Authors: Praying Medic
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 COR. 2:4-5
I’ve heard many testimonies from African missionaries where people have been healed of incurable diseases, set free of demonic oppression, raised from the dead, and where thousands were brought into a relationship with Jesus as a result of these powerful works. Healing and other displays of God’s power should always confirm the message of the gospel. But evangelism is only one of the purposes God has for healing.
Healing is also a gift to the Church, from God. As such, its intended purpose is to maintain the overall health of the body of Christ. Healing as a gift to the Church has no connection to the gospel being preached, because the Church doesn’t need to evangelize itself.
We looked at this passage in the previous chapter, but let’s look at it once more:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom, through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another the gift of faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit...
1 COR. 12:7-9
Just as with the other gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of healings (yes, they are plural) are given to edify and strengthen the Church. What is implied here is important; if healing is a gift from God, then it must be His desire for the Church to be healthy. Let me say that in another way: It is not God’s will for the Church to be sick. The gifts of healings are God’s way of keeping the Church healthy and the gifts work, as long as we operate in them.
Every believer has been given authority over sickness. Some of us exercise it more than others. The authority to heal in connection with preaching the gospel is resident and available at all times to every believer. But the
gifts
function differently. The gifts are not used for evangelism. They are a separate work God does for the purpose of keeping the church healthy. They operate under the discretion of the Holy Spirit. At times, He may have us operate in the gifts of healings, at other times in discerning of spirits, and other times we might prophesy. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are subject to the mind of God at any given time.
On occasion, I’ve been used in healing for the purpose of evangelism, but more often I function in the
gifts
of healings for strengthening the Church body. I also tend to operate in the gifts of prophecy and discerning of spirits. God tends to use me more in these gifts, but not everyone is called in the same way. If you aren’t certain what God’s calling is for you, I’d encourage you to ask Him.
My friend Craig Adams had this to say about healing as a gift:
As a gift for the edification and strengthening of the Body of Christ, the value of the gifts of healing goes far beyond the physical health of its members. When healing gifts are exercised, the faith of both the one healed and the one healing is built up and becomes stronger. Faith not only in God, but faith in one’s ability to do the works Jesus did, as He said we would.
Many who might otherwise move powerfully in the gifts of the Spirit are not lacking faith in God to want to do them, but in themselves and their own ability to be instrumental in ministering the gifts. I believe that it was due to a similar lack of faith in themselves that Jesus rebuked the disciples when He calmed the storm on the lake after the multiplication of loaves and fishes. It says they ‘considered not the loaves and fishes’. Rabbi Yeshua merely spoke the blessing over the food and told them what to do. It was by their hand that a boy’s lunch was distributed to feed thousands with basketsful left over.
Healing is not only for evangelism, but also for the building up of the physical and spiritual health of believers.
I like the fact that God gives us the power to heal merely for the benefits that healing itself provides. There’s no reason to feel pressured to preach the gospel every time someone is healed. If the one you’re praying with doesn’t know Jesus, by all means lead them to Him. But if evangelism isn’t your strong suit, you can still function powerfully in healing. You may want to partner with people who are strong in evangelism, so that when it’s needed, the opportunity isn’t wasted.
J
ESUS WAS THE ORIGINAL STREET
healer. He traveled the streets of Israel on foot, staying wherever He found lodging. During His travels He told people the secrets of their hearts, healed all who were sick and demon-possessed, raised the dead and shared the mysteries of the kingdom of God. This was His lifestyle and it could be yours.
After modeling this lifestyle, Jesus chose twelve disciples and gave them their commission. He gave them power, authority and some guidelines (see Matt 10:5-14). He told them to:
• Visit the cities of Israel
• Inquire who was worthy
• Speak peace to the homes that received them
• Preach on the kingdom of God
• Deal with sickness and demonic oppression
Things went well on their first assignment. So well, that a short time later He sent out seventy disciples to do the same things, with a few changes to the plan (see Lk. 10:1-10).
This was the model Jesus established for His Church. How strange it is to look at the Church today and marvel that we’ve strayed so far from the only example He ever gave us. One of the saddest truths about Christendom is the fact that in most cities there are more than a dozen churches, but not one person with the faith to heal cancer.
An important aspect of street healing is geographic; being in the right place is critical. The disciples were given specific instructions where to minister and where not to. Jesus told them not to go to Samaria (see Mt. 10:5). In the book of Acts we read that the disciples tried to go to several places that the Holy Spirit didn’t want them to visit:
Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
ACTS 16:6-8
Jesus set the stage for the disciples’ ministry to bear fruit. We don’t know why the Holy Spirit opposed their ministry to Asia and Bithynia. Perhaps these regions weren’t prepared yet, while other regions were.
If you’re considering healing the sick in your hometown there are a few things you might consider. Jesus faced opposition when He attempted to heal the sick in his hometown. Many of us have experienced the disappointment of trying to minister to our families. Those who know our faults and failures from childhood may doubt that God could use us. I’m not saying you can’t be used by God in your hometown, but if you meet resistance and failure, consider asking God if there is another location where He could use you. It may be a good idea to periodically ask Him for information on where you can be used most effectively.
Another aspect of street healing is relational; Jesus instructed His disciples to find people who were worthy. He not only told them there were certain places to go, but that there were certain people who would receive them and others who would not. How many of us have been frustrated by an experience where we poured all we had into a group of people and it seemed all our labor was for nothing? God has certain people in mind whose hearts have been prepared for our message. They’re ready for us to reveal God’s love and grace to them, but we must find out who and where they are.
Jesus knew He could visit the pool of Bethesda and find someone who was lame or crippled, because they often gathered there, waiting for an angel to stir the waters. It became a regular hang-out for the sick and infirmed. Anyone wanting to be used by God to heal the sick could go there.
There are several places street healers visit because they know they’ll find people there who need healing. One is the local hospital – especially the emergency department. Many emergency departments have long waiting times before patients can be seen by a doctor. Hospitals offer no cure for most chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, migraine headaches and back pain. All they have to offer is temporary relief in the form of a prescription. Emergency Departments have proven to be an excellent location for healing. Just be mindful that you obey hospital policies and be respectful. If you don’t create too much disruption, you’re less likely to be asked to leave.
I became aware of the fact that there is a library for the blind in downtown Phoenix. They lend Braille and audio books to the visually impaired. Imagine how easy it would be to sit outside a library like this each day for a few hours asking patrons if they would like to have their eyesight restored.
Another location frequented by street healers is Walmart. Jose Coelho calls it a “Christian’s Disneyland,” because so many healing testimonies have come out of Walmart stores in recent years. Why Walmart? Many of their customers have conditions that need healing. In comparison to other retail stores, Walmart has a much higher rate of shoppers using wheelchairs, canes, crutches, immobilizers and hearing aids. I’ve seen a number of people healed at Walmart including the first person I ever saw healed of carpal tunnel syndrome.
There are two ways we can find people who need healing. The first is the most obvious; as you travel during your day, look around and see if you notice anyone wearing a cast, a splint, an immobilizer, wearing dark sunglasses inside (possible blindness), hearing aids, walking with a cane or sitting in a wheelchair. I often approach people who walk unevenly, which may be due to arthritis or some other disease. Simple observation will reveal dozens of people you could provide healing to. Now consider all the people you’ll meet in a week who talk openly about migraine headaches, back pain, fibromyalgia, cancer treatments and other medical conditions. If you add them to the list, the number would be rather large.
On several occasions, I’ve awakened from a dream where I was praying with someone. Later in the day, I found the person I met in the dream and prayed with them. We already discussed words of knowledge, which are ways that God can lead you to people who need to be healed. The process is to receive the revelation, interpret it, and then find the person God wants to heal.
God will heal people, regardless of how you find them. Revelation through words of knowledge is a great way to locate people with conditions that aren’t obvious. If you’re sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, you’ll find it easy to hear, see or “just know” what God wants to do for them.
But remember, receiving a word of knowledge for someone may not be a guarantee they’ll be healed. The person may not even allow you to pray for them. I was once given an accurate word of knowledge for a woman who was in line at Starbuck’s. The Holy Spirit showed me she had trouble with migraines, but when I approached her, she wouldn’t let me pray for her. If you’re wondering why God would give someone a word of knowledge, knowing it wouldn’t be received, consider that it might have planted a seed in her heart. Maybe the woman went home that night and had a dream about a stranger who was concerned about her headaches – and the stranger in the dream happened to look just like Jesus. Never underestimate the craftiness of God. He can bring value out of a situation that seems puzzling to us on the surface.
Jesus sent out the seventy disciples in groups of two (see Lk. 10:1). Have you ever wondered why? I didn’t, until I began this journey into healing and not long afterward, it became obvious. Success and humility don’t always walk hand in hand, though they do make a handsome couple. One of the problems we encounter in healing is the tendency for pride to sneak into our lives when miracles happen. If there are two pairs of hands resting on someone when they’re healed of cancer, who gets the credit? One reason for doing ministry in tandem is to prevent swollen egos. The honor and glory belongs to God. Partnering with others can prevent opportunities for pride to take root.
Another reason is that we all struggle at times with obedience or consistency. Having a partner can minimize the effect of those days when your faith is weak or you are in rebellion. Your partner should be praying for you and you should be praying for them. Healing is warfare, but it’s warfare done from a place of rest. Our victory comes from what Jesus has already done; all we do is inform the world that the victory has been won. Once you begin to heal the sick, the enemy is likely to take notice and bring some resistance your way. Don’t be afraid; it’s only a fear campaign to get you to quit. Rest in the knowledge that you are more than a conqueror (see Rom. 8:37).
I have a few trusted friends who are gifted in discernment. Our time together is always beneficial. They’re attentive to the details of my spiritual life. They usually detect the “gunk” the enemy has tried to hang on me since the last time we met. They clean up my armor and I clean up theirs. When you’re in battle, you’re going to take a few fiery darts from the enemy. Don’t go into battle alone. Having a partner can be a great benefit.
My primary partner for ministry is my wife. There are a lot of good reasons why you might consider involving your spouse. The enemy would like to ruin as many of us as possible. How many big ministries have crashed and burned after a scandalous affair? I don’t want to give the enemy an opportunity to destroy me or my marriage, so whenever possible, my wife and I minister together. She has the password to my e-mail account and all my social networking profiles. When I’m on Facebook, she’s usually a few feet away on her computer – not because she doesn’t trust me, but because she’s interested in what I do and she wants to protect me from potential dangers.
Some people have had great success in healing by going on “treasure hunts.” A “treasure hunt” is when a group of people gather and spend a few minutes asking God for revelation about who He wants to touch. God gives clues, like names, articles of clothing, illnesses, or images of their surroundings. They write down the clues then go out in search of the people based on the clues.