We decided on a Monday. The surgery would take place in two weeks and a day – exactly three weeks and a day after my Paget’s Disease diagnosis. The surgeon agreed not to waste any time. This type of breast cancer could be aggressive and it had already been too long. Those days in between were filled with constant prayer. I was on a crash course learning how to pray for healing.

My parents came over for dinner one night when my Dad brought up that Uncle Don and Aunt Mary wanted to visit the weekend prior to my mastectomy surgery. The purpose was to pray. I was a brand new Christian [you can read more about that HERE] and I didn’t understand all of it, but I knew one thing. Prayer was powerful and God listened to our prayers. I even knew He delights in our gathering to praise and worship Him.

Saturday arrived and a small group of family and a few friends gathered in our family room painted red. It reminded me of the blood Covenant of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to give us life. He literally exchanged His life for ours in His sacrifice.

It was an intimate assembly in that crimson room. Our motley crew consisted of long-time believers, first-time believers, would be believers, and skeptics. My Uncle led the prayer. He had a booming voice that reverberated in any church service he attended. His singing would drown out those around him. To hear him pray that evening was as if God Himself was proclaiming victory over my illness.

My Aunt and Uncle were instrumental in planting seeds for my Christian life over the years. They had a heavy influence in my pre-Christian days and to see them fly halfway across the country to pray over me was a sweet reminder of God’s faithfulness.

At one point, I sat in the middle of the circle with all my loved ones around me. Hands were laid on me as everyone continued to pray. This physical battle was also a spiritual battle. They are connected. Satan does not want to see us whole. John 10:10 says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)

Sickness is not God’s best for us, but as long as we live in this fallen world, illness will happen. However, we won’t allow it to defeat us mentally. Healing begins in the spiritual realm. We also need to remember that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 54:8-10). What may seem logical in our minds to heal us, may not be what God has in mind. To accept this is important as we walk this healing path.

Powerful Principles

1. Pray together

I learned when we, as believers gather, God is there with us. The Holy Spirit is present. We are stronger together.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20.

2. Know God’s Word

We cannot align our prayers with His Will if we don’t know it. In order to know His Will, we need to read the Bible daily. Our prayers can be more intentional when we know His principles. We can then ask strategically according to His will.

3. Hope is not wishful thinking

You can “hope” you get well, but that is not biblical hope. Biblical hope is expecting God to do what He says. It’s a strong confidence in the future. We can be certain in God’s Word and we can stand on His promises.

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

4. Repentance is foundational

Forgiving others and yourself are crucial first steps to eliminate any roadblocks to healing. We are not perfect and we need to repent often. Many heart issues can hinder or block our relationship with Jesus. I had sins to confess. Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The path to healing is not linear nor what we might expect at times. God never promises miraculous healing, although I’ve witnessed it at times. I’ve watched men and women of great faith, be claimed by cancer, while others are inexplicably restored.

One thing I know for sure, is God delights in our obedience to Him when we do what we can according to His will for our healing, both spiritual and physical.

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If you’d like to know more about how to battle for health and healing, you can download my FREE pdf by clicking HERE. In this short ebook “Healing Scriptures: The Battle for Healing and Health”, I explain more in depth the principles and practical steps we can take to heal. I also write out healing Scriptures to use in prayer.