Just a Thought: Is there any clear Biblical teaching on faith healing?

Yes. Not faith healers, but faith healing or divine healing that comes from God alone and at his will.

James tells us exactly what to do in James 5:13-16. He says take these steps: 1.(v.13)

If you’re sick, let someone know (call the leaders of the church) and ask them to pray for you. 2. (v. 14) Use the best medical treatment available, combined with the prayers of others. 3. (v. 15) Leave the results in the hands of God.

What does all this mean? According to verse 16, if confession is needed, do it; it is good for the soul. Prayer is essential, medical assistance is appropriate and advised, and healing comes from God (according to his will).

Remember the blind man (John 9:2-3): Sometimes God’s will involves both the ailment and the healing, and in Paul’s case sometimes healing is not God’s will at all, but rather his will is that we find his strength in our weakness.

Either way, it is "The prayer of a righteous man (that) is powerful and effective." (James 5:16) And prayer is about getting us in tune with God’s will more than us getting God to do ours.

Dr. William Burnham is pastor of Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.