Laying On of Hands-Healing by Spiritual Means and Prayer



Posted: Sunday, August 09, 2009

by Greg Whitaker
Gregory Whitaker Evangelistic Association

You're not going to get a higher authority for healing by spiritual means than by the commandment from Jesus Christ. In Mark 16:17, 18 we read, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my namethey shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Laying on of hands then is healing by spiritual means which can be and is often accompanied by prayer.

First Jesus said that signs would take place. What signs? The signs of the sick recovering from being sick are the signs Jesus is referring to. Now the word recover means to "begin to amend" according to the definition of the Greek word used in this scripture. As a Christian who is filled with the Holy Spirit you can lay your hands on a sick person in the name of Jesus Christ, and that person will recover from being sick. Now the signs follow them that "believe." That means you are not hoping that the sick person will recover. You are not wishing the sick person well. That means that you are acting on the authority of Jesus Christ and that you will see the sick recover when you lay hands on them in his name. You are not pretending or hoping that it will work. You know it will work. And because you know it will work, you act on it and obey what Jesus said to do.

The bible gives us an example to follow in Luke 4:38-41 and in Mark 1:29 -34. Jesus went to Peter's house and they besought him on behalf of Peter's mother-in-law because she had a great fever. Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever and took her by the hand and lifted her up. The bible says that she immediately arose and ministered to them. Most likely, and this is my guess, she made them something to eat. But then something else happened when the sun was setting. Everyone in the area that had any sick brought them by and those that had various kinds of diseases showed up at Peter's house so that Jesus could lay his hands on them too. And in addition, the bible says that devils came out of many while this was all going on. That makes sense because in Mark 16:17 Jesus said, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name they shall cast out devils." And he said this before he said "they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

This also means from the scripture we have used that some sicknesses and diseases are caused and are a result from demonic activity in the person's mind, emotions, or body. Once these are cast out then the sick can recover. This is in addition to laying on of hands in the name of Jesus Christ and having the sick recover. In these last days before Jesus Christ returns we need to carry out this portion of the Great Commission. We need to preach the gospel, but this is what makes us different from any other religion. We have the Holy Spirit working with us and it is he that heals the sick. We lay hands on them and even pray for them, but it is the Holy Spirit who heals them.

So how do you pray for the sick? Follow these steps when laying hands on people and you will have success.

1. Say this to the person for whom you are praying:

"The bible says that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. What that means in this day and age is that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sicknesses and sins and that God raised him from the dead for your salvation, deliverance, and healing. It means that God has anointed me as a believer with the Holy Ghost and with power so that when I pray for the sick in the name of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will heal you and work a miracle in your life as well as deliver you from any oppression of the devil. May I pray for you right now?"

2. Take their hands and pray for them if they say yes for you to pray for them.

3. Bless and praise the Lord and thank him for his presence.

4. Ask God to remove any pain from the sick person's body.

5. Ask God to heal their body.

6. Bind Satan and loose the person from his grip.

7. Cast out any spirit of infirmity.

8. Cast out any pain.

9. Command the sickness to die and leave their body.

10. Command them to be healed.

Remember to do every step in the name of Jesus Christ.

And here is where people can mess up. Sometimes when you pray for someone you might find that you are intimidated and fearful wondering if God will do what he said. You don't want to look foolish so you might skip this next part. Do not skip this part!

Act on your faith and have them act on their faith by commanding them to do what they could not do before. Even help them do it initially. You must command them in the name of Jesus and they must act on their faith in the name of Jesus. Remember the story about Peter taking the lame man by the hand and lifting him up. As soon as he did the strength returned to the legs of the man and he went into the temple with Peter and John, walking and leaping and praising God.

If we as Christians consistently do this part of the great commission along with the preaching of the gospel then the gates of Hell will surely not prevail against the Lord's church.

Gregory Whitaker is an ordained minister and Evangelist since 1996. He continues to share the principles of faith along with the gospel of Christ so that others can live abundant and healthy Christian lives. For more information and encouragement go to: http://www.workingmiraclesbyfaith.blogspot.com

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by patty
 98 days ago.
I know and believe in the healing touch of laying hand on the sick.
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