“Lord I have heard of your fame,
I stand in awe of your deeds.
O Lord renew them in our day.
In our time make them known.”
Habakkuk 3:3
One morning, last week during children’s camp, I was sharpening pencils for one of the small groups, when this African woman approached me and started talking with me. Her name was Octavia and she was one of the Librarians in the school which we were holding the camp. She first of all thanked me for being there and was so grateful we were loving the kids and having fun with them. She then began to ask questions about who we were and what we were doing in
South Africa. I shared with her what we were about and as soon as I mentioned that we were followers of Christ her face lit up. She was so excited that we were sharing “The Word of God” with the children. She too was a believer and loved the Lord.
We began to talk of spiritual things and we were able to encourage each other in our faith.
Before she left I asked her if there was anything I could pray with her about. She said that she had been experiencing chest pains as well as having trouble breathing, especially at night. She also felt a huge knot in her upper chest. She wanted me to pray for her healing. She also wanted me to pray for her relationship with God, that she would truly put Him first.
I have prayed for people to be healed before, but to my knowledge they have not been healed. To be honest, in the past I really have not prayed for healing with much conviction or authority. I believed it happened, I had heard stories, but as far as my faith went I am not quite sure what was holding me back. When people ask me to pray for them, right before I would go to pray, I quick run through my head what I wanted to say. As soon as she told me what she wanted prayer for a total peace fell over me, and my mind was clear, all forms or attempts to scramble for what to say disappeared.
I placed my hand on her shoulder and instead of words there was silence and peace, then the words just began to flow. I knew it had nothing to do with me. I knew the words were not mine. I do not even remember what I said.
As I was praying for her I felt that I should put my hand under her throat on her chest (By the way a little tip – I should probably have asked her if I could move my hand – I knew she was ok with it but I think it took her by surprise – but I really did not think about that I just did it)
After we were done praying she said that the knot in her chest was gone, and her once raspy voice spoke to me clearly. I went to visit her the next day and she said that she had slept through the night, which she has not been able to do for some time! She was healed!
We do not need to force or make ministry happen.
God brings it to us often when doing simple unspiritual things – even when sharpening a pencil
side note: I did happen to take three pictures of Octavia, which have all seamed to have disappeared. My lack of a picture almost stopped me from posting this blog. Then I thought how silly that was – but I shall post a picture as soon as it turns up!
