In ministry, one of the most challenging obstacles is dealing with the reality that not every prayer for healing is answered right away, or sometimes, not at all. This often leads to questions about God’s will, our faith, and what influences the outcomes of our prayers. Even Jesus Christ, during His time on earth, encountered situations where healing wasn’t automatic. By understanding these moments in Scripture and reflecting on personal experiences, we can gain insights that help us overcome the barriers of unbelief and allow God’s power to work fully in our lives.
The Influence of Unbelief
The story of Jesus in Nazareth, as recorded in the Gospel of Mark, provides a clear example of how unbelief can hinder God’s work. Despite being surrounded by people who knew Him well, Jesus could “do no mighty work there” because of their unbelief. Their skepticism created an environment where faith was stifled, limiting what could be done. This shows us that doubt can act as a powerful barrier to God’s work, even when His power is present and ready to be displayed.
As ministers, it’s essential to address and overcome this doubt, both in ourselves and in those we minister to. The spiritual atmosphere we create—whether in a church, a community, or within our own hearts—can either open the door to God’s power or close it off. Instead of quickly attributing a lack of results to “God’s will,” we should first examine the role of faith and how we can foster an environment that welcomes the Holy Spirit’s movement.
The Importance of Preparation
Preparation is key to breaking through unbelief. Jesus Himself modeled the importance of spending time alone in prayer. Before engaging in ministry, Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray. It was during these times of deep communion with the Father that He was filled with the power of the Spirit, received the Word, and was often given the instructions necessary to accomplish His mission. Just as Jesus came down from the mountain in the power of the Spirit, we too must prepare ourselves through prayer and time in the Word.
Praying in the Spirit regularly is crucial. It carves out a path for the future, as the Holy Ghost provides us with the stepping stones that we are unaware of, guiding us as we move forward in real-time. This kind of preparation not only strengthens our faith but also equips us with the divine insight and power needed to break through the barriers of unbelief and see God’s will manifest in our ministries.
Real-Life Examples of Breaking Through Unbelief
One experience that stands out in my ministry occurred while praying for a leukemia patient in Brazil. As I entered the hospital room to pray, I felt a strong prompting from the Lord to vacate the room of all other people, similar to how Jesus did in the Gospels. In Mark 5:40, when Jesus was about to raise Jairus' daughter from the dead, He cleared the room of all but the child’s parents and a few of His disciples, ensuring that the atmosphere was filled with faith, not doubt.
Following this leading, I asked everyone to step outside, creating an environment where the Holy Spirit could work without interference. After praying, we left the hospital, placing our trust in God's power. To my amazement, we later received a call from the brethren informing us that the hospital had released the woman, declaring her cured. They even sent a photo of her with a full head of hair, joyfully playing on a beach. It was a beautiful reminder of God's glory in full display.
This experience reinforced my belief that the Lord wanted the room vacated to ensure the atmosphere was free of any doubt, just as He did in Nazareth when unbelief limited the miracles He could perform. By removing doubt, we allowed the Holy Spirit to move freely and bring about a miraculous healing.
Another powerful lesson can be drawn from the way Jesus dealt with unbelief in a different situation. In Mark 8:22-26, Jesus encountered a blind man in Bethsaida. The town was steeped in unbelief, so Jesus took the man by the hand and led him out of the village before performing the healing. After the first prayer, Jesus asked the man, "Do you see anything?" The man responded that he could see people, but they looked like trees walking around. So, Jesus laid His hands on the man again, and this time his vision was fully restored.
The lesson here is that it's okay to be shamelessly persistent in prayer and to seek honest feedback from the people you're praying for. Jesus didn’t settle for a partial healing; He continued praying until the man’s sight was fully restored. This shows us the importance of persistence and transparency in ministry.
A similar situation occurred during a mission in Argentina, where I was ministering with my Guatemalan mother in Christ, Zara. We were praying for a woman who had screws in her back, and honestly, I was convinced that she was unable to receive anything because of the severity of her condition. I was also exhausted from what felt like a failing streak of ministry efforts on that mission. My own unbelief was weighing me down, and I felt like giving up.
However, Zara stubbornly persisted in prayer for this woman’s healing, laying hands on her repeatedly, even as my faith wavered. To my amazement, despite my poor attitude and lack of belief, she broke through that barrier. The woman regained mobility in her back, where the screws had previously limited her movement. I was completely humbled and marveled at how, despite my own unbelief, my mother in Christ insisted on the manifestation of healing until it came, all to God’s glory.
This experience reminded me of the importance of the persistence Jesus spoke of in Luke 11:9-10: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” It’s the persistence and boldness (importunity) that is the point of this teaching. Even when our own faith falters, God can still work through those who remain steadfast in their trust in Him.
Conclusion
Overcoming unbelief in ministry is about being prepared, fostering faith, and taking bold, decisive actions. By creating the right atmosphere, focusing on God, and being full of conviction, we can break through the barriers that prevent God’s power from being fully realized in our ministries. When we spend time in preparation—praying alone as Jesus did, being filled with the Spirit, and receiving the Word—we come down from the mountain ready to see God’s will manifest. Our faith, rooted in Truth, allows God’s grace to flow through us, enabling us to minister with boldness and effectiveness.
Notes
Jesus’ Example: Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16), demonstrating the importance of communion with the Father. He said, "The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does" (John 5:19). This clearly indicates that His actions were guided by what He heard and saw in His time of communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Stephen’s Example: Stephen, who was full of faith and power, exemplifies the importance of being prepared. His readiness came from a life of faithful service, demonstrating that humility and faithfulness are key to being used powerfully by God.
Hands-Free Prayer: This method, used at the beginning of a service, shifts the focus from human effort to God’s power, helping to break through barriers of unbelief and directing everyone’s attention to God.