Healing Prayer

Introduction:

I’d like you to join me on a journey into a topic that’s filled with controversy and confusion. Today we will consider the idea of “Healing Prayer.”

1. What is “healing”? According to the words used in the New testament:

 Healing means to MEND something that’s broken.

 Healing is to MAKE WHOLE AGAIN.

 Healing means to OVERCOME an unhealthy situation in the following areas of human existence: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and relational.

One man summed this idea of healing up by saying it is “liberation from [the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and relational] shackles that prevent us from enjoying maturity and eternity.” (Bernard Martin)

As we work through this study of healing, I encourage you to think about your own life. Think about what God wants to do in your life. What shackles would He like to liberate you from? What does he want to mend or make whole again in your physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, or relational life?

2. I started by saying this is a topic that’s filled with controversy and confusion. I believe the disagreement and debate are caused by two EXTREMES found in Christians today.

 One DENIES healing in the present. These well meaning Christians say that healing was a sign to unbelievers in the days of the early church and no longer can be found. But as a part of The Wesleyan Church we believe “The truth that Jesus is both able and willing to heal the body as well as the human soul, whenever such healing is for His glory, is clearly set forth in God’s Word and attested by the experience of many of His people at the present day. Prayer for healing according to the pattern set forth in the Scriptures shall be encouraged.” (DISCIPLINE 1996, paragraph 430)

 The other extreme DEMANDS miraculous healing all the time. They proclaim that God will instantaneously heal anyone, anytime as long as he or she has enough faith. But there are too many examples of faith-filled Christians who are not instantly healed. In the Bible, God told Paul that He would not heal him because God’s “grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

 BOTH overlook God’s routine, daily ministry of healing to us.

3. There are at least six ways that God heals us all the time.

 People in the HELPING professions are a part of God’s healing team. (Honor those present.)

 Medical TREATMENTS are a part of the miraculous healing God provides.

 Created processes in our BODIES. (White blood cells for example.)

 God’s direct touch – Jesus healed the sick for three reasons.

a. A PERSON SAID, “PLEASE HEAL ME.”

b. A PERSON SAID, “HEAL MY LOVED ONE.”

c. JESUS SIMPLY CHOSE TO DO IT.

 “God’s Psychiatry” is the title of a book by Pastor Charles Allen. In it he describes the healing effects of obedience to the Bible.

a. For example, simple reading and thinking about the 23rd Psalm can calm our nerves in stress-filled times.

b. Learning the importance of forgiving those who have trespassed against us will eliminate the weight of bitter anger.

c. Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?’ or `What shall we drink?’ or `What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:30-34)

 The “Ultimate Cure” – WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN – THE RESURRECTION.

That’s when God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). These fragile bodies will be “will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:52-53).

4. The Bible is filled with PROMISES for all kinds of healing.

Jeremiah 3:22 "Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding."

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Luke 8:1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, [2] and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases….

Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (SPIRITUAL HEALING)