Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic condition that primarily affects the spine, causing inflammation and, over time, leading to the fusion of the bones in the spine, resulting in a loss of flexibility. This condition, which can start to develop in teenagers or young adults, often begins to show symptoms and be diagnosed in a person’s 20s. It can be a painful and limiting disease that reduces mobility and affects the overall quality of life. However, as believers in Christ, we can turn to the Bible for comfort, hope, and the promise of healing, trusting that God is able to restore us in body, mind, and spirit.
The Promise of Healing in Scripture
The Bible is filled with promises of healing for those who trust in God and His Word. In the Old Testament, Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals, is revealed as the one who can heal both physical and spiritual afflictions. In Exodus 15:26, God declared, “I am the Lord who heals you.” This divine declaration assures us that healing is part of God’s nature and His plan for His people. Whether it is a chronic disease like ankylosing spondylitis or an acute condition, God is our Healer.
In the New Testament, Jesus, as the Healer, demonstrated God’s compassion by healing the sick and delivering people from various afflictions. Matthew 4:24 says, “And His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them.” Jesus’ healing ministry was a sign of God’s kingdom on earth, showing that God’s will is for His people to be made whole.
The Apostle Peter, in Acts 10:38, testified that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” Healing, then, is not just a temporary or isolated act but a demonstration of the goodness and power of God, and it is available to all who call upon Him in faith.
Faith and Healing: Believing Before Seeing
One of the essential elements in receiving healing, especially from chronic conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, is faith. Jesus repeatedly emphasized the importance of faith in receiving healing. In Matthew 9:29, He said, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Healing requires not only believing that God is able but also trusting that He is willing to heal.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In the case of chronic conditions, the symptoms may seem to persist for a long time, but faith in God’s promises can sustain us through the process. We must believe in God’s ability to heal even when we do not immediately see the results. In Mark 11:24, Jesus instructed His followers, saying, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” This verse reinforces the principle that faith must come before the manifestation of healing.
Healing from chronic diseases like ankylosing spondylitis may not always come instantly, but it is important to continue to stand on God’s Word, believing that His healing power is at work in our bodies. Isaiah 53:5 speaks of the ultimate healing that Jesus provided through His sacrifice on the cross, stating, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes, we are healed.” This passage reveals that healing is part of the redemptive work of Christ, and by His stripes, we can receive healing from physical ailments.
Healing Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
In the New Testament, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is closely linked to healing. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come to empower believers, and through the gifts of the Spirit, healing would be made manifest. In 1 Corinthians 12:9, Paul describes the gift of healing as one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit: “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.” This means that the Holy Spirit actively works in believers to bring about healing, and we are encouraged to receive healing through faith and prayer.
In Acts 3:6, when Peter and John encountered a man who had been lame from birth, Peter declared, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The man was healed instantly, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit to heal and restore. This same power is available to us today as we seek healing for chronic conditions like ankylosing spondylitis.
Resisting the Enemy of Sickness
Ankylosing spondylitis, like many chronic illnesses, can be seen as an attack on the body, often stemming from forces of darkness. The Bible teaches us that we are in a spiritual battle and that sickness can sometimes be a tool of the enemy. In Luke 10:19, Jesus gives believers authority over the works of the enemy: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” This authority extends to all forms of sickness and disease, including chronic conditions like ankylosing spondylitis.
James 4:7 instructs us to “submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” When we resist sickness, we are actively standing against the spiritual forces that seek to afflict our bodies. By using the authority given to us by Christ, we can declare healing over our bodies, trusting in His power to restore us.
Living in Expectation of Healing
As believers, we are called to live in expectation of healing. Even in the face of chronic illness, we must hold on to the hope that God’s will is for us to be whole. Romans 8:24-25 tells us, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” While we wait for the full manifestation of healing, we continue to trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness.
In Revelation 21:4, we are reminded of the ultimate healing that will come when Christ returns, and there will be no more sickness, pain, or suffering: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Conclusion
Healing from chronic conditions like ankylosing spondylitis is possible through faith in the power and promises of God. By standing firm in His Word, resisting the enemy, and relying on the healing power of the Holy Spirit, we can experience restoration in our bodies. We are not alone in our struggles, as God is with us, working in and through us to bring healing and wholeness. May we continue to trust in His ability to heal and restore, knowing that His will is for us to live in health and victory.
Join Me in a Prayer for Healing If you are looking for physical relief and a moment of spiritual peace, I invite you to pray along with me in this video. Let’s stand in faith together.
For more information on the symptoms of AS, exercises for flexibility, and the latest in medical management for spinal health, please visit the Mayo Clinic Guide to Ankylosing Spondylitis.
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Lorna and Tony will pray for your healing.
About the Authors:
Tony and Lorna Egar are dedicated Christians based in Brisbane, Australia.
With a heart for seeing the sick made whole.
Lorna moves in a gift of healing that isn’t confined to church walls; she has witnessed God’s power touch lives in supermarkets, city parks, and everyday street encounters.
Spiritual Encouragement & Medical Disclaimer The content on PrayerForFree.com is provided for spiritual support and encouragement purposes only. We believe in the power of prayer, but we also respect the medical profession. This post is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.