Fear of Failure

There are not many churches which practice an intentional ministry of healing. The church today is more comfortable with worship that is carefully choreographed, raising money to build new buildings, and sending a small group of people to do missions in some third world country.  In its preoccupation with either attracting the masses, or keeping the status quo members content, spiritual ministries which seem to be on the edge are usually talked about but not practiced.  Institutions such as the church has become are not interested in taking risks.  Sunday School lessons and sermons are offered on the healing ministry of Jesus, but very seldom are there invitations given for the sick to gather for healing prayers.   

One of the reason is a fear of failure.  The leaders of the church want to be seen as successful and it looks like a failure has taken place if prayers are offered for healing and the sick walk away still sick.  "What if we pray and no one is healed?" is the question which frames the fears of those who give leadership to the church. What is often forgotten is that the person who prays for healing is not the healer.  God is the Healer.  The one doing the praying is simply praying, knowing that whatever happens is finally in the hands of God.  

Another reason for our reluctance is that we do no see ourselves as one who has the spiritual gift of healing.  Once again it must be remembered that no spiritual gifts are necessary to pray.  The healing prayers we pray depend not upon some special words we pray, or the length of those prayers, but the grace of God.  If a church is interested in pursuing a ministry of healing according to the ministry of Jesus, it needs to spend some time helping believers understand what God is able to do and the roles we do and do not have as participants in such a ministry.