Does Your Church practice prayers for the Sick?

[DaChaser1]

Do you believ that the Lord can still heal today, IF it is inn his divine Will for that situation?

 

[seekingthetruth]

We pray that God's will be done and that all involved will be conforted.

A few years ago i knew a Baptist pastor that went to a nursing home to visit a dieing woman. The woman's family was there, and the pastor asked all of them to put hands on her and pray for healing. When the prayer was over he told the family this..."I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe that God just healed her, and that she will be fine"

Two days later she passed away. The family was devastated because they believed the pastor...and now some of them reject the church and God because of this.

I do believe in divine healing, but I also know that God is Sovereign, He decides the time of birth and the time of death. If I was dieing of terminal brain cancer, and it was God's will that it was my time to go, then you could get 2,000,000 people together, pray for my healing, hold candles and sing "Kumbaya".....but if it is God's will for me to die, then I will die.

Sometimes, we make people afraid of the gospel instead of drawing them to it.

John

 

[DaChaser1]

We pray that God's will be done and that all involved will be conforted.

A few years ago i knew a Baptist pastor that went to a nursing home to visit a dieing woman. The woman's family was there, and the pastor asked all of them to put hands on her and pray for healing. When the prayer was over he told the family this..."I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe that God just healed her, and that she will be fine"

Two days later she passed away. The family was devastated because they believed the pastor...and now some of them reject the church and God because of this.

I do believe in divine healing, but I also know that God is Sovereign, He decides the time of birth and the time of death. If I was dieing of terminal brain cancer, and it was God's will that it was my time to go, then you could get 2,000,000 people together, pray for my healing, hold candles and sing "Kumbaya".....but if it is God's will for me to die, then I will die.

Sometimes, we make people afraid of the gospel instead of drawing them to it.

John

We do belive that God can and will still heal today, but that invloves surgery/medicine/divine healing, sometimes death itself!

 

[seekingthetruth]

I'll take this to another level.

I know of many IFB (which I am) that wont get into a car until they pray for "traveling mercies".

I think this is ridiculous, and bordering on superstition.

Some of these people actually believe that God will let them die in a car crash if they fail to pray for protection.

Somebody needs to tell these people that

"Prayer doesnt change God, it changes people"

John

 

[DaChaser1]

I'll take this to another level.

I know of many IFB (which I am) that wont get into a car until they pray for "traveling mercies".

I think this is ridiculous, and bordering on superstition.

Some of these people actually believe that God will let them die in a car crash if they fail to pray for protection.

Somebody needs to tell these people that

"Prayer doesnt change God, it changes people"

John

yes, while in penacostal church, know some woul dput healing oil on motor, and rebuke away the "Demon of car repairs!"

 

[gb93433]

The fact is that God does heal and is doing it today. He did not change in past few years. Just because there are snake oil salesmen does not negate who God is.

 

[seekingthetruth]

The fact is that God does heal and is doing it today. He did not change in past few years. Just because there are snake oil salesmen does not negate who God is.

Good post gb.

Divine healing (by God) should never be confused with faith healing (by man)

God still heals today, but man doesnt

John

 

[annsni]

Yes we do. God heals. There is no question. God heals in His time. God sometimes uses man's faith in His timing.

When my daughter was so very ill with her pancreatic tumor last spring (you can read the whole story here http://lifeonthesound.blogspot.com/2011/05/solid-pseudopapillary-neoplasm.html), we prayed over her a lot but twice, we anointed her with oil. Twice God used that action to heal her in such a shockingly apparent way that those who were not in on what we did were amazed at the turn-around in her. The I didn't put in the story of the first time in the blog entry but it was while we were waiting for her to get into New York Presbyterian and friends came to the hospital to visit. My husband felt led to pray for her and the man of this couple was one of our leaders in our small church campus and he asked if he would pray with us so hubby went to the kitchen to ask for a small cup of oil. We prayed over Lauren and anointed her. Within 2 hours, the girl who literally couldn't even wake up and talk was now getting out of bed asking for a shower so she could freshen up before going to the other hospital! The doctors and nurses were floored - all except the dear nurse friend who was a believer and just said "Ask and you shall receive" with a smile.

I still believe that Lauren had the bouts of vomiting for a reason. The first was to get her seen in the hospital and have a CT scan to discover the large tumor on her pancreas. The second was to bring glory to God. 10 days of severe, uncontrolled vomiting finally brought the doctors in to say to me "We don't know what else to do." but then after we prayed, she not only stopped vomiting, she was able to begin to eat and she was home within days. When we went back to see the doctor a few weeks later, he said "I didn't fix your daughter. I don't know why she stopped vomiting." I was able to explain to him the wonders of God right then. How cool is that??

 

[gb93433]

Yes we do. God heals. There is no question. God heals in His time. God sometimes uses man's faith in His timing.

When my daughter was so very ill with her pancreatic tumor last spring (you can read the whole story here http://lifeonthesound.blogspot.com/2011/05/solid-pseudopapillary-neoplasm.html), we prayed over her a lot but twice, we anointed her with oil. Twice God used that action to heal her in such a shockingly apparent way that those who were not in on what we did were amazed at the turn-around in her. The I didn't put in the story of the first time in the blog entry but it was while we were waiting for her to get into New York Presbyterian and friends came to the hospital to visit. My husband felt led to pray for her and the man of this couple was one of our leaders in our small church campus and he asked if he would pray with us so hubby went to the kitchen to ask for a small cup of oil. We prayed over Lauren and anointed her. Within 2 hours, the girl who literally couldn't even wake up and talk was now getting out of bed asking for a shower so she could freshen up before going to the other hospital! The doctors and nurses were floored - all except the dear nurse friend who was a believer and just said "Ask and you shall receive" with a smile.

I still believe that Lauren had the bouts of vomiting for a reason. The first was to get her seen in the hospital and have a CT scan to discover the large tumor on her pancreas. The second was to bring glory to God. 10 days of severe, uncontrolled vomiting finally brought the doctors in to say to me "We don't know what else to do." but then after we prayed, she not only stopped vomiting, she was able to begin to eat and she was home within days. When we went back to see the doctor a few weeks later, he said "I didn't fix your daughter. I don't know why she stopped vomiting." I was able to explain to him the wonders of God right then. How cool is that??

Thanks for sharing your story. Who could possibly say that God does not exist or heal.

Years ago I asked my neighbor at the time how he became a Christian. He told me that he and his dad had operated on a lady and she would not stop bleeding. They did not know why. He went into another room and prayed for the lady and when he came back she stopped bleeding. He was not a Christian at the time but became a follower of Jesus later when an elderly lady gave him the gospel.

 

[govteach51]

Yes. Are there churches that do not ask for God's healing hand?

 

[DaChaser1]

Yes. Are there churches that do not ask for God's healing hand?

think the answer would be yes, in the sense that some christians would pray and ask God to work through medicine/surgery etc, but NOT asking and believing for a divine healing directly by Him...

Think God heals by all of the above!

 

[annsni]

think the answer would be yes, in the sense that some christians would pray and ask God to work through medicine/surgery etc, but NOT asking and believing for a divine healing directly by Him...

Think God heals by all of the above!

I agree. I've seen God miraculously heal and I've seen Him use medicine. In my daughter's case, He used both. He healed her of the tumor through surgery but the vomiting - which the doctors couldn't even figure out what was causing it - was healed by Him. He can heal however He wants to.

 

[Tom Butler]

Ann, I loved your story. I have come to the conclusion that we ought to ask boldly for God to heal. And frankly, I don't even think it's necessary to add the qualifier "If it's your will." God told us to ask.

I base that on the story of Bartimaeus. He had been blind since birth. When he heard Jesus coming, he started hollering, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me."

Jesus stopped and asked him, "what do you want?"
"I want my sight," said Bart.
Jesus put some mud on his eyes and sight came.

Note here that Jesus knew he was going to heal Bart. He even said Bart was blind for that very purpose. But he made him ask. Without qualification.

God wants us to ask. His will shall be done.

God answers all of our prayers. Sometimes the answer is no.

 

[seekingthetruth]

Yes we do. God heals. There is no question. God heals in His time. God sometimes uses man's faith in His timing.

When my daughter was so very ill with her pancreatic tumor last spring (you can read the whole story here http://lifeonthesound.blogspot.com/2011/05/solid-pseudopapillary-neoplasm.html), we prayed over her a lot but twice, we anointed her with oil. Twice God used that action to heal her in such a shockingly apparent way that those who were not in on what we did were amazed at the turn-around in her. The I didn't put in the story of the first time in the blog entry but it was while we were waiting for her to get into New York Presbyterian and friends came to the hospital to visit. My husband felt led to pray for her and the man of this couple was one of our leaders in our small church campus and he asked if he would pray with us so hubby went to the kitchen to ask for a small cup of oil. We prayed over Lauren and anointed her. Within 2 hours, the girl who literally couldn't even wake up and talk was now getting out of bed asking for a shower so she could freshen up before going to the other hospital! The doctors and nurses were floored - all except the dear nurse friend who was a believer and just said "Ask and you shall receive" with a smile.

I still believe that Lauren had the bouts of vomiting for a reason. The first was to get her seen in the hospital and have a CT scan to discover the large tumor on her pancreas. The second was to bring glory to God. 10 days of severe, uncontrolled vomiting finally brought the doctors in to say to me "We don't know what else to do." but then after we prayed, she not only stopped vomiting, she was able to begin to eat and she was home within days. When we went back to see the doctor a few weeks later, he said "I didn't fix your daughter. I don't know why she stopped vomiting." I was able to explain to him the wonders of God right then. How cool is that??

As I said, God does great healing, but it is God's will that does the healing, not ours.

If man could heal, then why doesnt Benny Hinn go and cure all of the AIDS wards, and child cancer wards?

God heals at His will, not mans

John

 

[David Lamb]

I'll take this to another level.

I know of many IFB (which I am) that wont get into a car until they pray for "traveling mercies".

I think this is ridiculous, and bordering on superstition.

Some of these people actually believe that God will let them die in a car crash if they fail to pray for protection.

Somebody needs to tell these people that

"Prayer doesnt change God, it changes people"

John

I agree that if it gets to the stage where a person won't get into a car (or train, plain, ship, or whatever) until they have actually mouthed the words, "Lord, give me travelling mercies," it is, as you say, "bordering on superstition." On the other hand, I don't think it is wrong to ask God to keep us safe when we travel; I'm fairly sure you don't think so either, John.

Incidentally, the phrase I have heard more often is "journeying mercies", and in my experience, it is more often used by one Christian praying for others.

As well as "journeying mercies," I have heard other "unusual" phrases in prayer, such as: "We pray for brother X, who is laid on one side on a bed of sickness." What's wrong with: “Please keep us safe on the roads”, and "We pray for brother X, who is ill"? But I'm wandering off topic!

 

[seekingthetruth]

I agree that if it gets to the stage where a person won't get into a car (or train, plain, ship, or whatever) until they have actually mouthed the words, "Lord, give me travelling mercies," it is, as you say, "bordering on superstition." On the other hand, I don't think it is wrong to ask God to keep us safe when we travel; I'm fairly sure you don't think so either, John.

Incidentally, the phrase I have heard more often is "journeying mercies", and in my experience, it is more often used by one Christian praying for others.

As well as "journeying mercies," I have heard other "unusual" phrases in prayer, such as: "We pray for brother X, who is laid on one side on a bed of sickness." What's wrong with: “Please keep us safe on the roads”, and "We pray for brother X, who is ill"? But I'm wandering off topic!

Brother David

There is never, ever nothing wrong with acknowledging and praying to our Lord. But yes, some take it to the point of superstition.

I have heard one of my aunts say that if she had gotten to the hospital sooner and prayed for my uncle, that he would have lived. I dont believe that at all. God took my uncle when He was ready to take him.

I will say this again...

Prayer doesnt change God, it changes us.

John

 

[HAMel]

"Prayer doesnt change God, it changes people"

Seekingthetruth, I agree with you 100 percent.

I caught a sound bite a while back while surfing the TV Channels where Benny Henn was telling people to "demand" that God provide this and/or that. Give me a break...!!! Our Lord does not march to Our Drum Beat! The Lord certainly does answer prayer but on His terms.

As for the family referenced in the beginning of this thread, being angry with anyone, is but an excuse to justify their not attending church. Their loss.

 

[annsni]

"Prayer doesnt change God, it changes people"

Seekingthetruth, I agree with you 100 percent.

I caught a sound bite a while back while surfing the TV Channels where Benny Henn was telling people to "demand" that God provide this and/or that. Give me a break...!!! Our Lord does not march to Our Drum Beat! The Lord certainly does answer prayer but on His terms.

Very true. We prayed for my daughter and were prepared to lose her if that were what God had planned but we were thankful it was not. My husband has anointed others with oil and they have not recovered so it is not him and he has no special powers and when Lauren was healed, we only brought glory to Him.