5 May 2012
What a glorious sun filled morning I have had in more ways than one. Saturday mornings for me are spent firstly in group prayer at my church, followed by helping out at the oasis cafe, also held at our church. Since becoming a Christian I have learned a lot through prayer and it is often where God inspires me, but today I could not do anything but listen and whilst there were others around me giving praise and thanks I could only feel pain.
I have a long standing back condition which I am told is down to my spine prematurely ageing and crumbling. I can keep most of the pain controlled through pain killers but recently the pain has risen to the bottom of my neck and over my head. This morning was such a morning. What I like about our little prayer group, is we all know when each of us needs prayer instinctively, even if we are too shy to ask for it. Perhaps it was my fidgeting in my seat to find a pain free position that alerted my companions but as soon as prayers had finished, Debbie instructed her husband (our vicar) and Chris to give me prayer. Both knew I needed healing prayer and both laid their hands on me and prayed for God's healing through Jesus to come upon me. As Chris prayed and touched the top of my left shoulder an incredible burning sensation was felt in my neck. For about 5 minutes after their ministry my neck felt as if it were on fire. I have always struggled with the thought of healing as I struggled to understand if healing miracles were achievable, why are they not done more often. Now I have matured a little in my faith and do believe they can be achieved but only if and when healing is needed-not everyone in pain needs healing, as hard as that may sound.
Don't get me wrong I am not healed, I am in some pain but not as acute as first thing this morning. But God has cemented my faith through experiencing such an extraordinary act of faith and love shown by fellow Christians. I know some of you will look at me as a deluded individual because I too had those feelings about faith five years ago. But I would really urge you to explore it (faith) with an open mind and heart and push open the door God has left unlocked for you. If, like me you find yourself making the same mistakes time and time again in your life, you will quickly come to realise that there is another way to go through this life-Gods way. Give it a go you have nothing to fear!
Another Day In Paradise 2 - The Morning Prayer • Opuss № I