How to Heal the Sick
This Five-Step Prayer model is adapted from Randy Clark’s “Ministry Team Training Manual.” This is not the only way to heal the sick, but instead is one of many. I have found this method very effective in biblically ministering to the sick. This is not meant to be dogmatic or legalistic. Instead, this is intended to be a biblical guide on how to heal the sick!
STEP 1: INTERVIEW
Start with a brief interview of the person in front of us. It is helpful to introduce yourself as ministry is relational, and we share the Love and power of Jesus!
Ask them for a brief description of their physical need.
Luke 18:41-43 NKJV (emphasis added) reads:
“[Jesus said], “What do you want Me to do for you?”
He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.”
Ask the length of time for the condition.
Mark 9:17-21 NKJV (emphasis added) reads:
“Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood.”
Diagnosis: Through asking these questions and listening to Holy Spirit, you can diagnose where to start, how to pray, and determine the root causes of the problem and not simply symptoms. This step leads to effective and accurate ministry.
STEP 2: PRAYER SELECTION
After the interview, choose from two types of prayers as led by Holy Spirit.
Command: This is addressed to a condition of the body or a troubling Spirit. Discernment is needed, for you cannot cast out sickness, and you cannot heal a demon.
Commands should be the preliminary step to praying for healing. Subsequently, commands are appropriate when there is a Word of Knowledge or when casting out evil spirits.
An example of this would be, “In the name of Jesus, I command this tumor to shrivel up and dissolve…spine be straight!...Be healed!...I command every afflicting spirit to get out of Tommy’s body!”
Acts 3:6 NKJV (emphasis added) reads:
“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.””
2. Petition: A request to heal, addressed to Father God, Jesus, or Holy Spirit.
We are not begging God to heal; rather, we agree with Him to come and do His will on earth as it is in heaven.
An example of this would be, “Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask you to restore sight to this eye…Come Holy Spirit, release your power, touch Tommy’s back in Jesus’ name.”
Luke 11:9-10 NKJV reads, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Petition prayers are absolutely biblical. I would recommend, however, to move in the power and authority God has given you through command prayers.
STEP 3: PRAYER MINISTRY
Pray for effect: Authority expects what you believe (faith) to happen as you speak. Simply put, moving in authority is knowing that healing is already paid for in the atonement.
Mark 9:25-26 NKJV (emphasis added) reads:
“When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.””
Jesus prayed with short, simple, effective command-type prayers demonstrating His authority and power. Long, belaboring prayers are not needed to heal the sick.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
It’s always a good practice to start by inviting the Holy Spirit to come before praying. Be comfortable waiting on Him in silence, and let the person know what you’re doing. He will tell you how exactly to pray if it is not clear and may even reveal deeper needs of healing.
While ministering, ask the person not to pray but instead to receive. While you pray for them, pay attention to their body. This means: pray with your eyes open! Watch for how God is moving and follow His lead. Bless what He’s doing and celebrate His works. Give thanks for Who He is and What He does during this time.
When praying, always command or pray in the name of Jesus. It is His healing power, not ours. Mark 16:18 NKJV reads, “lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” I have found that asking before laying my hands on someone is considerate and helpful.
During this time, if un-forgiveness comes up, lead them through the process of forgiveness. If the condition is caused by a specific sin that is confessed, encourage them to repent and ask for forgiveness. Remember, we are not digging for problems but focused on our solution!
STEP 4: STOP AND RE-INTERVIEW
Keep the prayers short with frequent interviews, stopping to test and check for any improvements as you pray. Any change in the person’s condition is positive feedback. Be persistent in prayer as long as the person is willing. It’s not about the method; it’s about our surrendered relationship with Jesus that releases His power through us.
After the short command-type prayer, be bold and ask them to test out a prior impossibility if they can. This important action involves faith, and many times this is where healing happens.
Acts 3:6-7 NKJV (emphasis added) shows us how the testing of a prior impossibility can be the catalyst for healing:
“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”
If progress has stopped, re-evaluate and re-interview. Ask questions that might help to determine if there is unforgiveness, curses, fear, or occult involvement. Also, consider whether an evil spirit is present.
If there is partial progress, you may have to pray and test it out many times until completely healed. Mark 8:23-25 NKJV (emphasis added) reads:
“So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.”
If Jesus had to pray for someone more than once, don’t be surprised if we have to!
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
Do everything in love. We can work miracles, heal the sick, and move in power, but if we are not operating in the love of God, it is worthless (See 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
While ministering to a person with multiple needs, it is best to finish praying for one problem before moving on. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and what He is doing.
There are four primary markers for when you should stop praying.
The person is healed.
The person wants you to stop.
The Holy Spirit says to stop.
You do not see any improvements, and no advancement is being made.
STEP 5: POST PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
After praying, encourage the other person with scripture. If the person was healed to any degree, encourage them to celebrate what the Lord has done for them! If there was no significant change, encourage them not to give up on healing as some healing is progressive.
Suggest a lifestyle change if the initial condition resulted from occult experience or habitual sin.
If not the person was not healed or received partial healing, do not accuse them of a lack of faith, or hidden sin, as the cause. This is not helpful and may not always be true (See Mark 9:16-29.)
