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Scripture Reading: Acts 3 

I’d like to talk about healing today, but before I do, I’d like to say a word to those of you who may have lost someone close to you, whether recently or in the past.

I know what it’s like to lose someone you love.  I believe there are times to pray that God will take your loved ones home to heaven where there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain…” (Revelation 21:4).  For the Christian, the moment we pass from this life to the next will be the greatest and most miraculous healing any of us will ever experience.

But there’s also a time to pray with all the strength and faith you have for God to heal someone, here and now, in the name of Jesus, and that’s what our passage is talking about today.

In Acts chapter 3, Peter and John came across a man who was crippled from birth.  The man asked Peter and John for money, to which Peter responded:

“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6).   

Peter took the man by the hand, the man’s feet and ankles became instantly strong, and he began walking and jumping and praising God.

It was a powerful scene―so powerful that people came running from all over to see what had happened.  Peter said:

“Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? … By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see” (Acts 3:12, 16). 

Faith heals.  In this case, I think it’s interesting that it doesn’t seem to be so much the faith of the man who was healed that made the difference.  He was just asking Peter and John for money.  It seems to be the faith of Peter and John that made the difference.  They were the ones who had the faith to say to the man, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  They were the ones who reached out and pulled the man to his feet.  It’s a testimony to me of the power of the faith of a friend.

And you can be that friend when you pray for those around you.

There was a time when I would tell someone I’d pray for them, then walk away and pray later when I got home alone.  While that was a good thing to do, Jesus said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

I have no doubt that if Jesus were standing right there with me as I prayed for you, that He would reach out and touch you with His power.  And Jesus tells us that when we come together in His name, He will be right there with us.  Knowing this truth increases my faith tremendously.

So I’ve found it to be more powerful, and more meaningful to the person for whom I’m praying, to stop and ask them, “Can I pray for you right now?”  If they agree, which almost always happens, then I say a prayer with them right there, whether in a hallway or in a store or at a restaurant.  It’s a simple thing that doesn’t have to draw attention, but simply bowing our heads and praying at the time the need is expressed.  Aside from being powerful and meaningful, it also helps me to remember to pray so I don’t forget by the time I get home!

For some of you, I want to go further and encourage you not just to pray for your family and friends to be healed in Jesus’ name, but to pray for them out loud and in front of them.  I know this may be foreign territory for some of you, but it’s a great way to exercise your faith.  It can be as simple as this, “Father, heal my friend.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”  Not only will you become stronger in your faith, but so will your family and friends.

As James said,

“…pray for each other so you may be healed” (James 5:16b). 

So whether in private or out loud, exercise your faith today!  Pray for those around you to be healed in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Father, give me the faith to believe in Your power to heal and to pray that my family and friends will be healed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.