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(Jer 30:17) "For I will restore health to you, and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord."

When GOD comes to Church! (5)

Thirty-odd years ago, the LGI (Leeds General Infirmary) was huge, and finding a particular patient was challenging. My wife was visiting her young work colleague, and we were walking up to his bed when I noticed him. He was in a bed situated just before my wife’s colleague, his arms and legs splayed out, wholly held in traction. Walking past him, we found her colleague's bed surrounded by his friends and other work colleagues.

Undaunted by the crowd, my wife - who had only just received Jesus into her life a few days earlier, asked if she could pray for him. I watched as she unashamedly began giving her testimony and proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel. As she was holding her own beautifully and I didn’t know any of them, I excused myself after about 30 minutes and went searching for a coffee. I was on my way back with it when the guy held in traction said, “I've been listening to everything that young girl said. You don’t believe all that c**p, do you?”

I remember looking at him as he lay in the bed, his arms and legs splayed out on those awful tight lines. “Ouch!” I said, “What happened to you? Was it a car accident?” “No.” He offered slowly and sighed as if remembering the tragic event. “I’d only been married for a couple of weeks and was up on the roof cleaning out the gutters when the ladder slipped, and I woke up in here all busted up!” “How long have you been here,” I asked. “Oh, I’ve lost count of the weeks,” he offered. ”Whatever is wrong with me, it must be bad, though," he mused, "as no one’s even willing to give me a gloomy prognosis.”

After that followed an awkward silence whereafter I heard myself say, “You asked me when I was walking past you if I believed in all that my wife was saying. If I were in your situation, I think I’d try anything, including the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Father Christmas!” I remember his laughter being easy on my ear as he shook his head and voiced the often-heard and classic line, “I used to go to Church once…” he trailed off. “Mate,” I said. “We ALL used to go to Church once. But this is the time when GOD is coming to visit us!” “Well, I wish he’d hurry up and visit me,” he said. “If you really mean that, then that is what I’ll pray for you,” before he could change his mind or get embarrassed, I prayed something like, “Lord, you’ve heard his wish; please come and visit him today and set him free from this nightmare.”

I’d just finished praying when I saw my wife exiting herself from all the people at the next bed. So I said, “Look, I’m away at my Head Office in London tomorrow. Can I come back and visit you on Wednesday? I can bring you some music tapes and books if you like.” “OK, but how am I going to read them?” We laughed again and agreed to visit him in a couple of days.

Wednesday came, and I walked up to his ‘now empty’ and well-made bed! I immediately felt bad, guilty, terrible (as if I’d somehow caused his demise). I walked back to the Nurse's station and asked in a low voice, my tone one of concern, “Excuse me, but what happened to (so-and-so) in that now empty bed?” “Oh, Mr Miracle.” She smiled widely. “We’re not really sure. He woke up yesterday telling us that he ‘felt’ well, and after the doctors had done their tests, they couldn’t find anything wrong with him. So we discharged him, and he returned home to his new wife.”

Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. Christ-conquerors are safe from Devil-death.” (Rev 2:11) 

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick amongst us—such as Barbara and Ian fighting cancer. We also pray for a quick and full healing for Jay. Please grant your power of healing to those who minister to all the sick among us so that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.