Healing in Jesus’ Name
Dick Leggatt, President of Derek Prince Ministries – USA and this comprises his August 11, 2016 Newsletter. Click here to receive the Derek Prince Ministries emailed E-devotional.
Are you and your loved ones experiencing physical ailments? Do you feel like your health is under attack from the enemy? Is illness dogging your steps, robbing you and those whom you love of vitality and productivity?
Attacks upon our physical health are a primary strategy Satan uses to discourage us and deter us from fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. But how do we counteract such attacks? What weapons can we use to fight back against the enemy and his attempts to put us on the sidelines through physical impairment?
I hope what we share will encourage you in whatever health challenges you face — as we focus in this letter on healing in Jesus’ name.
A Key Ingredient
You may be saying to yourself, “Isn’t this a pretty basic principle? Everyone knows that miraculous healing only comes to us in the name of Jesus.” I agree completely. However, let me share how the LORD brought a renewed appreciation of this wonderful truth.
Prior to one of our recent staff prayer gatherings, my thoughts were focused on a desperate healing need facing the sister of one of our employees. This brave woman had been undergoing chemotherapy to treat the cancer attacking her — and we had been praying regularly for her. As I reflected on all she had been facing, an unbidden thought crossed my mind: “Her healing will come as you pray for her in the name of Jesus.”
When I shared this impression with the staff, we focused our time of worship on “the name of Jesus,” and then carried that emphasis into our corporate intercession for her. All I can say is that when we shifted to that focus, there was an added, palpable sense of victory as we prayed anew in the name of Jesus.
Beyond Human Ability
This theme of the unique healing power of Jesus’ name is illustrated by a dramatic incident from Acts 3. As Peter and John were about to enter the temple, they encountered a beggar who had been lame from birth. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter said to this man, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (v. 6).
The result of that proclamation was immediate and powerful. This man who had once been a lame beggar began “…walking, leaping and praising God” (v. 8). When Peter was later questioned about the healing miracle, he responded with these words: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? ….It is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know, and the faith which comes through Him [Jesus] has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all” (vv. 12, 16, NASB).
Dispelling any tendency to credit human ability with the healing, Peter instead cited one factor — and one factor only — that brought it about: the name of Jesus.
Take a moment now and consider this incident from Acts 3 in light of the health battles you have been fighting. C ould specific, concerted prayer in the name of Jesus be a missing element? Might this be a factor that could make a significant difference in your situation?
A Step of Faith
Derek Prince taught extensively about God’s desire to heal us and bring us into consistent good health. In most of those teachings, including the excerpt below from Derek’s audio message, “Gifts of Healing and Working of Miracles,” a step of faith on our part is required.
Then in Acts 3:2–8 we have the miracle of the man who was born lame and never had walked. He was sitting at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, saw Peter and John coming, and stretched out his hand expecting to receive an offering. Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I unto thee.”
Of course, we have to recognize one thing: you can’t give it if you don’t have it. The trouble with so many of us today is we don’t have much to give. But Peter said, “I don’t have silver, and I don’t have gold; but what I do have I will give you. In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk.” The man was still sitting there, and Peter stretched out his hand and lifted him up. When the man began to rise up, he was healed.
It is most important to see that people very rarely receive anything by just sitting passively. To sit still is to die. You have to do something to exercise your faith. Faith without works, without corresponding acts, is dead.
I have learned again and again that the crucial point in a miracle is getting the person to do the little act that starts their faith moving. It may be something simple. It may be something ridiculous. It doesn’t much matter what it is in many cases. But the moment they begin to act, things begin to happen.
Peter did not allow the man just to sit there, simply saying to him, “You’re healed.” But he [Peter] started to lift him up, and as the man responded, in that moment of acting, the supernatural power of God straightened out those ankles and legs.
A Beginning Proclamation
Are you willing to take the initial step of faith Derek talked about? Although there is no guarantee of immediate results, you and I probably won’t see any outcome without taking a step of faith, will we? Something may happen instantaneously — and that would be wonderful. Or, it may take a while to see results. Either way, let’s begin the process today.
If you are ready to take a step of faith, let’s make the following declaration together:
LORD, as You know, I am facing some stiff attacks upon my health and well-being.
I now see the need to pray more forcefully, invoking the name of Jesus in my battle against the enemy.
I commit myself to pray in this way in the days, weeks and months ahead.
I will also move forward in faith at Your direction.
Please give me wisdom and guidance in what to do and how to do it.
If there is a specific step I need to take, I am willing to take it, LORD.
If there is someone I need to forgive, a behavior pattern I need to change, a spiritual adjustment I need to make, please show it to me.
In response, I will take that step in obedience to You, LORD.
Now I want to make a strong declaration.
In the name of Jesus, I release myself from the enemy’s attacks upon my physical well-being.
In the name of Jesus, I receive the healing and health that is God’s provision for me and for my loved ones.
I stand now in the freedom from sickness that Jesus purchased for me on the cross.
In the name of Jesus, I am healed. Amen.
A New Understanding
It’s possible that this may be the first time you have specifically incorporated the name of Jesus in your prayers for healing and health. On the other hand, this letter may have simply served as a helpful reminder of a truth you already firmly believe — putting it into practice with renewed fervor. Either way, we want to thank you for taking this step of faith today. Our hope is it that it will yield wonderful fruit in your life.
As always, we want to stand with you in your renewed commitment to pray in this powerful way. Solid teaching will help enormously — and here at Derek Prince Ministries, we have an abundance to make available to you.
To start, we want to offer you the complete message from which Derek’s excerpt was drawn: the teaching entitled “Gifts of Healing and Working of Miracles.” It is packed with comprehensive wisdom and truth, and it is yours; just use the download link below.
How are we are able to continue providing Derek Prince’s helpful materials to so many? It is possible because of the generous prayers and financial gifts of the people who have been touched by this ministry. We are incredibly thankful to all who are standing with us in this way, and we send our love and blessings for your support.
Put It into Practice
In the weeks and months ahead, the commitment you have made today may be put to the test. Jesus said it so clearly in John 10:10 (NASB): “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Whenever you and I take any step of faith, Satan is right there to oppose us and discourage us.
Though the enemy will do his utmost to poison your health and steal your vitality, we can resist him. How? By turning our full attention to Jesus, trusting completely in the One who has promised to provide us with life in abundance — and that includes robust health.
How do we incorporate these principles into everyday life? By regularly declaring, proclaiming and praying in the name of Jesus. And when it comes to any sickness and physical oppression the enemy would try to place upon us, we actively fight against it, choosing and proclaiming the abundant health Jesus promises to give us.
At all times, and especially when the enemy tries to bring an attack upon our physical well-being, we claim what has been promised to us as believers — healing in Jesus’ name!
All the best,
Dick Leggatt
President, DPM–USA
P.S. Thank you so much for your partnership with Derek Prince Ministries. We trust that what we have shared has inspired you — along with our free offer for Derek’s wonderful audio message, “Gifts of Healings and Working of Miracles.” Please download it — and then let us know how it has helped you.
Materials used by kind permission of Derek Prince Ministries.