Does Jesus still heal?

A discussion on Faith

Mark 11:23  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.

This verse shows us that if we have believing prayer that God will answer. However we need to look at through the lense of a few scriptures.

Provision

Suppose a person were to pray “God I stand in faith, that you would make me rich”. Although the LORD wants us to prosper, He does not have to answer that kind of prayer. The Bible says:

James 4:13  Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 

We need to be aware that when praying for provision, it still must be according to God’s will. There is a fine line between claiming Jesus promises, and boasting. We still need to allow for God’s will in all of our prayers. Although we can pray for our needs to be met, as an example, we can’t just pray prayers, for our own pleasures.

James 4:3  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

What about prayers for our physical needs. The Bible tells us:

1Peter 5:7  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 

Matthew 6:31-33  "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

We are told not to worry about these things, for God will provide them. We should have a thankfulness in our prayers as we seek God on these issues.

Anger and Anxiety

So what is God’s will regarding things like anger and anxiety. As a Christian it is God’s desire that we do not have anger, or anxiety. We can claim freedom in these areas. However we should not say in all circumstances if we have anger or anxiety that it is a lack of faith. There are times that human situations can case us anxiety and anger, that may not quickly be defeated. As a example, I was on medication that caused my nervous system to be heightened, it caused violent shaking, which caused me to drop things, this caused social anxiety. I also went through a hugely difficult time in my life, so bad I almost suicided, at that time I was angry with my life. So not all forms of anxiety, or anger, can be suddenly beaten. But we should still focus on the hope that is provided for us in Christ, and claim the good future that he would have for us. There is however a kind of anxiety that comes from, demons messing with our minds. This is an unreasonable and attacking kind of anxiety, this can be defeated by standing in faith, because God has given us power over the devil.  There is one thing we need to be aware of however, we need to be abiding in God’s word, and I don’t mean reading it alone, I mean living it to the best of our ability. For we can through our sins “Give place to the devil”, which brings with it emotional suffering.

Ephesians 4:27  nor give place to the devil.

Giving place to the devil, results in torment, and often anxiety. The only way to beat that kind of anxiety is to return to obedience, and stand on God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Praying for Others

So what about praying for others. Jesus would have us pray for the sick, but we can’t demand that God use us. Firstly we must be proved faithful.

1Co 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

If we are not able or willing to present the word of God faithfully, we will not be able to perform a sign.

Mark 9:39  But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.

Does this mean that if we don’t see healing “immediately” that we are unfaithful? Not at all. It is just a fact that “claiming” a promise does not mean that in all cases we will have it, it must be according to God’s will.

God actually assigns the gifts based upon the faithfulness and faith of the messenger.

1Co 12:28  And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 

Note Paul gives an order “first”, “second”, “third” etc. This shows there is a level of trust God gives people. He goes on to say not everyone is a miracle worker, an apostle etc.

1Co 12:29-30  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

He finishes by saying “earnestly desire” the best gifts.

1Co 12:31  But earnestly desire the best gifts. 

But if we are living a sanctified life, we will be ready for God to use, and He will entrust us with healings, etc. We should always reach out in these ways.

2Ti 2:21  Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Praying for Ourselves

What about prayer for sickness in our own body? If we are suffering, we should pray. But it is a fight that only we can make. If we desire healing, we should as Jesus said stand in faith, not doubting. But we need to allow for God’s timing. As an example we don’t know when God will heal, it could be 5 minutes, 5 years. So it is unwise to just go off medication, or something similar, as an “act of faith”. My mother went off medication, and prayed and fasted for her healing, she almost died. Since that time, until her death she advised against such “tests” of faith.
Standing in faith means that we don’t look to our circumstances, but we look to God’s word, even when our circumstance screams loss.
There is still however the element of God’s will. Sometimes God has reason for not bringing healing, and we should never judge others “faith”. As an example, there is a pastor from “Life without limbs”, Nick Vujicic, he was born with no arms or legs, yet God has used him mightily to reach  out to people with disabilities. God has shown His power in his life by providing a joyful life for him. There is also Joni Eareckson who broke her back, she is now wheelchair bound, and has constant pain. Yet God used her to reach 10’s of thousands of disabled people with the gospel,  and practical support and help. God does not always heal He often uses us where we are.

My personal best friend was mildly disabled, his mother, who was his carer died of old age, my friend then some months latter got a virus that killed him. I believe he was taken home to be with the LORD so that he would not have a long lonely life. We need to allow for the “will of the LORD”, in all of our praying.

The Holy Spirit

We should never associate healing or provision, with the Holy Spirit; In the sense that these things are assured for us as born again believers, nor a sign of the new creation. God as our father wants to meet our needs, and yes to heal. But healing and provision are not a formula.

Robert Palmer
Has been a christian for around 30 years. Robert has seen a handful of healing miracles over the years. Believes in healing, and seeks God for greater works to meet the needs of those in difficulties. He is married with two children.