This article is for those who seek to serve the Lord Jesus through the ministry of healing.<\/strong> To be more specific, we\u2019re talking about what we should do if we\u2019ve 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\u2019s a very common question and experience. Sometimes in our workshops we\u2019ll ask \u201cWho has ever prayed for healing for someone and nothing happened?\u201d<\/strong> You’ve guessed it – pretty much every hand goes up!<\/span><\/p>\n Just to put this in context at the outset:<\/span><\/p>\n Article: Should I Command or Ask for Healing?<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n So, getting back to our question, in the first instance what many are concerned about is what we actually say<\/strong> to the person we prayed for ‘if nothing happens’. It\u2019s potentially an awkward situation for both of us. They may feel as if they don\u2019t qualify for healing and we can feel as if we\u2019ve let them down. And this, if we\u2019re honest, is why many believers avoid healing ministry altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n So here\u2019s 7 simple principles on the theme of healing ministry<\/strong> to remember when you find yourself in this situation and asking the question, \u201cI prayed for healing and they didn\u2019t get better, what do I do next?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n I can\u2019t state this too strongly. If you find yourself saying, \u201cI released the healing power of Jesus and nothing happened\u201d you\u2019re 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Furthermore, simply reaching out in love and compassion<\/strong> speaks volumes. It says, \u201cI care that you are suffering\u201d, \u201cI agree with you for healing\u201d. It also speaks to the spiritual powers, \u201cI believe in the power of the cross\u201d, \u201cI live and stand on what Jesus taught and said\u201d<\/strong> And that\u2019s not nothing – that really is something powerful!<\/span><\/p>\n “Love never fails” <\/strong>1 Corinthians 13:8. Or Agape love ‘never fades or ends’<\/strong> (AMP).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 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<\/strong>. Ministry is essentially about faith relationships. It\u2019s 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).<\/span><\/p>\n If the simple command of faith for healing is \u2018not working\u2019, don\u2019t give up! Ask the Holy Spirit questions, \u201cWhat is happening with this person – what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe stood very close to her and ordered the sickness to go away.\u201d Luke 4:39<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In another case he simply commanded the deaf ears to be opened:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, \u201cEphphatha!\u201d (which means \u201cBe opened!\u201d).\u201d Mark 7:34<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 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):<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, \u201cDo you want to get well?\u201d\u201d John 5:6<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In the 1 Corinthians 12 passage of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit<\/strong> healing is listed as \u2018gifts of healing\u2019<\/strong>. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n But beyond this – as I\u2019ve said, spiritual power has been released and often – even a small manifest improvement (whether spiritual, emotional or physical) is to be recognised and encouraged: \u201cCome on! Let\u2019s keep going\u201d!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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<\/strong> we are essentially releasing power to restore that person’s body to health and wholeness (it\u2019s healthy, pain-free state).<\/span><\/p>\n Yes tell the problem to go – but primarily tell the wholeness to come<\/strong> and manifest in its place. Sometimes our language can inadvertently \u2018big up\u2019 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.<\/span><\/p>\n So instead of – \u201cTendonitis I command you to go in the name of Jesus\u201d Try rather: \u201cTendons 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!!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The difference is subtle but significant.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s face it, we\u2019re 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.<\/strong> You\u2019re not the same person today as you were yesterday!<\/span><\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n 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.<\/strong> 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) –\u00a0 not a single one off event that just happens in isolation and is done.<\/span><\/p>\n 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<\/strong> when ministering to others.<\/span><\/p>\n It may not seem very spiritual but try to develop good people skills. Don\u2019t panic. Be calm and confident. Be alert with your eyes open and communicate clearly. You don\u2019t need to be an expert but work together with the person you are ministering to. Ask questions like, \u201cWhat\u2019s happening, can you feel any change\u201d?<\/strong> \u201cOK, let\u2019s pray again\u201d, or \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I think there\u2019s something else going on here, let\u2019s wait on the Holy Spirit and see how he wants to guide us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n So if it helps, you can say things like, \u201cLet\u2019s expect things to improve and see what God wants to do next – this might take time\u201d<\/strong> Keep your eyes and heart open and treat the person with love and respect.<\/span><\/p>\n We can learn from our mistakes<\/strong>, but only if we approach what we\u2019re doing with humility and a teachable spirit. When reflecting on times of healing ministry that don\u2019t 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?”<\/span><\/p>\n Aliss does a whole workshop session on \u2018blockages to healing\u2019 <\/strong>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 \u2018How to be Healed and Stay Healed\u2019.<\/strong> So always ask the Holy Spirit for discernment or direction if the supernatural healing flow seems to have stalled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n1: SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENS!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/h3>\n2: BE GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n3: FOCUS ON THE OUTCOME<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/h3>\n4: HEALING IS A JOURNEY<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n5: BE KIND, CONFIDENT AND CALM<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/h3>\n6: BE OPEN AND TEACHABLE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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