Do You Feel Called to a Healing Ministry?
So, you’re certain God has called you to start a healing ministry. Or, perhaps you’re not absolutely convinced God spoke to you, but you have this nagging sense that just won’t go away. You get emotional every time you encounter a sick person. Your heart races, and you feel like you want to pray for them, but you don’t.
You ignore your rapidly pounding heart, and get out there into the realm of reason. You’re not a healing evangelist. You’re not a pastor. You’ve never attended seminary. In fact, you’re not even in church leadership. You’re not qualified to minister to the sick. Those are the voices in your head. And if you listen to them long enough, you’ll start believing them.
But I have good news for you. You are called to minister to the sick! If you’re a born-again, spirit-filled follower of Christ, you have been called.
If You’re a Believer, You’re Called to Minister to the Sick!
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17-18 (NKJ)
The scripture above was spoken by Jesus Himself. He said signs and wonders will manifest through those who believe. If you’re a believer you should be actively engaging in the things he mentioned in this verse. One of those things is this: Believers will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Jesus didn’t say you have to have a degree in theology. He didn’t say believers need to carry a ministerial title of some kind. Nope. He said you must be a believer! Every believer has been admonished by Jesus to minister to the sick.
The First Step to Starting a Healing Ministry
Here’s the first step to starting a healing ministry: Just do it! No, I’m serious. The hardest part of starting a healing ministry is conquering the mental battle. Rebuke those lying voices in your head that I spoke of earlier. The ones telling you that you’re not qualified. Well, here’s a news flash: You become qualified only by doing it!
How often have you seen a secular employer advertising a job opening, and one of the qualifications is this: Experience required. A potential candidate may have umpteen years of college, and graduated valedictorian of their class, but all that accumulated head knowledge wasn’t what the employer was looking for. He wanted experience. How do you gain experience in any field? By doing it!
It doesn’t matter how many healing scriptures you have memorized, if you’re not using them to pray for the sick. Mental assent doesn’t heal people — actions do. Perhaps you’ve heard the old adage, “people don’t care how much you know, they only want to know how much you care!” Suffering humanity could care less how intelligent you are. They’re waiting for someone who can connect them to Jesus their Healer.
I believe in education, and I’m a believer in higher education. Get all that you can. But don’t put the ministry of healing on hold while you study. Don’t be found doing those ‘second things first!’ Sometimes even well-meaning, good things can cause us to be distracted from our number one priority in life… people!
Some of the greatest healing evangelists of yesteryear were uneducated or poorly educated people. A college degree isn’t a prerequisite to pray for the sick. I’d like to encourage those of you who have been feeling unworthy in this area. If you’re a believer with a good foundation in the Word of God regarding biblical healing, and have a heart of compassion, you are qualified!
God Uses Untrained Men and Women
One of my favorite accounts of healing in the bible is the story of Peter and John ministering healing to the lame man at the gate Beautiful. These two men had faith to believe that someone who was born with a disability could be healed by Jesus. It didn’t matter to Peter and John that the man was over forty years old, and had never walked a day in his life. They knew that with God all things are possible!
The account is found in Acts 3:1-10. As soon as Peter touched the man and lifted him up he received his miracle (verse 7). The bible says he was able to walk, run, and jump immediately; something he had never done before. But here’s the part I want you to see. Acts 4:13 says…
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NKJ)
As you can imagine, a notable miracle like this caused quite a stir in the local community. The religious leaders had Peter and John arrested. The following day they were being questioned by the authorities who wanted to know by what power or by what name this miracle had been done (Acts 4:7). Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, explained to them in a very bold manner how the miracle happened. The religious rulers, elders, and scribes were astonished. They knew Peter and John had no religious schooling, and called them uneducated and untrained men.
The words for uneducated in the Greek text (the original language of the New Testament) are unlearned and illiterate. The Greek words for untrained are ignorant and idiot. So then, according to the religiously trained leaders, Peter and John were illiterate ignorant idiots! How would you like to be called that? But those are exactly the kind of people God uses. The ones who don’t think they know it all. The ones who minister healing to the sick, laying hands on them, and in faith believing that God is going to show up!
Don’t let your lack of formal religious training keep you from praying for sick people. God is waiting for you to do your part so He can do His. Your part is to pray and believe, God’s part is to manifest the healing. That’s how you start a healing ministry! Just do it!
QUESTION: Have you ever “laid hands on” a sick person and prayed for their healing? Is this biblical principle a routine part of your spiritual walk? Feel free to share your experience with our readers and leave a reply in the comment box below!
© Glenda Motsavage and Sozo Ministries International, 2017
Debra Dockins
Well, 32 years ago the Lord started to show me through dreams that I would start a ministry. I was very shy and traumatized from childhood abuse and thought “no way” I put myself through the most grooling 30 years of counseling and ended up homeless and suffering from PTSD, The Lord was there and helped me in ways you can’t even imagine, I went to the VA and did more therapy and 7 years later bought a home, On the 30 year anniversary of the first dream, the Lord revealed to me the age of 65 I would begin a ministry, Well, I just turned 64 on Halloween and this year turn 65…… He has prepared me through every scenario I could possibly encounter and healed me as well, I did my part and God sure did his, A lot of details in between, He revealed recently that I would be involved in a healing ministry which is right up my alley, And reminded me of another dream I had about 20 years ago of a woman holding my hands and telling me “You have a Gift” To say the least I am very excited and will wait in the Lord to put this ministry into action. I googled healing ministry and this is what I found, The Lord has also performed healing and saved my life several times in ways that can’t be explained, Testimony to protecting me here on earth for his purpose for me. I really LOVE HIM!!!
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Well hallelujah… the Lord sure needs His faithful ones to step up to the plate in these last days! I am believing with you that you answer the call of God on your life, and I pray against any hindrances, obstacles, detours, or power assignments against the plan and purposes of God. I rejoice that you never gave up on the dream God gave you. And all that “stuff” you’ve been through was simply preparing you for ministry. Empathy and compassion for others are conceived out of our greatest trials. 1 Corinthians 1:4 says God “comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble.” God turns our pain into purpose! And God’s timing is always perfect. I’m reminded of one of the greatest healing evangelists in America, Frances Hunter (along with her husband Charles) didn’t even get saved until she was 49 years old – then went on to have nearly 40 incredible years of ministry in the United States and in 49 nations! They leave a legacy that changed the lives of countless people… and you can too! God bless you now, and in the days ahead, as you step out into your destiny!
Emmanuel Odunyemi
On two different occasions and at different locations, I met people who told me they saw healing anointing on my hands. But I have been wondering if God is calling me into active Ministry. Does having a healing anointing necessarily mean I have been called to be a preacher(or Ministry gift)?
I have a strong passion to be a University teacher. So I’m wondering, even if God has called me to preach, can I do Ministry with my secular job?
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Good morning Emmanuel, and thanks so much for visiting sozo4all.com! You have asked excellent questions, and those on the minds of many people.
To answer your first question: Generally speaking, having the awesome gift of healing is NOT the same as being called into the five-fold ministry (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher – Eph. 4:11). That scripture says the 5-fold ministry gifts are given by Jesus to SOME. Whereas, gifts of healing are one of the 9 spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit (as listed in 1 Cor. 12:7-11), and these gifts are available to ANYONE who is spirit-filled. Therefore, the spiritual gift of healing is not necessarily a call into one of the 5-fold ministry offices. EVERY Christian has received a mandate and the authority to operate in the ministry of healing – “laying on of hands” is part of the Great Commission (Mark 16:17-18).
To answer your second question: Absolutely YES! In fact, God desires for every Christian to engage in “lifestyle evangelism” in our secular jobs. As previously mentioned, EVERY Christian has access to the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit and should be using them wherever we are, whether at home, at our secular jobs (in accordance with workplace rules and regulations), out in the community, and wherever our sphere of influence takes us. As a university teacher, or any other profession, God can create open doors for you to use your spiritual gifts. Prior to becoming a licensed minister, this is exactly what God did for me in my secular job. (If you haven’t already, please read my article entitled “Boldness in the Ministry of Healing” for an example.)
Lastly, if multiple people have physically “seen” the healing anointing on your hands, I would encourage you to be seeking the Lord through fasting and prayer to receive clarification and direction regarding any possible “calling” into the ministry.
Again, thank you for your inquiry. I’m praying for you to hear the voice of God with all clarity regarding direction for your life. May you know with all certainty what that “good, acceptable, perfect will of God” is for your life! Many blessings to you!
Robert Bossio Jr.
Greetings n salutations my friends in Christ. I commend you all for doing the good works of Jesus. He has empowered us and equipped us with everything we need. I enjoyed this article n found it really interesting. Thank you so much for encouraging us to get out there and do what God has called us to do. The Great Commision is our walking orders. Amen. God bless you
George
am very much encouraged with this writeup. Can i pray for people just by calling then on phone due to coronavirus. Otherwise from today i shall lay hands on the sick.
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hi George. Thank you so much for asking this question, as many Christians have been wondering the same thing. Please keep in mind, most of the articles on Sozo4all.com were written prior to the coronavirus outbreak. Currently, as a result of the CDC guidelines (as well as the World Health Organization, for those who are not in the United States), we have entered into a different “season” when it comes to ministry. In order to keep our families safe and to mitigate the spread of this evil virus, we are obeying the stay-at-home orders that have been issued. Therefore, the ministry of healing (and, ultimately, all ministry) looks a little different right now. While we may not be able to “lay hands on the sick,” because the enemy has taken away our ability to minister through “touch,” WE ABSOLUTELY CAN CONTINUE TO MINISTER THROUGH REMOTE PRAYER! So yes, pick up the phone and pray for people!
You may not be familiar with my personal testimony, but 30+ years ago I was divinely and supernaturally healed from Stage 5 Cervical Cancer. I was not a Christian at the time. A prayer warrior who was on her face before God, THREE HOURS AWAY from the hospital I was in, interceded on my behalf. As the oncologist examined me, showed me the cancerous “tumor” on the x-ray slide, then went back in to biopsy it, IT LITERALLY HAD DISAPPEARED RIGHT BEFORE HIS EYES! No biopsy needed, no chemotherapy needed, no radiation needed – to the utter amazement of my doctor. No one ever “laid hands on me” that day. No Christian ever “touched” me that day. THAT’S THE POWER OF REMOTE PRAYER! That’s the power of God to respond to the “prayer of faith” and “TOUCH” a person’s body all by Himself, even when we cannot be there to physically “touch” them! Jesus gave us many examples in the Bible where He simply “spoke the word” and people were healed. As believers, we need to follow His example, for such a time as this!
I’m coming into agreement with you George, that those you pray for remotely (over the phone) will receive a “touch” from God and be healed! God bless you for advancing the Kingdom of God on this earth.
RUTH
I haven’t laid a hand on sick people, but everytime I meet sick, lame , blind and deaf people I feel like i have the solution for their healing, and i was in a 40 days and 40 nights fasting and i have a dream someone telling me that i have healed you, now go and lay hands on sick people and I will heal them, and since this dream is disturbing my peace, i ask my self if was that massage from God or what, now is the eighth month since i have this dream, and i dont know where to start, but i give glory to God because I get something here today, I feel like i know what to do, thank you may God equip you day by day Amen.
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hi Ruth. Glory to God that He speaks to us in so many ways, including dreams. It’s important to act on what He is admonishing you to do. Now [with the coronavirus pandemic], more than ever, the entire world is in need of healing. I encourage you to begin praying for the sick. As a believer it’s not difficult, AND YOU ARE QUALIFIED! Furthermore, you obviously know the benefits of biblical fasting, which according to scripture (Matthew 17:21) is oftentimes required for someone to receive their healing. You have already been doing the “basics,” so you are well on your way to becoming an instrument of healing that God can use to connect sick people to their Healer! God bless you for desiring to do the will of God. Keep me posted!
For additional reading you may want to check out my article on biblical fasting: http://sozo4all.com/2018/03/23/fasting-and-prayer-according-to-the-bible/
Stephen
Am really blessed by this write up. More grace to you. Please can you help to build my healing ministry. I been praying, fast the way I can, do my stillness not regular in worship and read my Bible deeply. But I have not see much demonstrations. Please help.
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hi Stephen, thank you so much for visiting Sozo4all and taking the time to respond. You seem to be doing everything right, so keep doing what you are doing. I feel impressed to ask you if you have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4)? Oftentimes, I believe the Holy Spirit is a game-changer when it comes to ministry. The Holy Spirit is where we get our spiritual boldness and He is the very POWER of God (Acts 1:8). In fact, Jesus commanded His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. He knew their effectiveness in ministry depended on it. And what happened after they received the Holy Spirit? Well, they turned the world upside down with their signs, wonders and miracles as recorded in the book of Acts. Additionally, with the baptism of the Holy Spirit we have access to all 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7-11). I depend upon those gifts every time I minister. I am praying for your ministry Stephen. God bless you my brother.
Debbie
Yes my husband and I laid hands on our son who was having a crippling headache while he was in college. The next day he called and told me it was gone never to return.
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hi Debbie. That’s what a healing ministry is all about – praying for the sick everywhere you go! Mark 16:20 gives us an amazing promise; it happens when we, His people, demonstrate and act on the Word of God. It says that when we do our part (pray and believe) God works with us by confirming His Word with supernatural signs! Hallelujah, a big thank you to you and your husband for taking the church out of the church! I would encourage you both to engage in the “laying on of hands” more and more, whether to believers or non-believers – it’s one of the greatest evangelistical tools we have been given!
As you have testified, the healing power of God Himself flows through your hands. Your testimony serves as a great encouragement to our readers; thank you so much for sharing! I pray you will increase more and more in the ministry of healing! To God be the glory!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenda Motsavage