One of our church members, Angela, was in the hospital. Her roommate was dying of cancer. Angela was moved to explain to her roommate that our church believed in the power of prayer to heal disease. The roommate agreed to receive prayer.
I was sitting at my desk in the church office when I took the call. Would I come to the hospital to pray for this roommate of hers? I honestly did not feel like praying for anyone. My calendar was free, It was a day for prayer and sermon preparation, but it felt to me that my prayers were bouncing off the ceiling. But I was the pastor on call.
Angela introduced me as her pastor. I prayed the prayer of faith for this dying woman. Not feeling a thing but going through the motions of a clergyman.
I was sitting at my desk in the church office when I took the call again, the next day. It was the roommate, gushing, thanking me for praying. She had been instantly, miraculously healed.
This was something to celebrate, of course, but also a powerful lesson for me as a young pastor, that I will never forget. Angela's witness to this lady was an act of faith. The lady agreeing to receive prayer was an act of faith. My doing what duty required was an act of faith. And unknown to me was how many others were praying for this lady.
How often has your emotionless, sheer obedient faith moved mountains? If this woman had not called to thank me, I would have never known the powerful result of my grudging trip to the hospital that day.
Let's not forget that, ultimately, faith is God's gift to us. It is His faith that set all of this Good in motion. And He wants us to participate in His plan to announce His coming Kingdom, and invite others to come enjoy His benefits.
