Spiritual Healing

Many people have the impression that spiritual healing is a "new age" phenomenon, something that is trendy and modern. But they couldn’t be further from the truth.

In fact, spiritual healing is an ancient practice, and was seen in many cultures around the world in some form. From ancient Egypt, Greece, Native America, Asia and South American, methods of spiritual healing have been practices for hundreds and thousands of years.

Religious experts also recognize the importance of spiritual healing to ancient religions, and there are a number of references to spiritual healing in the Bible.

Both the Hebrew Scriptures (also known as the Old Testament) and the New Testament, or Christian scriptures, contain a number of references to both physical and spiritual healing.

While some of these passages are a bit ambiguous as to their specific meaning, it is clear that the writers of these works had a strong belief, and perhaps even direct experience in, some for a healing of a religious or spiritual nature.

In Exodus 15:26 of the King James Version, the Lord promises to the Israelites that if they keep his commandments, and do what is right, he will keep them free from a number of diseases.

Second Kings 20:5 talks of healing of a more personal nature, in which God promises to heal Hezekiah of his affliction after hearing his prayers.

And Psalms 34:17-19 speaks of Lord's ability to heal a variety of afflictions of the righteous. Psalms 103 invokes a blessing from the Lord, and asserts that he can heal illness and forgive iniquities.

More specific references to healing in the Hebrew Scriptures can be found in Isaiah 57:18-21, Jeremiah 30:17, and Hosea 6:1.

The New Testament is likewise filled with references to healing, especially granted to those who pray for help. Matthew 7:7-11 speaks of the promise of asking for help in any way, and the power of God to grant the request.

Also in Matthew (21:22), it is stated that whatever is requested in prayer by a true believer, will be granted.

The gospel of Mark speaks specifically of laying on of hands to heal the sick (16:18), while John (15:7) reiterates that anyone asking of God shall receive what they need.

James 5:14-15 continues the theme of spiritual healing, this time speaking of anointing with sacred oils in combination with prayer to heal those who are ill. In fact, James even appeals to the crowd, encouraging any who are sick to ask the Lord for healing, in much the same way that healing preachers today prompt their congregations to come forward for healing.

The Bible does offer some caveats, however, citing specific incidences during which healing was not successful.

In the story of Lazarus, Jesus was not able to prevent the death of his friend, although he later did raise him from the dead. And in Paul's letters, (1 Corinthian 15:42-53) he writes that the human suffering caused by illness and death is unavoidable, and a part of the human condition.

Paul himself suffered from a flesh wound that remained unhealed, and caused him much discomfort. Paul's attempts at healing others were not entirely successful either, as cited by Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 (Timothy himself) and 2 Timothy 4:20 (Miletus).

For a deeper discussion of the presence of spiritual healing in the Bible, there are several books available.

Healing Oils of the Bible, written by David Stewart, Ph.D., cites over one thousand instances in which oils are mentioned in the Bible in relation to healing.

The Heart of Pastoral Counseling by Richard Dayringer is a short book that includes information on the religious aspect of healing from a biblical perspective.

And Life Understood from a Scientific and Religious Point of View cites specific references to spiritual healing in the Old and New Testaments.

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