There seems to be some confusion these days about the role of prayer in healing, and the role that physicians and other healing professionals play to serve Jesus in healing. In December 2006, Reverend Gord Williams had been praying with people at the altar after preaching, and wrote in his journal:

“A woman, when I asked her what she needed prayer for said, “I believe that Jesus healed me on the cross 2000 years ago! I do not need to confess sickness. I am healed. I am just waiting for it to be manifested in my body.” I said, “That’s not how it works – reverse confession to the truth.” Jesus said, “You receive not because you ask not.” Have you ever read the parable of the widow who comes to the judge night and day telling him what she needs? (Luke 18:1-8) Jesus told this parable to let us know that we should pray constantly, making our requests known to Him. Ask and you shall receive.

I said you are accepting a bad teaching. So let’s ask Jesus to meet your real needs so you can have them met. She agreed and told me she had a bad heart and a sore neck. I asked her if she had received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit yet. No, she had not. I got two ladies to lay hands on her neck and on her hand that she placed over her heart. We asked Jesus to Baptize her in the Holy Spirit and heal her heart and neck. She began to speak in tongues.”

In Gord’s book, Like a Mighty Rushing Wind, he explains in several paragraphs about the power and manner of healing and prayer:

“We have to expect criticism when we pray for people for healing. I am frequently asked “Are you not practicing medicine without a license and are you not placing people’s lives in danger?” No, we are not practicing medicine without a license. We simply pray for people’s healing. We do not tell them to go off medicine that has been prescribed by their doctors. The doctor who diagnosed their problems will tell them when they are healed. His declaration of their healing becomes a very important part of their testimony in terms of establishing credibility.” (Like a Mighty Rushing Wind, Pg. 167)

“A few years ago, a doctor’s wife in my church became very ill. Her doctor tried everything that he knew of to bring about her healing. After reading in the book of James about the elders’ ministry of anointing with oil, she called her husband, who was also a Christian, and asked him if it would be agreeable to him for her to call the elders of their church. He agreed that it certainly couldn’t do any harm, and in fact, could do a lot of good. When the elders came and anointed her with oil and prayed with her, she was healed. There is no special oil that has healing power in it. The key is the act of faithful obedience upon which God acts to heal a person.” (Like a Mighty Rushing Wind, Pg. 165)

And again, on Page 163, Reverend Gordon shared, “Jackie, the daughter, had cancer in her eyes. One eye had been removed and the cancer was eating away at the other eye. She, too, often suffered excruciating pain. When we prayed for the two, Jackie was completely healed, but her mother wasn’t.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) 

Our confidence – that He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23) leads us to ask for prayer without ceasing, to believe that God has more than just the natural world for us, and that His love will be manifest in our lives.

Copyright © 2024. The Gordon Williams Evangelistic Association. All rights reserved,

Prayer as our Constant Connection (Phil. 4:6-8; Jas. 15-16)  

The Bible emphasizes that prayer connects us to God's peace, which transcends all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). In every circumstance, prayer secures us in our faith, allowing us to face challenges with confidence and putting trust in God's grace. The Apostle Paul encourages us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) because he knew that prayer is the lifeline that keeps us close to God, our ultimate source of hope and security.

Jesus Himself modeled the importance of prayer as a constant connection in relationship with the Father, even during His most challenging moments. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the agony of the cross, Jesus prayed fervently, expressing both His desire and submission to God's will (Matthew 26:39). His example shows us that prayer is essential not only in times of need but also in daily life. As Scripture reminds us, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16), showing that when we approach God with sincerity and faith, our prayers have a great impact on our circumstances.

James 5:15 further encourages us, saying, "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up." In James 5:15, this verse encourages us to believe that our prayers can have a profound impact on the lives of others, especially when offered with faith, “the Lord will raise him up.” Through prayer, we can witness physical healing, spiritual restoration and experience the infinite grace of God, who is our source and our full supply (Philippians 4:19).

Prayer is also a powerful tool for expressing thanksgiving and praise to God. In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages us to "fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is right, everything that is pure, everything that is lovely, everything that is admirable—in short, with whatever is excellent or praiseworthy." By focusing on these positive things in our lives and expressing thanksgiving to God, we promote joy and peace.