to the sick person, or you can stand your ground and refuse to back down. Just because you don’t “see” something doesn’t mean that nothing is happening.
Waiting till you see the end result needs spiritual grit which comes from patience and endurance.
Spiritual grit, in this context, refers to the unwavering determination not to quit or give up, no matter the circumstances. You see this in Jesus’s ministry in Mark 9:14-28, where soon after Jesus preached, things “looked” as if it was backfiring, and people thought that the boy had died. But we don’t see Jesus panicking, but rather, he stayed there, with unwavering determination, and the boy was healed.
Also, the Bible provides a powerful example of this principle in Joshua 17:14-15, where the sons of Joseph ask for more land, and Joshua instructs them to clear the forest and fight for what is rightfully theirs. This passage teaches us that while God has already given us the victory, we still need fight against the enemy. Similarly, when it comes to divine healing, we must approach it with the mindset that healing is already ours. We must fight to claim it and refuse to give up, even if the healing is not instantaneous. This is why Hebrews 6:12 talks about inheriting promises through faith and patience.
Praying “n” number of times is adding
When praying for healing, a common question arises: Should we pray once and believe it’s done, or should we continue to pray until we see the physical manifestation of healing? The answer lies in understanding the nature of faith and the authority we have in Christ.
Jesus’ ministry provides insight into this question. In Mark 9:25-27 (NKJV), Jesus commands a deaf and dumb spirit to come out of a boy. Although the spirit left, the boy appeared as if he were dead, causing many to doubt the healing. However, Jesus did not waver; He took the boy by the hand, and he arose. Similarly in Mark 8:24-25, Jesus prayed, and the man could only see like people like “trees”. So, Jesus prayed again, and the man could see.
This example teaches us that when we command sickness to leave, it must obey, even if the physical symptoms do not immediately disappear. The enemy may try to deceive us into thinking that the healing hasn’t happened, but we must stand firm in faith, knowing that God’s Word is true. If Jesus had to do multiple times, we could too.
It may not be instantaneous
While instantaneous healing is possible and within God’s will, it doesn’t always happen immediately. Sometimes, healing is progressive, requiring us to persist in faith and patience. It is essential to believe that healing is happening, even if we don’t see the results right away. Perseverance is key, as it demonstrates our unwavering trust in God’s promises. This is why the Bible puts a lot of importance on endurance and perseverance, because a spiritual warrior without endurance and perseverance is the same as someone who doesn’t show up at all.
While ministering healing, if we see only partial healing, we should continue to press in, believing that full healing is on its way.
So, is it a lack of faith to pray for healing multiple times? Not necessarily. While some may argue that repeating prayers shows unbelief, it can also be seen as adding to the initial command. Jesus Himself laid hands on a blind man twice to restore his sight completely (Mark 8:22-25). This was not unbelief but an example of faith in action, building upon the first step.
Multiple healing prayers are like hammer hits, that break down the barriers to healing. Sometimes, it takes repeated strikes—repeated prayers—to see the breakthrough.
Let’s do it!
Divine healing is a powerful demonstration of God’s love and power at work in the lives of believers. It is not just a gift for a select few but a promise for all who believe. By understanding the scriptural foundation for healing, cultivating spiritual grit, and persisting in faith, believers can see God’s healing power manifest in their lives and the lives of others.
Remember, healing is yours. Take it, stand firm, and never give up. God’s Word is true, and His promises are sure. Whether the healing is instantaneous or gradual, trust that God is at work, and the victory is already won. Keep praying, keep believing, and keep fighting for what is rightfully yours in Christ.
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