How I Came Into Healing – John Alexander Dowie

JesusBySickbed-350-webby John Alexander Dowie (1847 – 1907)

I sat in my study in the parsonage of the Congregational Church at Newtown, a suburb of the beautiful city of Sydney, Australia. My heart was very heavy, for I had visited the sick and dying beds of more than thirty of my flock, and I had cast the dust to its kindred dust into more than forty graves within a few weeks. Where, oh where, was He Who used to heal His suffering children? No prayer for healing seemed to reach His ear, and yet I knew His hand had not been shortened. Still it did not save from death even those for whom there was so much in life to live for God and others. Strong men, fathers, good citizens, and more than all, true Christians sickened with a putrid fever, suffered nameless agonies, passed into delirium, sometimes with convulsions, and then died.

Oh, what aching voids were left in many a widowed or orphaned heart. There were many homes where, one by one, the little children, the youths and the maidens lay stricken, and after a hard struggle with the foul disease, they too, lay cold and dead. It seemed sometimes as if I could almost hear the triumphant mockery of evil ringing in my ear whilst I spoke to the bereaved ones the words of Christian hope and consolation. Disease, the foul offspring of its father, Satan, and its mother Sin, was defiling and destroying the earthly temples of God’s children and there was no deliverance.

There I sat with sorrow-bowed head for my afflicted people, until the bitter tears came to relieve my burning heart. Then I prayed for some message, and oh, how I longed to hear some words from Him Who wept and sorrowed for the suffering long ago, a Man of Sorrows and Sympathies. The words of the Holy Ghost inspired In Acts 10:38, stood before me all radiant with light, revealing Satan as the Defiler, and Christ as the Healer. My tears were wiped away, my heart strong, I saw the way of healing, and the door thereto was opened wide, so I said, “God help me now to preach the Word to all the dying around, and tell them how Satan still defiles, and Jesus still delivers, for He is just the same today.”

A loud ring and several raps at the outer door, a rush of feet, and there at my door stood two panting messengers who said, “Oh, come at once, Mary is dying; come and pray. “With just a feeling as a shepherd has who hears that his sheep are being torn from the fold by a cruel wolf, I rushed from my house, ran without my hat down the street, and entered the room of the dying maiden. There she lay groaning and grinding her clenched teeth in the agony of the conflict with the destroyer. The white froth, mingled with her blood, oozing from her pale and distorted mouth. I looked at her and then my anger burned. “Oh,” I thought, “for some sharp sword of heavenly temper keen to slay this cruel foe who is strangling that lovely maiden like an invisible serpent, tightening his deadly coils for a final victory.”

In a strange way, It came to pass; I found the sword I needed was in my hands, and in my hand I hold it still and never will I lay It down. The doctor, a good Christian man, was quietly walking up and down the room, sharing the mother’s pain and grief. Presently he stood at my side and said, “Sir, are not God’s ways mysterious?” Instantly the sword was flashed in my hand, the Spirit’s sword, the Word of God. “God’s way?!” I said, pointing to the scene of conflict, “How dare you call that God’s way of bringing His children home from earth to Heaven? No sir, that is the devil’s work and it is time we called on Him Who came to destroy the work of the devil, to slay that deadly foul destroyer, and to save this child. Can you pray, Doctor, can you pray the prayer of faith that saves the sick?” At once, offended at my words, my friend was changed, and saying,” You are too much excited, sir, it is best to say ‘God’s will be done,’” and he left the room.

Excited?! The word was quite inadequate for I was almost frenzied with divinely imparted anger and hatred of that foul destroyer, disease, which was doing Satan’s will. “It is not so,” I exclaimed, “no will of God sends such cruelty, and I shall never say ‘God’s will be done’ to Satan’s works, which God’s own Son came to destroy, and this is one of them.” Oh, how the Word of God was burning in my heart: “Jesus of Nazareth went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” And was not God with me? And was not Jesus there and all His promises true? I felt that it was even so, and turning to the mother I inquired,” Why did you send for me?” To which she answered, “Do pray, oh pray for her that God may raise her up.” So we prayed.

What did I say? It may be that I cannot recall the words without mistake, but words are in themselves of small importance. The prayer of faith may be a voiceless prayer, a simple heartfelt look of confidence into the face of Christ. At such moment, words are few, but they mean much, for God is looking at the heart. Still, I can remember much of that prayer unto this day, and asking God to aid, I will attempt to recall it. I cried, “Our Father, help! and Holy Spirit, teach me how to pray. Plead Thou for us, oh, Jesus, Savior, Healer, Friend, our Advocate with God the Father. Hear and heal, Eternal One! From all disease and death, deliver this sweet child of yours. I rest upon the Word. We claim the promise now. The Word is true, ‘I am the Lord that heals thee.’ Then heal her now. The Word is true, ‘I am the Lord, I change not.’ Unchanging God, then prove Yourself the healer now. The Word is true. ‘These signs shall follow them that believe in My Name, they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’ And I believe and I lay hands in Jesus’ Name on her and claim this promise now. Your Word is true. ‘The prayer of faith shall save the sick. Trusting in You alone. I cry. Oh, save her now, for Jesus’ sake. Amen!”

Then, the maid lay in sleep so deep and sweet that the mother asked in a low whisper, “Is she dead?” “No,” I answered, in a whisper lower still. “Mary will live; the fever is gone. She is perfectly well and sleeping as an infant sleeps.” I was smoothing the long dark hair from her now peaceful brow, and feeling the steady pulsation of her heart and cool moist hands. I saw that Christ had heard, and that once more, as long ago in Peter’s house, “He touched her and the fever left her.” Turning to the nurse, I said, “Get me at once, please, a cup of cocoa and several slices of bread and butter.” Beside the sleeping maid we sat quietly and almost silently until the nurse returned, and then I bent over her and snapping my fingers called, “Mary!”

Instantly she woke, smiled and said, “Oh, sir, when did you come? I have slept so long;” then stretching her arms out to meet her mother’s embrace, she said, “Mother, I feel so well.” “And hungry, too?” I asked, pouring some of the cocoa in a saucer and offering it to her when cooled by my breath. “Yes, hungry too,” she answered with a little laugh, and drank and ate again, and yet again until all was gone. In a few minutes, she fell asleep, breathing easily and softly. Quietly thanking God. We left her bed and went to the next room where her brother and sister also lay sick of the same fever. With these two, we prayed and they were healed too. The following day all three were well and in a week or so they brought me a little letter and a gift of gold, two sleeve links with my monogram, which I wore for many years. As I went away from the home where Christ as the Healer had been victorious, I could not but have somewhat in my heart of the triumphant song that rang through Heaven, and yet I was not a little amazed at my own strange doings, and still more at my discovery that He is just the same today.

Excerpt from the Sermons of John Alexander Dowie Champions of Faith by Gordon Lindsay

Comments

  1. Your Comment *this has really being a source of encouragement to me and Tue story about Dowei really teach me alot about his discovery on healing s.
    I ask how can i become an effective healing minister of God?

    1. I want to carry the Grace and the faith of John Alexander Zowie

  2. I am reading this article now after pastor in our morning prayers mentioned John Alexander Bowie in reference in his faith in Jesus healing power even in our present day.
    I have read his story and through all the comments herein and am really blessed and encouraged.
    In our present day believers are ravaged by various diseases cancer,HB,diabeticts etc…and as it we have witnessed enough deaths.
    When I read through John Alexander’s story my faith and hope for divine healing was ignited and fanned ,I know that Jesus will is for us to have life and have it in abundance.
    Sadly alot of us Christians we have accepted the attacks of the enemy the devil through sicknesses and diseases as God’s will(like the doctor in John’s story).Our so excited to learn that we need to have a holy anger and take dominion of the power vested unto us by our Lord Jesus Christ over all attacks of the enemy.

    Am encouraged and I will go to all the referenced materials to empower myself more.

  3. I liked your heading above about the mechanics of faith. I’m hearing the word “mechanical” when it comes to healing (probably heard it from Lake and Curry Blake). Curry has lots of books on Lake and Sumerall at the JGLM web site.

    I came to this site because I was looking for this story about Dowie. It seems he got results concerning healing although not being baptized in the Spirit (actually was against it). Power of the Word. But the baptism should take it to another higher level. I find myself back to the basics on praying in the Spirit.

    Really enjoy stories about Lake and Smith. We have the Holy Spirit too!

    1. Author

      Thanks, God bless you. Seek God, hear from Him, and then speak it out. God is good and we are growing in Him. Rex

  4. Hello i am joseph,nd am kinda new here,but the post nd comments here av relly blessed my life,i want to ask a question nd am directing it to tony..how can i grow more in my healing anointing?

    1. Hi Joseph, For Tony to see your post quickly you will need to reply to one of his comments below. Best to you.

      1. Hi Joseph,

        The greatest and fastest way to grow is by getting your mind renewed.Everything flows from the renewed mind.Doing the works of Jesus flows from the renewed mind and your personal relationship with him.Healing is who Jesus is.He is the author of Life.Everything was created by him and for him.(Hebrews) Go to awmi.net and click on “Audio Teachings” under “Audio”.You will see a series called “A Better Way To Pray” and another called “The Power of Faith Filled Words”.Get into these as fast as you can.You will learn more in a few hours than most do in a lifetime.Then healing will flow out of you to others very easily.

  5. Wow, I’ve read all comments and I’m glad in my spirit because I know that with God all things are possible.
    I was beginning to lose faith in divine healing but have been recharged to keep standing.
    Thanks to all that left a comment.

  6. Lesley, Thank you for sharing, but what are you trying to tell us? Pentecostal is bad/occult? Or Jesus doesn’t still heal today? I’m just not sure what your message is trying to tell us. Not to follow anything on John Alexander Dowie, or not to follow any of the beliefs of the pentecostal church? Thank you.

    1. Author

      Kristy – Sorry, I deleted the post. I believe they were tying the Pentecostal Church to the occult. I would not have it. Ever so often, we receive comments from people that believe that they are the only ones who are correct. They consider everybody else as being of the devil. It happened in the Gospels and it happens today.

      Dowie had a great ministry but he went really bad at the end. We have several books on our site, in our free books page, that go into great detail on the matter. He was great while in Chicago but started to go down when he moved his church and following to Zion IL. It was probably a combination of pride and being tired of the battle with Chicago’s leadership and crime organizations. Rex

      PS I really don’t mind comments that challenge our beliefs. I actually enjoy them, and the chance they offer to discuss the issues. Nobody has this all figured out as yet. But I don’t like obvious mean-spirited or accusatory comments.

      1. Thanks Rex, I appreciate you getting back to me and going into detail on Dowie. I would have never consider that, how one can start out so good (with this amazing epiphany and gift he had) then follow the wrong path. I will look for the books. I appreciate your transparency. Hope you are doing good.

        1. Author

          Kristy – Pride is a dangerous thing. At the end, Dowie fancied himself an Old Testament prophet. Along with pride, he had a questionable wife, financial stress, and of course, a full-on attack of deception from the devil. John G Lake and others lost a fortune because of it and had to leave him. Dowie was responsible for the healing of Lake’s sister which started his incredible walk in the Spirit and in the power of God.

          According to my read of the Bible, we are all able to fall, especially those that are mature and are responsible for the knowledge they have (Hebrews 6:1-8). Kenneth E. Hagin Sr. had a vision of Jesus (I know this freaks out many people. That’s okay.) where he asked Jesus about a very good minister that had fallen and rejected the faith. He expected a deep and long explanation. Instead, Jesus simply said, “He didn’t stay filled,” and left it at that. Enough said.

          I will send you a book that has that in it. It is one of my favorites. God bless you and stay filled! Rex

  7. This just came to me for you.
    Pull up “Your Great Name-Natalie Grant” on You Tube.
    Enjoy this with the Father as you sing the melody in your heavenly language.

    Tony

    1. Thank you Tony I will and I thank you for staying on this. I read all the bible verses you referenced today and listened to Jesus Culture. I haven’t listened to Andrew on spiritual dyslexia yet but will pursue that and the song you recommend. Blessings to you.

  8. You will all enjoy this testimony very much and it will bring you great revelation.

    I was at our local VA hospital just a few weeks ago ministering to the sick there and
    I saw a man that I know.He said to me, “I have to tell you what happened.Last time you were here the man you prayed over had a miraculous experience.He had a serious hip surgery.The very day after his surgery the doctors were dumbfounded.This man was dancing throughout the hallways with no pain at all.He had taken NO pain medication after the surgery.The doctors were speechless.”
    The fun part is he was telling me this story with another patient in front of us.I was able to minister healing to him and two others.The presence of our Father was tremendous.Living the commission Jesus gave us also keeps us in divine health because you are always reaping back what you have sown to others.I feel this all the time.Because you are releasing healing into those in need by your hands and words, it flows through your body also.It is very tangible.

    Tony

      1. I spoke over you when I first received the email.
        Our Jesus is in you, fixing whatever needs fixing.
        Have a great week.

        Tony

          1. One final thought to ponder.

            “Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is “Easy” and my burden is “Light”.- Jesus.
            It is as easy as Jesus says.His words must be Lord over your life.When his words become Lord you will experience him deeply.

            Tony

            1. Thank you Tony, this verse is so confusing to me and I have asked for revelation wisdom in many verses and every time I sit down to read my bible I ask for revelation wisdom into His word and to only allow me to read His word as He intended (because the bible has been translated so many different times for instance Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, KJV,,,,, then in the NIV Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence of things hoped for the assurance of things not seen. To me these are 2 totally different meanings. The first deals with physical matter while the other expresses like a noun description.

            2. You are very welcome.
              Andrew has a teaching called “Spiritual Dyslexia” that deals with
              exactly what you are talking about.It is under “God’s Kind Of Love: The Cure For What Ails Ya!” under “Audio Teachings” on his website.Give it a whirl.

              Tony

  9. What am I missing? I have been believing for healing, commanding healing for months in the name of Jesus, reading scripture aloud as though it were the weapon and the medicine for my body. What am I missing. I hear of so many instantaneous healings what am I missing??

    1. Hi Kristy,

      Here is the issue.You just need to rest and think about how loved you
      are by the Father.Read Jesus’s words in John 14 and 15.Then read Romans 8:11
      and understand that HE literally lives in you and heals your mortal body.That is what HE is saying in John 14 and Romans 8:11.He loves you and and HE lives in you.That is what makes healing manifest in your own body.You will see great manifestation.Put on a few worship songs by Jesus Culture (On YouTube) and you will feel the healing manifest.I see it all the time.Blessings.

      Tony

      1. Thank you so much Tony!! Glory to God for you answering me so quickly, so appreciated and needed at times. Bless you!

        1. Author

          Do it. Do all of it. Do all that you know to do, but do it in relaxed hopeful and expecting way, never in a striving sense. God loves you and He wants you healed. That is an established fact. You just need to find out how to get there and how to allow Him to do it. If there is something standing in the way, find out what it is. We sure love you, and we are with you. Rex

          1. Thank you for loving me and standing with me Rex. I am searching and asking God to remove and show me the obstacle. He has shown me so very much in the last 8 months but it really started 1.5 years ago a renewing of my mind, heart and wisdom in Him.

        2. You are very welcome.Rex does a great job keeping his website running well so people get everything they need.Praise to our Jesus.

          “The Favor of God on your life is HIS intentional bias towards you,
          in everything.He can look each one of us in the eye and say “You are my favorite”.
          We are favored in everything because we have been placed in Jesus.Everything Jesus is and has is our inheritance”- Graham Cooke

          Tony

          1. Thank you Tony, yes I am so very thankful for this sight!! And for you replying so quickly and caring so much! Glory to God for the understanding He imparts to others for them to share! Thank you.

    2. Author

      Kristy – Honestly, we don’t know the exact reason. It isn’t as easy and as pat as Anthony makes it out to be. Faith is based on hearing from God and hearing from God is based on a relationship with Him, which you have. It is also based on seeking Him and waiting on Him.

      Of course, I believe in speaking the Word of God, that is why we have so many articles on that subject. But I also believe in seeking Him and waiting on Him to speak to you. It is ‘usually’ the missing ingredient in hearing from God. Seeking and speaking not in a striving pushing sense, but one that patiently seeks and waits, knowing that at the right time the answer will come. Fasting can be good too. Again, I don’t know your answer. We love you and I believe that your will hear from God and He will open the eyes or your heart to the healing He wants to accomplish in your body and life.

      Go to our main page and start reading articles on waiting and seeking, and whatever jumps out at you. I believe God will speak the answer to you in Jesus Name. This also may help – Christian Survival Kit – Andrew Wommack. Rex

      1. Thank you Rex. I really appreciate you reaching out as well and giving me reference of good reading material. Thank you for the words of encouragement. It has been a journey and I have learned and unlearned so very much. I was raised a baptist and was saved and baptized as a baptist so thankful for that but I have always read the bible in a carnal way. God has turned on the light for me. But I read so much including Andrew Womack’s writing and understandings and even bought his book on healing and he too says healing should be instant. And with the miracle I receive in my hand that did come 3 days after God gave me better understanding of our mind and our words, but the healing is not complete except for the healing of removal of pain and tightness in my hand. That was instantly removed and the most heavenly experience I’ve ever known in my life. It was the true touch of God’s healing power and warm oil. Bless you and thank you!

  10. Wow! Amen! Great testimony? I am a born again believer. I believe that the lord can and will heal. I have seen him heal my son twice instantly! I do not understand why alot of times I pray for healing for myself , and am not healed. Does the word say that we should pray for our own healing? I pray for others alot. I believe i have the gift of intercensors prayer.

    1. You are very welcome sister.
      In regards to your own healing,
      here is how you do it.Go to Romans 8:11 and meditate in that verse.
      You literally release the Father into your flesh when you comprehend
      that he lives in you and “Heals your mortal body” as the verse says.I have done this for years.Also, you can read Jesus’s words in John 14 and 15 and it will release his healing in your body.Jesus’s words are Spirit and Life.It works wonderfully also to speak to the part of your body that needs healing and command it in Jesus’s name to be whole.All of these work great.The first healing I ever received was when my lower back was having problems.I commanded it to be whole in Jesus’s name and have never had a problem since.That was 7 years ago.

      Also, in regards to gifts, you have the fullness of the Godhead living in you bodily.
      You can read about this is Colossians 2 and 3.You have been given everything because HE lives in you.

  11. Me am anew born Christian but I was really inspired with this message. I have learnt how to use the power of God’ s word through my tongue. I pray God to help me learn more in Jesus name Amen. .

    1. Blessings on you too.
      “As Jesus is, so are we in THIS world” 1 John

      You will do these works also, because Jesus lives in you.
      Read John 14,15,16 daily.Jesus will speak to you personally
      and you will have wonderful encounters with him.

      Ps.This is also how we stay in his divine health.His words going into our minds and hearts are Spirit and Life.He also keeps us “Hidden” in him.Colossians 3-
      Nothing can harm you when you really understand that our Father has hidden us in Jesus.

      Anthony

      1. Thank you. I will do that.. I will taste and see the greatness and goodness of the Lord in this perspective…

  12. I have a wonderful new testimony that just came in this week that I thought you all would enjoy.

    Last week I was called to St.Lukes hospital here in Boise that I go to on a regular basis.A older woman was on some from of life support due to a terrible stroke.
    The doctor and the family were expecting her to die.As I politely pushed my way into the cramped ICU room, the family was in total fear and submitting themselves to what the doctor had told them.I put my hand on the patient’s hand and said “In Jesus name be healed and whole.You will live”.The son of this woman didn’t even want me to be there.As I walked out of the room I prayed and spoke over every patient.Then I left.

    Four days later I received a text message from my friend stating “Lou’s mother is ok now! Jesus healed her.Let’s give glory to Jesus.”

    Our words are very important.Jesus told us we will have what we say.Life and death is in the power of the tongue.So, even in the atmosphere of unbelief this woman was still healed.

    When we command in Jesus’s name, he takes hold of those words and brings manifestation.It is a simple 2 part process.We act in his name, he brings the result.
    Then our wonderful Father is glorified.

  13. Ancient of days.. As old as you are, you remain the same.
    We trust in you. May the same measure of grace abound unto us as we wait on you..
    Strengthen us o Lord, to move mountains of fear, disease, calamity and chaos.
    We trust in you.
    You are awesome… Indeed all power belongs to you..
    Father, increase our faith to move our individual mountains and more importantly, to tell the world that JESUS is Lord..
    Haleluia… Praise the Lord!!!

    1. Author

      Amayamoah – Wow, great comment and prayer. I agree with you in Jesus Name! Let us put the Word of God inside our hearts to open the ‘eyes of our understanding,’ and then let us open our mouths to speak faith and God’s blessing, power, and salvation into this world. We have been given ‘all things that pertain to life and godliness.’ God bless you and keep it up. Rex

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