Misunderstanding! | SermonIndex

sermonindex Feb 21, 2008

I'm telling this story against myself, and while amusing, it made me realise just how small my faith is!

The other day, I came out of my house and there was a little elderly gentleman just coming up the street. I'd seen him around, and he obviously had some sort of "learning difficulties" (the politically correct expression!), but was just as obviously harmless.

He said, "Excuse me, can you help?"

Then he said something that sounded like "this hip". His arm was by his side as if he was pointing to his hip, so that's what I thought he meant!

I panicked! Did he sense I was a Christian and want me to pray for healing for his hip? Or did he know I was in care work, and thought I was like a doctor or nurse? What should I do?

I believe God heals, but right there on the street, when I was feeling anything but spiritually ready for such a challenge???!!!

I said something like, "Sorry I can't help you." He looked so disappointed...

After a few moments we realised it was a misunderstanding; he was actually asking for help in fastening ~~[i][u]~~the zip[/u][/i] of his jacket!

This was easily done and we parted with smiles and thanks.

But why did I panic when thinking I ws being asked to pray for healing?

O me of little faith!

Jeannette

E

enid Feb 21, 2008

Personally, I prefer zip to hip!

If someone were to come up to me and ask for me to pray for them for healing, I would have hesitated too.

So, my faith is little too.

God bless.

B

BlazedbyGod Feb 21, 2008

I once had a similiar experience, however slightly different. I was in Subway eating my lunch when in came a blind man and his wife. He sat down across from me while his wife got in line to place their orders. I was almost finished my lunch and I knew that I was getting ready to leave; but running through my head was I should pray for that man that he may receive his sight-however I just got up went to the trash can and left.

When I got outside, I felt like I had let God down and was upset at myself, saying to myself that I was of little faith. Here's where it gets worse. I went all the way across the street into another shopping center into Target and I went into the bathroom. I am in the bathroom where lo and behold I hear the door open, and I hear a lady seemingly helping a gentleman into the restroom....yup, it was the same couple from Subway-I couldn't believe this. Now watch this, the man used the restroom, and I was finished and he needed help getting out of the bathroom, he sensed I was there and asked if I could help him, I said yes, now, he is holding onto my arm literally and I am was still scared to ask him if I could pray for him for God to open his eyes, I was still scared THOUGH HE COULDN"T EVEN SEE ME.

I just couldn't believe it though, what were the odds of them crossing the street after leaving the Subway where I orignially saw them-and coming into the Target and into the bathroom while I was in there.

I felt soooooo bad........

sermonindex Feb 21, 2008

But why did I panic when thinking I ws being asked to pray for healing?

Maybe the hesitation was good, because you did misunderstand him, and wouldn't it have been foolish if you took him by the hand to pray and all he wanted was his coat jacket zipped up? He would have looked at you as the one with learning difficulties.

sermonindex Feb 23, 2008

Compliments wrote:
But why did I panic when thinking I ws being asked to pray for healing?
Maybe the hesitation was good, because you did misunderstand him, and wouldn't it have been foolish if you took him by the hand to pray and all he wanted was his coat jacket zipped up? He would have looked at you as the one with learning difficulties.

Thanks for that thought! :knockedout: :lol:

Jeannette

sermonindex Feb 23, 2008

Maybe the Lord only gives us the faith to pray for healing or something like that when He intends to heal there and then?

Or is that remark a bit of a cop-out?

Jeannette

sermonindex Feb 23, 2008

Jeannette said

Maybe the Lord only gives us the faith to pray for healing or something like that when He intends to heal there and then?
Or is that remark a bit of a cop-out?

Well, sister, this is part of the ongoing discussion on SI amongst a small number of us. It appears that some are content to pray only when the Lord seems to be giving us the faith, and others feel that knowing Christ, and His commands, draws everyone into the same obligation.

For my 2 cents, I would moot that even under the most potent power of the Spirit, we are dependent on His specific word for that specific prayer. But I do acknowlege perhaps it was the other way round, when Jesus raised Lazarus and Peter raised Dorcas - by which I mean, that if one is presented with a corpse, one is going to be praying a lot differently than for a fever to depart.

In other words, the necessary faith is needs-driven (if I could give it a jargonistic tag), and either we believe the power of God is well able for the task in hand, or we don't. It is not about whether God is able or not, but what we believe His will for US to be at that moment. Is it possible He might tell us not to pray for healing, or, as when Jesus didn't go while Lazarus was still alive, not to go ~~[i]~~yet[/i]?

One thing is clear to me... that healing was never dependent on repentance. We are never to withhold prayer for healing from a non-Christian, or a non-church attender, just as Jesus didn't withhold His power to help from Gentiles or officers of the occupying\\oppressing regieme...

To some extent I believe this is also about 'to whom much is given, much is expected' and we are not to judge each other's gifts, or faith, or prevent the work of the Holy Spirit through one another within the Church, or, towards those outside. Let's remember we were all outside once, and God was gracious to us.

D

destinysweet Feb 24, 2008

Reading your discussion here brought to mind the beginning yrs when I first began to step out in faith to pray for the healing of people who crossed my path..I was so eager to see people healed but was unsure if I should offer prayer as often as I wanted to..I began to have dreams where it was as though I was walking with Jesus while He was healing the sick..watching Him like I do ..getting my face right up there like a child so I don't miss anything,praying with Him..the theme was compassion repeated throughout these dreams which included a message as it ended..and He felt Great Compassion..and healed them..along with this directive command.."study Jesus' life where it is recorded what He did before healing the sick..His movement..see what is written, what proceeds Him healing them? study this and see for yourself..then follow Jesus."

When I awoke the dream was vivid..powerfully clear and so I searched the scriptures..and He felt great compassion was written practically every single time..wow..More counsel during prayer gave me the guidance to pay attention and to notice the difference in theatmoshere in the air..this is the only way I have to discribe this at present..the very presence of God's great compassion vs..my enthusiastic zeal for healing.I quickly began to discern the difference..soulish desire...God's will..a big difference. I began to walk more confidently in operating in this gift..God would even tell me although rarely..no..it is not my will to heal this person's blindness or to lift them from the wheelchair today..pray for them in the spirit..I would move in another way for them at this time.However there were plenty of cancers and cysts healed right before surgery dissappearing,cursed and dried up to the wonderment of the surgeons who were to have operated..broken bones mended incredibly fast..heart attacks stopped in their tracks ..broken backs healed instantly and so much more.

This one particular family's desperate needs and the way God healed and delivered them stands out as being exceptionally different to me,in that Little Gift's story jogged my memory towards this interesting tale..The Lord says it is good that I should share it with you.

I was passing through a town (in the fall of 96 where I had lived for 8 mos in 94 with my children) and asked my traveling companions, a couple in ministry.. to stop at a favorite coffeeshop I knew had very good coffee,before we got back on the road. Standing in the line waiting to give my order I felt a hand on my shoulder as a man's earnest voice spoke into my ear..Sister..I know you have the power to heal my family..will you pray for us? Suprised,I turned around to see who was addressing me..there stood a tall very thin man..with creatively decorated dreadlocks down to his calves..deeply haunted eyes and a hopeful smile on his sad countenance.I felt great compassion as the love of God poured through my every cell and fiber.. though I was certain I hadn't met him before and was wondering how God had let him know that my prayers were answered..I said I would be honored to..why didn't we get our coffees and we could go outside where the tables were for a little privacy ..forgetting that this would put me on the main drag with all the traffic going by.

So there we were...me ..the head of the household ..his broken and sick wife and two teenagers..a boy and girl,all of them dreaded and wan..I could see a veil over the boy's face..and The Father said 'this one is close to death' Then they told me that they were all terribly addicted to heroin and longed to be set free..they had come to their wit's end..the paarents had been addicted for 20 some yrs I believe they said ..also repeating that they believed I could heal them ..I told them that in myself I could do nothing but it was Christ Jesus who had given me authority over these things..all solemnly nodded in agreement and I began to pray in the spirit for them ..which means I roll back my own understanding like the top of a rolladeck asking the Holy Spirit to pray through me..as I would not miss something that ought to be said or done.

The whole time of prayer lasted only 4-5 min..and I was praying in tongues and then interpreting ..prophecying a few words over each one while the Spirit of God was moving my hands and had begun to dance me as soon as I began to pray..it was anything but subtle..rather a mini spectacle..I can still remember looking at the cars that were passing ..thinking oh well..can't be helped..and ignoring whatever intimidation would seek to crush my liberty..in the midst of this my friends,having seen my leave the shop with my cup, not knowing what I was doing began to yell my name urging me to come on,lets go!..so I had to stop and holler back 'Wait a minute you guys, I'm doin something important here!!' and continued on again in power..then I hugged the family tightly and spoke a few words that were placed on my heart in parting,apologized for my friends impatience and we were on our way down the coast to another divine appointment..

But don't lose interest yet..there is more to this story..the next yr about 8mos later..I had been all down the coast and over to the islands and back after 6mos and had been sent back up the coast and back down again on a divinely appointed prayer walk/commission and decided to spend the night in this same little town that I knew more than any other in that region of Oregon I had the driver drop me at this same spot although in the side alley way at 10 pm or so..

As I sat down on my pack and was rumaging through my bag for water to drink as the coffee shop was closed,asking God ..ok what's next? a white sedan pulled up ..stuffed to the brim with teenagers and as they joyfully piled out talking and laughing, one boy with very shiny short curly blond hair caught my eye as I caught his..hmmm.I know that soul..as he cocked his head and started towards me grinning widely..oh my God! it's you,is it you? Are you Destiny Sweet?..that's me..I remember you I said and he interupted exploding loudly"You healed my entire family from herion addiction last year and we are all still free!" I got to my feet and hugged him ..saying I was so very glad and that I had never doubted that they wouldn't be, although I corrected him and gave God the credit..he seemed miffed at me for that..told me to take a little credit,that I was the one who had prayed..I told him not to put me on a pedestal like that..a pedestal was a place I never wanted to go or to have others place me..it was a long way to fall down from and the idea didn't appeal to me much..I would take credit for obeying Him only.

That was one of many proofs of the pudding that came back to me as encouragements to continue believing for others healings and deliverance..no matter what..that as I went along plowing away,sowing seed,stepping out in faith confidently.. even if I didn't look back to see how many prayers were being answered..much of this would be revealed in heaven..a joyful rejoicing there..but some of them He would bring to cross my path that I could rejoice with them now as well.

I hope that you will look past the teller of the story to the Giver of the gift.that you would be encouraged to ask for this assurance to pray and to not limit God..It is His desire to cause you to so shine before men that they would see your light and glorify the Father in heaven ..they do and they will..Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever..the healer the deliver and oh! so much more. May we refuse to be intimidated..that God could use us as He has promised. Lord Jesus give my sisters faith to believe for Your grace to heal and deliver.

sermonindex Feb 26, 2008

dorcas wrote:
Jeannette said
Maybe the Lord only gives us the faith to pray for healing or something like that when He intends to heal there and then?
Or is that remark a bit of a cop-out?
Well, sister, this is part of the ongoing discussion on SI amongst a small number of us. It appears that some are content to pray only when the Lord seems to be giving us the faith, and others feel that knowing Christ, and His commands, draws everyone into the same obligation.

Hi Linn, thanks for this

"It appears that some are content to pray only when the Lord seems to be giving us the faith, and others feel that knowing Christ, and His commands, draws everyone into the same obligation"

Maybe its a bit of both, depends on circumstancces...

I remember reading about the Dutch lady, ("The Hiding Place") Corrie ten Boom. After a meeting where she'd been speaking, a lady approached her who had been into witchcraft. She immediately prayed and cast out the demon from her.

A Christian leader who was nearby asked her how she did that, what method she used. She said, "I do it however the Lord tells me to do it!"

For my 2 cents, I would moot that even under the most potent power of the Spirit, we are dependent on His specific word for that specific prayer.

I don't think there's any other way to do it, as Corrie said. But there might be only a moment or two before His Word, and a specific prayer are given.

But I do acknowlege perhaps it was the other way round, when Jesus raised Lazarus and Peter raised Dorcas - by which I mean, that if one is presented with a corpse, one is going to be praying a lot differently than for a fever to depart.

Mmmm, that may be so, but thinking about it, I believe it is still all the same principle. I'm sure you will agree taht healing or raising the dead is always dependant on the Lord and what He intends to do. Also, whether we are close enough to the Lord at that moment to ~~[i]~~know[/i] what He intends. That's the difficult bit, I think!

Even Jesus Himself didn't always heal everyone. He said:
[color=990000]Joh 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.[/color]

In other words, the necessary faith is needs-driven (if I could give it a jargonistic tag), and either we believe the power of God is well able for the task in hand, or we don't. It is not about whether God is able or not, but what we believe His will for US to be at that moment. Is it possible He might tell us not to pray for healing, or, as when Jesus didn't go while Lazarus was still alive, not to go ~~[i]~~yet[/i]?

A lot to think on here. Not sure yet about the "needs-driven" bit, but the rest is certainly true...

One thing is clear to me... that healing was never dependent on repentance. We are never to withhold prayer for healing from a non-Christian, or a non-church attender, just as Jesus didn't withhold His power to help from Gentiles or officers of the occupying\\oppressing regieme...

That is so true

To some extent I believe this is also about 'to whom much is given, much is expected' and we are not to judge each other's gifts, or faith, or prevent the work of the Holy Spirit through one another within the Church, or, towards those outside. Let's remember we were all outside once, and God was gracious to us.

Amen

A lot to chew on here, thanks again...

in Him

Jeannette