In the Bible, the laying on of hands signify a transfer of guilt to the sacrifice (Lev 16.21), blessing (Gen 48.13-20), authority (Num 27.23), healing (Matt 9.18) and impartation (Ac 8.17).

In Ac 4.30, the early church prayed, “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” It is important to always realize that it is God who heals. God uses “those who minister, not the other way round. Though it can be misinterpreted as a magical act, laying on of hands should be seen rather as an expression both of compassionate identification with the sick person and also of faith that they prayers which accompany it are being heard by a trustworthy God.” (D.A. Stone, “Sacramental Healing,” New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology)

Let us not grow tired of praying for healing. Let’s pray with the early church, to stretch out our hands to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus!

-JP