Divine healing has captivated believers across generations, from the miraculous accounts in Scripture to contemporary testimonies of answered prayers. Yet, alongside these remarkable stories, believers often grapple with profound questions: Does God still heal today? Why do some prayers for healing remain unanswered? What role does faith—or even sin—play in the process of divine healing?
This essay explores the biblical foundation of healing, its historical and spiritual significance, and its implications for believers today. As John MacArthur once noted, “Prayer is not an attempt to force God’s hand but a humble acknowledgment of our dependence on Him.” This perspective frames our journey through the Scriptures, church history, and theological reflections on God’s power to heal.
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Old Testament Healings: God’s Compassionate Intervention
Healing during the Patriarchal Era
The Old Testament introduces divine healing early in its narrative, showcasing God’s sovereignty over life and health. In Genesis 20:17-18, Abraham intercedes for Abimelek’s household, and God restores their ability to bear children. This incident highlights the power of intercessory prayer and God’s willingness to heal even when sin, such as Abraham’s deception, complicates the situation.
Another striking account is Jacob’s limp after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:24-32). Although this encounter results in physical disability rather than healing, it symbolizes Jacob’s transformative encounter with the divine. His limp serves as a reminder that physical conditions can carry profound spiritual significance.
Healing in the Wilderness
During Israel’s journey through the wilderness, God’s healing power is vividly displayed. In Numbers 21:4-9, God sends venomous snakes among the Israelites as a response to their rebellion. When they repent, God instructs Moses to craft a bronze serpent. Those who look upon it in faith are healed. This event emphasizes the necessity of faith in God’s provision and foreshadows Christ’s crucifixion as the ultimate source of spiritual healing (John 3:14-15).
Healing through the Prophets
The ministries of Elijah and Elisha reveal God’s power to heal through His prophets. Elisha’s purification of Jericho’s water (2 Kings 2:19-22) heals the land, demonstrating God’s care for His people’s practical needs. Similarly, Hezekiah’s healing (2 Kings 20:1-11) after fervent prayer emphasizes God’s responsiveness to heartfelt petitions. Naaman’s healing from leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14) underscores the themes of humility and obedience, as his initial resistance to Elisha’s instructions nearly cost him his restoration.
Healings in the Gospels: Jesus’ Compassion and Authority
Individual Healings
The Gospels are replete with accounts of Jesus’ healing ministry, revealing His compassion and authority. One of the most moving stories is the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34). After suffering for twelve years, she touches Jesus’ garment in faith and is instantly healed. Jesus publicly acknowledges her faith, highlighting the personal and intimate nature of His ministry.
Bartimaeus, a blind man, persistently calls out to Jesus despite opposition from the crowd (Mark 10:46-52). His faith leads to his healing, demonstrating God’s readiness to respond to those who earnestly seek Him. Similarly, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6), challenging legalistic traditions and revealing that God’s compassion transcends human rituals.
Group Healings
Jesus often healed groups, moved by compassion for the multitudes. In Luke 17:11-19, He heals ten lepers, though only one returns to express gratitude. This story underscores the importance of thankfulness in response to divine grace. Additionally, Jesus’ healing of the multitudes (Matthew 14:13-14) reveals His desire to bring physical and spiritual relief to those who come to Him.
Raising the Dead
The Gospels also record instances of Jesus raising the dead, showcasing His authority over life and death. When Jairus’ daughter dies, Jesus assures her father, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (Mark 5:21-43). Similarly, the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44) not only demonstrates God’s power but also His perfect timing, revealing His glory through the miracle.
Healings in Acts and the Early Church: Continuation of Christ’s Work
Healings through the Apostles
The Book of Acts demonstrates that Jesus’ healing ministry continued through His apostles. Peter heals Aeneas, a paralyzed man, declaring, “Jesus Christ heals you” (Acts 9:32-35). Similarly, Paul heals a crippled man in Lystra (Acts 14:8-10), recognizing the man’s faith and commanding him to stand. These accounts emphasize that healing power flows from Christ and serves to confirm the Gospel message.
Raising the Dead
The apostles also performed resurrections, further affirming their divine authority. Peter raises Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42), and Paul raises Eutychus after his fatal fall (Acts 20:7-12). These miracles provided comfort and strengthened the early Christian community’s faith.
Healing and Deliverance
Paul’s healing of Publius’ father on Malta (Acts 28:7-9) demonstrates how God’s healing power facilitated the spread of the Gospel. Additionally, his deliverance of a demon-possessed slave girl (Acts 16:16-18) highlights the authority believers have over spiritual oppression in Jesus’ name.
Does God Heal Today?
Scriptural Basis for Ongoing Healing
God’s unchanging nature (Hebrews 13:8) affirms that He remains active in healing. James 5:14-16 instructs believers to seek prayer and anointing for the sick, emphasizing that healing is a communal act of faith. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 12:9-10 includes gifts of healing among the spiritual gifts, suggesting that this ministry continues within the Church.
Why Are Some Prayers for Healing Unanswered?
One of the greatest challenges in seeking healing is understanding why some prayers go unanswered. Paul’s plea regarding his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) is met with God’s response: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This teaches that God’s purposes may involve enduring grace rather than immediate healing.
As Joni Eareckson Tada observes, “God’s healing may not always come in the way we expect. Sometimes, He heals the heart before He heals the body.”
The Role of Faith and Sin
Faith often plays a central role in healing. Jesus repeatedly says, “Your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9:22). However, healing is ultimately an act of God’s grace, as seen in instances where healing occurs independently of the individual’s faith. Additionally, while sin can have physical consequences, not all suffering is directly tied to personal wrongdoing (John 9:1-3).
Practical Reflections for Believers
How to Pray for Healing
Believers are encouraged to pray for healing with faith and submission to God’s will, following Jesus’ example in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Seeking prayer from church leaders and engaging in intercessory prayer reflects biblical practices.
Balancing Expectation and Trust
While expecting God to act, believers are called to trust His sovereign plan, knowing that ultimate healing awaits in the new creation. As Revelation 21:4 promises, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”
Conclusion: The Hope of Healing in God’s Sovereign Plan
From the patriarchs to the early Church, the Bible affirms God’s power and willingness to heal. These accounts reveal God’s compassion and His desire to bring restoration. While not all prayers for healing are answered as expected, believers can trust in God’s wisdom and presence. Whether through miraculous intervention or enduring grace, God remains faithful to His promise of ultimate healing and hope.
As John Piper reminds us, “The greatest miracle is not that God heals our bodies, but that He heals our souls, bringing us into a right relationship with Himself.”
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
