Derek Prince On Divine Healing: Trust God's Word

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into a topic that’s incredibly important for so many of us: divine healing. And who better to learn from than the legendary Derek Prince? His teachings on healing are not just inspiring; they are packed with foundational truths that can truly transform your understanding and experience of God’s power to heal. So, grab your Bibles, get comfortable, and let's explore what Derek Prince had to say about receiving healing through faith in God's promises. This isn't about some quick fix or a magic formula, guys. It's about understanding the covenant God has with us, His children, and how healing is an integral part of that covenant. Derek Prince consistently brought us back to the Word, reminding us that God's promises are yes and amen, and that includes His promises of healing. He emphasized that God desires us to be healthy, just as our spirit is made alive in Christ. Understanding this is the first step. It’s about shifting our focus from the sickness, the pain, the limitations, to the unchanging, powerful, and loving nature of our Heavenly Father. He wants to heal you, not because you've earned it or because you're somehow more deserving, but because He is a healer, and healing is part of His character and His promises. We'll be unpacking key scriptures, looking at the foundations of faith for healing, and understanding how to practically apply these truths to our lives. It’s a journey, for sure, but one that leads to incredible freedom and wholeness. So, let’s get started on this journey together, exploring the powerful message of divine healing as taught by Derek Prince.

Understanding God's Will for Healing

One of the most crucial aspects Derek Prince hammered home was the absolute certainty that God's will is to heal you. Seriously, guys, this is the bedrock. So often, people struggle with doubt, thinking, "Maybe it’s God's will for me to stay sick." Derek would firmly refute that idea, pointing directly to the Scriptures. He’d often quote Exodus 15:26: "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD who heals you." See that? "I am the LORD who heals you." This isn't a future promise; it's a present declaration of God’s nature. He is a healer. Derek taught that this was part of the covenant God made with the Israelites, and through Jesus Christ, we, as believers, are part of an even better covenant. Healing isn't just a nice extra; it's an essential provision of God's grace and redemption. He also highlighted Psalm 103:2-3: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases." Again, the Word makes it clear: forgiveness and healing go hand-in-hand. Jesus Himself affirmed this when He ministered on Earth. When He saw the faith of the paralytic’s friends, He first said, "Son, your sins be forgiven you" (Mark 2:5). The religious leaders were ticked off, thinking only God could forgive sins. But Jesus, to show He had the authority on earth to forgive sins, then said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house" (Mark 2:10-12). This powerful demonstration showed that forgiving sins and healing diseases are intrinsically linked in God's redemptive plan. Derek Prince was adamant that if God forgives your sins, and healing is a benefit of His covenant, then it is always His will to heal. The enemy, Satan, is the one who brings sickness and disease, aiming to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). God, on the other hand, comes to give life and life more abundantly. So, the next time doubt creeps in, or you hear whispers of "it's God's will for you to be sick," remember these foundational truths. Anchor yourself in the unchanging Word of God. Derek Prince’s message was clear: believe God's report over the doctor's report, over the symptoms, over the circumstances. Your healing is not dependent on your feelings or your current condition; it's dependent on God’s unchanging promises and His unfailing love for you.

Faith: The Key to Receiving Healing

Alright guys, so we know God wants to heal us. That’s awesome! But how do we actually access that healing? This is where faith comes in, and Derek Prince was a master at breaking down what biblical faith really looks like. It's not just a passive wish; it's an active, believing response to God's Word. Jesus Himself repeatedly said, "Your faith has made you well" (Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48) when people were healed. He didn't say, "My power made you well." While His power is certainly the source, He often attributed the reception of that healing to the individual's faith. So, what is this faith? Derek would explain that faith is essentially believing God's Word so completely that you act upon it. It's seeing yourself as healed now, based on what God's Word says, even if your body hasn't caught up yet. Think about the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. She had spent all her money on doctors and only got worse. But she said to herself, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well" (Mark 5:28). That was her declaration of faith. She didn't need a special prophecy or a dramatic encounter; she just needed to believe that touching Jesus' garment would bring her healing. And when she acted on that belief – pushing through the crowd to touch His robe – she was instantly healed. Jesus recognized her faith, commending her and declaring her made well. Derek taught that this is the principle for us today. We need to believe God’s promises for healing – promises like those found in Isaiah 53:5 ("But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed") and 1 Peter 2:24. Believing means you stop focusing on the problem and start focusing on the solution that God has already provided through Jesus' sacrifice. It’s about confessing with your mouth what God’s Word says about your health, even when your circumstances scream otherwise. Derek often shared testimonies and taught practical ways to cultivate this faith. It involves meditating on healing scriptures until they become more real to you than the sickness. It means praying according to God's will – and we know healing is His will! It also involves receiving prayer from others who believe God’s promises. Faith isn't a one-time thing; it’s a continuous process of trusting God. It's believing that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to bring life and health to your body right now. So, stop waiting for a feeling or a sign. Act on the Word. Declare your healing, thank God for it in advance, and live as if it’s already done. That's the powerful, biblical faith Derek Prince encouraged, and it's the key to unlocking God's healing power in your life.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Healing

Now, let's talk about the power behind the healing – the Holy Spirit. Derek Prince didn't just teach about faith and God's promises; he also emphasized the vital role of the Holy Spirit in bringing about supernatural healing. You see, guys, the Holy Spirit isn't just some distant force; He is God actively working in and through believers today. Jesus promised in John 14:16-17: "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." This Helper, this Comforter, this Advocate, is God's presence with us, empowering us to live the Christian life, which includes receiving and ministering healing. Derek taught that the Holy Spirit is the one who applies the finished work of the cross to our lives. When Jesus said, "By His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5), it's the Holy Spirit who makes that healing a present reality in our bodies. The Spirit convicts, regenerates, guides, and yes, empowers us for healing. We see this throughout the book of Acts. Whenever the apostles preached the Gospel, signs and wonders, including healings, followed. Acts 4:30-31 says, "By stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." And after they prayed, "the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." Being filled with the Holy Spirit is directly linked to the manifestation of God’s power, including healing. Derek would often encourage people to be continually filled and refilled with the Holy Spirit. This isn't just about speaking in tongues (though that's a wonderful gift!). It's about yielding to His promptings, listening to His voice, and allowing His power to flow through you. When you pray for someone who is sick, it's the Holy Spirit who brings the divine life and power to that situation. He might give you a specific word of knowledge, a sense of where the sickness is, or simply an unction to pray with authority. It’s important to remember that the Holy Spirit works in diverse ways. Sometimes healing is instantaneous, a dramatic miracle. Other times, it’s a gradual process, a restoration that happens over days or weeks as you continue to trust and yield. Derek Prince’s message was always about partnering with the Holy Spirit. It’s not our power, but His. We are the yielded vessels. So, if you're seeking healing, embrace the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Pray for His infilling, listen for His direction, and trust Him to bring wholeness to your body, just as He brings wholeness to your spirit.

Overcoming Obstacles to Healing

Even when we understand God's will, believe His promises, and embrace the Holy Spirit's power, sometimes healing doesn't manifest immediately. Derek Prince was very practical and real about this, acknowledging that there can be obstacles to receiving healing. He didn't point fingers or place blame, but he encouraged believers to honestly examine their hearts and lives in light of Scripture. One of the most significant obstacles he often addressed was unconfessed sin. In Psalm 32:1-2, David writes, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit." And later in the Psalm, he talks about his bones wasting away because he kept silent about his sin. When sin is present and unconfessed, it creates a barrier between us and God, hindering the flow of His power. Derek would gently but firmly encourage believers to seek God’s cleansing through confession. James 5:16 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." So, confessing sin is not about shame; it's about receiving cleansing and restoration, which opens the door for healing. Another obstacle Derek discussed was lack of faith or doubt. We've already touched on faith being key, but persistent doubt can indeed hinder God’s work. Jesus encountered this in His hometown synagogue, where Mark 6:5 says, "He could not do any mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief." Their unbelief limited what Jesus could do among them. Derek would encourage us to actively combat doubt by immersing ourselves in God's Word, remembering His past faithfulness, and surrounding ourselves with encouraging, faith-filled believers. Unforgiveness is another major stronghold that can block healing. Jesus taught clearly in the Lord's Prayer: "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Matthew 6:12). In Mark 11:25, He adds, "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your sins." Unforgiveness is like a poison that damages us and erects a wall against God's blessings, including healing. Derek urged everyone to actively choose forgiveness, releasing others just as Christ has released us. Finally, Derek often pointed to the enemy's tactics. Satan is a deceiver and a thief. He will use sickness, pain, and doubt to try and keep us from the wholeness God has provided. But Derek reminded us that we have authority in Christ. We can stand against the devil's schemes, reject his lies, and claim the victory Jesus has already won. He taught that sometimes healing requires perseverance. It might be a battle. But because of God's promises and His power, we are equipped to win. So, if you’re facing delays or challenges in receiving your healing, take these points to heart. Examine yourself in the light of God's Word, confess any sin, choose to forgive, actively cultivate your faith, and stand firm against the enemy’s lies. God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is available to overcome any obstacle.

Living in Health and Wholeness

Receiving divine healing isn't just a one-time event; it's about living in the reality of God's health and wholeness He provides. Derek Prince’s teachings consistently pointed towards a life where believers could walk in sustained well-being, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. He often spoke about how our physical health is deeply connected to our spiritual state. When we are right with God, walking in His Word, and filled with His Spirit, it naturally impacts our entire being. He encouraged believers to make God's Word a lifestyle. This means not just reading it, but meditating on it, confessing it, and allowing it to transform your thinking. As Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Renewing your mind with Scripture, especially promises of healing, is crucial for maintaining health. Derek also emphasized the importance of praise and worship. When we focus on God's goodness, His faithfulness, and His power, it shifts our perspective away from sickness and discouragement. Thanksgiving and praise are powerful weapons against the enemy and conduits for God’s joy and strength, which have a direct impact on our physical well-being. He’d often say, "Don't just ask for healing; live in the healing." This means acting like a healed person. Get up, get dressed, do what you can do. Use the strength God gives you. Sometimes, the act of obedience and stepping out in faith, even when you don't feel 100%, is what empowers the body to continue the healing process. It's about trusting God moment by moment. Derek understood that life has challenges, and sometimes sickness can try to creep back in. The key is to not panic but to immediately turn back to God, reaffirm His promises, and stand in faith. He taught that the anointing of God, the power that works through believers, is not just for miracles but for daily living. It empowers us to overcome sickness, to live victoriously, and to walk in the abundant life Jesus promised. So, the takeaway is this: divine healing is a provision of God's covenant love, accessed through faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and sustained by a lifestyle of obedience, trust, and praise. Derek Prince’s legacy is one of empowering believers to take hold of God’s promises. Don't let sickness define you. Let God’s Word and His healing power define your life. Embrace the wholeness He offers, in spirit, soul, and body. Keep believing, keep trusting, and keep walking in the victory that is already yours in Christ Jesus. Amen!