Healing Prayer

Max on Life #67

The following is a one of 172 questions and answers from the new book, Max on Life.

QUESTION #67:
In my med-school class we discussed the place of prayer in the hospital. As you can imagine, we heard strong opinions on both sides. What are your thoughts? What is the purpose of healing prayer?

We tend toward one of two extremes on this subject: fanaticism or cynicism. Fanatics see the healing of the body as the aim of God and the measure of faith. Cynics consider any connection between prayer and healing as coincidental at best and misleading at worst. A fanatic might seek prayer at the exclusion of medicine; a cynic might seek medicine at the exclusion of prayer.

The Faith Of God

By Andrew Wommack

Without faith it's impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6), so our relationship with the Lord is dependent on it. Faith is what brings the things God has provided for us from the spiritual realm into the physical realm (Heb. 11:1). Our faith is the victory that enables us to overcome the world (1 John 5:4). Everything the Lord does for us is accessed through faith.

Yet there is much confusion about faith today just as there has always been. It's like having a computer and knowing its potential but not having a clue how to use it. Many of us know how frustrating that is. The Bible is our manual with detailed instructions, but just like in the natural, few people take the time to really study it. They are impatient and want to do it on their own. They may reach some level of success, but to really be proficient, they have to read the book.

One of the areas about faith that gives people the most trouble is the concept that we have to acquire more faith and that some people have much faith, while others have virtually none. We spend a lot of effort, like a dog chasing its tail, trying to get something we already have. Every born-again Christian already has the same quality and quantity of faith that Jesus has. That's awesome!

The Power of Faith Filled Words

If we want to start seeing the power of God manifest in our lives, we will have to start paying attention to what we say. Words have power—more than any of us realize, but we often speak them as though they are meaningless. Because of that, most of us at one time or another have been hung by our tongues.

Matthew 12:36-37 says,

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

“Every idle word” simply means nonproductive. These are words that you speak but don’t believe. For example, you might say, “I’m dying to see my grandchildren.” You really don’t mean you’re dying, but you say it anyway to emphasize the importance of the relationship.

Every time you say things that you don’t really mean, it begins to numb your heart. Unconsciously, each idle word is making it just a little bit harder for you to believe that what you say will actually come to pass when you mean it and it really counts.

The Essence of Faith

Romans 12 : 3, For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. NKJV

The Bible tells us that God is no respecter of persons. He has given every man, woman, boy, and girl a measure of faith. It is up to us, as individuals, where we will place that faith, and this is done through the freewill. Romans 1 tells us that all know or have the ability to know that there is a God who created them. Yet some choose to repress that truth in unrighteousness and therefore have chosen to believe a lie.

Today, I want to share with you some thoughts about the "Essence of Faith." James teaches us in his epistle that it's not enough to only believe in God; we must add obedient action to our faith in order for it to stand or to be complete. Jesus tells us in John 15, that if we love Him, then we are to demonstrate that love by obeying His commandments and honoring Him through our actions. By so doing, we will bear fruit that will show others our faith in Christ.

Avoid the Pit of Condemnation

1 Peter 4 : 12 - 14, Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. NKJV

How do you respond to trouble when it knocks at your door? I have seen how many Christians (including me) respond to trouble. There is a tendency to ask, "What did I do wrong that caused this trouble?" But here is the danger in asking   such a question: It places your attention on you and not on the righteousness of God. 

Do you remember what kind of a day scripture says that Job had when he lost his family, his livestock, and his health? He lived under the old covenant... before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But thankfully and unlike Job, we're under the new covenant (of grace by faith in Christ), and we do have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

Get Your Healing In 2013

by peacefulone

This is for faith people. If you are not leave this alone. The interesting thing is that faith is a very simple thing, but for human reasoning it won’t work. Really smart people who have a lot of confidence in their own abilities have a really tough time with faith. God knows this; yet because He is so good and loving He has given every man a portion of faith and you don’t need much!