How to Pray for the Sick and Actually See Results
Christians are commanded to heal the sick. Did you realize that? In Matthew 10, Jesus actually commanded us to heal the sick. Why are more Christians not doing this? How are we supposed to pray for the sick and actually see results? Jesus told us to heal the sick, not just pray some ineffective prayer for the sick.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
I remember as a child reading the Bible and wondering why I never saw Christians doing the things I saw the disciples in the Bible doing. There was a gap between what I was reading and what I was seeing in the world. As an adult, the Lord has answered these questions and filled the gap.
In order to pray for the sick and actually see results, you must pray the prayer of faith (believing that Jesus has already provided healing), speak to the mountain of sickness, and believe that you will have what you say.
I have received healing from the Lord many, many times and also prayed for countless people and seen them healed as well. Healing is a reality. The same things we saw the disciples do in the Bible are the same things we are supposed to be doing today.
How to Pray Effectively for the Sick
Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to pray. You may find that hard to believe but it’s true. What I mean by “wrong way” is that there is an ineffective way to pray. In James 4, the Bible tells us that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man will avail much. That means that there must also be an ineffective prayer.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16
Again in James 5 we see that the prayer of faith will save the sick. That means there is also a way of praying that is not in faith and will not save the sick. We see this type of ineffective prayer constantly in church circles. Sometimes hundreds of people are praying for a sick person and yet the person dies. This is crazy! Usually this is because there is no one actually praying the prayer of faith.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15
What is the Prayer of Faith?
The prayer of faith is a prayer that has absolute assurance of the outcome. In the case of healing, the prayer of faith is a prayer of authority and thankfulness that Jesus has already healed us. 2,000 years ago when Jesus took those stripes on His back, He healed us.
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24
The prayer of faith has a confidence about it. The prayer of faith is an authoritative prayer that knows the will of God for the situation. If you do not know God’s will, you need to find that out first so you can pray effectively. Jesus said whatever you pray according to the will of God you can expect to receive.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15
The prayer of faith knows what God’s will is and commands it to manifest. When you know God’s will, you know you are praying in faith. God’s will is His Word. And He has accomplished His will in the crucifixion and resurrection of His Son.
Your prayer life will totally change once you understand how to pray in faith. No more beginning God or wondering if He will answer. When you pray according to His will, you can be absolutely assured that He hears you and that you have what you asked for.
How to Pray in Faith
So how do we pray in faith? Faith is simply resting in complete assurance of the finished work of Jesus- what Jesus has already been accomplished through his death, burial and resurrection. . Faith is not wishing something will happen one day. Faith is knowing what has already been done in the finished work of Jesus.
Everything you could possibly need for life and godliness was accomplished through the work of Jesus, including the healing of your body. It takes spiritual revelation to understand this, but it’s absolutely true. You have already been healed. It’s a finished work. Healing has already been provided.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Did you catch that? By His stripes, you WERE healed. That’s past tense. When were you healed? At the cross. Over 2,000 years ago. It is a spiritual reality. It’s as true as the air you breathe. Even truer than the things you see around you with your natural eyes. When you believe the Bible that this has already happened, you can pray in faith.
Healing is not a promise, it’s a provision. Understanding this will allow you to pray the prayer of faith and see people healed when you pray.
Speak to the Problem
Jesus has given us His authority to use on this earth. We must use our mouth to speak directly to the problem.
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:23-24
This verse shows us how to remove sickness, or any type of obstacle in our life that is contrary to the will of God. We speak to it. We are children of God, and created to function just like Him. We change things with our word, just like He does.
Speak directly to your problem in the name of Jesus. Command it to be removed and cast into the sea. Believe in your heart that what you say will be done, and you will have what you say. We do not need to beg God to move the mountain or take away the sickness. He told us to speak to it.
After we have spoken directly to the problem, we then release the healing power of God by calling things that be not as though they are. You have already been healed. Receive it when you pray, and then speak accordingly.
God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; Romans 4:7
This is how faith talks. Faith says what God says, even if we don’t see it in the natural yet. If God says I am healed, then that’s what I say. If God says I am blessed, then that is what I say. We set our heart and mouth in agreement with God and speak ONLY that.
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 2 Corinthians 4:13
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
How to Pray for Healing for a Friend
Have you ever had a friend ask you to pray for them? So many times we hear someone say “pray for me” and then we agree to pray for them. But do we actually pray for them? When someone requests prayer, I always ask them “what would you like me to pray?” or “what are you believing for so that I can agree with you?”.
You see, if you are trying to pray for someone, and they are not in agreement- it poses a potential problem. God honors our free will and will not violate it. If you are praying for healing for someone, and they don’t actually want to be well, then God is not going to violate their desire to be sick.
It may be hard for you to believe that someone would not want to get well, but it happens all the time. People hold on to the identity of being sick because it causes others to care about them, check on them, and give them attention.
For this reason and many others, some people would prefer to remain sick. Sounds crazy, I know. But it’s important that when a sick friend asks for prayer, we find out exactly what they want from the Lord. Jesus even asked people what they wanted Him to do for them.
So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Mark 10:51
Find out what your friend actually wants. If they want to be well, then you can pray the prayer of faith and see them healed. Remember the prayer of faith is the prayer that knows what has been accomplished at the cross and brings that into the physical reality.
Sample Prayer for the Sick
The Holy Spirit will lead you as you pray. You may get an image or feel impressed to pray a specific way. Not all prayers for healing are the exact same. Even Jesus ministered to different people in different ways. But it is always a prayer of faith- knowing without a doubt that it is God’s will for them to be completely healed and whole. Sickness is a curse, an enemy of God.
Here is an example of a prayer of faith you can pray for the sick and actually see results!
Father, thank You that You have provided complete healing for us. Thank you that by the stripes of Jesus, my friend has been healed. I set myself in agreement with you that my friend is healed. Now sickness- I speak to you in the name of Jesus- be removed and be cast into the sea. I command you to leave and never return in the mighty name of Jesus. Thank you Father that I have what I say and that my friend is completely healed and whole according to Your will. Thank you for the finished work of Jesus. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen (so be it).
Now that you have prayed the prayer of faith, it is important that you or your friend do not speak contrary to what you have prayed. Remember, the power of life and death is in your tongue.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
You may or may not see the results immediately, and that’s OK. The prayer has been prayed. The Word of God is now at work in your friend’s body. Only believe! Nothing is too hard for God. Remember when Jesus cursed the fig tree in Mark 11? It wasn’t until the next day that what He said was manifested in the physical realm where the disciples could see the results. But the moment He cursed it, the roots began to dry up and the work had begun. The moment you speak to the sickness, the work has begun. You will see it removed.
Bible Verses for the Sick
He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:2
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2
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. Psalm 103:1-5
So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:25-26
But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves. Malachi 4:2
…For I am the Lord who heals you. Exodus 25:26
…and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all. Matthew 12:15
Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. Matthew 15:30
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), Galatians 3:13
No evil shall befall you,nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; Psalm 91:10
