January 12, 2011
The Bible says it often: God is in the business of healing. It may not exactly say “healing”. Restoration, salvation and making whole have similar root words and meaning.
There are various principles about healing and prayer that I remember gleaning over the years and via great spiritual mentors. A seminary class taught by Doctors Dybdhal and Bauer a couple of years ago really helped me put them into words.
Before I review these principles related to praying for healing from our group discussion, one more thing: The big idea is that everyone, at least every believer has a calling to do God’s work.
The power comes from God, of course, and no one has a special monopoly on prayer. The best thing pastors and leaders can do is to help the church folks is to teach and help them understand that they are empowered to pray for others!
All right. Four things that show that, as Christians, we are called to the ministry of prayer and healing:
1. Jesus chose ordinary people to spend time with Him
Jesus expected his followers to spend time with Him and to do what He did and to love like He loved!
Mark 3:14, 15
2. Jesus chose regular,ordinary people to spend time with Him
No, it’s not a typo. Jesus chose regular ordinary people. His invitation is the same today. You don’t need a special degree or to be perfect to pray for someone.
Luke 10:1, 9, 17
3. Jesus said that we would do greater things than He did
Believers of Jesus are given the authority to pray with confidence for people and boldly ask for God’s intervention. We are here to bring healing to people. What that “healing” looks like may not be the same for everyone.
John 14:12
4. Jesus said that there would be miracles even after He physically left His followers!
Let’s expect great things from the ministry of prayer and keep our eyes open to see God at work.
Acts 15:12, 16:18, 19:11, 12
See you next Wednesday!
