Good morning Lord Jesus, I woke up this morning humming the song, “Yes and Amen.” I claim all your promises over my life as I begin my day.
Healing by the Holy Spirit
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:13-16
I am in a season now that I am seeing more desperate needs in people and more people with physical, emotional, and spiritual illnesses that I am asked to pray over them. I am also in a season that I am seeing more healing and restoration through prayer, laying of hands, and anointing of oil than anytime in my ministry. I do not leave the house in the morning without a small bottle of anointing oil in my pocket.
One thing The Holy Spirit has done over this season, is assembled an amazing group of people of prayer. I do not know the full reason, but some real prayer warriors have been gathering. It is nothing of my own doing, and I really do not know how to describe it. It seems like as myself and others have decided to move more off the religious ‘”grid,” and return to a simpler church that is centered on the Holy Spirit and the table, like moths attracted to a light, people of this “bent” or gifting have been gathering with us. I am leaving this afternoon to attend a weekend retreat with a group of other people :of this bent” from across the state of Alabama. We will spend several hours if “Facetime”. Time laying sprawled face-first on the floor in pray over our churches, our ministry as planters of the gospel and churches, to receive healing and give it. How these people found each other, found me, found our church, or were attracted to us is sometimes weird. And whatever “light” we have that attracted them, the light and gifts they are bringing is transforming our gatherings, and transforming me.
The details of the why we have been connected by God are unclear. I do not know what the ultimate “unto” will be. However, something happens when you are surrounded by people, who if someone needs prayer, as you are pulling out a bottle of oil from your pocket, unknowingly you look around and every other person is as well. You find yourself among disciples that expect the Holy Spirit to heal and deliver, you pray with a boldness expecting your prayers to heal and deliver, and healing and delivery occurs. Who are you surrounding yourself with?
When someone tells you they are struggling with something for which they need healing, do you offer to lay hands on them and pray for their healing? When you are struggling with something for which you need healing, do you seek people to pray over you? At your church altar during times of prayer do you come up and ask to receive prayers or lay hands on those who come up for prayer? Does the thoughts of doing doing any of these make you uncomfortable? If so, do you actually believe God still heals people? Do you expect it? Does your church expect it? If the congregation did they would run to the altar.
My family, I pray you claim the healing power and gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the courage and faith to expect to see people healed by your prayers. In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Read these passages of Scripture. Acts 4:29-33; Acts 3:1-9, James 5:13-16; Read 1Corinthians chapter 12. Verses 9 and 28 specifically mention the Holy Spirit’s gift of healing. But notice the chapter evolves around these gifts occurring out of a community, a body, from which they are manifested.
Please post you below your thoughts and reflections. Your experiences of healing and delivery. Post the names of those who need healing for us to pray over.
In July I will step out of pastoring Toney UMC and pour completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You
