Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 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.
When we believe and follow Jesus there will be signs that accompany us. We are told that when we lay hands on the sick they will recover. We, by Jesus, have been given authority over demons, poisons, and sickness. If these are signs that follow those who believe why are we not seeing them follow us? I think it has to do with our lack of belief. Do we believe that in the name of Jesus we can be healed? God has power over all disease and He has told us to lay hands on the sick and they will recover.
Jas 5:14 – Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
God is the one who does the healing but the word of God tells us to to lay hands on sick and anoint them with oil. I think we should just do it and believe that He can and will heal. Today as we are praying for healing I want you to meditate on a few things.
(1) Do you believe you have authority in the name of Jesus over all demons and sickness?
(2) Do you put that belief in action by laying hands on people and praying for them?
My challenge to you today is simply to ask someone if you can pray for them, and then lay hands on them and pray and believe God will do a miracle.
I don't really pray for healing that often, both for myself or for others. But why not? I DO believe that I have authority in the name of Jesus over ALL demons and sickness. The only question holding me back is, why didn't God heal my mom when so, so many people prayed for her, and then i start to doubt. So my prayer is that humbly accepting God's sovereignty and perfect will, I walk in the authority granted to me and pray expecting miracles!
I have to challenge if I myself believe that I have authority over such things. Mentally I know I do, but in my heart i think i am still debating. I think what holds me back the most, is a fear of praying for a stranger, friend, family for healing, telling them it will happen, and then it not happening. And then I would have to tell them something along the lines of, "it must not be Gods will for you to be healed of this sickness. sorry. better luck next time." This thought once again, challenges if I believe it in the first place and just putting 100% trust in God.
Rick,
Thank you for your honesty and insight. This holds most people back. We do have to remember that God is sovereign but also that we need to pray and just simply believe and let God do the healing. Rick thanks for your comment!
Mike,
You do not not have to promise anything just pray and let God do the miracle. I think we base our obedience off weather we see something with eyes. Faith is not based off sight. I can not tell you how many times I have prayed and not seen healing but I am convinced I will continue because God tells us to. It is the times that it happens that are confirming. Bless you all… this one has struck a nerve I can tell… MORE COMMENTS PLEASE!
Pastor Aaron-
I have a question… Is it ok to ask for healing for something that is in result of a sin? There's something that I've been wanting prayer for, but I almost feel like I shouldn't bring it to the Lord, since it was result of a sin. How can I ask the Lord to heal me when I caused this?
Growing up being the youngest in the family and smallest, one can imagine the inferiority complex one could gain as a result. but i love God's style when it comes to choosing the misfits of the era to do his great will. So i know its all about obedience to his word, and things will go okay. However, when it comes to prayer for healing, its a serious struggle with my weak flesh saying I'm in no position to pray for such things. Even though i've been attending LCC (and New Gen) for nigh on 7 years, i still view myself as "the younger brother" when i compare myself to others within the church. I KNOW I KNOW, don't compare yourself to others, but thats what i've grown up doing every day of my childhood. So i have doubts about praying for healing, unless i feel that familiar tug on my heart that i recognize as the Spirit telling me something I need to do. If anyone knows the story of Moses, he still questioned himself even though he was the only one that fit the criteria for the job. Thats how we all are! through his death on the cross and the release of His Holy Spirit, we ALL fit the criteria for the job. Even though in our heads it doesn't seem so, in God's eyes its no big deal.
(sorry it was so long winded)
This reveals some of our core theology, which as we know might be twisted. Is God in control and is there no changing his mind? Do we pray to an unrelenting God? Will He have mercy when we think we deserve punishment?
I have seen miraculous healing. I have seen my prayers go "unanswered" – meaning I didn't get the results I wanted. Does that mean I get mad at God because I can't figure Him out? I don't think I want to serve a God I could figure out. Lord I believe, help my unbelief!
Great comments…
Heather I could not agree with you more I love the honesty of all the posts but it does reveal a core theology. What do we believe about Jesus!
Beth… YES! We pray for healing when it is our sin that has caused it. That is what Jesus does He gives us things we do not deserve… that is MERCY. No one deserves healing from any sickness it is apart of curse. We ask and believe and we let Him do what He wants. Do not cary something that he has paid for and do not wait until you deserve healing to ask for it you never will.
This string of comments has really challenged me and convicted me because I think we have a core problem in this house. Doubt, unbelief, and faith in a good, gracious, and loving God. It is good to feel unworthy and deserving as long as you do not allow that to turn in to false humility and we are crippled from receiving and ministering.
LORD, HELP OUR UNBELIEF!
Beth, I know you asked Pastor that question…but I want to give you a little testimony about God's grace where I needed healing as a result of my sin….last year when they told me that I had cyst the size of a lemon on my ovary and that it more than likely ruined my last ovary that was connected to a fallopian tube…I felt like who was i to ask God for mercy and healing…when this was all a result from my past sexual sins…the Lord showed me how his heart is not to punish me but to love me (whether or not he chose to heal me) and that I needed to just bring it to him. So, reluctantly I did and HE HEALED ME! When they did suregery, it wasn't there! You've seen the video on the LCC website where I talk about it? It was that healing…just like this life that I don't deserve that He poured His grace out on…So, I just want to encourage you to ask the Lord for healing for whatever it is…..He is a big, loving and merciful God.
Yeah Trish thanks for that here is the link to her testimony.
http://lifeconnectionchurch.net/blog/2008/04/22/v…
check it out you all!!!
I know that Jesus can heal.. I've seen it in so many people and I've even experienced healing… but for some reason I feel like Jesus maybe won't want to heal me…. like it's not that big of a deal and I should just live with it. I have an under active stupid thyroid and I always say, "It's only one pill a day… it's not that big of a deal… It only costs me $13 a month.." But I just read that if I ever get pregnant and breast feed, the medicine can harm my baby and that is propelling me to really desire to be healed. I'm so sick of my stupid doubt and fear!!
The Lord really showed me tonight not only what a privilege it is to pray for healing for each other, but it is our RESPONSIBILITY. Just like the three servants that were given a portion of their master's talents in Matthew 25:14. I know that in this case, a talent refers to a measure of money. But, what if we took this literally? This person has a talent for teaching…this one a talent for speaking…this one a talent for serving. All of these 'talents' are gifts from our Father. He has given us the gift of healing, as well. We have the power! We have authority over sickness and disease. But, what if, on the day I have an accounting with my Lord, and he asks me about that gift and I just hand it back to Him…never used, never invested, just pulled back from where I buried it? I pray it not be so, but instead, He will say "Well done, good and faithful servant."
All I know is that before prayer tonight I sat down with Amber and brought to her my shame of the doubt and unbelief that still hinder my relationship with God and during prayer this night God knocked me off of my feet and gave me proof. I could literally feel him tearing the walls down around my heart with a sledge hammer and laughing while telling me,," FINALLY, all you had to do was ask"!!! God took my unbelief and fear of being close with him and knocked it out of the ball Park! PRAISE JESUS
Yeah Janet!!! THAT IS SO AMAZING! Thank you for that testimony… God is good!
Something happened last night. I don't know exactly what, but something switched inside my head. Last night I chose to believe and even rebuke any fear that would try to creep up. God gave me a renewed spirit and new spiritual eyes. I even see things different and I believe that He is healing me in more ways than one, including my HPV…
So a few days have passed since I was able to ask for healing and I've been able to digest this.
Pastor Aaron, I appreciate how you can put things into words that makes it so clear to me. I came up for healing and all I could hear is "Mercy and grace. This is my gift to you. Even though, undeserving, I am giving this gift to you." Something shifted in my spirit where I could literally feel the shame lifted off of me. I didn't even realize that I still held onto that. I feel like my purity has been restored and that I have a totally different perspective of his mercy and grace. Thanks again, for all who shared their testimonies with me, similar to mine.
AMEN BETH.