This month we’re talking about miracles, stories of seeing the power of God in supernatural ways.
Gretchen Mandel of 2015 U Squad was nervous, even doubtful, of praying for someone to be healed. She was certain she wasn’t mature enough in her faith for God to use her prayers. So when God healed an elderly woman while Gretchen was praying for her, she was blown away.
I’ll be honest — a year ago I was still very skeptical about the power of praying for healing. In fact, I still battle thoughts that make me wonder, thoughts that sometimes flirt with doubt and cynicism.
Then something happened in India that changed everything.
As I walked my sleep deprived and sick body into our fourth medical crusade across northeastern India, I had a nervous pit in my stomach.
I don’t know exactly why, but I was actually anxious about the prayer room.
Maybe it was because praying over the sick carries a lot of weight. Maybe it was because I didn’t deeply believe in the power of my prayers. Whatever it was, it wasn’t long before I found myself in a red plastic chair, holding a hot cup of milk tea and clutching my Bible with a death grip, waiting to pray healing over someone.
My mind swirled. God, can you show me what healing looks like? Will you show me how to pray boldly for You and Your glory? Please, Jesus, I have no clue what I’m doing here.
God reminded me of what He’d been speaking to me lately, of how His Holy Spirit is already with me and how I have the choice to ask Him to speak to and minister through me.
Minutes later, an 80-year-old woman hobbled into the room. She was the second person I prayed for and I’ll never forget her.
Gripping her wooden cane for balance, she lowered herself into the chair across from me. I looked into her dark, aged eyes, framed with soft and gentle wrinkles. She was beautiful. Through a translator, I asked her about her pain. “Knee pain from falling while walking her cows,” she said.
My next question was the most important: “Do you believe in Jesus and do you believe He can heal you?” The translator gently asked, then learned back over the arm of my chair with her answer:
“Yes. She believes in Jesus deeply. She does not want medicine. She wants the power of prayer. She wants you to help pray for her healing. She believes Jesus will heal her.”
I looked deep into her eyes as I placed my hands on her knees, almost as if I were saying, “We are going to do this together, the three of us.” Seconds flashed by, and her delicate yet strong hands landed on top of mine, making my heart feel like I was praying for my sister.
Bowing my head, taking a deep breath, agreeing to step into an unknown land, I started talking with God.
*Photo by Pat Stiller.
I can’t describe exactly what happened over the next few minutes, but I do know I have never prayed like that before in my life.
As I closed with “Amen,” I slowly lifted my head to meet her eyes and asked if she felt any relief.
“She is saying that she feels a cooling sensation slowly relieving her pain.”
Excited, I looked over at my teammate Danny. I think I almost screamed at him, asking him to join me in prayer. I looked back at the woman and said, “We aren’t done. We’re praying again. Jesus isn’t finished.”
I laid my hand on her knee and she placed hers on mine again. Danny placed his hand on hers, she put her free hand on his, and I grasped her hand on top of them all. Picture a hand sandwich, triple decker style.
My head dropped once more as I petitioned the Father on her behalf. It became an out-of-body experience. I felt as though the Spirit inside of me stepped up to the mic and my flesh took a seat. Through prayer I felt the rush and tingles of God’s presence over and in me — predominantly in my hands.
Once more, I lifted my head and met her eyes. This time, tears ran down her face. Then I heard the translator’s words:
“She says she feels no pain. She is crying because of Jesus’ presence.”
As I write this, I am still amazed at my experience. I have never been part of a healing with the Holy Spirit, and to be honest, I didn’t think I would be until later in life. I had assumed I needed much more maturity in the Spirit before I was ever a part of that realm.
I am still amazed that Jesus would use me like that. And I want to tell everyone reading this that it’s real. God is real, and He is present in every moment.
You don’t have to be a world traveling missionary, a theologian, a priest, or a famous author to reach into the supernatural. You can be yourself, in your hometown, spending time with your family or missional community, and tap into a realm that brings you closer to God’s heart.
That’s one of the biggest mysteries of the kingdom: that God chooses — and wants — to use us for His glory.
*photo by Lyndi Stucky
Are you ready to see and experience God’s power at work around the world? Click HERE to find out more about going on the World Race in Fall 2016!
