Beloved, I Pray this Over You – Be in Health and Live by Faith

Praying this prayer over each of you and myself too. The NLT actually says…

Note this verse reminds us that we are to prosper and be in health, just as our souls prosper, or to be as healthy in our bodies as we are strong in spirit. Our “soul” is made up of our minds, our wills, and our emotions. We are three part beings – body, soul and spirit. Our bodies are presented to God in surrender, and our minds must be renewed and transformed by the Word of God. As our minds are renewed, we can receive and understand the mind of Christ; and by faith, we agree with and follow the words and practices of Christ (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:16). This renewal and transformation of our mind will only occur through a consistent daily dose of God’s Word. Our minds are continually bombarded with the polluted ideas of our predominately sin sick culture, and so God’s Word is like a spiritual vitamin that acts as a preventative medicine and a shield against lies and deception.

Our will must be surrendered to, “Not my will be done, but Your will be done, Lord.” God’s Word is His will and Jesus came to do the will of the Father (John 6:38). So, whatever Jesus did when He walked among us, this is God’s will (Acts 10:38). God’s will is to heal – spiritually, emotionally and physically (Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 107:20; Matthew 8:16-17; 1 Peter 2:24). Jehovah Rophe is the Lord our Healer (see Exodus 15:26). Rophe means to cure, heal, restore or make whole. This is who Yahweh, the Lord is – Healer, Restorer, and the one who makes us whole. Even as we pray the words from The Lord’s Prayer, “Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” we know there is only healing and wholeness in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). The records of the many healings of Jesus listed in the Bible were not all the same – He spoke the word, healed through the touch of His hand, used mud and saliva, and His healing power was even released through the touching of the hem of His garment (and these are just a few examples – see John 4:46-54; John 9:1-11; Luke 9:18-26). There are many ways God still heals today. We are not to put God in a box, nor are we to put limitations on how God will bring the manifestation of His healing power. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Our emotions prosper as they are controlled by the Holy Spirit and not by our own flesh, the enemy or others. The fruit of the spirit will grow and flow when our emotions prosper. As our faith is lived out in the demonstration of the characteristics of God’s Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, our emotions are prospering in Christ. (See Galatians 5:22-26).

Praying and believing the promises of God’s Word especially when things may look the opposite is what living by faith is all about.

The definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. If we can already see it, feel it, touch it and are experiencing it – no faith is needed. Faith is needed and challenged when we are believing and trusting and hoping for that which we do not yet see.

Perhaps there are many things you are believing for, trusting God for and hoping for that are not yet in view or manifested in front of you. There are many situations like this in front of me. I have witnessed our good Father God answering many faith filled prayers over the years, over both minor and major issues, but there are many I desire to see answered that, at times, the enemy taunts and says, “Yeah, God is really answering your prayers. Look at how opposite this situation looks from what you prayed for.” This is one of the reasons the Bible refers to a fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7-8). Praying and believing God and really living by faith when things are in total opposition to the promises in God’s Word or what you are trusting God for takes a warrior-like mentality. Faith warriors wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, no matter what the circumstances look like (Ephesians 6:10-18). No matter how long the battle or how opposite the situation may presently appear, faith warriors keep praying the Word, speaking the Word and believing the Word that will not return void and will accomplish and fulfill God’s will for His glory (Isaiah 55:8-13). Of course in regards to physical healing, there can be both physical and spiritual reasons our healing may be hindered. Not getting enough sleep or poor eating habits could be a factor physically, and being consumed with a hateful, bitter or angry attitude also directly affects our emotions, our spiritual well being and our physical health. We live in a fallen world, and yes, we encounter the consequences of the results of sin. However, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13), and we know this ultimately means we are redeemed from paying the price for our sins and being eternally separated from God. Still, we are expected to live based on kingdom principles and to live by faith in the promises of God for abundant life now and forevermore (2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 3:11; John 10:10). We fight the fight of faith as we believe God’s promises despite every circumstance we face that is in opposition to the Word of God. We don’t live by faith in our experiences or anyone else’s experiences. We live by faith in God and the promises of God. Galatians 3:14 tells us we are are heirs of the blessings of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit through faith.

For the past week and a half, I have personally battled some type of upper respiratory virus. The past 11 days been trying to say the least. On the positive side, I was forced to sleep and rest more, and this definitely does a body good at times. Finally, I am on the path to recovery and feeling much better. Thankfully, I am not accustomed to not feeling well and being in health. I prefer to be both healthy in body and strong in spirit. This is likely your heart’s desire too.

I wonder how many Christ followers today actually pray and speak the word of God first when a virus or symptoms of sickness strike? When you or your child are battling illness, is your first response to solely trust the doctor or medicines alone? Certainly, God uses doctors and medicines, as all of the wisdom for help and healing comes ultimately from God, and we should all seek out doctors we trust and heed their advice, but not in lieu of seeking and trusting God first and foremost, even when it is something relatively minor. We are told to pray continually and about everything; every good gift we receive is from God. Remaining in good health and healing are both good gifts. (See James 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6-7) Furthermore, how many followers of Christ practice the instructions in James 5:13-16 and actually ask for the elders to pray over them in faith and anoint them with oil? James 5:16 reminds us that we need to confess our sins and pray for each other in order to be healed. These are biblical guidelines and practices for truly living by faith. God has given us His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us and to give us discernment in all things pertaining to life and living by faith. As we pray, the Holy Spirit will direct our decisions and give us peace (Psalm 37:23).

As we live from a place a victory that Christ won for us on the cross, we are to continually thank the Lord each and every day for salvation and that by Jesus’ stripes we are healed.

But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53:5

The healing Christ bought for us on the cross encompasses deliverance from sin and bondage, and wholeness spirit, mind and body. We appropriate salvation and our victory in Christ through believing in our hearts and confession out of our mouths, as we agree with God and His Word. We appropriate healing for our bodies, minds, and spirits through agreeing with God and His Word by faith every single day of our lives. (See Isaiah 53; Romans 10:8-10; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 34:1)

Of course, we are all grateful for the wealth of medical wisdom and knowledge provided through doctors, medicines, and amazing surgical procedures that God has used to alleviate symptoms and facilitate healing, but God is still The Lord our Healer.

Do you think God sees us as living by faith and trusting Him for our healing when we do not even consider asking for His wisdom, help and healing in every health challenge we face? If our first response is not to pray, and believe the promises of God in every situation, how is this living by faith? (See Hebrews 11:6; James 2:26)

I believe we should do both by faith – pray, speak and believe God’s Word and His promises, and seek out the help and wisdom of doctors and medicine. Above all, we should trust God that we will prosper and be in health, even as our souls prosper in Christ.

Regardless of what my body might be feeling, I am still choosing to believe and agree with God’s Word – may I prosper and be in health even as my soul prospers in the Lord. Amen. May you prosper and be in health spiritually, physically and emotionally too. Amen.

Let me encourage you to do this in every situation where the enemy is fighting and taunting you. May we all pray and agree with Mary just as she responded to the angel in saying, “Let it be to me according to your word.” As we do this, may the God of peace crush Satan under our feet, and may God’s grace be with us all. Amen. (Romans 16:20-21)

Beloved I pray you will be in health and keep living by faith.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalm 103:1-5