Are you praying for a healing breakthrough in your life or ministry, or that of someone close to you?

The Bible is full of life-giving and faith-building truths about God’s purpose and power to heal. Today I share some scriptures and events recorded in the Old Testament that reveal Jesus as our Healer, as well as the healing work of the cross. (Luke 24:27)

8 Windows on Healing in the Old Testament

1. Wholeness—God’s Ultimate Purpose

In the creation of Adam and Eve, God reveals His ultimate purpose for humanity. This includes unbroken communion with Him and wholeness of body, soul and spirit. (1 Thess 5:23) [1]

2. Healing in the Exodus of Israel

The New Testament tells us that Jesus is the fulfilment of the Passover lamb. (John 1:29, 1 Cor 5:7)

We read in Exodus 11-12 of Israel’s first Passover meal. Central to Passover is the sacrifice of a lamb—one for each household. The flesh of the lamb is eaten, whilst the blood is sprinkled on the sides and top of the door frame of the house.

The sacrifice of the lamb and sprinkled blood protects God’s people from the angel of death—the 10^th plague sent upon Egypt.

At the same time, an astonishing miracle of healing occurs. Psalm 105:37 tells us that as the nation of Israel left Egypt, ‘from among their tribes, no one faltered.’ [2]

3. Healing and God’s Covenant Names

In Exodus 15, God reveals one of His covenant names to Israel: “I am Jehovah-Ropheka,” meaning ‘The Lord Who Heals You.’ (Ex 15:26)

The word Ropheka, or rapha, means ‘cure, heal, physician, repair, make whole.’ [3]

Other covenant names include

• Jehovah-Shalom, The Lord Our Peace (Judges 6:24)
• Jehovah Tsidkeenu, The Lord Our Righteousness (Jer 25:6) and
• Jehovah-Mekaddishkem, The Lord Our Sanctifier (Ex 31:13)

All of these will later find perfect fulfilment in Jesus and His work of redemption.

4. Healing Foretold in the Bronze Snake

There are many prophetic ‘types,’ or symbols, in the Old Testament that speak of Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross. One of these is the bronze serpent. (John 3:14)

In Numbers 21, we read of how the Israelites’ sin (speaking against God) results in a plague of poisonous snakes in the camp. The people repent of their sin, and ask Moses to intercede on their behalf.

‘The Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’ So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.’ (Numbers 21:8,9)

God could easily kill the snakes or cause them to leave the camp; however this would effectively be revoking His judgment on the sin itself, which He cannot do.

Instead, He chooses this moment to demonstrate His mercy by providing a way of healing. By looking upon the bronze snake, Israelites are not only delivered from judgment and death—they are physically healed.

5. A Picture of Jesus’ Healing Ministry

Elijah and Elisha, as prophets of God, perform great signs that include physical healing and resurrection from death—their miracles foretell the ministry of Jesus.

6. Healing in the Psalms

In Psalm 103, David praises the Lord for all of His blessings, or benefits, which include healing.

These verses are also a forward look to the work of redemption accomplished by Jesus on the cross: ‘Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion…’ (Psalm 103:2-4)

7. The Healing Work of the Cross Foretold (Isaiah 53)

‘Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions,  He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:4-5-NKJV)

The Hebrew word Choliy that has been translated ‘griefs’ also means sickness or disease. [4] This word ‘choliy’ has been translated sickness or disease in many other scriptures. (See 2 Ki 1:2, 2 Chr 16:12, Job 30:18, Dt 7:15, Ps 41:3, Eccl 5:17).

Later, Matthew quotes this scripture in the context of Jesus driving out spirits with a word and healing all who were sick: “This is to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.” (Matt 8: 17)

‘By His stripes we are healed.’ When Peter later quoted this verse—referring to the cross—he used the past tense: “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) This was because atonement was accomplished once and for all by Jesus’ death on the cross. The Greek word used by Peter for healing was used in other scriptures for physical healing. [5]

8. Healing in His Wings

‘But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will arise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall…’ (Malachi 4:2)

The Old Testament closes with the same promise that the New Testament finishes with; that the time is coming when our healing will be forever complete and we will live in the light of God’s glorious presence in all eternity.

We see this prophecy also fulfilled in the first coming of our Lord Jesus. Zechariah, father of John the Baptist spoke these words: “…because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78,79)

When Jesus came as light to our world, He did indeed come with healing in His wings. And He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. (Heb 13:8)

Notes:

[1] A fast-forward to the end: the book of Revelation assures us that there will once again come a day where there is no death, mourning crying or pain. (Rev 21:4)

[2] A wonderful picture of redemption can be seen in the Exodus of Israel. They are set free from bondage, made physically whole, carry with them the silver and gold of Egypt (effectively financial restitution for their years of unpaid labour) and released to worship and serve God.

[3] STRONG, J. Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. 1996. Ref 7495

[4] Strongs ref 2483.

[5] Strongs ref 2390. See Matt 8:13, Mark 5:29, Luke 6:19, Luke 22:51, Acts 28:8

Hayford states, ‘Peter’s intent in quoting Is 53:5 is to show that personal wholeness—mental psychological, physical and spiritual—flows from this conversion.’ HAYFORD, J W, Ed. The Spirit-Filled Life Bible.  1991.  Nashville: Thomas Nelson. P1910

More Articles on the topic of Healing:

Discover Your Unique Healing Gift

7 Reasons Why You Can Pray for Healing

3 Simple Ways to Pray for Healing

Do you have any thoughts to share on the topic of Healing in the Old Testament? Leave a comment on the comments box. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

‘Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.’ (1 Tim 4:14-15, see also 2 Tim 1:6)

Paul makes it clear through his instruction to Timothy that each of us has the ability to stir up a spiritual gift, or to neglect it.

That is a sobering thought!

The Bible reminds us that we have a responsibility before God to be intentional about using and developing the spiritual gifts He has invested in us.

7 Ways to Develop your Spiritual Gift

Here is a checklist of actions that you can take to develop your spiritual gifts. This includes prophecy or any other gift such as leadership, discernment, administration, intercession, teaching, healing and so on. [1]

To make this exercise practical, rate how you are going out of 10 for each one and ask the question, what can I do to improve in this area?

1. I have acknowledged that I have a gift

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (1 Cor 14:1)

Many people hold back from acknowledging a spiritual gift because they mistakenly believe that standing back is the humble thing to do, or they still have doubts as to whether they really have a gift.

However if God has put a gift or ministry on your heart, even if it hasn’t fully manifested, be honest and begin the development process.

In the early stages, your stewardship is primarily of the desire or call God has given to you. Don’t under-value this. Be obedient to the Holy Spirit and take the first steps to learn about the gift.

You will never grow in a gift if you do not admit you have one—or at least disclose that you have a God-given desire for it.

2. I am in the environment of a local church

‘And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.’ (1 Cor 12:28)

The place to use and develop your spiritual gift is in the context of Christian community—church life. Gifts are given to help grow the church, whether through evangelism or through ministry to the church body.

We were never meant to be ‘lone rangers’, but part of the church body, interdependent upon each other. (1 Cor 12-14)

3.  I am making the most of resources available

There are many great resources and materials available to help you grow in your spiritual gift. Look for reputable books, online resources, e-books, conferences and local training to help you grow in your gift.

There are many perspectives in the world today—and not all of them are healthy. So the best way to use resources is in conjunction with accountability to a leader or mentor who can help you select the best materials and process what you are learning.

4. I have a sense of passion and purpose

It is not enough just to know that you have a spiritual gift. You also have to identify and nurture the purpose that God has given you to use it. This is your sense of motivation, your mission. [2]

It is the ‘because’ of your gift.

• ‘I pray because…’
• ‘I teach because…’

As time goes on, that sense of passion becomes focused.

For example, my own big ‘because’—my all-consuming passion—is souls: a lost generation in need of salvation. As years have gone by, my focus is on helping raise up a generation of contagious, ‘supernatural’ Christians who will reach people for Jesus because their lives look like Jesus.

My passion and vision is global. Yours may relate to your family, your church, a specific group, a region, and so on.

Teaching and prophetic ministry is for me, a means to an end. What is your ‘end’?

5. I am using my spiritual gift regularly

The way to develop a gift is to use it, not to shelve it.

We all have to start somewhere small. My writing ministry began with writing newsletters to our family’s mission supporters. My prophetic ministry began with reaching to God for words of encouragement whilst praying for people at altar calls.

If you have a teaching gift, your ministry is not going to start at the pulpit, Look for small ways to get activated—for example taking devotions with your family, or offering to take a study in your small group.

It is time to stop holding back.

6. I am accountable in the use of my gift

No one ever outgrows the need for accountability to oversight in the use of a spiritual gift or ministry.

When asked, ‘To whom are you accountable to in the use of your gift?’ what is your answer?

I have a great source of accountability here at David McCracken Ministries. In the past my accountability has included elders, pastors and prayer leaders. These are people who have instructed me and loved me enough to correct me or give me tips to help me grow in my spiritual gifts.

Accountability does not create a ‘ceiling’; it explodes it! I know that the sky is the limit in my call with God as long as I have a heart attitude to submit to and learn from those He has placed around me.

We can learn not only from those to whom we are accountable, but from peers and outsiders as well. We need to foster a life-long attitude of learning from others in our gifts and ministries.

7. I am persevering through the tough times

‘For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.’ (2 Tim 1:6)

We all go through difficult times and wilderness seasons in the development of our spiritual gifts.

If you can relate to this today, may I encourage you—keep pressing forward. Your Heavenly Father has a plan in the midst of your trial and He is faithful. [3]

Do you have any further thoughts or questions about developing your spiritual gifts? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Notes:

[1] Some articles that may help you in the following gifts:

Prophecy: How To Develop Your Prophetic Gift Pt 1: Where To Begin

Discernment: 8 Ways To Grow Your Gift Of Discernment

Healing: The Enliven Blog Healing Category

Intercession: 8 Tips for Personal Intercessors

Teaching (prophetic): See the Free Resources Page for the article, ‘What Is Prophetic Teaching?’

[2] This article may be helpful: Your Identity And Destiny: 3 Keys From The Life Of Gideon

[3] I share more about this in the post, Going Through A Testing Season In Your Spiritual Gifts

E-books to Help you Develop Your Gifts:

‘Grow Your Prophetic And Prayer Gifts’ is a high-value e-book specifically written to help you grow in your prophetic gifts – at whatever stage or season you are on the journey.

Check out our E-books Page for more e-books related to prophetic and prayer ministry

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

I have a dream that every Christian will have the confidence and freedom to pray for other people, in any situation.

We serve a loving and supernatural God, Who longs to express His grace and power through us in our everyday lives.

Last week I shared some reasons why we can pray for physical healing, and today I want to share 3 simple ways that you can put it into practice.

It Isn’t about a Formula

When we start out, it can be helpful to become familiar with a few different methods of praying. It is a bit like having access to a toolkit. We can then use whichever method suits the situation—or pray as the Holy Spirit leads us.

When you look at how Jesus healed people in the Gospels, you see many different ways that it took place.

So when we pray, it is not about a formula, although you might find one way of praying for healing that suits you.

Contrary to what some people may try and tell you, there is no one best method to pray for healing.

If there was one superior method, then those healing ministries in the world to day that are getting the most results would all be using one method. But they are not—they all have different expressions of ministry!

3 Easy Ways to Pray for Physical Healing

Here are three different ways that you can pray for healing. I call them Petition (Asking) Prayer, Power Prayer, and Pastoral (Caring) Prayer.

1. Petition (Asking) Prayer

We petition God when we simply ask Him to do something—in this case to bring healing—in Jesus’ Name.

Petition is not inferior to other types of prayer—asking is powerful, and is the privilege of sons and daughters. (Matt 7:7-11, John 14:13-14)

Making requests of God should be done with thanksgiving—we pray with the confidence that He hears us, and has already provided the answer to our prayer. (Phil 4:6)

We see petition happening in the Bible when people came to Jesus asking for healing on behalf of themselves and others.

Petition prayer is a powerful witness to non-Christians because it demonstrates our relationship with God.

2. Power Prayer

Power Prayer is short, brief and to the point, rather like a ‘laser beam’ of focused prayer or command, using the Name of Jesus.

In Power Prayer, we exercise the authority God has given to us over sickness. This includes:

A. Praying using the authority of Jesus’ Name (Acts 4:10,30; John 14:12-14)

B. Praying or declaring scripture

God’s word has authority. Some scriptures we can pray include 1 Peter 2:24, Ex 15:26, Ps 107:20

C. Speaking a word of command to the sickness (Ps 107:20)

Jesus frequently used a word of command or pronouncement of healing. (Luke 8:54, John 5:8, Matt 12:13)

Peter primarily used the spoken word to bring healing in his ministry. (Acts 3:6, 9:34, 9:40)

3. Pastoral (Caring) Prayer

In pastoral care prayer, we aim specific prayer at caring for the person, not only for healing, but also for issues related to the illness.

The power of Pastoral Prayer is that we are praying specifically. It lets the person know that God cares and we care about their whole life related to that issue. (Gal 6:2, Rom 12:12)

Some things we can pray for include:

• Healing and Divine intervention
• Pray concerning specific symptoms as well as the underlying cause of the sickness
• Other family members affected by the need expressed
• Key events such as medical appointments, operations, and so on
• The medical skill of doctors and other professionals
• Other logistics relating to the illness—such as finance, help and transport
• Any emotional responses to the situation—e.g. fear, trauma or anxiety

I like to pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit for Christians who are in difficult times or require healing. They may have had a lot of emotion, or pain to deal with and can feel depleted emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually.

Other Prayer Tools

Here are some further thoughts about prayer for healing:

Repeated Prayer

Repeated prayer show the people that we care enough to journey the distance with them. And God may use the power of recurring prayer in the process of healing. Jesus prayed more than once for a blind man, who was healed gradually. (Mark 8:22-26)

Two Points of Connection

a. Laying on hands

Laying on of hands was one of many methods that Jesus used to minister healing to people. (Luke 4:40)

Paul mostly used the laying on of hands and physical impartation to heal. (Acts 20:10, 19:11-12, 28:8)

The benefits of having a physical point of connection include:

• It can help build faith
• It reminds others and us that we are an agent, or representative of Jesus.
• It is a Biblical means of impartation (releasing the healing power of God through one person to another)

We should always ask people first to ensure they are comfortable with us touching them as we pray.

b. Anointing with oil

Anointing with oil is symbolic. It is recommended for use by leaders in the NT. (James 5:14) Jesus’ disciples also used anointing oil on one occasion in Mark 6:13.

We need to keep in mind that unchurched people do not understand the symbolism of anointing with oil, therefore it is may not always be appropriate.

Important Things to Remember

Finally, important things to remember whilst praying for healing are:

• The basis for our prayer is not our ability, but what Jesus has accomplished on the cross. (1 Peter 2:24)

• Jesus healed people out of compassion. (Matt 14:14) Love is vital to praying for healing as it is in any ministry situation. (1 Cor 13:2-3)

• Never advise people to cease prescribed medications. If they believe they are healed, refer them to their physician for confirmation first.

• Acknowledge the mystery of prolonged or unanswered prayer and never place blame for this on anyone’s ‘lack of faith’.
  In 2 Tim 4:20, we learn of a close associate of the Apostle Paul who remained ill. No answers were given. We are called to pray in faith, leaving the outcome up to God.

Other articles in the Healing Series:

7 Reasons Why You Can Pray For Healing

Discover Your Unique Healing Gift

Do you have any further thoughts or questions about the topic of healing? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

Stolen Car Recovered

Our neighbours were distraught when their car was stolen from outside our local supermarket on Christmas Eve. At the time they told The Hunk and me about it, we were just on our way out the door for an engagement but we said, “We will pray now as we’re in the car.”

We climbed into our car and immediately started to pray that God would reveal where our friends’ car was, and that it would be kept intact. Suddenly, it was as though I received a gift of faith for this situation. “Thank you Lord that you are revealing where the car is right now!” Instead of asking, we continued to thank Him.

We later learned that at that very time, some other neighbours had been going on an evening stroll, when they decided to turn up a street where they didn’t normally walk. There was our friends’ car!

The answer to prayer was another seed sown into their lives to learn that God cared personally for them.

Praying for the Needs of Non-Christians

As Supernatural Christians, our radars should be alert for whenever a need comes up that we can pray about. When our prayer is answered, Jesus is the only explanation for what takes place. As soon as we offer to pray, we are giving God an opportunity to reveal His love and power to people in need.

I don’t remember ever having a negative response about prayer being suggested. When we offer to pray, we are saying, “we care.”

If a person has a felt need and it is not appropriate for you to pray for them on the spot, you can let them know when you will be praying. That way, they will be able to relate an answer to the prayer itself. As soon as you have an opportunity after speaking to them, send up a quick prayer. If they have a time they particularly need prayer, such as a medical appointment, it is important to remember to pray. I put a reminder alarm signal on my mobile phone if prayer is needed at a certain time.

If the prayer is not answered the way you would like it to, give God room to move in other ways—the way He sees fit. By offering to pray you have exercised the supernatural power of caring. You have asked the Holy Spirit to move in their lives. The miracle of healing or breakthrough may not happen then or there, but the recipients of your prayer witness other miracles: divine peace, God-sized coincidences and provisions are all ways that God answers prayer.

Lose the Jargon

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible… To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Cor 9:19-23

When praying in the hearing of non-Christians, it’s important to pray in a straightforward and seeker-friendly manner, avoiding ‘Christianese’—spiritual jargon, or formula-type prayer.

The person needs to hear in his or her own everyday language, what we’re praying for. This helps them realise that we don’t serve a religious or performance-oriented God, but a loving and relevant God that they can connect with right where they’re at. A side benefit of learning to pray without relying on jargon is that we have to think about the principles behind what we’re praying (I confess I often find this difficult!).

Woman Healed of Cancer in a Supermarket

My friend Bob Leach writes, [2]

‘I needed to get home help for one day a week. A lady called Pam came twice before another lady was sent permanently. After that, I only saw Pam a few times in passing in the shopping mall, and we just said, “Hello.”

One day, I was shopping in Woolworths when Pam came to me and said, “I have cancer and I am to have an operation in May.” I said, “I am sorry to hear that, can I pray for you?” So there in the crowded supermarket I prayed for her healing and comfort and added that I would pray for her every day, particularly on the 5^th May.

I was back shopping in Woolworths 17^th August and there was Pam, hurrying over to me, saying, “You healed me, you healed me!” Of course, I said that I had nothing to do with the healing but Jesus did. I said, “Let’s give thanks to the Lord,” so we held hands and gave grateful thanks and praise to a wonderful God for His healing love. Then I asked if she would like Jesus in her heart and be born again, so she repeated the prayer after me. We hugged, and then I got her a New Testament Bible from my car.

I did not see her again for two years, and again in the same supermarket. She excitedly said, “I have not seen a doctor for two years, I am so well.” She had three scans in six months that clearly showed growths on her uterus, but the operation showed all clear. She said, “They had no answer, but I knew it was the prayer.”

How wonderful is our God! He is everywhere, even in a crowded supermarket ready to answer a simple prayer.’

A Power Encounter does not Guarantee a Changed Heart

It is important to realise that just because someone sees the power of God in action, it doesn’t mean they are going to soften their heart towards God. We’ve had friends who saw demonstrations of God’s power and personal care towards them countless times, yet still refused to yield their lives to Jesus.

In Jesus’ time, multitudes of people saw and were touched by His miracles, but they didn’t necessarily turn to God. Where were those multitudes on the days before Pentecost when a mere 120 believers gathered together? In Matthew 11:20, Jesus denounced the cities in which most of His miracles were performed, because they did not repent.

It is vital that we get our motives right so that we do not get discouraged and give up when people continue to resist God, even when there is supernatural evidence of His existence and love. [1] Here are some reasons why we give God room to move in power in our unchurched, everyday world:

• Obedience to Jesus (Matt 28:18-20)
• Love for people (1 Cor 13)
• Demonstrates the Kingdom of God (Luke 11:20)
• The Holy Spirit flows through our lives (John 7:38)
• We were created for this! (John 14:12-14)
• Jesus gets the credit, the glory, the fame (Acts 3:11-16)

Questions for Reflection or Discussion:

Think of an non-Christian friend in your world. Focus on one area of felt need that they have in their life. Write a prayer that you could pray if you had opportunity to pray with them—avoid using Christian lingo or Christian prayer practices an unchurched person would not understand.

What opportunities can you think of in your everyday life that you can stop and pray when needs arise, great or small?

Do you have any thoughts, questions or experiences to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you–use the comments box at the bottom of this post. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Notes:

See also: Pentecost: How God Exploded My Box

This article is an excerpt from my book, ‘How To Be A Supernatural Christian In Your Everyday World,’ a beginners’ guide to prophetic evangelism.

Find out more about the e-book here:

‘How To Be a Supernatural Christian In Your Everyday World’

It is available [until the end of May only] for free download on the David McCracken website here:
http://www.davidmccracken.org/Resources—FREE-This-Month.php

[1] See 2 Peter 3:8-9 for a comment on God’s patience towards unbelievers

[2] Bob Leach is now in his 90’s and continues to share about Jesus with people wherever and whenever he can

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog http://propheticpeople.com/

On team with David McCracken Ministries