First, A Word From Our Author

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet it
• Pin it
• Email

Just A Note Before Our Program Begins …

Hello friends! Please forgive me for not keeping up with my articles! Although I haven’t been writing on the blog, I HAVE been writing. I have one chapter to go on my book before it goes for editing! A lot happened in 2019 that turned my world upside down (in good and not so good ways) and I’m seeing 2020 as a year of recalibration! I hope you notice I’ve canceled the ads on my blog. It simply wasn’t’ worth the irritation of seeing weird ads pop up on my page! I do mean weird. Please be sure to subscribe or re-subscribe to my email list so you’ll stay informed of the latest news and PLEASE recommend and share my blog on your social media. There are share buttons at the beginning of each article (just scroll up).

Sorry Not Sorry (Kind Of)

I work fairly hard at not being offensive. I mean I don’t usually offend people intentionally. Unfortunately, the number of times I’ve been unintentionally offensive is another matter. Today, I’m pretty sure I will offend some folks with what I’m about to say but this has really been on my mind.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Following Bert’s death, I’ve been so much more aware of how loving and healing are tied together. Probably because he submitted to so much prayer as we fought for healing. As painful as it was to have to be on the receiving side, it was also very enlightening. Far too many times I watched him become a project – an accomplishment per se – to the person doing the healing.

How Long Is Too Long?

How long should we pray for healing? I love this one response, “Until they are healed, or until they want to stop, or until the Holy Spirit says stop.” In other words, we should be sensitive to two people – the patient and the Holy Spirit. While we are hungry for people to feel God’s love expressed through healing, I think we should remember the point is to make them feel loved as they are healed. I have known folks in their zealousness to see healing happen completely ignore the discomfort or embarrassment of the people receiving prayer.

On A Scale Of 1 To 10

“What is your pain level now?” is a great way to measure the degree of healing that’s happened. Unfortunately, it can also become a catalyst for performance by the recipient in order to escape the well meaning but insensitive healer. I’m not suggesting we give up easily. However, I think it’s important to take the time to explain to people why we’re persisting. It’s also important to remind them God loves them and wants to see them healed. We must care as much about their emotional response as their physical response because the most important thing (to me) is that they encounter God’s love as they are healed.

Is It Either / Or?

I don’t think we have to sacrifice one for the other. I’ve found if I take the time to reassure the patient, explain what I’m doing or why I’m continuing, most people are happy to hang in there for healing. Unfortunately, sometimes persistence begins to feel more like belligerence and it fails to convey value for the person receiving prayer. When healing doesn’t happen, it can make you believe something is wrong with you, you’re not worthy or God doesn’t love you. These mindsets can effectively shut you down and keep you from receiving his healing which means your persistence has now become a hindrance to the healing you’re contending for.

Why We Do What We Do

I also believe keeping love in the forefront keeps us humble. I try to ask myself “Do I love this person?” before I minister healing. I do it to remind myself of WHY I’m ministering healing. To remind myself of why Jesus healed. Love. He loved those he encountered. He felt compassion for them. He wanted them to experience wholeness and freedom from the degradation of disease. He didn’t see them as another chance to exhibit his great anointing. They were not future testimony opportunities. They were people worth stopping for.

I Dare You To Heal Me

I confess, there have been times I pressed in even though I could see the desire to escape in the eyes of my victim, er, I mean patient. I just knew if I prayed enough they would be healed. Unfortunately, that look in their eyes would often change from wanting to escape to a firm determination to not get healed. The resentment of being held captive overruled their desire to be healed. They aren’t likely to say yes to the next prayer minister who approaches them.

We Haven’t Arrived Yet

Seriously, it is so important to take the time to love as we pray because we haven’t come so far in revival that everyone gets healed. I’ve only heard one person claim 100% healing rate but I’ve never witnessed it. If I put love in my prayer, the recipient is less likely to walk away feeling like a failure. Feeling loved inspires hope. Hope is the seed bed of faith. And faith will be more apt to believe “I’m one prayer closer to my breakthrough.”

What Do You Think?

Have you ever been someone’s project? A notch on the ol’ gun belt? Another soul saved, another leg healed, and on to the next? Or has the determined persistence of some believer brought breakthrough for you? Please share your thoughts and experiences with us.

Prayer Matters

I’m praying for increased awareness and sensitivity to what God wants to do in difficult circumstances. I’m also praying to have eyes that see people, not projects. What are you praying for? How can I partner with you?

Thanks for reading my blog. What about you? What are you praying for? Share by commenting or you can contact me privately with any prayer concerns at pastorn1975@gmail.com .

Please recommend and share my blog on your social media. There are share buttons at the beginning of each article. You can also subscribe for email notifications of new articles to stay updated. Blessings!