Do you confidently and boldly believe that Jesus commissioned us to heal the sick? Do you believe that He has imparted to you the power for you to be able to do such amazing and unfathomable things?
I’ll be honest, a year ago I was still very skeptical over the power of healing. In fact, I still battle thoughts that make me wonder; that flirt with doubt and cynicism.
As I walked my sleep deprived and sick body into our forth medical crusade across northeastern India, I had a nervous pit in my stomach that I was going to start the morning off praying in the prayer room. I don’t know why I was 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. I’m not quite sure what it was, but it wasn’t long before I found myself taking a seat in a red plastic chair, with a hot cup of milk tea in one hand and the other death gripping my bible in hopes to find some encouragement before I laid my hands on anyone.
My brain was swirling with thoughts; “God, can you show me what healing looks like? Can you show me how to pray boldly for You and Your glory? Please, Jesus, I have no clue what the crap I’m doing here”.
My mind then jumped into another thought bubble. I have been reading Bill Johnson’s book, Hosting the Presence. The day prior I had read about how God split open heaven 3 times; once when Jesus was baptized by John, when the curtain tore at His death, and finally the rocks splitting at His death. Johnson goes into an explanation about how God has already given us His most treasured gift; His Holy Spirit. We are allowed to ask for more because there is so much more to offer. In a broad and vague explanation it is concluded that we are responsible for stewarding the Spirit that we have been given. We are in charge of stepping into different realms with Jesus and His Holy Spirit. He is already here with us; Heaven is open for us to access through the Holy Spirit. (read Hosting the Presence, by Bill Johnson for more description on this idea).
Anywho, I was reminded of this new idea minutes before an 80 year old woman hobbled into the room. She was the second person I had prayed for and I’ll never forget her. As she gripped her wooden cane for balance, lowering herself into the chair across from me, I looked into her dark, aged eyes framed with soft and gentle wrinkles, showing for all of the life that she had walked through. She was beautiful. I asked the translator to please ask her what pain she was experiencing. “Knee pain from falling while walking her cows”. My next question was the most important; “do you believe in Jesus and do you believe that He can heal you?” Again the translator gently asked the woman my blunt question. After listening to foreign lyrics being exchanged, the translator leans back over onto the arm of my chair, and says “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.”
Hallelujah!!! 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.
I can’t describe exactly what happened over the next few minutes, but what I do know is that I have never prayed like that before in my life.
As I closed with Amen, I slowly lifted my head to meet with her eyes and asked if she felt any kind of relief.
“She is saying that she feels a cooling sensation, that is slowly relieving her pain.”
Umm what?!?! I flipped out with excitement!!! Frantically, I looked to my left and my team mate Danny happened to be available. I think I almost screamed at him, asking him to join me in prayer. I eagerly explained what was going on and he jumped on board with excitement! I looked back at the woman and said, “we aren’t done. We’re praying again. Jesus isn’t finished.”
Again, I laid my hand on her knee, she met me there again, and Danny placed his hand on top of hers, she then placed her empty hand on his and lastly I grasped her hand. Try to picture a hand sandwich, triple decker style.
My head dropped once more as I partitioned for her. 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. Conversation to the Heavenly Father flowing sweetly, I felt the rush and tingles of His presence over and in me – predominantly in my hands, where three humans laid, believing that there was more.
Once more, I lifted my head and my eyes were met by hers. But this time, she let the tears run down her face.
“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 apart of healing with the Holy Spirit, and to be honest, I didn’t think I would be until later in life; thinking that I needed much more maturity in the Spirit before I was ever apart of that realm. Although sometimes maturity can blind us to the simplicity and childish faith and powers of the Lord. Even though I didn’t tangibly see a healing like a rash disappearing, I believe the internal healing to be true.
I suppose I am writing this blog because I am still amazed that Jesus would use me like that and to tell you all that it’s there. He is there. He is here. He is everywhere. A deeper depth, a different realm, a new section of Heaven for you and Him to walk into. He didn’t die on the cross for us to repeat a prayer for our salvation and move on with our lives. He died on the cross so that we would be saved from our sins, welcomed into eternal life, and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit and all the responsibilities that come with it. Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit so that we could worship Him in a deeper place, so that we could expand the church and go to war against against the devil; saving souls from the firey pit of darkness, bringing them into the light, all for the glory of God!!
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 home town, spending time with your family or missional community, and tap into a realm that brings you closer to Gods heart and your eyes witness Heaven pouring down.
How can you be reaching deeper places? Do you believe in the mighty power that God truly does heal His children? Really sit on these questions with Jesus – at least that’s my two cents for what it’s worth. 🙂
