Healing Prayer

"Let us pray.  
God of heavenly power, by Your word You drive away all weakness and sickness from the bodies of men.  In your mercy, be with Your servant now so that his (her) infirmity may depart, his (her) full strength and health may return, and he (she) may bless Your holy name.  
Through Christ our LORD. 
Amen."


One of the books I am currently reading is simply called "Healing" by Francis MacNutt.  
The book is described on the front cover as "The first comprehensive Catholic book on healing by the foremost authority on the healing ministry in the Roman Catholic Church today".  The prayer that I opened this post with was found within its pages and is referred to as one of the Roman Rituals ancient prayers for visiting the sick.


Though not a Catholic, I am one who believes in the healing ministry of Jesus and it's prominent place in introducing people to the kingdom of God, and the King himself, Jesus. When the apostle Peter was preaching to Cornelius and his household he used these words . . .

In truth, I perceive that God shows no partiality.  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.  The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ - He is LORD of all - that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.  Acts 10:34-38

The last chapter of Mark, under the heading 'The Great Commission' in my  Bible, also gives healing a definite place in the spreading of the gospel.  These are the words of Jesus himself . . 

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will follow those who believe:  In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues' they will take up serpents ; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover." Mark 16:15-18

One of my favourite quotes from the book so far is this . . .

Jesus did not heal people to prove that He was God; He healed people because He was God.

Over the last few days I have received several prayer requests for people needing God's healing touch.  I include these dear ones with my own prayers for healing . . . God of heavenly power . . . drive away all weakness and sickness from our bodies, in Your mercy, be with your servants now so that our infirmities may depart, full strength and health may return and we my bless Your holy name.

Found in the Translation

Source: verycalm.blogspot.com via Andrea on Pinterest



Though silent . . . I can feel You near

I try to pray and feel the fear

that floodgates opened

never stop.

You read my tears

translate my groans

my words, quite simply

unnecessary.

But Your words are . . . I need them . . . now

I read them now . . . aloud

so faith that comes by hearing

has place to sink roots deep.

These words I read

"Be silent, all flesh,

before the LORD"

and so I stop.

I lay the Book across my chest

my prayer . . . Your words

go unexpressed

in forms I am familiar with,

but . . . I wait . . . I rest

My heart You see

my frame You know

and spirit words

they come and go in ways

not easily explained

in earthly terms.

I cannot say

what passed between us

I only know

that I've been seen

and heard and understood

And He is good

And all will be well.

© Andrea Dawn Olsen - 21 September 2011

House Insurance

"Guess what, Mom", she says . . . "apparently I have not had insurance on my house since I bought it last fall.  I completed all the paperwork, gave them the voided cheque, dotted the i's and crossed the t's, but never noticed that the automatic payments weren't coming out. The paperwork was misplaced,  misfiled and it only came to light now." 

She was so very grateful that there had been no reason to need it.  All taken care of now.

The next day I am reading in Job, chapter 5 and come across these verses . . .

You shall know that your tent is at peace;

you shall visit your habitation and find nothing amiss. (vs 24)

. . . Behold this we have searched out; it is true. Hear it and know for yourself.  (vs27)

Doesn't that just sound like the best house insurance? A promise from the Word of God?

Now . . . I know that these words were spoken by Eliphaz, one of Job's "friends", but 2 TImothy 3:16 says that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness".

I have begun to pray this when I leave my home, believing God,  . . . trusting that my tent is at peace, that I will return home and find nothing amiss.

Another treasure found in this chapter is verse 12 . . .

"He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans."

Makes me think  . . . What sorrows, what tragedies could be averted if the saints prayed this way?

"Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask you to frustrate the devices of the crafty, so that they CANNOT carry out their plans.  All those this day, that plot evil against the innocents, those that scheme revenge, those greedy for power and riches that stop at nothing . . . frustrate their plans, O LORD."

In my younger years walking with God, I was often amazed at the way some believers could pray.  Their words were compelling, awe-inspiring, ushering in the presence of God.  Now I know where they find the words . . . in the Word, given by inspiration of God.

Feeling ineffectual in prayer? . . . open the Word.  Say what you see . . . agree with God.  He loves to hear us say back to Him what He has said to us.