There are many passages in the Word that give us instructions. Today I want to focus on just one.... PRAYING FOR THE SICK.
We have to understand DEEPLY that Jesus is the HEAD and we are His BODY. For God's purposes to be established as a part of His Kingdom here on earth, we have to be an extension of the HEAD. We are the hands, the feet, the mouth and much more, as He works through us. We are a conduit for God's Healing Power to flow.
When we lay hands on the sick, we should expect something to happen. It does not always happen instantly. Many times it's a process. But the healing power of God ALWAYS flows through His believers, when they take action.
.
Sometimes there are many roadblocks to healing. There can be many reasons why we are attacked with sickness.... one of those sources of attacks is from the enemy, and I will deal with that when I teach on the list of roadblocks in an upcoming course. Remember this.... that sickness NEVER comes from God!
So back to healing and what is expected of us...
We are to do what Jesus did while He was on this earth. He healed the sick and cast out demons. This is not just for clergy. This is for EVERY BELIEVER. Frankly, most of the church world is scared of this. Sadly, 70% of Christians do not believe that satan is real. (Now THAT'S scary in itself!) So no wonder they are not following in Jesus' footsteps because they don't believe what the Bible teaches.
That leaves 30% that do believe we are fighting an enemy, and of that 30%, what percentage is actually being obedient and praying for the sick and casting out demons? Relatively few, sorry to say.
I'd like to share a little section of an article from Bible scholar and Pastor, Rick Renner.
"Jesus promises that if we will follow His example and lay our hands on the sick, God’s power will be released into the body of the afflicted. If we are releasing our faith and believing for healing power to flow from us to the recipient, healing virtue will be deposited into the sick person’s body. Just as medicine slowly works to reverse a medical condition, the power of God that was deposited with the laying on of our hands will begin to attack the work of the devil and progressively bring that sick person back into a state of health and well-being.
Jesus promised that any believer could do this! Any believer, including you, can lay hands on the sick and see the sick get better and better until they are finally restored back to health. All that is required for God to use you in this way are three basic criteria: 1) That you have a desire for God to heal through you; 2) That you have hands to lay on sick people; and 3) That your faith is released to activate the power of God to heal. If you can fulfill these three requirements, you’re ready to get into the healing ministry!
Healing the sick is part of your responsibility as a believer. You cannot do it alone, but the Holy Spirit is present to impart His power when you act in Jesus’ name. So rather than look at sick people and feel pity for them, why don’t you pull your hands out of your pockets and go lay them on those sick people, just as Jesus did when He was ministering on the earth? The Word of God guarantees that God will work with you to bring healing and health to those who are in need." ~Rick Renner
Rick is right! It is part of our responsibility as a believer. Don't you want to see people get well? What about your family? What about your friends? What about people on the street who are dealing with physical battles? Most people are not going to walk into a church to receive prayer, so we (the church) need to go to THEM.
When I am out and about, so often the Lord will bring someone to me who just starts talking about their ailments. Perfect strangers. That's my cue from the Lord to minister healing to them. God works behind the scenes to set up these meetings because he knows that I am always obedient to be His hands and voice here on earth. Remember...The HEAD is going to instruct the BODY and provide His healing power to flow! But we must be willing. WE MUST BE WILLING!
Learn what the Word says on healing. Read how Jesus did it and then follow His examples. Bind the fear and just step out and DO IT. Someone's life may be hanging in the balance and God wants to use YOU to bring healing and restoration to a person in need.
Mark 16:18 ~ "...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Kimberly @ God's Healing Power Radio Ministry. ©
***Coming up in 2020, many teaching resources will be made available to help teach you the HOW'S of ministry, and much more! Stay tuned! ***