A man recently told me of his child's serious health problem (“Billy” is used generically). We discussed the matter and I encouraged him to 'pray' over his child. I asked if he'd mind my sending him some useful ideas to bolster his initiative. He welcomed this. So, I sent the following note to him. Perhaps it may benefit your faith in praying for those you love.

Friend, I was glad to chat with you at the gym yesterday. Please bear with me in framing these comments. I don’t wish to talk down to you or imply you don’t know some of this. I just want you to get all God has for you.

Mindset / Heartset

Faith intends to believe. Faith decides to believe. Faith is not deterred by what it sees, but counts the words spoken by God and fueled by His Spirit, to be overwhelmingly superior to how things appear. When we speak His words in faith, the Holy Spirit draws into us and empowers those words to bring them to pass. The word of God is indifferent to appearances.

The Bible says, Your word, O Lord, is settled in heaven. When we speak the word of God, which is already established and accomplished in the unseen world, He gives us the privilege and power to bring those realities from His world into ours.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue. It is not your power, but the very power of God joined to your faith as you speak His words, that produce what He has promised

What we call miracles are the ordinary activities of the Father of all power and mercy. Jesus’ sacrifice and shed blood have opened the way for us to receive the blessings and promises of the everlasting God. However reprehensible this affliction is to you (as a father and mother) it is far more so to your Father in Heaven. This is not God’s doing. Nor is it a test to make you a better person. God would not inflict sickness on someone, and then send Jesus to go around healing it. If you want to know God’s true attitude regarding such things, consider this comprehensive statement by Peter in Acts 10:38:

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

So, as you speak these words over Billy, let your heart believe just as a child. Have complete confidence that the Person and power behind the words is able to accomplish just what they say. Don’t worry if you don’t feel any particular feeling, and don’t scrutinize your sincerity. When a child believes, he doesn’t even notice himself, nor does he ‘try’ to trust. He looks in the face of his mommy or daddy and drinks down their words just like a milkshake. You said it, that’s all that matters.

Remember Jesus’ words:
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea, ’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Nothing shall be impossible to him who believes.

See, He set no limits to His statement.

Furthermore, consider that you are appointed to re-present Him in the earth. If Jesus were here, He would heal your child. Jesus healed everyone that came to Him, without exception. There’s this wonderful little secret, and only a few have discovered it, Jesus IS here! He’s still doing the miracles and the blessings. He’s here in you, and He wants out. He will do through you whatever you’ll trust Him to do – no limits.

Most people know Jesus’ famous words, apart from Me you can do nothing. Well, those words were ‘cherry-picked’. People major on that clause and completely miss the point . . . that we are to do something! Right before those words, Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit.

And right after those words (in verse 7) Jesus says, If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

If that sounds too good to be true, consider that God is so good, it must be true.

You do not speak these words apart from the Spirit of Him who first spoke them. The outcome depends on the very Spirit and power of Christ himself. In His supreme authority sickness, disease and afflicting spirits must bow and depart.

Prayers / Declarations

Note: There are plenty of these. You can speak/pray them all. Be steady in them – like exercise. As days go by, keep expecting the activity of God in big and small ways. Believe for nothing less than complete healing. Stay the course. Be giving thanks for every increment in that direction. God’s power is at work.

You may think it’s better to select just some of the prayers / declarations. Use what seems right. Speak these words over Billy as he sleeps, or, as you quietly hold him. It’s not a formula. But, don’t take it too lightly, either. God’s words in your mouth are mighty and effective.

Be blessed. Let the healing begin.

The words You speak, Lord Jesus, are Spirit and they are Life.

I thank You that as I speak Your words, I worship You, and that You hear and honor them.

I thank You that Your words are powerful and creative even when spoken through my mouth.

No sickness can withstand the force of Your word of power.

You hold all authority in Heaven and on earth and have assigned me to speak in Your Name.

You have granted me Your authority over all the works of the devil - over all sickness and disease.

In Jesus’ Name, I speak healing over you, my child.

I bless you with the peace of Christ.

The Blood of Jesus wash and cleanse you from all sin and infirmity.

O Father of Light and All Comfort, release the full measure of Your presence into Billy.

Lord Jesus abide with Billy in his spirit.

Abide in Billy’s emotions.

Abide in Billy’s body.

Abide in Billy’s mind and memories.

Infuse Billy’s imagination and desire and faith with the full measure of your Spirit.

Ignite the whole of Billy’s heart and soul with the fire of Your perfect love.

Quicken to full functionality every faculty and feature of Billy’s capabilities.

Create wholeness and unity with all of Billy’s parts.

Let the Spirit of Your Life awaken and sustain and continue as the operating force inside Billy.

I commit Billy to Your mercy, love, healing and grace.

Thank you, my Father and Lord, for hearing and affirming my prayers and declarations.

I thank You that none of Your words are void of power, but will accomplish that for which You sent them.

I’m thankful that You have spoken, I sent My word and healed them.

I call You by Your covenant name: I am the Lord, who heals you.

“O God, by Your Spirit through Your Word, make real in Billy, all that is true for him, in Christ Jesus.”