What Does it Mean to Lay Hands on the Sick?
- Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Contributing Writer
- Updated May 13, 2022
It is a very common and accepted practice to lay hands on someone when you pray for them. Most people don’t even think twice about it, especially when praying for those who are sick. During these moments in prayer, you will often see someone lay hands on the sick person and begin to pray for them. Even though we accept this as normal, have you ever wondered what it means to lay hands on the sick? Is it necessary and is this the only way a sick person can be healed?
As you search the scriptures, you will discover that laying on of hands is something that was practiced often. While it was common to lay hands on the sick, the laying on of hands was not just limited to the sick. Let’s examine this practice a little closer so if you lay hands on someone or hands are laid on you, at least you will know what is happening.
What does the laying on of hands symbolize?
The laying on of hands is symbolic of impartation. If a person lays their hands on you to pray for you then they are in essence imparting what is inside them onto you. While this can be a good thing, we are warned about engaging in this activity too hastily.
“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” – 1 Timothy 5:22
This verse lets us know that laying on of hands is serious business. I know most people don’t think about it because we see it so often, but this act should not be treated lightly or flippantly. There is a spiritual transaction that occurs when you lay your hands on someone else. For this reason, be careful about who you lay your hands on and who lays their hands on you.
Here are 3 purposes in the Bible for the laying on of hands:
In the Bible, laying on of hands occurred for different reasons. Here are three examples.
1. For commissioning.
“Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.” – Numbers 27:22-23
“They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.” – Acts 6:6
In both occurrences we see the practice of laying on of hands being used to commission. In Numbers, Moses was commissioning Joshua to lead. In the book of Acts, these men who were full of the Holy Spirit were being commissioned to serve.
2. For infilling.
“When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 8:15-17
We see from this passage the apostles laid hands on people and when they did, they received the Holy Spirit.
3. For gifting.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” – 2 Timothy 1:6
In this verse, Paul is encouraging Timothy to remember and use the gift of God that was imparted to him by the laying on of hands. In all these cases there was some type of impartation or transfer happening between the one praying and the one who was receiving the laying on of hands. This still happens today and is a big reason why you cannot take this activity lightly. With that let’s consider how you apply this to the laying on of hands for the sick.
What does it mean to lay hands on the sick?
While we have seen the laying on of hands used for different purposes, what does it mean to lay hands on the sick? The laying on of hands was one method used for healing the sick. Jesus did this, but so did the apostles. In Luke 4, Jesus visits the home of Simon, and we discover Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever. Jesus healed her, even though he did not do this by laying on of hands. What happened after Jesus healed her is what I want to point your attention to.
“At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.” – Luke 4:40
Jesus laid his hands on the sick and they were healed. When Jesus would lay hands on the sick, healing power would flow from him to those who were sick. While Jesus did not have to lay hands on the sick to heal them, he often did. This was just one way he demonstrated his power to bring healing to a sick body. Jesus was not the only one who would lay hands on the sick, the apostles did this as well. The book of Acts records moments where healing took place, and on one occasion Paul healed Publius’ father. Pay attention to what Paul did to heal Publius’ father.
“There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.” – Acts 28:7-8
When you look at what Jesus did in Luke and what Paul did in Acts it gives us indicators of what it means to lay hands on the sick. When you do this as with the other examples of laying on of hands, the power to heal is transferred from the one who is praying to the one who is being prayed for by the Holy Spirit.
What role does prayer play in this?
Prayer should always accompany the laying on of hands. Often, they are done simultaneously but as you see in the example of Paul, the laying on of hands came after he prayed. After he finished praying, he was empowered by the Holy Spirit and when he laid his hands on Publius’ father he was healed. It is important to note the power is not in you or in your hands. The power is the Holy Spirit working in you and through you. I say this because sometimes we can become enamored with the person who is laying hands on people thinking they are the source of the power. They aren’t. They are just a vessel that God works through. If God does not work through them and empower them, there will be no power imparted no matter how many hands they lay on you.
Should you allow someone to lay hands on you?
With the seriousness attached to laying hands on the sick, or on anyone, should you allow someone to lay hands on you to pray for you? What I tell you is you must use your discernment in these situations. If you feel comfortable and you trust the person praying for you then it is okay to allow them to lay hands on you. If you don’t know the person or have a comfort level with them, then it is okay to allow them to pray for you, but they don’t have to lay hands on you. Remember laying on of hands is a spiritual impartation, so be mindful of who you allow to lay hands on you.
As you can see laying hands on the sick and laying hands on anyone is something that should be approached carefully. In the old days, we used to use the term prayed up. This meant the person was spiritually prepared to be used by God in whatever fashion because they spent time in prayer before they attempted any form of ministry. If you want to lay hands on the sick and see God’s power at work in your life, you must be prayed up. Consistent time in prayer and being constantly filled with the Holy Spirit is what must occur. This will fill you with God’s power which is what you will need if you should ever lay hands on someone.
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