Always Ask

In the healing story about the blind man at Bethsaida, Jesus does something that is a good reminder for me.

1. Ask do you want to be made well (not in this story, but others)
2. Pray for healing
3. Ask is anything different, (what do you see, instead of can you see).
4. If less than desired, goto #2 and repeat.

I was observing a prayer for healing back in 2003, when I was an apprentice in an existing healing ministry.   These two men had been God's healers for 20 years, and had reunited after a 5 year break.  A friend of mine was dying of ovarian cancer.  We had gone to seminary together, were in the same ordination class, and together drove to Glen Lake about every six weeks for years.  During nine months of those drives, the cancer was in remission, and we talked about ministry, and her dreams for the future.  But then it came back, and our drives were more about making the most of those minutes.  After she was ordained early, and it was clear she would be making one final trip, I asked if I could invite my teachers to come pray with her.

We all fasted before going to her house, and thought we would be there with her, but it turned out there was a large presence non-believing friend how would not leave her side. She sat in the room while we prayed for her, glaring.  Our prayers were empty ones, they felt powerless at the time, and I wondered at the time if it was the friend who belligerent in her no belief  (at the time it felt like it was more important for her to be right, than my friend to be healed).  

So these two men of God, who did not know my friend, but had  a vast knowledge, experience and track record of healing prayer, fasted and prayed for my friend in her sitting room.  After the prayers were finished, one asked "What did you feel?"

He didn't ask it of my friend, but of the other man praying, who said  "No." I felt nothing.  I had to agree.  And then he turned to my friend, "maybe a little bit of tingling," she said, not wanting us to be disappointed. 

So we prayed again, and to no difference.  What I remember about this time of prayer was his courage to ask, "What did you feel?"  Like Jesus in this story asking "Do you see anything?"   

I hope I can always to remember to ask, "What do you feel, or see..." and if the healing has not occurred  to maybe ask how the prayer could be more on target, and then pray again.  

Ultimately my friend was healed, but not in the way we were praying for that day. Her healing came May 11, 2004.  

Godspeed Susan.