Everyone knows someone who is sick, worn out, or carrying something that has not gone away. So the question of whether God still heals is not abstract. It is the question people bring to church at the worst moments of their lives. Here is where we stand at Catch The Fire Boulder, and what happens when we pray for people.
What do we believe about healing?
One of the statements on our What We Believe page is called Complete Healing. It says that Christ's work on the cross, including the wounds from the whipping post, provides healing for the body as well as salvation for the soul.
That line comes from how we read passages like Isaiah 53:5, "by his wounds we are healed," and 1 Peter 2:24, which echoes it. We read those verses as a promise that reaches the whole person, not just a spiritual part of us.
Our vision page says something similar about the heart side of this. Every believer is called to freedom, identity, wholeness and healing through the Father's love. Physical healing and inner healing sit side by side in how we think about it.
What does healing prayer look like on a Sunday?
It is simpler than most people expect. After every Sunday service, a prayer team is at the front. You do not need to sign up, and you do not need the right words. You walk up, tell someone what you are facing, and they pray with you.
People ask for prayer for all kinds of things: a health diagnosis, grief, a relationship that is falling apart, anxiety that will not quiet down. If you are not sure whether your need is "big enough" for prayer, it is. Ask.
Do we anoint with oil?
Yes. Our beliefs page says the Holy Spirit ministers to the church through elders anointing with oil. That follows James 5:14, which says that when someone is sick they should call for the elders of the church, who pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
If you would like to request that, tell the prayer team on Sunday or reach out ahead of time at steve@ctfboulder.com or (720) 651-1152.
Where else can I find prayer during the week?
We also pray together before our Sunday service. Open prayer starts at 8:45am, and anyone is welcome. On Fridays from 6:30 to 8:00pm, we gather at The Engine for corporate prayer and worship. You do not need any experience, and no one is expected to pray out loud. You can read more about that night in our guide to prayer and worship in Lafayette.
Our Sunday message on The Healing Water: Why Your Healing Is in Jesus Alone goes deeper into the teaching behind all of this.
A word on doctors and medicine
Praying for healing is not a replacement for medical care. If you are sick, please keep seeing your doctor and following their guidance. We pray for people alongside that, not instead of it, and we cannot promise any specific outcome for any person.
Common questions
Does Catch The Fire Boulder believe God still heals today?
Yes. Our statement of beliefs says Christ's work on the cross provides healing for the body as well as salvation for the soul. We pray for people to be healed after every Sunday service and trust God with the outcome in each case.
Can I get prayer for healing without being a member?
Yes. The prayer team at the front after every Sunday service is open to anyone, member or not. You can walk up, share what you are facing, and ask someone to pray with you. No sign-up or special language is needed.
What is anointing with oil?
Anointing with oil is a practice described in James 5:14 where church elders pray over a sick person and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. Our beliefs page lists it as one way the Holy Spirit ministers to the church.
Come get prayer this Sunday
If you or someone you love needs prayer, we would be glad to pray with you. Join us Sunday at 10am at 700 W. South Boulder Rd. in Lafayette, CO. Plan your visit or contact us any time at steve@ctfboulder.com.
