The Importance of Understanding and Speaking Jesus' Name & His Authority Over Sickness

When Jesus was resurrected from the dead He proved that He is the Son of God with power over sin and death (Romans 1:4). He was given ALL authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). In turn, He gave us His authority when He commissioned us to preach the gospel, stating that 'these signs will follow those who believe: In my [Jesus'] name they will cast out demons, speak in new tongues, ...lay hands on the sick, and they will recover' (Mark 15-18).

Jesus never rescinded His commission or any of His promises (Romans 11:29), so they are just as true today as they were 2000 years ago. It is, without a doubt, God's will to heal the sick. Remember the bible story of a man with leprosy who came to Jesus.  He said, "Lord, if you are willing you can make me clean. Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy (Matthew 8:2-3).

Jesus healed the sick, commanded His disciples to heal (Luke 10:1-9), and has commissioned us, in our generation, to do the same by His power and authority. So, we can walk in confidence that God wants to heal us and use us, His children, to heal others.

We can also walk in total confidence that God hears our prayers and wants to answer them. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14). "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commands and do those things that are pleasing in His sight" (1 John 3:22). "Therefore, I [Jesus] tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24). "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then though you are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9-11).


As we pray for healing, concerning ourselves or others, we are to do so in His name."I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it" (John 14:12-14). When Peter and John went together to the temple at the hour of prayer, there was a man at the gate of the temple who had been lame since the time of his birth. This man asked them for money and Peter replied: "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts 3: 6).

In addition we should speak, out loud, to the infirmity or illness and take authority over it in the name of Jesus. Our prayers do not have to be long or complicated because it is by His name and in His authority that people are healed. When I pray for people to be healed I say: "In the name of Jesus Christ I/we take authority over [whatever the illness is, if known] and command it to be healed in that name."

This is not meant to be a formula. Never! It is simply the name and authority of Jesus, the one who conquered sin and death, by which we are both saved and healed.