How to Pray for Healing

Whether you’re experiencing a loss, a tough diagnosis, or you’re recovering from a tumultuous relationship, knowing how to pray for healing is vital.

In scripture, we see God’s ability and willingness to invoke miraculous healing countless times. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman is healed physically from severe leprosy. In John 8:2-11, we see the inner healing of the adulterous woman. 

We often forget that Jesus is still healing today. He is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), but because Jesus desires a relationship with us, we have to communicate these desires with Him. We can do this through prayer.

Praying for big things like physical healing is sometimes overwhelming. One of the most important things for you to remember is that while the issue that you're praying to be healed from is big, our God is bigger. We can find confidence in the scripture of Mark 11:24;

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

This verse reminds us that not only is God able to heal completely, He is willing, but first we have to ask Him.

Here are four tips on how to pray for healing:

1. Be specific: When you encounter a person with circumstances that need healing, it is important to try and fully understand what needs to be healed. In order to do this, you have to listen to the person's specific needs. This isn't because God doesn't already know, but when we can be sure of what exactly needs healing, we can pray with more confidence and discernment. It is also important to take a few moments to pray and ask God for wisdom to know exactly how to pray for the person.
2. Practice laying on of hands: In Mark 16:18, we see the practice of laying hands on someone you're praying for to bring healing through Jesus. There are several instances in scripture that through the laying on of hands, the healing power of Jesus is transferred (Luke 8:43-46). Jesus has given us as believers authority in His name, by the power of His precious blood to pray for the sick.
3. Pray with belief and confidence: It is so important for you to have the confidence and faith in Jesus that He can use His Almighty power to heal. Believe that when you pray, He hears you and believe that He is able. In Philippians 4:6, we are told: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." You must come to Jesus in prayer without anxiety, and with full confidence in His sovereign hand. 
4. End the prayer with thanks: Praise and thanksgiving is the outward expression of a heart full of love for our amazing Lord.  It is His love that died for sin on the cross and it is His love that changes lives, heals sickness both internal and external.  Recognizing this and expressing this in prayer for healing gives all control and trust to God.  Our God is the Great Physician, the Wonderful Counselor, and Prince of Peace. God is always with us, listening to us, and at work for His children’s good (although His answers do not always come in the way we expected or in the time we anticipated), and so we should praise Him.

Sometimes Jesus doesn’t choose to heal us on this earth. This can be hard to cope with. However, if we surrender our desires to Him and pray for His will before ours, He will provide you with peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), no matter the outcome.

We want to encourage you to not be afraid to ask God for big things like healing. We can always be confident that when we pray for His will to be done, healing will be experienced in some way. Whether that is the exact healing you prayed for, or Jesus answers your prayers with His supernatural peace instead, rest in the fact that He has your best in mind.