These days, the subject of healthcare is often in the news. Yet, God’s own health-care program has been in the Good News of the Bible for over five millennia.  Perhaps it is time to take God up on what He has freely offered us.   

He tells His followers: “These signs shall follow them that believe . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17a –18b). 

When Jesus was here, He healed everyone who came to Him.
Those who ask followers of Christ to pray for them today, will have varying degrees of healing.  Why? Because we do not live on the 100 percent level of faith, as did the healing Son of God.  But it still happens.

At St. Alban’s Church, I am part of the “Hem of His Garment” prayer team.  Four of us pray at the two sides of the altar during communion for those who want healing for themselves or others.  Healing can be for any level of: body, soul, or spirit. 

We also pray for wisdom for doctors. My own brother, Bill Reed, M.D. is a Christian surgeon who has prayed for thousands of patients prior to surgery.
   
“A Heavenly Tea Party”
I have another healing experience to share with you, from my Spokane days.  I had been invited to Ann’s home for a Women’s Tea.  While I was there, her neighbor Jaunita phoned. Ann asked if I would speak to her.

When I picked up the phone I said, “Hello Juanita, how are you?” Her answer to my question brought up her need for healing. Then she asked, “Rita, I hear you are a woman of prayer, would you be willing to come to my home to pray for me?”

I said, “Yes, I’ll be happy to do that.”  I wrote down her address and a short time later drove to her home. 

When I knocked on her door, her husband Charles answered it and I explained why I was there.  Charles graciously took me to Juanita’s room where she lay in bed. 

I was age 30 and I imagine she was in her late 50’s.  She was a gracious woman. Juanita told me that she had fluid around her heart that had to be removed as needed. 
   
“Getting Ready to Pray”
I sat down and opened my Bible and began to read Scriptures to build her faith.  The prophet Isaiah said, “Surely He [Jesus] has borne our grief’s, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4,5 KJV mod.).

“Juanita – Jesus not only was crucified for our sins, but for our sicknesses.” I also shared some personal healing examples, and then I asked if I could pray for her. 
“Yes, please do,” she said. 

I anointed her with oil, and gently laid my hands on her head.  I simply asked God to heal her physical heart and to remove the excess water around it. At that point, I felt a warm anointing in the center of my being. I told her, “I believe God has touched you.”

The next day, as usual, she went to the doctor’s office in her wheel chair, but feeling much improved decided to walk into his office. 

He looked up and said, “Juanita what has happened to you?”

She cheerfully responded, “God answers prayer, doctor!”  As he looked at her heart under the fluoroscope there was no need for his intervention, the fluid was normal.

I did not know until later that Juanita Beeman’s diagnosis was heart failure and she had been given two weeks to live. 

I’m happy to report that she lived a normal life for 14 more years.  Her husband and children, and mates all put their faith in the Lord. 

Once again I saw God’s supernatural healthcare in action!     
This is 10th in a series on Supernatural Gifts of the Spirit. Join me next week for more gifts.