A recent discussion arose on the subject of rebuking an illness as part of prayer. Where does that come from and is there a biblical basis for it?
To begin, prayer is the means by which we communicate with God. It is an access that a believer or one confessing on to salvation has. Through prayer, we can come boldly before the throne of God (Heb 4:16) at anytime. We can obtain the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:6-7). We can even enlist others to pray for healing (James 5:14). Prayer originates from the heart of a person and ascends to heaven, like a sweet fragrance to God (psalm 141:2, 2 Cor 2:15).
So what about when an illness is rebuked in prayer? I’ve heard it being done in more Charismatic circles and believe it stems from the desire for that thing to be removed. But has it become more of a cliche of words instead of an appeal to God? Or are we speaking to the illness as though it can hear us, rather than God who is all ears? Has positive thinking or chants crept into the prayers offered to God? Perhaps it’s not done purposefully or knowingly, but the best of prayer warriors can get caught up in the moment, driven by their passion and compassion for the sick and desiring them to be healed, even if by rebuke.
There are those who believe that God has given us the power and authority over sickness. That by rebuking it, we can have victory over it. But what if it doesn’t work? Did we fail? The answer is no. We pray to God and not the illness. God will answer as He wills (1 John 5:14, Jas 1:5, Phil 4:19). He knows our needs before we even ask (Matt 6:8), but He still calls us to pray (Matt 6:9). We can pray amiss (Jas 4:3), and even not know how to pray as we ought (Rom 8:26), but we are still called to pray. The beauty is that Jesus intercedes for us daily (Rom 8:34, Heb 7:25, 1 Jn 2:1).
Not all illnesses are the result of demonic activity. Illnesses can arise simply because it’s the consequence of the fall of man and it’s just a part of life until our bodies are redeemed. At times illness was the result of God’s chastening (Num 12:10), that the works of God might be displayed (John 9:2), or because it was used to glorify God (John 11:4). We really don’t know. But what is known is that God knows. Jesus sent the disciples out to heal the sick and cast out demons. But I don’t believe that rebuking the illness was a method used. I don’t find a biblical basis for it.
We do see Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law, the account is found in the synoptic Gospels. Only Luke describes the healing this way in Luke 4:39: “So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.” In Matt. 8:15 it reads: “So He touched her hand, and the fever left her.” And Mark 1:31: “So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her.” So which of the three gospels is correct? They all are! Who says Jesus had to use the word “rebuke” in order to heal? His touch can be rebuke enough! Just look at the woman with the flow of blood who touched the hem of his garment (Matt 9:20). Only Jesus did that. And yes, He did say that we would do greater works, but the method of rebuking illness has no other example.
Prayer and fasting was employed at times, as was simply bringing the need before God. I do however see in Jude 1:9 where “Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!””. In that instance Michael didn’t even dare to rebuke the devil himself, he left the rebuking to God! So, rebuke: to reprimand, to scold or forcefully command something to leave, in the case of an illness, is to say “illness, you have no power here, get out!”
Sooo, my suggestion: pray and ask away, and let God produce the results! Btw, I’m not rebuking you if you’re one of those... God has made you a prayer warrior for a reason. Pray for me, that I’m able to know when to end this, without writing any more, not knowing where to put the period...! Actually, I do rebuke you for causing me to put this together! I don’t like to work, think, type, send, end. Ugh!