“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
When we walk in our identity in Christ, we get to partner with Jesus in bringing about the will of our Heavenly Father. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us as we minister to others. Jesus’ ministry was filled with healing and deliverance. We have specific accounts of Jesus healing the sick, giving the blind sight, causing the lame to walk, delivering people from demons, and raising people from the dead. In John 21, it says that were he to record all of the things Jesus did, even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. Can you imagine the joy, the gratitude, the relief Jesus brought when he prayed and people’s lives were radically changed?
The need for healing, whether physical or emotional, is a part of living in a broken world. But Jesus came to be the answer to that brokenness. Jesus is the healer. In him we have hope. He modeled what it looks like to be in sync with the Father. It was on the Father’s heart to heal, so Jesus did what he saw the Father doing. He then sent his disciples to go and do the same. When they spoke in Jesus’ name, they were given the power and authority to do what Jesus did. What is so exciting is that it didn’t end there. Jesus gives us permission to do the same.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14: 2-14)
Part of being a believer praying is for the sick. Jesus has given us permission, power, and authority to pray for those who need healing in his name. That means when we invoke the name of Jesus, it is as though Jesus himself were saying the prayer. Because we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we literally carry the power that raised Jesus from the dead inside of us. When we pray in Jesus’ name, the Holy Spirit flows through us. That power is then released to accomplish what it has been purposed to do: heal the sick and deliver the oppressed. When people are healed, they are drawn to the Father and he is glorified. While we get to be the conduit, it is God doing the work. Since Jesus only did what he saw the Father doing, we know healing is on God’s agenda. As we pray for healing, whether physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional, you have the God who created heaven and earth backing you up. You are not healing in your own strength or power, but you are a conduit through which God moves. If we want to be used by God in this way, we have to take a risk and pray for people who need healing.
Listening Prayer:
Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind the people he wants you to pray for to be healed.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for creating a way for us to partner with you in bringing about God’s will on the earth. I recognize that part of my job as a believer is to pray for those who need healing. Holy Spirit, I ask that you fill me with the power to heal. Use me as a conduit through which you flow to lead people to you, set them free, and bring glory to your name. I humbly submit myself to your leading. Open my ears to hear your promptings to pray. Give me courage to move when you direct. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Resource: Bible Verses on Healing
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” (Romans 8:11)
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)
“Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” (Luke 4:40)
“Philip [the Evangelist] went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:5-8)
Worship Song:
“Same God” by Elevation Worship