Healing Hands

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 21 December 2006 16:50:02

One of the good things about being at home is that I get to do things that I'd otherwise miss out on. Take today for instance.

For those who don't know, I am a youth leader, a sunday school teacher and a deacon in my little chapel. Small in numbers so high in job count. With a full time job, that involves working away 4 days a week, things can get a little hectic.

Today I got to take part in my first healing ministry. One of our members has cancer and has had 2 chiemo sessions and is currently at home with her husband. We found out that she had been diagnosed 12 months ago but had ignored it and lived in denial. The first anyone knew was when she was taken into hospital after complaining of backache. It had started as breast cancer and had spread into her back and elsewhere; things did not look good.

Things were so bad that the doctors refused to undertake chiemo as they deemed her too weak and too far gone. However she insisted and told them that she had spent years looking after her mother and that her and her husband now intended to make the most of life. The doctor said that they'd only proceed if they could find a vein to insert the needle.

The day came and she prayed and then begged the nurse to find a vein. The doctor came round later, looked at her and said that as they'd found one she could now have the treatment but that she'd been very lucky.

Throughout everything she has been strong, faithful and determined. She was given a cross that she could hold in her hand and has not let go since. Even when she was bathed in hospital it has remained in her hand all the time.

I hadn't seen her since she was diagnosed, I hate intruding on others when they're sick. However, when I was asked to attend today with our minister and another deacon I, somewhat reluctantly, agreed. Upon arrival I couldn't believe how she looked. From reports I'd expected her to be very weak and at death's door. The last I'd heard she needed oxygen constantly, even to talk.

Today she was sat on her settee, the oxygen bottle unused by her side. She looked thin but very cheerful and happy to see us all. Even the minister commented on how she had changed for the better. For the hour I was there, not once did she need the oxygen. She was in pain from her swollen arm and gout in her legs but overcame this without any problem.

Then we found out that she would be coming to chapel on Sunday. She insisted that she'd walk to the car and into the chapel. It will be their 31st wedding anniversary on Sunday and she wants nothing to keep her away.

Previously she had been a quiet woman. She would talk but very rarely start a conversation. Know when you look you see a woman of strong faith, believing that God will help and, if it's His will, heal her. On a very moment fo me, after we'd prayed, I actually felt moved to tears. Being a man I didn't cry but it was very difficult.

I'm very sceptical about prayer healing normally. I can be a Doubting Thomas in certain matters, this being one. So many times I've heard prominent Christians proclaim that God would cure their cancer and not let them die, only for them to die soon after. However, after today, I can see that it is a very powerful tool. No, her cancer did not immediately disappear but I did feel that God had listened and will do what He feels to be right.

She has people all over the UK praying for her; she'd even received a card from a prayer group in Scotland. She has the right balance of faith, medical help and strength to fight this. She believes that God wants her to have more of a life with her husband. I feel that what we did today will help her.

Now I need to make sure that I follow that work up, through further prayer and visitation.