The Meal That Heals

The Meal That Heals

The fourth method comes by speaking the Word. There are several New Testament examples where Christ simply spoke the Word to bring healing to the sick. A centurion had a sick servant at home and came to Christ saying, “Speak the word only and my servant shall be healed” (Matthew 8:8). The man’s servant was cured the very moment Christ spoke the Word (Matthew 8:13). Jesus said this was the greatest level of faith, to simply believe in the power of the spoken word (Matthew 8:10). Often a person will stand in place on behalf of another person. A prayer of faith is offered in the name of the Lord on behalf of the person who is suffering. This is certainly biblical. The Word says: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalms 107:20 Notice that all four of these methods require the participation of a person in order to assist in prayer, anointing with oil, or laying on of hands. It takes a minister or an anointed servant of the Lord to lay hands upon someone and offer prayer. The gifts of the Spirit work through humble servants of God. Elders are men in the church and are instructed to anoint a person with oil. Even the spoken Word requires that we open our mouths and declare the healing power of God. This is where a difficulty sometimes lies. Here is the Challenge Some people have been anointed with oil until their head is slippery, yet they remain sick. Others drive long distances, wearing out the tread on their tires, to attend special healing crusades where many are touched. Yet, some return home with the same affliction. Others wait patiently for a special moment to seek out a minister with a special ministry gift, only to be disappointed with the results. What is a believer to do when a minister is not present? Or when spiritual gifts are not manifesting, or no elders are present to pray the prayer of faith? What if the person praying for you does not have an anointing or unction from the Holy Spirit at that moment — when it feels like empty hands on empty heads? When prayers go

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