No magic hands

The laying of on hands is an essential part of the Christian foundation for life. It is a basic and simple practice that all believers can participate in. It is not about having “magic hands” at all but it is about being caring and loving in a way that means that people can be touched by God/can connect with God through our ordinary hands. In all cultures the touch of a human hand is important in many different ways. It is a way of showing care and acceptance, making our love real and tangible. At the same time we are humbling ourselves and making ourselves vulnerable when we allow people to lay hands on us. We show trust when we commit ourselves into their hands!

An act of faith

The laying on of hands must always be an act of faith otherwise it will have no spiritual or supernatural effect. It is impossible to please God without faith. Whenever we lay hands on people for incorporation, impartation or commissioning, we must believe that God rewards our sincere action by touching the people involved. If we don’t trust God to move and act, the laying on of hands becomes an empty ritual with no effect. However when we act in faith, laying hands on people, praying for them or prophesying to them, God will confirm his word.

The power of God is released through ordinary human hands

The laying on of hands is effective because of the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who has ordained this simple practice and commanded all his disciples to continue what he started? (see John 14:12; Mark 16:15-20; Acts 1:8). He is the one who guarantees that he will release his power when we lay hands on people.

We are disciples of Christ, we are his church which is his body, “filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence” (Eph 1:23-2:1). As members of the body of Christ, our hands are his hands and when we lay hands on someone they will encounter the power of Christ, for his presence is always with us. The laying on of hands is effective because the power of God, released through us, makes a difference. We have no magic power in our hands but the power of God works through us when we act in faith in his authority according to his will.

In line with the will of God

Because we act in faith when we lay hands on people, expecting the power of God to work, we will always practise this in accordance with the will of God. The laying on of hand is always effective and powerful in the will of God. If we step outside the will of God in our practice, we can’t expect the laying on of hands to work at all. We can only use our hands to effect the incorporation, impartation and the commissioning that God wants. We are servants of God and stewards of his power, grace and blessing. Therefore we always seek to act in obedience to the will of God, trusting God and believing that his power will work when we lay hands on people.

Believers have no reason to fear that God will not work when they lay hands on someone for their needs to be met. Every believer can practise the laying on of hands in his daily walk with God in situations in ordinary life boldly, confidently and with success, thus making it possible for people to receive a touch from/be touched by/connect with God through his hands.

Exercise:

Now is time to act! Find someone to bless by laying hands on them!

Write down some of the things God has done through your hands.

Continue to memorise the previous Bible verses and add this one to your list:

These signs will accompany those who believe: They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them. (Mark 16:18)