Relax, You Are Not the Healer!
ICS Daily Devotions
Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV) 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.”
All believers are called to minister to others through the power of the Holy Spirit, including praying for the sick. Jesus said in the above passage, “They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
To many Christians, praying for the sick can be a daunting task because their minds immediately pivot to, “What if they don’t recover?” We need to know that we are merely the point of contact for God’s healing, and not the Healer. Therefore, it should be a simple task for everyone to lay hands and pray in Jesus’ Name.
1 Corinthians 12:9-10a (NKJV) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles,
First, we need to know that there is a difference between ministering by faith and operating in the gifts of faith, healings, and miracles.
The evangelists (Ephesians 4:11) operate in the power gifts, including the gift of faith, the gift of healing, and the working of miracles. However, most believers and some ministers will simply pray for someone by faith, based on their conviction of the above Scripture that God heals (Mark 16:18b).
The gifts of healing, meaning the specific gifts to heal different illnesses and sicknesses, are given to the entire body of believers. No one person can pray for everyone to be healed of all sicknesses or diseases through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Instead, someone might be gifted to lay hands and pray for fever, while others might be gifted to pray for other illnesses, sicknesses, or diseases.
Second, healing and miracles are not the same. Many of us expect a miracle in the form of instant healing, but the absence of instant healing does not mean there is no healing, because healing can also be a process.
Our responsibility is to act in obedience by laying hands on the sick, because healing is God’s work. We should simply minister based on the promise in Mark 16:18b, “they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover” in the name of Jesus.
Matthew 14:14 (NKJV) And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Lastly, most people respond to news of illness with fear or hopelessness. In such moments, we should pray for them and point them to God so they can be saved. Even if we do not fully understand their suffering, we are still called to minister with the love and compassion of Jesus. Without them, it becomes very difficult to minister to people—especially those who are sick.
Reflection: How does recognising that you are simply the point of contact, and not the source of healing, shape your mindset and posture the next time you pray for the sick?
Sermon Series：Jesus Ministers Through His Body After the Resurrection
