Introducing A Practical Model For Ministering Healing
Context and Boundaries
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” -Jn.14:12
This is a promise by Jesus but with a condition (Heb.10:23). He will do His part as we do our part. God supplies the working of the power and we move forward in His grace to do His works.
We believe in Him by doing what He has said (Jn.14:15; Js.2:19-20).
We are invited into His works, both the glory and the suffering (Jn.5:17, 9:9; Phil.3:10). Partnership with Jesus in ministry is the invitation to search out and understand new facets of Jesus beauty.
Answered prayer is the reward of Jesus’ eternal intercession for us (Jn.11:41, 14:15-16). Jesus loves to answer our prayers. As a good Father, how much more will He give the increase of Holy Spirit activity to those that ask (Lk.11:13).
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” -Rom.12:6
“There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” -1 Cor.12:5-6 (NLT)
As we minister healing we are responding to one another in love (1 Cor.12:7) and releasing the activity of the Spirit (1 Cor.12:11)
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” -Gal.5:6
The working of faith involves the supernatural manifestation of faith (1 Cor.12:9) as we receive a sudden confidence and boldness from the Lord that empowers us in ministry. The working of faith also involves risk and a simplistic trust in God when we don’t feel anything at all.
Multiple times in the gospels, Jesus ministered simply because of the compassion that He felt for people. We are to minister, or to work faith, because of sincere love for Jesus and genuine love for people. Feeling God’s love for people motivates us to want to minister to them. When we know that God loves them this gives us confidence to expect, or to have faith for, God to work in answer to our prayers.
Creating A Safe Place for Ministry
The presence of the Holy Spirit during ministry time does not give us license to say and do whatever we want. We are His ambassadors ministering to people that He cares very deeply about. Our ministry style must reflect His values for ministry and for people. We want to establish godly boundaries for ministry for the safety and accountability of both those ministering and those receiving ministry. A godly order allows for increase in the flow of activity in the Spirit (1 Cor.14:40) as well as allowing for those receiving to understand and participate in what God is doing (1 Cor.14:12,16,19).
1. Our ministry style should serve to draw attention to Jesus and not to us.
2. Drama is not a substitute for nor a sign of the Spirit’s activity.
3. The laying on of hands is not mandatory for ministering healing and should only be done with the permission of the one receiving ministry and only in an appropriate place on the body (ie; the top of the head, the shoulder, the palm of the hand) Special consideration should be made when ministering to the opposite sex and with those that have experienced severe abuse and trauma. Laying our hands on injured areas to pray can often cause pain to the one receiving ministry.
4. It is helpful to stand in front of the person you are praying for so that they know who is ministering to them and has their hand on them.
5. When ministering, remember that things like fresh breath, a pleasant look (ie; a smile) and a clean appearance are helpful. String odors can shift the attention of the person receiving ministry away from Holy spirit and onto us.
6. Stay focused on the task at hand. When praying for healing, pray for healing.
7. An interview can be helpful before and/or during ministry time. Before ministry: “How can I pray for you?”, or “Where does it hurt?”. During ministry: “Are you feeling anything?”, “Has your pain lessened?”, “Can we pray again?”. Many times, an interview can help us to recognize what Holy spirit is doing and lead us to pray more effectively. Faith is also increased when we recognize that God is doing something as we pray no matter how small it may seem.