The Power of God to Heal: All the Healings in the Bible to Help You Heal Yourself and Others

By George Frederick Garland

As evidence accumulates regarding the effect of thought and emotion on health, more people are investigating spiritual healing. This book supports this search by compiling all the healings to be found in the Old and New Testaments. Reading these passages will give you insights into the process of Christian healing, and you will feel a beneficial effect. The healing experiences can inspire caregivers, health-care professionals, and workers in the psychological and spiritual fields. Discerning titles and subtitles help you relate to biblical events and teachings.

There are 228 Old Testament healings and prayerful passages:

These narratives reveal how the patriarchs and prophets, such as Elijah and Elisha, triumphed over a range of difficulties that still challenge people today.

There are 176 New Testament healings and inspiring passages:

All the great deeds accomplished by Jesus and his followers are here. He expected that all who believe his teachings would follow his example by healing sickness and sin and by mastering adverse circumstances. We can rise to this challenge!

This book records biblical cures of deafness, lameness, blindness, mental illness, deformity, and the effects of accident. It describes miracles such as the expansion of food supply, protection from danger, dominion over the weather, and instant transportation. It also reports the overcoming of grief, hunger, infertility, inherited illnesses, loss, lust, old age, and poverty.

Brighten your life with the encouragement this book offers, or share it with a friend in need.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781532059919

George Frederick Garland

George Frederick Garland, author of Subject Guide to Bible Stories, was a graduate of Princeton University, a business executive in New York City, a lifelong student of the Bible, a moderator of two book groups, a lay reader in his church, and a member of the Norwalk, Connecticut, Clergy Association. He experienced the power of God to heal in his own life and witnessed healings, accomplished by prayer alone, in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and friends.

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Copyright © 2018 Kent Garland MacKay.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-5987-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-5986-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-5991-9 (e)

Cover photo: Keaton Elizabeth Smith

iUniverse rev. date: 03/04/2019

To Milton Simon,

healer, advisor, and friend

who gave this book its title.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Reviser’s Note

New Testament

176 Selections of Healings and Healing Thoughts

Old Testament

228 Selections of Healings and Healing Thoughts

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

While mankind seeks healing in many directions, the power of God to heal through prayer is just as available today as it has always been. Though Jeremiah’s rhetorical question, Is anything too hard for God? may still be asked, each one can find out in this book that no problem, physical or mental, is incurable to God.

In every age some spiritually-minded men and women have proved this. As the Bible was being composed (orally or by hand) its authors recorded accounts of the power of God to heal themselves and others who were sick through prayer. How many healings are recorded in the Scriptures? Hundreds of them. You will find them all in this compilation.

This book begins with the New Testament because its stories are clearer and come nearer to the heart. Jesus, the healer from Galilee, was the greatest of all time. His healings are found in the New Testament. But it may surprise you to discover how many incidents of physical healings accomplished by prayerful men who preceded Jesus are recorded in the Old Testament. The healings selected in each Testament follow the order of the books of the Bible.

The King James Version was chosen because there are still more copies of this version in English-speaking homes than of recent translations of the Bible. And more people are familiar with the King James than any other, although the current sale of newer translations is considerable.

The selections in this book include healings of general sickness of the body and healings of disorders related to specific parts of the body. They also refer to the overcoming of the effects of accidents, loss of the faculties, cognitive decline and deformities––all problems that still face mankind. Other narrative accounts describe miracles of transportation, expansion of food quantities, discovery of water, supply during famine, the reversing of the law of the specific gravity of water, and the changing of the chemistry of liquids. Included also are inspirational passages that relate to general health, strength, and dominion over the elements. Praying with these uplifting passages can help resolve issues of grief, heredity, poverty, disability, loss, decay, and aging.

The repeated inferences, particularly in the Old Testament, that sickness and death are the instruments by which God punishes man have no place in a book on scriptural healings. These verses have caused a credibility gap and turned many individuals from faith to disbelief. They state the crude but widespread primitive view that plagues were sent by God. Such statements conflict with the more advanced concept of God as Spirit, truth, and love articulated by the more inspired Hebrew writers and leaders. Job denies that disease is God’s punishment for his spiritual deficiency (Job 37:23), and Jesus handles the same general point by refuting it (Luke 13:1–5).

Jesus instructed his disciples to heal the sick. They did. You will see this from the records. Since Jesus prayed not only for his disciples alone but for those also which shall believe on me through their word (John 17:20), his instructions about healing are for us too. His expectations for believers were great. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father (John 14:12). He is also talking to us when he says, With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). So no physical problem is beyond the power of God to heal. In this book are the scriptural demonstrations of that power.

This book is a nonsectarian compilation of Scripture. It is a response to increasing interest among Christian churches in fostering the healing of sickness and sin. Efforts are being made by the clergy not only to minister to the sick but to heal them just as successfully as sinners have been reformed. Even earnest seekers of truth who are adherents of no particular religion obviously have a right to answered prayer. This book should promote the accomplishment of physical healing through prayer for people of all denominations and for people who are not churchgoers because it presents the sacred healing Word of the Bible. Isaiah gave us God’s promise concerning his Word. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

George Frederick Garland

Norwalk, Connecticut, 1973

REVISER’S NOTE

It has been my fervent desire to have this book, compiled by my father, reprinted in order to make its special perspective available to another generation. Its emphasis on healing highlights an important facet of Christianity possibly overlooked by Bible readers in this era which is influenced by secularism, advances in modern medicine, and competing theologies. All the excerpts from the Bible that he selected remain the same. I have just revised the titles and subtitles that head up each excerpt.

The book is a treasury of detailed accounts of healing performed by Jesus and his followers and by ancient patriarchs and prophets. Battle scenes, genealogies, stories of personal relationships, and some theological teachings, while all very valuable, are left out. The concentration here is on healings of physical and mental problems, on incidents called miracles, on conditions that have been changed by prayer, and on experiences that can inspire prayers for healing.

Inspirational passages without a story line describe the goodness of God and his care for his children. They have been carefully chosen to uplift you when you are seeking healing for yourself. The spiritually profound thoughts in these Bible passages could also help you in praying for a friend, relative, or family member and assist the professional healer in praying for another person. As they are pondered, these excerpts impart a vivid feeling of God’s presence and power that can benefit all those within the range of your thought.

In revising the titles and subtitles of the narratives for this edition of my father’s book, I had three goals in mind. One was to update scriptural terms for physical problems. For instance, I changed dumb to mute and dropsy to edema. Also instead of Old English phrases from the grand King James Version, I used more contemporary language to help the reader identify more closely with the scriptural text that follows. For example, Heart Attack? Or Broken Heart? heads an excerpt from the book of Psalms about deliverance from pain caused by the heart.

My second goal was to expand each title and subtitle to give a fuller, clearer preview of the wonderful biblical account to follow. These headings themselves can even be a springboard to more spiritually enlightened thoughts on difficult problems. For example, the title Strength and Soundness for the Lame Beggar at the Gate is followed by the subtitle Peter and John heal him through faith in Christ not by some power of their own.

My third goal was to bring out more distinctly the healing message in the subsequent narrative. If the subject of a passage was a particular physical problem, I added the fact that it was cured, removed, or purified. I often stated the holy viewpoint, the spiritual concept, the positive line of reasoning or the Christian attitude that may have facilitated the healing.

Finally, the topical index can serve as a resource or quick guide to healing thoughts and to conditions needing healing.

Both the biblical narratives and inspirational passages afford clear glimpses of God’s presence, protecting power, and comforting love. These glimpses can have a healing effect in your life today and in the lives of those you would like to help.

Kent Garland MacKay

Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2015

NEW TESTAMENT

176 SELECTIONS OF HEALINGS AND HEALING THOUGHTS

MATTHEW

Jesus’s Healing Ministry Is Integral to His Mission

After teaching and preaching, Jesus illustrates what he says by healing all kinds of sickness and disease, mental and physical.

Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. His fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. There followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. (Matt. 4:23–25)

The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount

Jesus lists the qualities of character that spiritualize thought and bring about healing.

Seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matt. 5:1-9, 48)

A Healing Prayer Called the Lord’s Prayer

Jesus offers his followers a method of prayer—one other than public praying—by means of which they can heal as he did. Additional verses include more of Jesus’s teachings.

When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye:

"Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:6-13, 22-26, 33; see also Luke 11:1-4)

Peter’s Mother-in-law Has a Fever

Jesus quickly heals her, and she waits on them. After supper he heals townspeople.

When Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matt. 8:14–17; see also Mark 1:29–34, Luke 4:38–41)

The Eyes of Two Blind Men Are Opened

Disregarding Jesus’s instruction not to spread the news, they broadcast throughout the area their newfound ability to see.

When Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. When he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. Their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. (Matt. 9:27–31)

A Man Unable to Speak Now Talks

The Pharisees, rule-followers often lacking love, wrongly attribute Jesus’s healing ability to his being allied with the Devil.

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. When the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matt. 9:32–35)

The Master’s Command to Heal

He teaches his twelve disciples to preach and heal successfully.

When he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (Matt. 10:1, 5–8)

Individual Hairs Are All Numbered

The Father cares for the smallest details in his creation.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt. 10:29–31)

Healing Works Prove Jesus Is the Christ

John’s doubts about Jesus are dispelled by Jesus’s skill at healing.

It came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:1–6, 28–30)

Large Numbers of People Are Healed

Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; and charged them that they should not make him known: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. In his name shall the Gentiles trust. (Matt. 12:14–21)

Sight and Speech for the Blind and Mute

People are amazed when the handicapped man sees and speaks. Then Jesus articulately addresses the hostile Pharisees.

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. All the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (Matt. 12:22–30)

Jesus Overcomes Gravity

He walks on the water. Peter also does until fear grips him. Jesus rescues Peter and encourages him to have more faith.

Straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. When he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. In the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit, and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? When they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God (Matt. 14:22–33; see also Mark 6:45–52)

Touching the Hem of the Garment

When those who are diseased get near and reach out to touch the source of the healing power, they are healed.

When they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. When the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. (Matt. 14:34–36)

A Case of Mental Illness

Jesus rewards a mother’s persistence and heals her daughter.

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matt. 15:21–28; see also Mark 7:24–30)

A Crowd of Listeners Healed, then Fed

The crippled, vision-impaired, mute, and deformed find healing. Then in spite of a food shortage, Jesus produces enough to feed all.

Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. Great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Then