In the Bible we see many different ways that people received healing.

1. The first way is laying on of hands. In Mark 16:17-28, it says: “And these signs will follow those who believe; … they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Notice, God’s Word says that these signs will follow believers! Jesus laid hands on the sick when He walked the earth, and they were healed. Believers have Jesus within us, and we have been commissioned to lay hands on the sick, and they will recover!

2. The second way that people are healed is through the healing gift of the Spirit. Look at 1 Corinthians 12:7, 9, 11: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: … to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, … But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. The gifts of the Spirit are given as the Spirit wills, for the profit of all. This often happens within an assembly of believers, building up a strong faith and an awe of God within all of those present.
3. The third way to receive healing is through the prayer of agreement. Jesus says in Matthew 18:19-20, “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” There is great power in the prayer of agreement, and I have seen wonderful healings as a result of this prayer. However, it is critical that the two in prayer truly agree, and have faith that God will heal the person in need. If one person truly believes, but the other person wavers or doubts, the prayer isn’t a true prayer of agreement.
4. In Acts 19:11-12, we read: Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. When strong believers filled with faith pray over prayer cloths, the anointing of the Holy Spirit can actually be held in the cloths and distributed to those in need of healing. I have heard wonderful testimonies of healing through prayer cloths!
5. One of the most well-known healing prayers is the anointing with oil, and the prayer of the elders. James 5:14-16 says: Is anyone among you sick? 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 will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Just as God’s Word says so clearly, this fervent prayer is very powerful!

   Notice that each of the ways to receive healing discussed above are passive … the person who is in need of healing passively receives the healing of Jesus through another believer or group of believers.

6. But the last way to receive healing is active. The person in need of healing prays the prayer of faith in order to reach up to heaven and receive the healing that Jesus has already paid for! This is how I believe I was healed of Stage 4 melanoma!

Mark 11:22-24 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

The critical question that follows, then, is “How do I have this kind of faith and truly believe without doubting?”

Next month: Child-Like Faith … What is it Anyway?

If you are in need of support as you fight a chronic or terminal illness, call Life Christian Church at (866) 704-0520, and ask about the Illness Recovery small group ministry.

God bless you!

Cindy Cox, author

A Blessed Journey: Through Terminal Cancer … Into Divine Healing

Book available at: www.ablessedjourney.com

Contact Cindy at: info@ablessedjourney.com