THE ROLL OF FAITH IN HEALING
(The Prayer of Faith - Spirit Directed Prayer)


Faith is an essential ingredient in healing. The prayer of faith shall save the sick. {James 5:15) Some times God requires faith on the part of the individual that is the vessel for healing. And all things, what so ever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Mat 21:22 ) Some times it is the faith of the individual being healed . "… thy faith hath made thee whole." (Mat 9:22).

I ask God how we got a healing faith and He showed me: There is God's gift of faith that we can and should pray for.(Mark 11:22) And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. (Luke 17:5 ) There is faith the comes by knowing God and his Word . So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17)

The strongest faith comes by hearing and obeying God! If in response to our prayer we hear the Holy Spirit direct us then we know it is God's will. If it is his will and In accordance with the promises in the scriptures then we know God will honor his word and our belief in that will give us faith.

Even Jesus did only what his father showed him. Can we do any less? "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. (John 14:10) Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. (John 5:19)

I am concerned when there is not a healing and it is implied that it was because there was insufficient faith. Although it is possible that this was the case it is not necessarily the case. We are told that we are not to judge and this is in fact a judgment. Paul had physical problems that God chose not to heal. It may be that there is sin, unforgiveness or some other issue that must be dealt with first.

We can not box God in. He still is sovereign and his ways are not our ways. We can not say God I did this, this and this and now you have to do this. God will always answer our prayer but it can not only be yes but it also can be no! not now or wait . God works all things according to the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11)

But if we teach that there was no healing because of lack of faith we bring condemnation upon the individual(s). We in fact run the risk of killing their spirit. They can be unalterably scared and may give up, thinking that they are not good enough (just do not have sufficient faith) for God to heal them.

Our job is to serve him and carry out the plan he has for us, listening for and following his direction. To build the others up and show Christ Image and do our part. Be assured that God will complete His plan and it will be good.

More of Faith and Praying in God's Will


A few years ago I had an opportunity to spend an extended time with God to dwell on faith and healing. I was disturbed because I had been involved in a group that had "prayed in faith" and the healing had not taken place. I was absolute sure that each of the individuals had "prayed in faith". I believe that the Lord spoke to me. It came as awareness after he showed me the following. What He showed me was that the faith came by knowing we were following and implementing God's directions.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14)

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. Ryrie Notes: Vs. 14:13 in my name. This is not a formula to be tacked on to the end of prayers but means praying for the same things that Christ would desire to see accomplished. It is like using a power of attorney that a very dear loved one has given you.

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives , that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.(James 4:3)

To have faith you must know you are in the will of God . (Mat 21:22 )
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:24)

The Greek word for believing is (4100). pisteuo, pist-yoo'-o; from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by impl. to entrust (espec. one's spiritual To believe you must have faith.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7) Ryrie Notes Vs. 15:7 Knowing His words will control and guide our prayers so that He can answer them.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(Rom 10:17 NKJV)
by the word of God. The spoken word rather than the written Word (Bible)(Rom 10:17 KJV). Our oral testimony (our preaching of Christ) is, of course, based on the Bible. ?>