What’s faith got to do with it?
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)
Faith is a crucial ingredient for healing success, and most in the modern church do not have it, and God says you cannot please Him without it! (Heb. 11:6)
What is faith?
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1 ESV)
Notice in the above passage there are two things listed which are a part of what faith is: 1) assurance (of things hoped for) and 2), conviction (of things not seen).
When you pray for healing you must pray with complete assurance and with total conviction (all your heart) that it will happen.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5 ESV)
Two positive faith examples
A desperate woman had faith for healing. She believed that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ garment she would be healed. And it happened! “And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48 ESV)
A blind man had faith that Jesus would heal him. People tried to shush him but he persisted to cry out to Jesus. “And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” (Mark 10:52 ESV)
One negative faith example
Jesus was restricted by the lack of other’s faith (Mark 6.5) - Jesus visited His home town but found very little faith there, so He couldn’t do as much as He wanted to. “Then they scoffed, ‘He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.’ They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.” (Mark 6:3 NLT)
According to your faith
“Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done for you according to your faith.” (Matt. 9:29)
“Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed.” (Matt. 15:28)