Christ’s ministry of healing did not change after His ascension into heaven. It continued through His disciples, the Apostles, and us, the body of Christ, His church.
Did you know that Jesus performs miracles to demonstrate His love and to reveal the kingdom of God, thereby confirming His Word and revealing Himself? Did you know that we are to do greater miracles than Christ did? Jesus Himself said it.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” John 14:12
However, so many of us are not walking in that power simply because we don’t believe it or haven’t received it yet. If you want to know what God’s will is for your life, here’s one part of it: they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. We need to know and believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that God can heal in and through us. We need to believe that we carry the power of resurrection within us. Healing comes from within because Jesus Christ is in us, and the Holy Spirit dwells in our spirit. I encourage you to meditate on this Scripture until it becomes a reality in your life.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
Here’s more Scripture that the apostle Paul prayed for us, and I want to encourage you to meditate on and speak over yourself daily. Replace the word ‘you’ with ‘me’ and make it personal. We need a revelation of the power that is within us as born-again believers.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:17-23
When we have the revelation that resurrection power and life dwell within us, sickness must go. We must believe that any sickness is not greater than the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Jesus has already provided for healing, and now we need to release it through speaking to the disease or symptoms, and putting faith to work by acting on it.
As our spiritual eyes and ears are opened, God will open up our hearts to see and understand the needs of others. The Gospels tell us that when Jesus saw the people and their needs, He had compassion on them, leading Him to heal, deliver, and provide for them. May the Lord give us His heart of compassion for people.
God wants to heal, cure, deliver, and restore health to those in need. Jesus commands us to proclaim that the kingdom of God is here (Matthew 10:7). Jesus revealed the kingdom of God everywhere He went by healing and delivering people, as attested by His miracles.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Matthew 4:23
“But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:20
When Jesus ministered on the earth, He sent His disciples out, giving them His authority and power.
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2
And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:13
After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. “And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” Luke 10:1, 9
He has also given us His authority (exousia) and power (dunamis) as He sends us forth to fulfill the Great Commission.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe; In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18
Anointed
Even though Jesus is the Son of God, He set aside His divine privileges and operated as a man on earth, filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The anointing and power of the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus after His water baptism before He started His earthly ministry (Luke 3:21-22). He didn’t work one miracle until the Holy Spirit came upon Him. Only after He received the anointing did He preach, heal the sick, and do the mighty works of God.
Jesus promised the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). So, when we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes in with His indwelling presence and makes us a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus also promised to give His disciples and all believers power from on high, or the Holy Spirit upon, which is infilling power through the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5). He knew we couldn’t fulfill the Great Commission in our own power or strength.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
The anointing of the Holy Spirit is the presence and power of God made manifest that lives within you and comes upon you. Jesus had the Spirit without measure, and He lives in us individually and in the body of Christ corporately, His church. We are His body working on earth to do His good will (Philippians 2:13).
The anointing is the person of Jesus Christ manifesting Himself by grace in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. In Hebrew, the words “anointing” and “Messiah” share the same root. In Greek, the word for Christ, Cristos, means “the anointed one.” Christ in English means “anointed” (to pour over, to smear, or rub into). Therefore, Jesus Christ means “the Anointed One” and “His Anointing.”
Believers have the Holy Spirit living within them since they were born again. However, when the Holy Spirit comes upon them through baptism with the Holy Spirit, they are anointed for supernatural ministry, just as Jesus was, to do the Father’s works.
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Luke 4:18-19
We receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit by faith, just like all the other blessings of God, not by our feelings (2 Corinthians 5:7). Remember, it is not just an experience but the reality of the person of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. We only need to trust Jesus and receive this gift by faith. According to Luke 3:16, Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire.
If you have not received the baptism with the Holy Spirit and would like to, you can pray the following prayer in faith, believing that you will receive (Luke 11:11-13).
Prayer (To be prayed out loud)
Lord Jesus,
I ask You to baptize me with the Holy Spirit. I fully expect to receive, by faith, power from on high and the ability to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives me utterance. Thank You for pouring the Holy Spirit upon me and immersing me in Him.
In Your name I pray, Amen.
Jesus healed people in numerous ways through the anointing, and we can do the same.[1] The anointing accompanies you everywhere and is available at all times. The anointing flows in and through you wherever you go.[2] I don’t want to be a reservoir for the anointing; I want it to flow through me. What about you? Jesus said that out of our innermost being would flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-39).
We can see from Scripture that Jesus never prayed for anyone, but instead used His authority to heal the sick and cast out demons. He also laid His hands on them, touched them, or gave them a command with an action. Likewise, we see the disciples and apostles following this model.
We do see a couple of places in the New Testament where praying for the sick is mentioned. Let’s take a look.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:14-15
In Acts 28:8, we see where, after Paul prayed, he placed his hand on the sick person and healed him. However, what he prayed is not mentioned. We often say we are going to pray for the sick. How do we do that, and what do we say?
Let’s look at some ways that God heals the sick, based on the examples of Jesus and the Apostles. However, remember not to limit God in these ways—God can reveal something new and expand our knowledge as we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Christ always leads us into triumph and victory as we follow His leading instead of our own reasoning (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Commanding in the name of Jesus
There are conditions for healing according to Mark 11:23—first, to say/speak to the mountain/disease. We are commanding the mountain to move in the name of Jesus by speaking with authority because God’s power is in us (Luke 10:19).
Next, ask the person to do something that puts their faith into action, as Jesus and the Apostles did. The Holy Spirit can tell us or them what to do. It is essential to put faith into action before doubt or unbelief comes! Two faith principles are at work here: the kingdom of God is voice-activated, and faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.” Mark 3:5
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them – walking, leaping, and praising God. Acts 3:6-8
Laying on of hands (Mark 16:18)
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. Mark 1:40–42
We should ask permission before laying our hands on someone, and on or near the body part that needs healing, if appropriate. I recommend that men should only put their hands on men and women on women. If there is not a member of the opposite sex to assist you, you can have the person lay their own hand on their body part and then touch their hand. If it is not an appropriate place to put your hand, you might put it on their shoulder or forehead. Follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.
We must expect God to do something and for people to get healed when we lay hands on them. Jesus Christ lives in and through us! It is not our responsibility to ensure the person is healed. It is our responsibility to lay hands on the sick and pray in faith.
You can speak to the mountain (disease) and lay hands on yourself, too, because God’s power is in the hands of all believers to heal even themselves! If there is no one else around to agree with you, know that God agrees with you if you are praying according to His Word.
If we don’t see any improvement, it may be because of doubt or unbelief; demonic oppression or the sickness may be a result of a legal issue. Any place where the enemy has a legal right to afflict sickness and disease will hinder healing. That person will need additional ministry to address root issues such as unforgiveness, offense, judgment, bitterness, resentment, unholy covenants, curses, and bloodline iniquity.
However, because the enemy is a thief and a robber, we must first take authority, operate in faith, and release the anointing and power of God for healing to flow.
It’s time to activate you into your healing ministry.
The Day of Pentecost changed everything (Acts 2:1-4). We become ministers of the gospel, and we can lay hands on others, seeing the power of God heal people. If we attempt to perform healing ministry in our own strength, we will become exhausted. We need to use His power; He is in us.
We don’t need to be experts in healing; we only need to be believers. We don’t have to do it perfectly; we only need to give Him our yes. God isn’t looking for our ability but our availability. We are already qualified because it is a ministry of believers! Even sickness in our bodies doesn’t disqualify us. Very often, when we pray for others, we find ourselves healed.
Our past doesn’t disqualify us. God doesn’t hold our past against us. It is the enemy that tries to tell us we are unqualified or unworthy based on our past. But when we ask for forgiveness and repent, God forgives us, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Healing and casting out demons depend on our position in Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father in heavenly places far above all principalities and powers, and faith is the key (Ephesians 1:19; 2:6)! These are not for select believers only but for every believer. We each have a kingdom assignment, regardless of the season of life we are in, because God employs us. All must do these works, not just those in the fivefold ministry, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:8, 11-12).
We are in partnership with God, working with Him. We go in faith, obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit. Christ is in us, and when we lay hands on people, He is putting His hands on them. We are His hands and feet because we have Jesus in us. It is the Lord who confirms His Word. Our sufficiency is from God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).
So, even though God may use different methods with different people because He has created each of us uniquely, He wants us to follow His leading and obey. The following are some basic guidelines for prayer.
God’s Word says that we are to lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Their healing is based on our faith in the authority of Jesus Christ and His name, which is the foundation of the power of our ministry. When we lay our hands on people, we are releasing resurrection power.
We don’t need to remind God of His Word and promises, but we do need to appropriate them and speak directly to the problem, the mountain. Authority comes through submission to God (James 4:7). We speak with the authority of heaven backing us. Jesus is the Healer. We are His willing conduit for His anointing to flow through.
Guidelines for Prayer
1. We can ask questions such as, “What do you want Jesus to do for you?” We can ask questions to find out what the person is believing for so we can come into agreement with them, or for the healing they need from a sickness, disease, or symptom. Even Jesus did this.
Man at the pool of Bethesda
When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been in that condition a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” John 5:6
Epileptic son (The disciples were unable to heal him by casting out the demon, so the father came to Jesus).
So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.” Mark 9:21
Blind Bartimaeus
So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Raboni, that I may receive my sight.” Mark 10:51
It isn’t necessary to know all the details or the problems of the disease. So, when you ask the person, ask them to give you a brief description, without going into detail. However, if you know the name of the disease or a specific symptom (e.g., pain, burning, ringing, stiffness), you can command it to leave. You can also command a new body part to come from heaven to replace old body parts, restoring health.
If they were in an accident or injury, you can say to the spirit of trauma to go in the name of Jesus. If someone has had an addiction to pain medication, you can command that spirit of addiction to go in the name of Jesus. We always pray in the name of Jesus. His name is above every name, and every knee must bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
2. We can keep our eyes open when we are praying for people and ask them to keep their eyes open when we minister to them, because the eyes will tell you what is going on in the heart (Matthew 6:22-23). However, you can also close them to keep distractions out, especially when you may be receiving a vision from the Holy Spirit.
When we pray for someone in the marketplace, such as at a grocery store, gas station, airport, or at work, we don’t have to draw attention to ourselves or the person for whom we are praying by calling attention to ourselves or the person. However, if they start rejoicing for their healing, we can’t help that!
3. We minister from a place of rest (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4). Our faith is a response to what God has already done. It is not trying to move God. Then, Grace acknowledges it.
Hearing His voice is the key to entering His rest, which is God-directed activity. The voice of God is our lifeline to the truth, and it is the truth that sets us free. As we are listening to people, we also need to listen to the Holy Spirit and ask Him what solution or strategy He wants to use (1 Chronicles 14:8-17). We can ask Him to reveal the answer through a vision, a prophetic word, or a word of knowledge. We use our authority while also following the leading of the Holy Spirit and obeying Him, staying in rest.
It is important for both the person praying and the person receiving healing to come with expectation. The expectation that God will heal activates faith, and healing follows. The person laying hands on another needs to expect that the person will be healed. The person receiving healing needs to expect that God will heal them. They both need to release their faith. Hope is an expectation of God’s goodness (Hebrews 11:1).
And fixing his eyes on him, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Acts 3:4-5
We need fresh revelation each time we come for healing. We can’t follow the same methods, but we should follow the Holy Spirit’s instructions even if they don’t make sense to us or look foolish. For those receiving prayer for healing, if the Holy Spirit prompts you to take action to put your faith into practice, follow His leading and do your best to carry it out. Obedience to the instruction brings the miracle.
4. If something is blocking the healing, we may need to pray again, asking the person for more specific details and the Holy Spirit for discernment. Sometimes people need further ministry or are not ready to receive their healing. I always like to encourage people to build up their faith in the Word and see Jesus healing in the Gospels.
I also remind people that miracles are usually spontaneous, but sometimes healing manifests over time. I encourage them to stay in faith and to seek additional prayer and ministry if needed.
5. Giving thanks is crucial! We can instruct those we pray for to say, “Thank You, Jesus, for healing me,” before asking them to test their healing through an action or movement. When we thank Him before the healing is manifest, it is faith. When we thank the Lord after our healing manifests, it is a sign of gratitude. We should always give God glory and thank Him for whatever healing we have received, while continuing to believe in Him to complete the work as we follow and obey Him.
Sickness tempts us to focus on its presence and everything wrong, rather than rejoicing in the good things of God and expressing gratitude. Thankfulness and gratitude are a major doorway into the kingdom! So, don’t focus on what didn’t happen, but what did. We thank Jesus for the miracle of healing that has occurred!
Prayer of Activation
Heavenly Father, we repent for making healing so complicated. We change our thinking to align with the truth that Jesus is the Healer and has done what needed to be done so that we can live life abundantly. We give You the glory in every healing, every situation in Jesus’ name.
We thank You for the authority and power You have given us. Now we step into it and activate it in the name of Jesus. Amen.[3]
To find out more about how to receive healing from Jesus the Healer, go to Amazon.com to purchase the Kindle or paperback version of my book, Jesus The Healer.
This book will answer questions about healing, eliminate doubts, and boost your faith to receive what Jesus purchased for you. The author takes you on a journey to discover what the Bible says about healing and deliverance and how to receive it from Jesus, the Healer.
As you meditate on these truths, you will discover:
- How to receive your healing
- How to avoid hindrances to healing
- Healing for soul/heart wounds
- Healing through deliverance
- How to steward your healing and deliverance
Healing belongs to you! Receive your healing NOW!
https://amazon.com/dp/B0DKY2C8XK#
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Charles Hunter and Francis Hunter, How to Heal the Sick (New Kensington: Whitaker House, 1981).
[2] Joan Hunter, Power to Heal Experiencing the Miraculous (New Kensington: Whitaker House, 2009).
[3] Charis Bible College. 2025, August 15. Why Every Believer has Authority toHheal the Sick-Daniel Amstutz and Carlie Terradez @ HOH 2025.
Living the Abundant Life 