God Heals: Eight Keys to Defeat Sickness and Receive Divine Healing

Pastor Steve Austin provides a great battle plan to defeat sickness and receive divine healing based on God’s Word and Steve’s 25 years of experience ministering to the sick in the largest medical center in the world. This book is a must for anyone seeking to reclaim their health!

Lisa Osteen Comes, associate pastor, Lakewood Church

"Steve Austin has offered a beautiful expression of hope in his new book, God Heals. His ability to bring prayer, faith, and healing together in ways that can help the reader find peace through God’s healing touch is truly special. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ."

Ken Carlson, MDiv, director of mission and spiritual care, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Houston

"Although the ministry of healing occurs continually through Jesus in the Gospels and again through the apostles in the book of Acts, the modern church today in Western countries has largely ignored it. Thankfully, God has raised up men like Steve Austin to reestablish the ministry of healing in the body of Christ. The church is doubly blind to its need, because it is sick but has little faith to seek Jehovah Rapha for its healing. I believe that as you read God Heals, your faith will soar and you will find that God is your healer, no matter what your condition."

Joan Hunter, author and evangelist; TV host, Miracles Happen

"God Heals will help you claim the inheritance of your healing that is—and always has been—rightfully yours. With a conversational approach and an open heart, Pastor Steve makes it easy to understand that God is willing, able, and ready to heal anyone who needs it. I urge you to read this book with faith and expectation, because I know that God is still healing today."

Apostle Guillermo Maldonado, King Jesus International Ministry

This book will bless you tremendously. Steve Austin is brilliant and knows how to pray for sick people. He visits hospitals daily and sees many miracles. I’m so glad he wrote it to help others. I salute him.

Dodie Osteen, cofounder, Lakewood Church

"As a physician, I recommend God Heals as an invaluable resource for anyone facing illness or disease. The principles taught in this book have the power to unlock God’s healing power in your life."

Paul Osteen, MD

The positive messaging that Pastor Steve offers is uplifting and hope filled. I appreciate his practical approach to ministry that leads to spiritual healing. I found his transparency and clarity helpful to those who read this book as a way to move toward transformation and empowerment! Absolutely loved it!

Carla Price, elder, United Methodist Church; manager of pastoral care for a major academic medical center

© 2023 by Stephen Austin

Published by Chosen Books

Minneapolis, Minnesota

www.chosenbooks.com

Chosen Books is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Ebook edition created 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4934-3930-0

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified AMP are from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations identified AMPC are from the Amplified® Bible (AMPC), copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations identified CEB are from the Common English Bible. © Copyright 2011 by the Common English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified CEV are from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified CSB are from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations identified ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016

Scripture quotations identified KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations identified KJ2000 are from the King James 2000 Bible, copyright © Doctor of Theology Robert A. Couric 2000, 2003. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations identified NASB are taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Scripture quotations identified NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations identified NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Any italics in quoted material is emphasis added by the author.

Some identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals mentioned in this book.

This publication is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed. Readers should consult their personal health professionals before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it. The author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained in this book.

Author represented by Dupree/Miller & Associates

Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.

This book is dedicated to everyone who needs healing in their body or soul, their families, and the health-care professionals who work tirelessly to help them heal. God is with you!

Contents

Cover

Endorsements    1

Half Title Page    3

Title Page    5

Copyright Page    6

Dedication    7

Foreword by Joel Osteen    11

Acknowledgments    13

Introduction    15

1 KEY 1: God Is a Healer    23

2 KEY 2: Unleashing the Power of Faith    41

3 KEY 3: Miracle in Your Mouth    61

4 KEY 4: Prayer That Works    81

5 KEY 5: Praise Precedes the Victory    109

6 KEY 6: Healing the Soul    133

7 KEY 7: Winning the Invisible Battle    151

8 KEY 8: Taking Care of Your Temple    169

9 The Jesus School of Healing    189

10 Faith Builders    207

Notes    217

About the Author     221

Back Cover    223

Foreword

LAKEWOOD CHURCH IS LOCATED less than five miles from the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. Over the years, thousands of medical patients from around the world and their families have come to Lakewood for prayer and encouragement. Many, if not most, have an unfavorable doctor’s report and oftentimes feel as if there is little hope. I encourage them to have faith, pray often, and believe their healing is coming. I’m telling you what I tell each of them: God can show up in an instant and change everything for you.

There are many biblical stories where the heroes of faith believed God for a victory and did not waver from that belief. They spoke words of victory and praised God for it even before they saw it. They viewed their battle through eyes of faith and spoke words of triumph even when others around them spoke defeat. They didn’t listen to the naysayers or focus on their trouble, but instead focused on the One who is bigger than the danger they faced: Jehovah Rapha—God, their Healer.

Almost all of us will face a life-threatening situation, such as a medical condition or disease. It is how we respond to it that makes the greatest difference. That is why I think this book, God Heals, by my friend Steve Austin is important. Steve is a valuable member of our staff at Lakewood and has a heart for those facing illness. He has helped thousands of people over the years, and I can think of no one better to author this book.

God Heals is well written, easy to read, and expertly organized. Steve helps you to believe that God is your Healer, and to understand the significance of your faith and how it affects the words you speak and the prayers you pray. This book will help you to appreciate the power found in praise and equip you with God’s promises as you persevere.

I encourage you to dig deeply into God’s Word as you confront your challenges, and to seek out those who speak God’s promises into your life. Steve is such a person. Read each page of God Heals with anticipation and an open heart and allow this book to speak the healing Word of God into your life. God bless you.

Joel Osteen

Acknowledgments

NO ONE DOES ANYTHING GREAT in life without the help of many people. I want to acknowledge and give my deepest thanks to some of the people who made this book possible.

To Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior: Thank You for saving me, loving me unconditionally, and seeing the best in me. Apart from You, I can do nothing. I give You all praise, glory, and honor.

To Suzie, my amazing Proverbs 31 wife: Thank you for your unfailing love and constant support and encouragement. Besides Jesus, you are my greatest blessing and the wind beneath my wings.

To my precious daughters, Lindsey and Lauren: You are unique and wonderful masterpieces. I am so proud of you and honored to be your dad. Thank you for always loving me and cheering me on.

To my mother, Sandy, who is with Jesus: Thank you for being the most loving, supportive mother imaginable and a great role model. You will always be in my heart and inspire me.

To my pastors, Joel and Victoria Osteen: Thank you for your love and support for 23 years, for being such amazing role models, and for the treasures of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration you have poured into me. I wouldn’t be who I am today without your influence.

To Shannon Marvin: Thank you not only for being the best agent on the planet, but for being a friend. I am beyond grateful for your skillful representation, wisdom, and guidance that made this process so easy and positioned God Heals to impact maximum lives. Thank you to the rest of the team at Dupree/Miller, all of whom were amazing and such a joy to work with.

To Kim Bangs: Thank you for believing in me, seeing the value of this book, and being the best editor I could possibly have had. God Heals would not be what it is without your leadership and wisdom. I am forever grateful! Thank you to Natasha Sperling, Dan Pitts, Deirdre Close, Rebecca Schriner, Mycah Gavic, and the rest of the team at Baker Publishing. I can’t express in words how wonderful you were to work with and how much I appreciate the excellent work you put into this project. You are the best!

To Mama Dodie Osteen, a living legend: Thank you for being one of the greatest examples of Christlike love and compassion. You are an incredible inspiration to me.

To Misty Gonzalez: Thank you for your loving friendship. This book would not be what it is without your contribution.

To Janet McCauley: Thank you for your support that made this book possible.

Introduction

I’VE HEARD IT SAID that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to what happens to us. Sickness may have happened to you or your loved one, but I want to help you respond in a way that will help you win the battle. The eight keys I share in this book are based on the Word of God—which never fails—and 25 years of experience ministering to thousands of sick people in the largest medical center in the world (the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas).

Chapters 1 through 8 focus on these keys: (1) knowing God as Healer, (2) unleashing the power of faith, (3) utilizing the miracle in your mouth, (4) praying prayers that work, (5) praise preceding the victory, (6) healing your soul, (7) winning the invisible battle, and (8) taking care of your temple.

Although I can’t guarantee results, these keys have worked for countless people. The apostle Paul wrote, Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air (1 Corinthians 9:26). With these keys, you won’t fight your sickness as one who beats the air. You will be equipped to win.

Getting diagnosed with a serious medical condition can bring sudden and dramatic changes to a person’s life. They get thrown into a spin cycle of doctors’ visits, tests, treatments, and hospital stays, often fighting for their very lives. Many patients have told me they feel like they’re on a roller coaster. In the midst of this upheaval and turmoil, even the strongest Christians can lose their spiritual footing. Many are also separated from their normal support system and don’t receive adequate spiritual care. The Scripture says, The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness (Proverbs 18:14). You have to be proactive about keeping your spirit strong. This book is designed to help you do just that. I have included healing Scriptures, prayers, daily declarations, and many real-life testimonies to strengthen your spirit, encourage your faith, and help you reclaim your health.

Get Your Hopes Up!

I have been in the trenches with countless patients and their families, and I know how rough battling a serious illness can be. Maybe you started out with a lot of hope, but you or your loved one has been sick for a while, you feel battle weary, and your hope is hanging on by a thread. I want to stir you up again to believe God for your miracle. No matter what your situation looks like, no matter what the doctors told you or what you read on Google about your condition, there is always hope with God. He is the God of all hope (Romans 15:13). He has all power. He can do the impossible. He spoke worlds into existence, parted the Red Sea, and raised Jesus from the dead. The Scripture says, He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles (Job 9:10 NLT).

Your situation is never hopeless with God. It’s not too big for Him. It’s not too far gone. It’s not too late. One touch from God can change everything. You are God’s child, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He wants the best for you. He wants you healthy. If God was done with you, He would have already taken you home. As long as you have breath in your lungs, God has a purpose for your life. The doctors don’t have the final say; God does. Nothing is over until God says it’s over. Get your hopes up! Dare to believe God! Zechariah 9:12 says, Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Don’t be a prisoner of negativity, doubt, or fear. Be a prisoner of hope.

That medical condition may look big and scary, but our God is bigger and stronger. That sickness may look like it has power over you, but God has all power. It may look like you are surrounded by sickness and challenges, but God is surrounding what is surrounding you. You may not see a way, but God always has a way. Hope in Him!

Having hope is how you release your faith. The Scripture says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for" (Hebrews 11:1). You can’t have faith without first having hope. Hope is the oxygen of faith. It is more than just wishing. It is a confident expectation. Do you confidently expect God to heal you? If you don’t now, I believe you will after reading this book.

Hope also means having a positive attitude. As I interviewed many people for this book who received healing from cancer and other diseases, almost everyone said the number one thing they would tell people battling an illness is Stay positive. No matter what you are facing, you can decide today to be positive and hopeful, knowing that God is on the throne and has you in the palm of His hand.

God Is with You

As you journey toward your healing, you may not always feel God. You may not be able to figure out what He’s up to. I’ve learned that God works the most when we see and feel Him the least. That’s what faith is all about. If you can see it, feel it, or figure it out, you don’t need faith. You may wonder at times if God even sees what you are going through or cares. Let me assure you that God cares about you more than you can comprehend. You are His beloved child. His eyes are always on you, and He is with you every step of the way. You are not in this battle alone.

The Scripture says God will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). In Psalm 23:4 (NLT), David said, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. We all walk through some valleys, but God is close beside us in the valleys of life. His rod and staff protect and comfort us. After this verse about walking through a valley, the next verse says, You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies" (Psalm 23:5). God has a table prepared for you on the other side of this sickness. It’s a table of health, freedom, and victory!

Jesus said, My Father is always working (John 5:17 NLT). God is always working for His children. The Scripture says He never sleeps nor slumbers