Healing, a subject I never want to speak about. I have little faith sometimes. I question the core of my trust in the Lord when subjects like healing, casting out demons, and the power of the Holy Spirit are brought to light. Healing is something that requires full trust in Biblical teaching as well as trust in the Lord. It’s easier to be comfortable in it and say “I don’t believe it’s needed anymore.” “Healing was only needed back in the day when medication didn’t exist.” I said that line a lot before now.
I look around at the people I pray for here in Nicaragua and healing is very needed. On some days while going through the villages and neighborhoods I feel like crying. It’s not fair… really… The way these people have to live and the sickness they have… It isn’t fair.
The way she earned money was by digging through the trash of Nicaragua. An older woman, hair all bundled on the top of her head, body with heavy curves from the motherhood of a rather large family, owned a small house. She saw us praying and called out from her yard to us. We walked down a dirt path in the scorching heat to the house. The house looked more like the blanket forts I made as a kid than the shack it was meant to be. My eyes frantically searched the structure of her home for some sign of hope and security. She had nothing to keep her safe. No doors, leaky roof, gaps, and holes where anything or any person could invade.
My contact Scott, from REAP Granada, asked how they were doing and if they had been able afford food. She answered in Spanish that she didn’t get to eat much. My eyes kept looking at her home. Questions of “How is this fair?” rolled through my head like endless waves on a shore. I’ve been struggling with that question since I landed in Central America two months ago. Injustice is slamming my reality of the world and pulling me into a rip tide.
Scott then asked how she was feeling health wise. Sick, for a long while, with liver pain. She explained the pain as excruciating. Scott asked if she would allow us to pray. The answer was welcoming and so me and my team gathered around.
I put my hands on her shoulder and began to bow my head when Scott forcefully grabbed my hand and placed in right over the area her liver. “Put your hands on her liver.” My hand was there and everyone else placed their hands elsewhere. My brain came to a screeching halt. The gap of time between my hand resting on this older woman’s failing body and our prayer became a serious battle. It went something like this.
My doubts…
” I don’t want to be a healer God.”
“No, no, no, don’t make me pray for the sick.”
” I hate sickness”
” Stop”
“Why did you make me a healer?”
“Sickness isn’t fair”
“Is this real?”
” I think I might throw up.”
Then I felt it, something I felt the day before when praying for a woman with diabetes and the feeling that passes over me right before someone confesses they want to accept the Lord. A strange wind like feeling that passes over my shoulders, whispers in my ears, and goes before me. It doesn’t sound like wind, but wind is the best way to describe the noise.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Then I hear The Lord say something like…
“The spirit is here to work through you.”
“Pray in authority Devon.”
Peace washed over me as I prayed for the woman.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
After we were done the woman who had been in a year of pain looked at Scott and said she didn’t hurt. Scott asked several times if she was telling the truth and she confessed she truly was. The pain had left. She had been healed by the power of God…
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
