The other day, I was praying for a family member’s healing, and I got so discouraged!

I realized that I’d been contending for this breakthrough for almost five years, and I still hadn’t seen any fruit.

Was God not hearing my cries?

On the contrary, I think He had heard my prayers, but the answer had been delayed due to spiritual warfare.

But how do delays even happen?

Delayed answers

In the book of Daniel, an angel explained that Daniel’s answer to prayer had been delayed because of demonic resistance.

The angel went on to describe how the Prince of Persia had held him back after God had dispatched the answer. It took a higher-ranking angel to intervene and set the breakthrough free:

“… Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” — Daniel 10:12–14 NIV

Interestingly, the Lord’s answer was released as soon as Daniel prayed. But it took almost an entire month for the breakthrough to arrive!

Trapped in the Second Heaven

The Apostle Paul talks in 2 Corinthians about a paradise realm called the third heaven, saying:

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. – 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NIV

If there’s a third heaven, I’m willing to bet there’s a first and second.

In theological circles, I’ve heard it explained that the first heaven is the physical reality we see before us (including the earth and the universe). The second is the spiritual realm where the angels and demons do battle.

Contending for your breakthrough

If you’ve been waiting on an answer from God, don’t be discouraged. Like in Daniel’s situation, God’s answer may have already been dispatched. It’s just being delayed in the second heaven and needs another push!

Let’s pray:

Holy Spirit, I ask that You send Your highest-ranking angels to step in and bring closure to our long-awaited prayers. Bring breakthrough to any areas that have been delayed, forgotten, or abandoned. Release Your answers now so that we can walk in our divine calling and bring Your Kingdom to earth. We say NO to delays and YES to Your perfect timing. I pray this all in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Last year, a spiritual leader asked me to pray against isolation and discouragement in the church.

He was specifically worried about the amount of Christians who were turning to suicide as a way to resolve their depression.

During my prayer time, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the story about Jesus and the demoniac.

At first, I was confused, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

Jesus delivers the Demoniac

For those who don’t remember, this passage follows Jesus as he’s confronted by a demonized man who “lived among the tombs.”

This man was so tormented that people locked him in chains to protect themselves. But the harassing spirits were so powerful, the man always broke free!

By the time Jesus met the demoniac, there was a frightened atmosphere covering the area.

Eventually, the man encountered Jesus’ power and received healing. But it was an intense exchange that left many terrified. Scripture says:

“Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.” (Luke 8:36-37 NIV)

Coming out of the graves

What surprised me is that the demoniac didn’t receive his healing until he stepped out from the tombs to meet Jesus. He had to leave his place of trauma, fear, and separation to experience breakthrough.

I feel this passage relates to us because it’s easy to let disappointment isolate us. Our sorrows can shut us down and cause us to pull away. 

But separation is not the path to healing! As Christians, we need to be around each other, so we can grow.

Say “No” to Disappointment

If disappointments are causing you to withdraw, hand them over to Jesus. Release your pain and ask Him to breathe new life. Then, get around healthy believers!

Scripture tells us that satan “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” If we isolate, we leave ourselves open to attack.

It’s time to experience all that God has for you. Forgive those who have hurt you, and come out of the tombs!

Father, I renounce participation with the spirit of isolation. I break agreement with it and ask You to forgive me for living among the tombs. I hand to You what I’ve lost, what didn’t happen, and all my regrets. I accept the truth that I can’t stay in this place forever. I let every disappointment go and break agreement with them in Jesus’ Name. Holy Spirit, detune my ears to the call of isolation. Father God, make it so that I can’t pick up its broadcasts anymore, and help me find safe relationships. I ask this all in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Recently, I read through Daniel and Mark and noticed an incredible connection:

The miraculous often appears when linked to a person’s trust in God.

I spotted this in the story of the synagogue leader whose daughter was sick (see Mark 5:36). After approaching Jesus for healing, he was told, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Just believe. That statement shifted the atmosphere from fear to faith and enabled the daughter to be resurrected. But how?

Obviously, it was the power of the Holy Spirit. But there was something else that invited breakthrough: trust.

How Trust Activates the Father’s Heart

Jesus partnered with the Father and the Holy Spirit in perfect unity. Through this connection, Jesus demonstrated how to live from Heaven’s reality. The apostle John writes:

“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”  – John 21:25 NIV

Isn’t that incredible? Every physical and spiritual obstacle bowed to Jesus’ authority. Partnership with God allowed for the supernatural to invade every aspect of life.

Jesus’ example demonstrates these powerful truths:

1. Understand the Father’s heart.
   
2. Partner with the Holy Spirit.
   
3. Trust in God to access the supernatural.
   

The Power of Trust

If you include words like belief and faith, Jesus’ teachings on trust appear more than 70 times in Scripture.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus called us to believe in God’s goodness. It wasn’t just an afterthought; it was crucial. Jesus said:

“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” – John 14:13

This perspective not only encourages us to pray; it invites us to contend for the miraculous!

However, this doesn’t mean we create a formula (e.g., Trust = Answered Prayer). It simply reminds us to deepen our trust, even in situations that feel hopeless.

Fear vs. Trust

The book of Daniel offers a powerful example of how trusting in God unlocks the miraculous:

“When Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” – Daniel 6:23 NIV

Daniel had so much faith in God, it invited the angelic realm to shut the lions’ mouths! Powerful:

“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions.” – Daniel 6:22 NIV

This story gets even more shocking when you consider the fate of the Babylonian leaders who condemned Daniel:

“The men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den… Before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” – Daniel 6:24

Think about that.

Daniel spent the night untouched, surrounded by hungry lions. But the Babylonian leaders didn’t survive one second. Why?

Daniel trusted in God and aligned himself with the Almighty. The Babylonians were in opposition to the Lord, and it cost them their lives. 

Say No to the Lions

Right now, picture those obstacles that are threatening you: financial stress, physical sickness, or relationship pain. Imagine them as hungry lions in a cold, dark den, surrounding you.

Now remember Jesus’ words:

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” – Mark 5:36

Declare this out loud:

 “I see you, fear. I send you back in Jesus’ Name. Jesus, I declare that You will deliver me from this situation and bring me lasting peace.”

Continue declaring this until you feel a shift in your spirit from fear to hope. 

Then, watch your situation start to change.

Recently, I was reading through Mark and was reminded about the many ways that Jesus interacted with those He healed. I’ve taught quite a bit on the many ways that Jesus heals, so these statements mentioned in Mark intrigued me:  

“Your faith has healed you.”
“Your sins are forgiven.”
“Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Each of these phrases highlights a different key to a person’s physical healing. But what keys exactly? Let’s look at a few healing Bible verses to see what Jesus was saying in these moments. 

Physical Healing and Faith

In Mark 5, Jesus encountered a woman who had been subject to bleeding for years. In an effort to improve her health, she had spent everything on medical care. But instead of getting better, her health worsened:

“She… had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.” – Mark 5:26 NIV

You can imagine how desperate she must have felt. When she heard Jesus was passing through her town, she likely saw it as her last chance, saying: “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 

What’s incredible is Jesus’ reaction to the woman’s healing. As soon as she touched His’ garment and received healing, Jesus turned and asked: “Who touched my clothes?”

Kneeling before Jesus, the woman confessed her act. What was His response? To commend her faith: “Daughter, your faith has healed you” (see Mark 5).

This passage shows us that faith isn’t just a part of following Jesus. It’s actually a catalyst for supernatural breakthrough. 

If you have a physical issue that needs God’s miraculous hand, say: “Lord, give me faith to pursue my healing.” Then, chase after your breakthrough with all your heart.

Physical Healing and Forgiveness

The story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2 leans on a similar lesson. In this story, a crowd had surrounded Jesus, who was teaching inside someone’s home. While He was speaking, some men brought their paralyzed friend to receive healing. But since they couldn’t reach Jesus, they did the unthinkable and “made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.”

When Jesus saw their faith, He was moved with compassion and declared: “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Now, some in the crowd were offended by Jesus’ statement, to which He clarified: “… I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” 

In this case, Jesus used the man’s healing to reveal His authority to forgive sins. He wasn’t just performing a miracle; He was making a spiritual declaration.

This story reveals that although the friends’ faith (to overcome blockages) was a component, forgiveness was also a portion.

If you’re seeking breakthrough, ask yourself, “How much faith do I have for this healing?” If you’re lacking in faith, ask the Lord to give you a fresh release.

Unforgiveness Blocks Healing

While the story of the paralyzed man’s healing isn’t about unforgiveness, it opens the door to an important subject I cover often: bitterness.

In Matthew, Jesus warns: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart” (Matthew 18:35 NIV).

If we want a good standing with God, then we need to be ready to forgive. Bitterness toward others only chokes out healing like a weed in rich soil. If we refuse to forgive others, spiritual torment will follow.

If you’re struggling to forgive someone who hurt you, ask yourself: “Is there anyone in my heart that I’m holding bitterness against?” Even if someone doesn’t deserve forgiveness, allow the Holy Spirit to move your heart and release them. Remember, forgiveness isn’t about letting someone off the hook. It’s about freeing yourself from spiritual torment.

Physical Healing and Lack of Fear

In our final example, a synagogue leader named Jairus approached Jesus to ask for his daughter’s healing. But before they reached his house, a messenger brought dreadful news: “Your daughter is dead.”

While the devastating news shook everyone else around, it didn’t phase Jesus. Instead, He replied: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

The story concludes with Jesus raising the man’s daughter from the dead. Fear had no influence over Jesus, so the healing power of God’s Spirit was able to flow freely.

The next time fear tries to overwhelm you, declare: “I see you, fear, and I do not partner with you. I send you back in Jesus’ Name. Jesus, what truth do you want me to know?”

Physical Healing through the Holy Spirit

Throughout this post, we’ve explored how faith, forgiveness, and a lack of fear contribute to physical healing. But keep in mind, at the center of Jesus’ ministry was the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus didn’t perform any miracles until He was baptized in the Spirit. After that, His ministry erupted with supernatural power. And once Jesus ascended into heaven after His death, the disciples continued this work:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 12:12-14 NIV 

This passage demonstrates that supernatural healing is never done in our own strength. It requires close partnership with the Holy Spirit, which is rooted in relationship and trust.