The Bible says, “The prayer of faith shall save the sick” (James 5:15). That was true when it was written; it is no less true today. I have seen too many evidences of healing by faith not to believe it. For those who are sick, let me list the four essential steps for healing:

1. Believe God can and will heal. The Bible says, “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). I recall the father who brought his sick son to Christ, saying, “If thou canst do anything.” The Master corrected him, “If thou canst believe.” The man put the “if” in the wrong place. The “if” is not with God, it is with man.

No person believes perfectly and completely. In every person there is some doubt. The important thing is to emphasize your faith instead of your doubts. Three things which have helped me most to gain faith in God are: (1) Studying this marvelous world in which we live and realizing Somebody made it; (2) reading the four Gospels and getting acquainted with the life of Christ; (3) practicing what faith I have.

2. The second step in healing is faith in the means within our reach, especially medical science. When I pray for a sick person, I always pray God's guidance for the physician and the nurses, because I firmly believe God works through human instruments. God is not limited to human cooperation, but that is part of His healing process. The physicians I know are quick to say, “I treat and God heals,” but to use the treatments of modern science is both sensible and religious.

3. Our lives must be cleansed of those things which block God's spirit from our lives. Harold Sherman is the author of Your Key to Happiness. In his teachings I find him saying much about the relationship between how a man thinks and how he feels. Out of his own life comes a fine example.

He was engaged to revise an important presentation with the promise he would be contracted for a permanent job. After months of hard work, he was dismissed and his material used without credit to him. This caused him financial difficulty and wounded his pride. He grew bitter; he actually had murder in his heart.

Sherman developed a throat infection. The best medical attention did him no good. Later he was led to surrender his hatred, to pray for those who had wronged him, to both forgive and be forgiven. When he did that, his throat immediately healed.

Study, in this connection, some of the words of our language. For example, notice the resemblance of the words of our language. For example, notice the resemblance of the words “wholeness” and “holiness.” One means complete health, the other means complete sinlessness. The two go together.

4. Pray, “Nevertheless not my will but thine be done.” Not in every case is healing the will of God. Without death there would be no eternal life, no entering into the Father's House.

As in prayer for other needs, take your sickness to God. Then be willing to trust it in His hands, accepting His will as your will. Doing that, you will experience what the psalmist said, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. (Psalm 27:14).