I was reading in the gospel of John recently and a couple of verses really jumped out at me! They were verses that I’m sure I’d read many times but I never really saw their significance. They made me think – “Well look at that! Just when Jesus needed a boost of encouragement look at what John the Baptist did!” It made me think of all those times that we feel like we missed it, that never seemed to bear fruit and yet… when the time was right…!

John had never seen the miracles of Jesus for himself and in his final days he even began to wonder if he’d got it all wrong. However, Jesus replied to his messengers:

“Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Luke 7:22

So to set the scene, it was some time after John the Baptist had been martyred and the opposition towards Jesus was ramping up significantly. One such miracle was the healing of a man blind from birth (John 9) – a Messianic act if ever there was one. And as amazing as this was, rather than getting Jesus recognised by the religious authorities they called his subsequent claim that “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) blasphemy and so they tried to stone him to death:

“Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him…” “Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.” John 10:31 & 39

However, the time was not yet right for his arrest so look what Jesus does next (and this is the scripture I want to highlight):

“Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.” John‬ ‭10:40-42‬ ‭NIV‬

I find it moving that when the opposition was really heating up against Jesus in Jerusalem that he went back to a place where John had been preparing a people who were ready to receive him – ‘and there he stayed’. It may have taken longer than John anticipated and he himself had already passed into glory (very much alive in the great cloud of witnesses), but that community ‘from the early days’ received their visitation and believed.

John was the greatest ‘born of women’ but the least in the Kingdom or ‘born of the Spirit’ (Matthew 11:11) but he knew Jesus was coming to change everything (‘the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ John 1:29) , so he preached about Jesus who would perform many signs and baptise with fire. And so when Jesus arrived in this community where John had been preaching about Jesus they said:

“Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.”

It reminds us (and some of you reading need to hear this) that while our efforts may not seem like they are bearing visible fruit right now, they are certainly preparing the ground in the lives of people for a divine visitation to come. However, and this is important – though we can be encouraged by this story, we must not put ourselves in Johns shoes because he was part of the Old Covenant. We are not powerless (in the realm of miracles) as he was, praying for God to send revival. Unlike John the Baptist we are those ‘born from above’ and ‘baptised with fire’ and so we ourselves are the ones who bring the visitation of Jesus – the manifestations of the Spirit; signs, the wonders and the miracles that accompany salvation (John 14:12).

So let’s shift the paradigm to a New Covenant one and expect that, as we step out in faith for healing, deliverance and all the manifestations of the Kingdom that Jesus will be present in all his miracle working power in the place of our faithful witness and that many will believe. Because, when the time is right – in God’s time, there will be a rich harvest.

A prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you for the reader and their faithful testimony. I thank you that through your servant you are preparing a way – making the ground even and the paths straight – for your kingdom to come in their place of witness – wherever that might be. Lord encourage them that, though sometimes nothing seems to be happening, there is much happening in the heavenly realms that will bear much Kingdom fruit and give you glory. Let YOUR Kingdom come and YOUR will be done TODAY!… as you protect their health and assignment, revive their energy and passion for the Kingdom, provide for them all they need and give them strength and joy in the Spirit each and every day. For your sake and for your Kingdom.

Bless you, in Jesus name… Amen

Other resources related to this article…

This article is for those who seek to serve the Lord Jesus through the ministry of healing. To be more specific, we’re talking about what we should do if we’ve stepped out in faith for a healing and nothing happens? Beyond, “Have more faith and just keep praying” (which is actually a pretty good response), is there anything else we can do? For most it’s a very common question and experience. Sometimes in our workshops we’ll ask “Who has ever prayed for healing for someone and nothing happened?” You’ve guessed it – pretty much every hand goes up!

Just to put this in context at the outset:

• We see in the New Testament that healing ministry is made available to all believers because we are to be equipped by the fivefold ministries to be ministers of the gospel (salvation, healing and deliverance) Ephesians 4:12
• Healing is an empowerment of the Holy Spirit (modelled and mandated by Jesus) that comes through an acknowledgement of the Lordship of Christ in a person’s life (1 Corinthians 12:4)
• We also see that the practice of believers in the New Testament was almost exclusively to use the command of healing rather than the request of healing – so that is our template for new covenant healing ministry

Article: Should I Command or Ask for Healing?

So, getting back to our question, in the first instance what many are concerned about is what we actually say to the person we prayed for ‘if nothing happens’. It’s potentially an awkward situation for both of us. They may feel as if they don’t qualify for healing and we can feel as if we’ve let them down. And this, if we’re honest, is why many believers avoid healing ministry altogether.

So here’s 7 simple principles on the theme of healing ministry to remember when you find yourself in this situation and asking the question, “I prayed for healing and they didn’t get better, what do I do next?”

---

1: SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENS!

I can’t state this too strongly. If you find yourself saying, “I released the healing power of Jesus and nothing happened” you’re just wrong! Something always happens when we step out in faith like this. Something happens in the spiritual realm, something happens in the person releasing the power and something is definitely happening in the person receiving ministry – you may just not be aware of it because you are focussed on a very specific (physical) outcome.

Healing ministry is the ministry of the Holy Spirit and an aspect of “his incomparably great power for us who believe”. We may not be seeing the physical manifestation of it (although it’s rare to have no improvement at all), but a great deal of activity may be happening on a spiritual, emotional or soulish level. Often people strongly sense the presence of the Holy Spirit or even feel a sensation of heat as the healing begins.

Furthermore, simply reaching out in love and compassion speaks volumes. It says, “I care that you are suffering”, “I agree with you for healing”. It also speaks to the spiritual powers, “I believe in the power of the cross”, “I live and stand on what Jesus taught and said” And that’s not nothing – that really is something powerful!

“Love never fails” 1 Corinthians 13:8. Or Agape love ‘never fades or ends’ (AMP). 

One lady recently told Aliss that, what had really moved her, even more than the relief from arthritis she experienced for the first time in years, was the physical touch of compassion and love. Ministry is essentially about faith relationships. It’s about heart to heart connection – both between people and with God. There is a great healing power in that alone (often more than we know).

---

2: BE GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

If the simple command of faith for healing is ‘not working’, don’t give up! Ask the Holy Spirit questions, “What is happening with this person – what’s going on?”

Jesus ministered differently on many occasions. In one case Jesus spoke to a fever as if it was a demon and told it to leave:

“He stood very close to her and ordered the sickness to go away.” Luke 4:39

In another case he simply commanded the deaf ears to be opened:

“He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”).” Mark 7:34

And in another he asks a lame man if he actually wants to be healed (because in this case it was important for him to say it):

“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”” John 5:6

In the 1 Corinthians 12 passage of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit healing is listed as ‘gifts of healing’. This is the only gift that is referred to in the plural (gifts) because healing is such a diverse ministry concerning the whole person – body, soul and spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide you in how to minister healing if you continue to ask in faith and expectation.

But beyond this – as I’ve said, spiritual power has been released and often – even a small manifest improvement (whether spiritual, emotional or physical) is to be recognised and encouraged: “Come on! Let’s keep going”!

---

3: FOCUS ON THE OUTCOME

Sickness is a lack of health and wholeness. As darkness is an absence of light, sickness is not an entity in itself but an absence of health and wholeness. When we are ministering healing in the authority and name of Jesus we are essentially releasing power to restore that person’s body to health and wholeness (it’s healthy, pain-free state).

Yes tell the problem to go – but primarily tell the wholeness to come and manifest in its place. Sometimes our language can inadvertently ‘big up’ or empower the problem if all we do is focus on it (saying its name over and over again) instead of emphasising the goal of radiant health.

So instead of – “Tendonitis I command you to go in the name of Jesus” Try rather: “Tendons I command you in the name of Jesus to do the job you were created to do, come into alignment, be the right tension and length, be flexible and powerful, pain free and a wonderful blessing!!”

The difference is subtle but significant.

---

4: HEALING IS A JOURNEY

Let’s face it, we’re complicated! A human being is a unique combination of physical body, spirit and soul. Every second of every day we are developing and growing and changing. The human body itself is a complex collection of 36 Trillion Cells, about 330 billion of which are replaced every day. You’re not the same person today as you were yesterday!

Though supernatural healing can be instantaneous and miraculous it can also be part of a bigger picture – or one link in a chain of events/encounters – involving spiritual revelation and knowledge of God. After all, healing (the path to wholeness) according to the Bible is ultimately a process of transformation – knowing and being known by God (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Add to this: lifestyle choices, mental health, medicinal treatments (many of which have side effects), diet, exercise, sleep etc. It’s no wonder Jesus ministered to the whole person for salvation, healing and deliverance. All ministries in one sense are healing ministries whether for salvation, healing or deliverance. For this reason, it’s good to remember as we minister in healing, that healing (both spiritual and physical) is often a process (or a developing relationship with God, who is life, John 14:6) –  not a single one off event that just happens in isolation and is done.

This is in no way to downplay the importance of the supernatural miracle-working power of Jesus to do what no doctor can do in an instant! It’s just good to remember this holistic context of the big picture when ministering to others.

---

5: BE KIND, CONFIDENT AND CALM

It may not seem very spiritual but try to develop good people skills. Don’t panic. Be calm and confident. Be alert with your eyes open and communicate clearly. You don’t need to be an expert but work together with the person you are ministering to. Ask questions like, “What’s happening, can you feel any change”? “OK, let’s pray again”, or “Don’t worry, I think there’s something else going on here, let’s wait on the Holy Spirit and see how he wants to guide us.”

Many times when Aliss and I have been ministering together – even to complete strangers that know nothing of the gospel – they are more than willing to engage in the process. After all, as I said, they are already impacted that somebody actually cares and they are working with you.

So if it helps, you can say things like, “Let’s expect things to improve and see what God wants to do next – this might take time” Keep your eyes and heart open and treat the person with love and respect.

---

6: BE OPEN AND TEACHABLE

We can learn from our mistakes, but only if we approach what we’re doing with humility and a teachable spirit. When reflecting on times of healing ministry that don’t seem to be bearing fruit, keep thanking God for what he is doing (both in you and through you) but also talk to the Holy Spirit about what you are NOT seeing. “What’s the blockage?” “What is stopping this healing from coming?”

Aliss does a whole workshop session on ‘blockages to healing’ and we have also produced a video episode on this training portal on the same subject, plus there is a very helpful chapter on this in her book ‘How to be Healed and Stay Healed’. So always ask the Holy Spirit for discernment or direction if the supernatural healing flow seems to have stalled.

Ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything that you need to say or do differently next time.

---

7: GET MENTORED!

And finally. you may benefit greatly from others who are more experienced and flowing in healing ministry than you are at the moment.

Spend time, if possible, with someone who is more mature than you in the ministry of healing and be mentored and discipled. Don’t pester them but be a blessing to them – hold their coat and learn! Keep practicing, read scripture and books on the subject and keep stepping out in faith – if your heart is right and you are a willing vessel your gift will grow and breakthrough will come!

---

…AND KEEP GOING!

So I hope that has encouraged all of you who are brave enough to step out in faith for healing for others. Don’t give up – but keep expecting miracles. Healing is an exciting but challenging area and we need all the encouragement and support we can get! That’s why here on Spirit Lifestyle we have lots of great resources that will encourage your faith for healing. Plus – you are not alone! We have many like-minded members who are on the journey with you. Why not come and check us out with a 7 day free trial? It might be just what you are looking for…

Other resources related to this article…

Regardless of religion or faith in anything particular, many people intuitively sense what it means to be a spiritual person. So, you may ask yourself the question, ‘How spiritual am I?’

A quick Google of the word ‘spiritual’ will produce a colourful mash-up of eastern imagery mixed with planets, sunsets and candles. Is ‘spiritual’ simply being aware of ‘the universe’ or ‘universal energy’? Many people will use religious paraphernalia as lucky charms; adding a $9.99 trinket to their shopping cart along with the groceries. Does that make us spiritual?

But beyond the stereotypes of spa treatments, yoga and ambient chime music what really makes a person spiritual? Is it the ability to understand metaphysical concepts or is it more to do with moral integrity? Is it an openness to supernatural phenomena or is it something more proactive involving some level of intentional participation?

WHAT MAKES SOMEONE SPIRITUAL?

What if I were to ask you if you consider yourself a spiritual person? What would you say? You might point to the fact that you regularly go to an organized spiritual meeting or are a member of a religious group. On the other hand you may dabble in a bit of reiki or read the horoscope once a week. Perhaps you have joined in with the recent trend of ‘mindfulness’? But most likely, you don’t really know, because honestly, you haven’t given it much thought.

Spirituality or the supernatural is, by definition, a mysterious concept. It’s the metaphysical – the invisible, the hidden realm. Could it be that we are reluctant to consider or talk about our thoughts towards a spiritual reality because we don’t want to be seen as weak minded or gullible? Isn’t it something we grow out of and just for kids?

SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

On the contrary, in our experience, it seems like many people we meet are happy to talk about their spiritual experiences once we have broached the subject. We were chatting to a lady just a few days ago about her home. After we mentioned some of our own experiences of the supernatural she began to confide in us that the ghost of her dead mother would knock on the upstairs landing most days at three o’clock in the afternoon. It didn’t bother her – in fact, she seemed amused by it!

Then there was the time a guy spoke to my wife Aliss in his shop recently (he was an intelligent businessman). He surprised her by saying, quite matter-of-fact, that he was sure there was a spiritual war going on! He wasn’t a church person or of any particular faith, but he was personally convinced, especially after the covid pandemic, that there was more to life than meets the eye.

Many are tired of rationalism and are looking for answers elsewhere. For example – picture this: You suddenly think about an old friend or acquaintance you haven’t seen or thought about for 10 years. You actually say out loud; “I wonder how they’re doing, I hope they’re OK”. The very next day, ‘out of the blue’, they call you!

Believe it or not that is quite a common phenomenon. So what was that? Was it a coincidence? Did you make that phone call manifest? Or was it some kind of premonition – spiritual foresight? What do you think?

HOW SPIRITUAL ARE YOU?

So what’s your attitude towards spirituality or a spiritual dimension? Are you sceptical or more open and agnostic? Do you look for supernatural phenomena or try and figure out what’s going on if unexpected things are happening?

Here at Spirit Lifestyle we’ve put together this short quiz to help you perhaps understand a little more clearly how you approach spiritual phenomena, experiences or ideas… Why not give it a go – you might be surprised…

The song is incredible catchy (SPARKS do it again) but despite its ‘happy groove’ its theme is basically about coping with private distress in a public place. The song lyrics suggest it’s a universal experience – “looks like it’s a repeat” – and I guess sadly it is – and it’s what gives the song its appeal.

It got me thinking about the people we see in the supermarket, in the shops and in the cafes every day. Many people are just about holding it together – you know; we have a public face and a private face. In the market place we brush past strangers who seem OK, but many of us are not. However, in these socially sensitive times we are more anxious than ever of speaking to anyone for fear of saying something wrong or even worse – offending someone. It reminds me of how Jesus mingled in the public places and often crashed in through the thin veneer of social etiquette; he certainly wasn’t afraid of offending anyone. For instance, take the woman at the well…

“So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.” John 4:4-6

Odd that Jesus was there at all. Sychar was a place no self respecting Jew would go… Why? Because as far as they were concerned Samaritans were not only the wrong race, they were also religious heretics. To go anywhere near a Samaritan was to risk being spiritually contaminated – to be made unclean.

So here’s Jesus – tired and thirsty at the well. He has sent his disciples off into town to find food (remember this is an ‘unclean’ town so that mission was likely to be ‘interesting’ 😉) and he sees a Samaritan woman and asks her for a drink! Now this is shocking! This is not politically correct! She’s the wrong gender, the wrong race, and the wrong identity. It’s outrageous and offensive; so she gets triggered:

“The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans).” John 4:9

Jesus doesn’t try to avoid offending people if it’s a necessary consequence of helping them. He doesn’t live by social, religious or political expediency. He only does what he hears and sees his heavenly Father doing (John 14:10)… and on that day his Father was wanting to save and restore a world weary woman.

Can you help me please?

And so Jesus asks her for a drink. I love that. Jesus asks for help. Does he need help? No. She needs help, but Jesus empowers her by giving her the initiative. Jesus knows what he’s doing. One of the best ways to build trust is by asking someone for help – it builds a relationship by empowering others.

And then they have a conversation. She asks Jesus why on earth he is asking her for water – her being a Samaritan and a woman and all… and Jesus starts telling her about himself. He speaks about abundant life, overflowing life and eternal life and he uses the metaphor of – guess what? Water! Brilliant!

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. John 4:13-14

Let’s take a note out of Jesus’ book and become good at explaining spiritual truth in everyday language. This is called rapport and we need to learn how to cultivate it. Don’t use strange religious language that people don’t understand – use simple everyday things that they do understand – the woman at the well – she understood water, so Jesus used water as a spiritual metaphor.

Supernatural etiquette – handling divine revelation rightly

Even so it takes a little while for Jesus to get through – so he uses a powerful word of knowledge to get her attention. The Holy Spirit empowerment of the word of knowledge will do this – it’s designed to get people’s attention.

The word of knowledge is one of the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12 – it’s when you know something about someone else (by divine revelation) that has happened in their past or is happening now. The information is often key to what God wants to do in their lives. This gift of the Spirit effectively opens people’s hearts to receive healing and salvation.

So Jesus has information about this woman’s life that is not only ‘private’ but also potentially embarrassing or humiliating for her. As we said, Jesus is not averse to offending people – but he is not unnecessarily cruel or callous either. Watch how he handles the word with care and sensitivity (I added the words in parentheses)…

“Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ (affirmation) for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband (word of knowledge); in that you spoke truly.”” (another affirmation) John 4:16-18 NKJV

The word of knowledge is basically information. The woman already knows all too well about her marital situation and history so in one sense simply telling her this doesn’t help her much. What does matter is the life giving encounter that is happening around this revelation. Jesus is offering her an exchange; forgiveness and acceptance in return for her brokenness and rejection. This is important to understand when we are ministering in any divine revelation: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,” Colossians 4:6 – so that even hard truth brings comfort and encouragement.

She’s no longer crying in her latte

This is a good lesson for us, and as it turned out, for the woman as well – because she begins to believe in Jesus as the anointed King:

“The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”” John 4:28-29 NKJV

So the woman tells her friends and neighbours all about Jesus and that Samaritan town ends up having a visitation – Jesus and his disciples stay in the town for a couple of days. A ‘chance’ encounter turned into friendships that would last.

This is a picture of what is happening across the world today. The true encounters are still happening ‘at the well’; in the market places, in the cafes and supermarkets (Check out our Miracle Cafes). Ordinary people like you and I are seeing what the Father is wanting to do and reaching out with healing and life giving words.

So here’s that SPARKS song again:

“Every day was the same (so many people)
Tried to figure their game (so many people)
They all ordered the same (so many people)
Guess the world is to blame (so many people)“

But the truth of the gospel has overcome the world and the power of the Spirit is able to break through – regardless of identity – whether race, status or gender, and minister to the precious person within. Perhaps you might notice someone ‘crying in their latte’ today… and the Holy Spirit will speak into their life in an unexpected way… (Hey that rhymes!… there just might be a song in there somewhere!)