When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them the power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick.

Luke 9:1-2 New International Version

Jesus tells us that healing is a sign that God’s Kingdom is in our midst and praying for healing is meant to be part of the normal Christian life. He told His disciples, “Heal the sick and say to them the Kingdom of God has come near to you” (Luke 10:9). “As the Father is sending me so also, I am sending you” (John 20:21). It is always God’s plan and purpose that we partner with Him to live out the reality of His Kingdom wherever we go.

Healing is the visible manifestation that the Kingdom of God is actively invading and taking ground from the dark domain of Satan. And when we pray for healing, we are in one way saying, “Your kingdom has come” (Matthew 6:10) This is why Jesus sent out the twelve and later the seventy-two to bear witness to the reality of the gospel of kingdom through healing (Luke 9:1-2; 10:9). And when the early church in Acts was facing the threat of persecution, the believers gathered and prayed, “grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).

The Apostle Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit manifests His presence and power by equipping us to edify others through a variety of gifts including healing (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Like every spiritual gift, healing is given for the “common good” of the church.

God obviously doesn’t answer every prayer for healing, but it is not an excuse to be less faithful in praying for the sick and hurting.

There are times when a healing is seemingly not the best “common good” for God’s people or the best demonstration of God’s kingdom. Just recognise God is sovereign, that is He rules over every situation and circumstance because He knows what we need most. Don’t cease to be amazed by how great and awesome God might be, and our understanding will radically alter the way we believe and live our faith. Once we see our story is wrapped up in God’s story, we have the faith that God is consistently working everything for our good towards a glorious end.