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“What's A Healing Service?” Part 2
“I don’t know whether he (Jesus) is
a sinner but I know this: I was blind and now I can see!” (Jesus
healing the blind man… John 9:25)
Last
time, I utilized the story of Jesus healing a blind
man and receiving criticism instead of gratitude to write about a healing
service I attended that seemed to offer miracles but left me with more
questions than answers. Are special services necessary for God to heal? How
did the preacher know so much about me? Was the woman healed of a blood
disorder simply because hands were placed on her? Did Jesus really heal the
blind man? What about those who are not healed? Are there other, less dramatic
ways we can be involved in a healing ministry?
For years, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy as a
pastor and Christian. Should I be leading healing services? Could God heal
others through me? In other words, why was I so afraid to take action? So
recently, along with several leaders of our church, we began to look into the
miracle of God’s healing. Our first Step was to study scripture. Here are a
few clear examples:
1.
God heals. “He
forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases…” (Psalm
103.3)
2.
Jesus heals. “…and
he (Jesus) healed all the sick.” (Matthew 8:17)
3.
The disciples heal. “Then
he (Jesus) sent them out… to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:2)
4.
We can heal.
“Are
any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them
pray… and their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick.” (Ja.
5:14-15)
Step two: Several months ago we invited leaders from
another church to talk about their healing ministry. They emphasized that as
Christians we are already deeply involved in God’s miracle of healing. Every
time we visit someone in need, send a card, deliver a basket of food, bake a
cake, offer a prayer or simply share a conversation over a soothing cup of
coffee we are offering God’s miracle of healing. We could stop feeling
inadequate and start learning how to improve.
“Jesus went to the blind man and
asked, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ The man answered, ‘Who is he,
sir, because I would like to.’ Jesus said, ‘You have seen him and he is
speaking to you!’ The blind man responded, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe!’ And
he worshiped Jesus.” (John
9:35-39)
After months of preparation and
prayer our church and I reached a critical turning point.
During Sunday worship, I shared what our leadership had discovered and how we
hoped to expand our healing ministry in several spiritual and practical
directions. At the end of the service, several leaders stood with me as we
offered the opportunity for anyone who needed healing to come forward and we
would pray with them. For the longest moment, nothing happened…
Then the miracle of God’s healing
began. First
one woman needed help in dealing with Osteoporosis. Right behind her was
another person suffering from chronic back problems. One man confessed an
addiction and asked for help. The line grew as we gathered around each person,
heard his/her request and took turns offering prayers to God. The recorded
music stopped and for several minutes, all you heard were sounds of people
sobbing and praying. In thirteen years of ministry, I never before witnessed
such a spiritual and emotional outpouring.
Over the next few days, several who came forward told me
of dramatic changes and yes… even miracles! Understanding and believing
the miracle of God’s healing was a critical turning point in my life and
the ministry of our church. Have I successfully answered all the questions
and concerns about healing? Of course not! But like the healed blind man, I
can now emphatically say to Jesus and to you… “Yes
Lord, I believe! I was blind and now I can see!”
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