Faith Healing - Truth or Fallacy?

Faith Healing is defined as the recourse to Divine Power to cure mental or physical illness – “…they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover” – Mark 16 v18. Although greatly advocated by religious groups, Faith Healing is gradually appearing in medical literature. I am therefore of the opinion that this belief in miracle cures and healing is not wholly independent of medical science.

Faith Healing holds a firm root in the use of intercessory prayers for healing. This does not negate the fact that God is our ultimate Physician who in turn has empowered other physicians e.g. doctors to heal and cure our diseases and infirmities. The power to cure and the gift of healing through medical science is given also by God and should not be shunned. A Jewish quote says “…the Lord created medicine out of the earth and the sensible man will not despise them…”- very true. Not only should we Christians believe in God, we must believe that God makes the final decision on a cure being a success or a failure, either spiritually or medically. Is prayer more effective than medical treatment?

Faith Healing – A Truth?
It is true that there is healing power in prayer. James 5 v15 says “The prayer of faith shall heal the sick…” Faith Healing is not reserved only for the believers or Christians; it is for anyone who has faith, both the healer and the healed. Biblical examples include Namaan the leper dipping in river Jordan and getting healed – 2 Kings 5; The healing of the Shunamite woman’s son- 2 Kings 4.

Jesus is our Lord Jehovah Ropheka – God the Healer who performed many miracles (Faith Healing) e.g. Raising the daughter of Jarius- Mark 5; Healing the woman with the issue of blood – Mark 5; the impotent man with 38 years of infirmity receiving his miracle – John 5; and many more. These are faith healing and not medical science. There are numerous modern day testimonies concerning Faith healing – miraculous cure of cancer, miracle babies; Deliverance from spiritual attacks etc.

Another truth is that “All things are possible to him that believes” – Mark 9 v23. Faith Healing is according to the Will of God and this can include treatment from medical doctors. Many medical doctors believe in, trust and pray to God. Many of them have special spiritual healing gifts given directly by God. So even in the medical environment, both the healer and the healed must have strong faith and be prayerful. Many medical doctors have testified to miracle healing even when they have given up on patients – Mark 10 v27 “…with men it is impossible… but with God all things are possible”.

No one has self professed special powers except as given by God. Jesus possesses the divine powers which faith healers call upon in order to heal. Matthew 28 v18 Jesus said “… all power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth”. So faith healers must give glory and honour to Whom it is due, i.e. to God and not to man.

Effectual prayers will always reveal the right course of action and cure, and when we believe in God and His healing power, we relax better, are reassured and this encourages positive thinking which in effect aids the healing process either spiritually or medically.

Faith Healing – A Fallacy?
The above submission does not overlook the fallacies surrounding Faith Healing. Unguarded belief in Faith Healing could be dangerous and could cause serious harm or death especially when it totally ignores the fact that we all need a physician for one reason or the other be it the Ultimate Physician, God, or his representatives i.e. the doctors etc who administer medical remedies.

Thousands or even millions of deaths have occurred due to undue reliance on Faith Healing and shunning the need for medical remedies. Many have heard, read about, witnessed or been directly involved in maiming, suffering, and deaths of thousands of children and adults due to irrational belief in miracle cures. No one should be allowed to suffer or die because of dogmatic belief in Faith Healing.

I believe that God decides the channel of cure, be it spiritual or medical. If prayers only have not worked for a while, it is foolhardy to endanger lives, try a medical remedy. If medicine alone is not working, try spiritual prayers. While we put our faith in God we must learn to yield to His Will. If we learn to listen to the still small voice we would have divine guidance as to what to do to get healed. God if He will spiritually heal will not tarry too long and make anyone suffer unnecessarily.

Faith Healing is not magic and should not be presented as such. We live in a dicey world full of fake, corrupt and contemptible preachers, pastors and evangelists of faith healing. Many of these are fraudsters and con artists who charge money for faith healing. This is unethical as the power to heal through faith is freely given and should be freely dispensed – “freely freely you have received, freely freely give…” Their fake, show offish, shammed and money oriented healing and deliverance ministries are to the detriment of the true advocates of Faith Healing. In the hands of these fraudsters, Faith Healing becomes dangerous and causes physical, emotional, financial and even spiritual pains and loss.

Lastly Faith Healing could be seen as a healing power that is deposited within the individual (mind over matter)? This should not be taken in isolation of prayer and medicine as mentioned above, Positive thinking could improve wellness for if we think we are well we could become well. The state of mind can fight physical signs of illnesses and help us respond better to treatment or prayers as opposed to giving in and deteriorating fast. Therefore Faith Healing should have due regard to Spiritual Healing powers, medical science and positive thinking- all three are gifts from God.

In conclusion, I humbly submit that when there are situations that have no medical explanations, or illnesses that confound medical doctors, Faith Healing could be the answer. When there are situation that prayers alone have not solved, Faith Healing permits a visit to the doctor. O LORD INCREASE OUR FAITH (Amen).