Does God Still Heal People Today?

Tier 2 → Young Families

Yes, the Bible teaches that divine healing is a provision of Christ's atonement and that God still heals people today through the power of the Holy Spirit. While healing is a journey, we believe in the authority of Scripture and the power of prayer to bring restoration to the sick.

If you've ever wondered whether God still heals, you're not alone. Maybe you've prayed for healing and didn't see the results you hoped for. Maybe you've watched someone you love battle sickness and wondered why God didn't step in. Or maybe you've heard stories of miraculous healing and thought, Does that really still happen?

Quick heads up for today (March 9): our pastors have a scheduled pastoral meeting at 9:00 AM. If you reach out, we’ll respond as soon as we’re able.

Here's the straightforward answer: Yes. God still heals today. And that's not just wishful thinking or feel-good theology, it's rooted in Scripture, anchored in the atonement of Jesus Christ, and affirmed by the Assemblies of God as one of our core beliefs.

What the Bible Says About Healing

Healing is woven throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. God revealed Himself to Israel as Jehovah Rapha, "the Lord who heals" (Exodus 15:26). The psalms are filled with declarations of God's healing power. And the prophets pointed us to Jesus—"by His wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

Then Jesus showed up, and healing followed Him everywhere. The Gospels are packed with accounts of the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, lepers being cleansed, and the deaf hearing. Jesus didn't heal as a side project, it was central to His ministry. He demonstrated the Kingdom of God breaking into a broken world.

WHY this matters for Memphis and the 901: when sickness hits a home, it hits the whole family—and we want to strengthen families with real prayer, real community, and real hope in Jesus.

Definition Block: What Is “Divine Healing”?

Divine healing is God’s compassionate act of bringing healing to our bodies and lives through the finished work of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer offered in faith. We believe healing is provided in Christ’s atonement and we seek it biblically—while also valuing wise medical care.

And here's the key: healing was provided in the atonement. When Jesus went to the cross, He didn't just die for our sins. According to 1 Peter 2:24, "By His wounds you have been healed." Matthew 8:16-17 directly connects Jesus' healing ministry to the prophecy in Isaiah 53: "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases."

This isn't metaphorical. It's theological bedrock. The same sacrifice that purchased your salvation also made provision for your healing.

Promises We Hold Onto (Without Pretending Life Is Easy)

Promise of Healing	Scripture	Heart of the Father
God is our Healer	Exodus 15:26	“I’m not distant—I’m present, personal, and able.”
Jesus invites us to ask for prayer	James 5:14–15	“Bring it to Me with the church family; you’re not a burden.”
Jesus has compassion for the sick	Matthew 14:14	“My heart moves toward your pain.”
God can strengthen us when answers take time	2 Corinthians 12:9	“Even in weakness, I will sustain you with grace.”
One day sickness ends forever	Revelation 21:4	“This is not the end of your story.”

The Assemblies of God Position

At First Assembly Memphis, we hold to the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God, and divine healing is right there among them. Here’s the pastoral way I say it:

We believe God still heals. Not because we’re trying to hype anybody up—but because Scripture is clear, Jesus is compassionate, and the Holy Spirit still empowers the church to pray for the sick.

Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement of Christ and is a privilege available to every believer. We don’t treat healing like an optional side topic. We treat it like part of the gospel message—Jesus saves, Jesus restores, Jesus still touches broken places.

And at FA Memphis, when someone is sick, we don’t do the “thoughts and prayers” drive-by. We pray like the Bible tells us to pray: together, with faith, and with love. James 5:14-15 gives us the playbook: if someone is sick, call for the elders, pray over them, and ask the Lord to raise them up.

Does that mean every prayer for healing results in instant, miraculous recovery? No. But it does mean we pray with confidence, keep showing up, and keep trusting God’s heart (Hebrews 13:8).

How God Heals Today

God heals in multiple ways, and all of them are valid expressions of His grace and power.

Through Prayer

James 5:14-15 gives us clear instructions: "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up."

Prayer isn't a last resort, it's a first response. We've seen God move in powerful ways when His people pray. Sometimes the change is immediate, and sometimes the journey is longer—but either way, we keep praying because God is faithful.

Through Medical Professionals

God also heals through the skill and knowledge He's given to doctors, nurses, surgeons, and researchers. Medicine is not the enemy of faith. When a surgeon's hands bring healing, that's God working through the talents He placed in that person. When medication restores health, we thank God for the discovery and the provision.

If you're in Memphis or the 901, I'm grateful for the many caring medical professionals in our area—people serving families every day with skill and compassion.

Through Miracles

And yes, sometimes God heals in ways that defy medical explanation. Instantly. Completely. Undeniably. We don't manufacture these moments, but we don't deny them either. When God chooses to reveal His power in this way, we celebrate it and give Him all the glory.

Why Doesn't Everyone Get Healed?

This is the question that keeps a lot of people up at night. If God can heal, and if we pray in faith, why doesn't everyone experience physical healing?

The honest answer is: we don't always know. We live in a fallen world where sickness, pain, and death are still realities. We look forward to the day when Jesus returns and every tear is wiped away, every disease is eradicated, and death is swallowed up in victory (Revelation 21:4). But we're not there yet.

What we do know is this:

- God's ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) - His grace is sufficient even in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) - Faith is not a formula, it's a relationship - Healing is ultimately His decision, not our demand

That doesn't mean we stop praying. It doesn't mean we lose faith. It means we trust that God is good, even when we don't understand His timing or His methods.

A Memphis Perspective

WHY this matters to our Memphis families: our mission is to strengthen families and serve our city, and that includes showing up with prayer, support, and steady hope when sickness hits your home.

Here in the 901, we've seen God's healing power at work. Families in Cordova, Arlington, and Bartlett have stories of answered prayers. People who walked into First Assembly Memphis carrying burdens of sickness and walked out carrying testimonies of God's goodness.

We've prayed with people in living rooms, parking lots, and at church altars. Healing isn't confined to a building, it happens wherever God's people call on His name.

If you're battling sickness right now, you don't have to face it alone. The body of Christ is here to stand with you, pray with you, and believe with you.

What Do We Do With This?

So what does it look like to believe in divine healing today?

Pray boldly. Don’t be afraid to ask God for healing. Isaiah 53:5 reminds us Jesus already paid a real price for our restoration, and James 5:14-15 reminds us to involve the church family.

Seek wisdom. If you're sick, see a doctor. Get the treatment you need. There’s no contradiction between faith and wise care.

Trust God's character. Whether you see immediate healing or you're still waiting, God is good. Healing can be a moment—or a journey—and God is faithful either way.

Stay connected. Healing often happens in community. Don’t isolate. Let somebody pray with you.

A Prayer for Healing and Strength

Jesus, You are the Healer. I bring my body, my mind, and my heart to You right now. By Your wounds, You paid for my restoration (Isaiah 53:5). Give me faith to keep praying, courage to keep taking the next right step, and peace that anchors me in Your love. Strengthen my family, renew my hope, and let Your Holy Spirit bring healing in the way only You can. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you’re reading this and you need prayer, I want you to know this: you don’t have to carry it alone.

Invite: Share your prayer request with us—and if you’re with us in person, you can also come forward for prayer during Sunday worship at 10:30 AM. We’ll pray with you (no pressure, no weirdness, just faith and love).

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Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)

Sunday Next Steps (In-Person + Online)

If you’re in Memphis or the 901, you’re invited to join me at First Assembly Memphis on Sundays for:

• Sunday Classes at 9:30 AM

• Worship at 10:30 AM

Want to go deeper into prayer and healing? You can explore our pages on Prayer and Healing.

Want to go deeper?

If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, join us in person: 🌐 www.famemphis.net

Outside the area or unable to attend locally? Join our online church community: 🌐 www.boundlessonlinechurch.org