“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but the scan shows that you have multiple sclerosis.” Shock, horror, fear, all crowded together as I processed what this diagnosis might mean. As always, my first recourse was to the Lord. John and I were part of our church’s healing ministry team and had witnessed God’s hand at work in miraculous ways so we knew he could heal me.
I prayed, my family prayed, our church family and friends prayed. I was anointed and also received the laying on of hands time and again, but the disease continued to affect me, encroaching more and more upon my life and forcing unwanted changes. Finally, I had to acknowledge that I was going to have to follow my doctor’s advice and begin to explore taking early retirement on health grounds.
Six years after being told of the diagnosis, at a training weekend for healing ministry teams, run by the International Order of St Luke the Physician, all those prayers were answered, and I was healed. There isn’t space here to share the details of the ministry I received and the accompanying call to the ordained ministry, (at a time when the Anglican church here in the UK was not ordaining women!). However, if you would like to learn more, along with all that followed, then do read my book, ‘Shattering Glass Ceilings: no obstacle too great for God’s enabling power’. Pub AuthorHouse UK and also available as an eBook.
It is now 33 years since I was healed and I continue to be free of multiple sclerosis, praise be to God. After a difficult and, at times dispiriting journey, I was ordained in 1999 and now, aged almost 77, continue to joyfully serve God in whatever way he calls me, most especially in the healing ministry. After over 40 years of healing ministry I remain passionate about encouraging churches to develop a healing ministry in accordance with our Lord’s teaching.
When introducing the healing ministry into a church, an essential pre-requisite for the congregation is sound, biblically based teaching on the subject of healing, and all that this means. This includes facing the hard reality that we don’t always see the results we hope for. Additionally, those ministering should be excellent listeners and receive appropriate preparation and training. They will also need prayerful support and the opportunity for regular reflection.
From my own experience, I know only too well how vulnerable those requesting healing are. They need to be met with love, a total absence of judgement, and feel that they have been heard. Many need to be reassured of our Lord’s love and acceptance and helped to understand that in this world of instant gratification we sometimes have to wait for the answer to our prayers. The reassurance that people will continue to pray for them is hugely encouraging.
Careful listening is central to this ministry, both to the person requesting ministry and to God. Long, convoluted and repetitive prayers are neither necessary nor helpful. We also need to avoid falling into the trap of counselling or advising and should remember that we are simply interceding on behalf of another. God is the healer not us and loves each of us unconditionally; we can trust the outcome to him.