As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Sometimes I have an inkling that it is to be a special day in worship and today it proved true. Many churches have newspaper ads at Christmas and Easter and we thought we were choosing this church on the basis of their start time. Today’s was an extended prayer and healing worship service.
We were warmly welcomed by most of the church and the restroom locations were pointed out. A number of people commented on my Semper Fi shirt and someone thanked me for my service.
There was a cross on the wall, on the clear acrylic lectern, and the glass block window had crosses in tinted block.
The previous pastor died after an extended battle with cancer and I think God used that to develop the healing prayer ministry here.
Most of the music in this small church was borderline too loud for me but it did soften a bit with a long duet.
The message was based on some healing Scriptures, in particular Luke 8:40-56 about Christ’s traveling to heal Jairus’ daughter and the woman touching the fringe of Jesus’ cloak and being healed from a 12-year bleeding issue. Christ was clear that her faith was why she was healed. When Christ gets to Jarius’ house it is too late for conventional healing but perfect for a God lesson. Jesus gave them back their daughter who was dead.
The powerful message brought back some painful memories of when our son was killed. God had used me in some miraculous healings, and seeing my son’s body I knew that I had Christ’s power in me to raise our son whole and healthy. I knew it to the very core of my being and I know it now.
But I knew God didn’t want me to pray for that healing (I tried anyhow). It is seldom that I feel that call to heal anymore, but today felt the need to pray for a baby with some serious medical issues. We were privileged to lay on hands and pray for this child.
The pastor was right on track when she said God is not restricted in how He accomplishes healing and touch is important, but it may be the surgeon’s God-given skill that brings healing.
Jan’s thoughts:
A gentleman greeter noticed visitors approaching the door and held the door open for us while greeting us and handing us a welcome folder as we entered the building. We were warmly greeted by more folks before worship began, and the welcoming continued even afterward.
The pretty sanctuary is decorated simply with two large TV screens in the front and a purple-draped cross with a crown of thorns on the side wall.
The words to the music were large enough to be seen from the (almost) back row where we sat and the sound system was more than ample.
Each glass block window displayed a cross created with pink-colored glass block.
The pastor announced that this would be a healing service, then proceeded into the sermon during which she stressed that God gives medical science their abilities and knowledge and that He works differently for each person. We are to believe, pray, and step forward in faith. It was obvious that the power of prayer is held in high esteem and accessed constantly.
When the pastor gave the word, the Prayer Team (each wearing her shawl) joined the pastor and anyone desiring laying on of hands and prayer came forward starting with a mother and her less-than-1-year-old. The prayer mantle was placed on the baby and prayers were prayed, followed by many other members of the congregation.
As parents who have lost a child, this message was hard to hear, but even more odd to me was the fact that for the last couple of days I’ve been speaking with God in my devotional time about prayer. This is something I struggle with because I prayed often for safe passage for our son who was killed in an automobile accident. I’ve come to realize that God promises to always hear our prayers and always answer them, but He does not promise that the answer will always be “yes.” We interpret His “yes” as an indication of prayers heard and answered and we mention how good God is. We hear His “no” as proof that He somehow missed our request and seldom talk about His goodness at these times.
I believe God hears and answers our prayers, but experience has taught me that the answers are not always what we hope for. I know our son is entirely whole, healed, and happy beyond measure, and I’m just as certain that when I see him again I’ll never again have to say goodbye. In the meantime – for the rest of my life – I must take it on faith that God’s sovereign decision was best. I believe it…I just don’t always feel it, and I suppose that’s the essence of faith – believing without seeing.
Holy Lord, we pray You continue to encourage this congregation in their prayer and healing ministry. May Your Name be always on their lips. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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