7. Healing the Sick

In Luke 10, Jesus tells all disciples on mission to do something bold: “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you'" (Luke 10:9, NIV). This is a call to act in power and love, and it wasn't optional or reserved for specially gifted people. It was part of the normal Christian life.

Many of us shrink back from operating this way. We don’t want to make things awkward, or fear we’ll look weird, or worry, "What if nothing happens?" But Jesus doesn’t ask us to focus on the outcome. He asks us to step out in obedience and to trust Him. We bring our mustard seed of faith and place it into God’s capable hands.

Your unchurched friends actually expect you to be spiritual, probably because God has already “set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV). They want the Jesus-centered part of you and me to be authentic and active. When they're facing illness, job loss, or family struggles, they often recognize that prayer is the most meaningful thing we can offer.

The goal isn't to offer a platitude, or to guarantee healing, though we certainly pray in faith for the healing. The goal is that they encounter God's presence and His Father's heart of love in a meaningful way.

When we offer to pray for someone's needs, one of two things typically happen.

• Sometimes Jesus does heal them, whether fully or partially, which leads to incredible conversations about God's goodness and power.
• Other times, they aren't healed, but they're deeply touched by our (and through us the Father’s) authentic expression of love and care.

Every time we pray in faith, something that’s impossible to fake occurs, whether we spot it or not. Jesus tells us, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20, NIV). The presence of God is always a difference maker.

Being naturally supernatural means treating our non-Christian friends the same way we treat our Christian friends. When a believer is sick, or they experience dark dreams, we offer to pray. When they're struggling with decisions, we ask if they’ve prayed about it and if they sense God speaking. These responses shouldn't change just because someone isn’t yet committed to Christ! God is far greater than their (and our) unbelief!

Jesus healed the son of a royal official who had walked a whole day to find help. The result of that power encounter was that “he and his whole household believed” (John 4:53, NIV). That official was one of numerous People of Peace we see Jesus impact in the Gospels.

Start with a simple offer to pray in the moment. When a colleague mentions their sick child, ask if you can pray right then. When a neighbor shares about their job interview, offer to ask God for His favor on their situation. Just make it a natural expression of genuine care, which paves the way for a supernatural response.

Your Person of Peace will often be someone who welcomes these spiritual interactions. They may not understand everything about faith, but they’ll recognize the sincerity of your concern for their wellbeing. This creates opportunities for deeper conversations about God's involvement in daily life.

Your Next Steps

1. Think of your People of Peace. Are they currently facing health challenges, work stress, or other difficulties? Ask God for the opportunity and the boldness to pray for them.
2. What fears or hesitations do you have about praying for healing or God's intervention with non-Christian friends?
3. How can you become more naturally supernatural in your everyday interactions, showing that God cares about all aspects of life?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, give me boldness to offer prayer as a natural expression of care for my friends who don't yet know You. Please empower me to be naturally supernatural, showing that You are actively involved in every aspect of our daily lives. Make me attentive to opportunities to pray for others' needs, and give me faith to believe that You still work miracles today while trusting Your wisdom in how You answer. In Your healing name, Amen.