Healing

by Francis S. MacNutt

This revised and expanded edition of MacNutt's bestselling book Healing , which has sold more than 400,000 copies in its lifetime, provides a context within which to understand healing. MacNutt covers topics that include the basis of the healing ministry, kinds of healing, and the connections between sacraments and healing. MacNutt discusses new discoveries of connections between the spiritual and the physical, including scientific inquiries into the healing power of prayer.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Prayer, Religion, Nonfiction, Health

274 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 1974

About the author

Reverend Francis S. MacNutt, O.P.

Reviews

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read on healing prayer: it changed my life. After reading it, my faith sky-rocketed and healing prayer has become part of my lifestyle. Though I often pray without seeing physical results, I also regularly experience healing when I pray or receive prayer. MacNutt gives a very balanced theology on sickness, spiritual, physical, and mental, and on prayer for healing. He answered many of my toughest questions and also addressed my deepest struggles of doubt, lack of faith, and practical how-to questions.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I liked MacNutt's book on healing, but I found it felt long and sometimes repetitive. This was especially true for his material on why modern Christians should believe in and seek "miraculous" healing. Both John Wimber's Power Healing and Jack Deere's Surprised by the Power of the Spirit do a much better job on this count (although MacNutt is the only one of these authors to speak from a Catholic perspective, which might be helpful to some). Where MacNutt shines is in his practical advice for healing prayer, which comes through with clarity and wisdom. If only for this aspect I found the book helpful and will probably reference it in the future. For those interested in a better work by MacNutt try Deliverance From Evil Spirits: A Practical Manual. It's excellent.

[Sarah Pascual · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super practical guide for a healing ministry -- there is a theological argument for it in the first half of the book (though skeptics will find a number of holes in the logic), and really helpful and practical instructions for engaging in a healing and prayer ministry in the back half. I really appreciate NacNutt's approach to the miraculous gifts of the Spirit.

[Chaffee Viets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this 10 years ago. It was fascinating to see a Catholic priest's discovery of the charismatic gifts. I was raised in the charismatic tradition, so most of what he has to say resonated with me. A great book to begin with for those who want to know more about how Christ's healing ministry is alive and well today.

[Tracie Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charismatic preacher (yes, it's a book originally published in the 70's when Charismatic gifts were commonly discussed) shares his experience in praying for the healing of others. As a new minister he didn't believe he had the ability nor the right to attempt, but as he grew in his understanding and his Faith, he discovered that praying for healing really works---not always instantly, and not always as expected---sometimes only in the unrecognizable form of guiding the subject to the right professionals for plain ol' conventional allopathic (Western/conventional/orthodox) medical cures. So, much of the book is the encouragement to release the erroneous belief that disease is a means to salvation. Suffering isn't one of God's requirements. The message is to understand that praying for one's own health or that of others can bring results --sometimes amazing, sometimes subtle, that prayer groups can be especially powerful, and that one of the biggest secrets to the power of prayer, is to be open to receiving and sending Love.

[Stephen Hiemstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chess. On the chessboard of life, what piece are you; what piece is Christ Jesus?

If you are Christian, our creator God is the crafter of the chess pieces; not one of them. Still, when we pray, God is often assigned the role of a pawn in our lives.

For example, I have a neighbor who thinks of prayer as nothing more than happy thoughts that bounce off the ceiling. In a world where people talk about prayer as nothing more than happy thoughts, what is authentic Christian prayer?

Francis MacNutt, in his book—Healing, observes that: most traditional [Christians] have little difficulty in believing in divine healing. What was difficult to believe that healing could be an ordinary, common activity of Christian life (10). Citing Matthew 10: 7-8 [1] and a talk by Alfred Price in 1960, MacNutt observes: if the church still claimed Christ’s commission to preach, what happened to the second commission to heal and cast out demons? (9) In his own experience with healing prayer, about half of those he prayed for with physical ailments experienced healing or substantial improvements and three-quarters of those prayed for with emotional or spiritual problems experienced healing (11).

What is your experience with healing prayer?

Francis MacNutt is a Dominican priest, a leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and founder of Christian Healing Ministries (www.christianhealingmin.org). He studied at Harvard University and Catholic University of America in Washington DC, and holds a doctor of philosophy degree in theology [3]. His book divides into four parts which are preceded by a preface and followed by appendices and an epilogue. The four parts are entitled:

The Healing Ministry—Its underlying Meaning and Importance;
Faith, Hope, and Charity as They Touch Upon the Healing Ministry;
The Four Basic Kinds of Healing and How to Pray for Each; and
Special Considerations.
Although I often skip appendices and epilogues in my own reading, here it would be a mistake.

The epilogue includes the fascinating testimony of a Lakota (Sioux) Indian who attended a healing service in South Dakota and experienced miraculous healing of a mouth full of cavities (264-266). As I read this story on a Saturday, I was experiencing an extreme toothache (I had trouble eating because of the pain); needed medication just to finish the reading; and I had already made a dentist appointment for Monday morning. However, the story induced me to pray to God about my tooth—something that I had never done before. Before Monday morning the pain was gone and my dentist found no evidence of an infection. Meanwhile, the arthritis in my right foot that normally bothered me was mysteriously absent.

In talking about healing ministry, MacNutt cites 5 basic arguments why prayer cannot lead to healing:

We want nothing to do with faith healing—faith healers are religious quacks (32-33).
My sickness is a cross sent from God—as if God wanted you to suffer (33-34).
It takes a saint to work a miracle and I am no saint—asking for healing is a sign of excessive pride (34-35).
We do not need signs and wonders anymore; we have faith—the apostolic era is over (35).
Miracles do not take place; they only represent a primitive way of expressing reality—a pre-scientific explanation (36).
MacNutt’s review of these arguments against the possibility of healing is helpful in establishing a balanced conversation—especially if you have witnessed the healing power of prayer first hand.

Prayer for healing needs to be specific in MacNutt’s experience. As such, he list 4 types of healing needs (130), including prayer for:

Repentance of sin (spiritual healing).
Emotional (or relational) healing.
Physical healing. And
Deliverance (healing from spiritual oppression).
Distinguishing the different types of healing needs is important because many charismatic writers lump all healing needs into deliverance prayer.

The Apostle Paul writes: the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26 ESV). The Holy Spirit is the conduit between us and the Triune God in prayer. Healing prayer is accordingly the work of the Holy Spirit and an important sign of God’s sovereignty at work in our lives.

One of the signs of God’s answer to healing prayer is that more healing is offered than is asked for—this is God's abundant grace overflowing into our lives [2]. My healed toothache is not unique. Although I prayed about tooth pain, I experienced healing both in teeth and feet—a sign of God's abundant grace.

Reading Francis MacNutt’s Healing helped expand my prayer life. Stepping out to pray for healing fully expecting God to intervene and heal is risky. Healing prayer assumes we truly believe that God exists, cares for us, and is powerful enough to intervene in our lives—things that I and most postmodern Christians struggle with. MacNutt's clinical writing style and systemic thinking makes him a credible writer and makes the book helpful in advising people about healing prayer. I commend the book. I have gifted friends with this book for years.

_____________

[1]The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay (Matthew 10:5-8 ESV).

[2]The Apostle John writes of recognizing the risen Christ through the miracles of abundance: abundant wine (John 2), abundant loaves of bread (John 6), and abundant fish (John 21).

[3]After leaving the Dominicans, MacNutt received a special dispensation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_....

[Chasen Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francis MacNutt writes a book that gives the clear how to use and how to knots of healing. The main thesis is that healing does happen as it is God‘s will to heal. Healing implies the whole body, as that is the Hebraic view of the person. Francis builds from that saying that faith for God to heal is not in faith itself but in God. Finally Francis gives four types of healing explaining how to get to the root of the problem. The book ends with humility, noting 12 reasons why healing doesn’t occur. It also gives a great team dynamic of the gifts that are extremely helpful and healing ministries.

[Randy Hass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that I had read many years ago. With my wife diagnosed with cancer in late May, I dusted it off and read it again.

It is a powerful reminder of the power of prayer, even when things seem bleak. Well, many folks joined us and pending the results of a bone marrow test, it appears that she is indeed in remission. God has heard our prayers and we praise him as the Great Healer.

But don’t take my word for it. Read this powerful book and see how God is always there to hear our prayers and does intercede for us.

[AmyLu Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much that I wrote a blog post about how helpful it was: https://amylu-riley.com/blog/where-ha...

It's also on my list of 5 favorite books to read when you're serious about healing and the Bible:
https://amylu-riley.com/5-favorite-bo...

[Larada Horner-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing revived in the church

I read this book probably 30-40 years ago, and it still resonates with me. Macnutt said the church needs to get back to its roots & be like the first century church, offering prayer and healing for the suffering in the world. Lots of history in this book that sets the stage for the ministry of healing to explode.

[Eugene Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful, powerful and honest account of this amazing ministry that Jesus has given to us to re-ignite our church and the world. If there is an instructional book required to initiate the healing ministry and the power of inner healing, this is the first book to pick up.

So many gems and inspiring stories of how the Lord continues to heal our hearts, mind, body and soul through the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

[Brian Stankich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! If you want to be an instrument in God's hands to touch the lives of others, this approach to ministry will be an encouragement and aid to you. MacNutt's approach is balanced and genuine.

[Caroline Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wonder if God really does healing in this day and age? This author answers with a resounding, "YES HE DOES." Great resource for how to pray for emotional, spiritual and physical healing.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave me the vocabulary to understand and describe the healing I have experienced through Jesus Christ.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating, comforting and challenging book on prayer and healing. It gave me much to think about and challenges me regarding beliefs about healing.

[Joâo Muenga Mzua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most academic approach to a healing book that I read. But well researched and structured to ensure you that Jesus heals, he did in the past and still to date.

[Stefan Salonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jättefin bok, läste den på Finska. Sinun Parantajasi. Tyvärr är det svårt lägga till nya versioner ...

[Evonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensible and intelligent, applicable and easy to read.

[Mary Thoresen]

I read this several years ago, and re-read it again this winter. There is so much to absorb- a second reading is helpful! This is a wonderful guide and history.

[landr · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Healing" is one of those books that has been sitting on my shelf for a long time on the to-read list. Healing had been recommended to me by a Christian mentor during residency. I was reminded of the book during recent conversations with friends here in Mwanza. I finally pulled "Healing" down off the shelf in August and it has taken me 4 months to finish it.

Despite the fact that it took me a very long time to read this book, I found it very helpful. It seems to me that almost all Christians believe that God can and does heal through human prayer. The major 2 questions that remain are: 1) How do we apply this belief to real life? and 2) How often is healing the will of God? This book helped me to at least start answering these questions.

More than anything else, this book is a good practical guide on how Christians should "pray so that the sick may be healed" as we are called to do in the Bible. "Healing" emphasizes the need not only for faith but also for wise counsel from other involved Christians and discernment in determining what type of prayer is needed: confession of sin, healing of emotional wounds, healing of physical sickness or demonic influence (rare). More than anything, this book just challenged me to start praying for the sick, boldly and with the faith that God can heal.

The other and more difficult question that this book tries to answer is how often healing is the will of God. This seems like a simple question but one for which the Bible does not provide a clear answer and for which Christians provide a wide range of answers from "very rarely" to "not uncommonly" to "usually" to "always". Francis MacNutt answers "usually" according to the examples provided from the New Testament. I'm not sure that these examples, mostly taken from the ministry of Jesus who always knew the Will of God, necessarily apply to us as Christians. I think I fall in the "not uncommonly" camp and appreciate Dr. MacNutt's honesty in saying that not everyone he prays for is healed.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I was going to give this 4 stars, but then saw that 4 stars denotes "really liked it" and 3 simply "liked it," which I thought was an adequate rating of the book. Anyway... this is a great overview of healing (inner, physical, spiritual, etc). It's especially unique because it comes from the Catholic perspective as well. I really enjoyed the stories from MacNutt's personal experience to show how varied healing can be (resist the temptation to not read the appendices; they're really worth the time). The one thing I didn't like about the book is that it seemed redundant. MacNutt addresses many of the same issues repeatedly. Other than that, I'd recommend it to anyone curious or skeptical about healing.

[Trevor Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this book on my shelves for years and dipped into it from time ti time. But because of my foolish arrogance I was quite dismissive because it was from a different tradition than my own. He was a Catholic priest. Having read it now, I consider it the best thing that I have read on healing. He dealt gently but intelligently with some of the reservations and potential scepticism and forced me to get clear in what I really believe on healing and deliverance. Very clear and thorough. Especially enjoyed is section on faith, hope and love; and his shift of the emphasis away from faith and onto love.

[Wannie Michelmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a very comprehensive and authoritative book in the subject of Healing. It talks about physical, spiritual, emotional (Inner) and healing from demons. It provides practical steps and tips and the author's rich experiences in this field. The book also explores how some christian healers turn people away from the faith because of the way they conduct healing sessions. Something I can relate to. This is my go-to book in this subject.

[Craig Walford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Healing is such a subjective issue - yet this is book delivered in a very objective manner. It is scripturally robust, rich in application and authentic in it's predicted outcomes. There is no denying the power of its encouragement to at least believe in supernatural healing (without any hype) and for those who believe this could be an area of interest or calling, my view is you will be hard pressed to find a more suitable book to sit along side your bible.

[Charles Redfern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has now become a classic and has rightly influenced many, including Vineyard pastors. MacNutt taps into his own Catholic tradition -- which has always had a place for healing -- as well as insights from the charismatic movement. The result is a rich theology of healing along with solid advice on its practice. He steers clear of the name-it-and-claim-it school while affirming modern-day the modern-day activity of the Holy Spirit. I didn't agree with everything, but that's not necessary.

[Adam Loveridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super introduction to the practice of healing prayer. Very approachable without neglecting the mystery of why healing doesn't happen all the time and to everybody. MacNutt is humble and honest in his writing, while still being passionate about correcting people's understanding of God's desire to see wholeness.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I keep picking up again and again to re-read a section or passage. It is my reference for healing and understanding how Christians need to think about healing through prayer and action.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. MacNutt, formerly a Catholic priest, writes with balance and encouragement from the perspective of one practices healing ministries and whose heart is for the church to embrace this gift through the healing love and power of Christ.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read. It really changed the way I thought about healing and prayer and how God loves us. I keep recommending it to everyone I talk to. The author approaches a subject that is quite controversial very humbly and with lots of grace and love.

[Paul Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus is still healing people.
We should always pray for healing, unless there is a prevailing word or sense not to.
We can assume that God ordinarily desires healing and wholeness, as opposed to assuming that it's ordinarily His will for us to bear the sickness.
Great book!