What does the Bible actually teach about healing?

Today we have many different teachings about Divine healing; some Pastors say that healing was "only for the days of the apostles," others tell us that when we want God to heal us we must pray, “If it be thy will." Still some teach "we don’t need Divine healing today because of the medical advances."

I am not going to give you another opinion, my opinion wouldn’t be any better than those of others, instead I am going to show what the Bible teaches on this important subject. Someone might be thinking about now – Salvation is important, not healing! And if you are well and are not suffering from some devastating disease, I would agree with you, but, If your soul is well and you have already been converted, and you have been afflicted by Satan with some disease like cancer that brings on fearful thoughts and unspeakable pain, perhaps the subject of Divine healing might have some importance in your life right about now.

Do not miss this very important point; God is concerned about you, soul, mind and body, not just your soul. The proof of this statement can be found in the way our Savior spent His time in healing the sick and encouraging the faint hearted, and showing us the way to Eternal life. Take away the Scriptures dealing with Divine healing and you take away a large portion of the Gospels. Gospel means “Good news” And it truly is!

It never ceases to amaze me that some people will go to great lengths to argue that we need not bother God with healing us; that instead we ought not to ask in faith for our healing as we are directed to do in James 5:14. This is my confusion; they say we ought to suffer with our sickness because they are sure that God is going to teach them something, by their suffering some type of sickness. Well and good, but watch them closely, they go about asking their friends and family for different “Good” types of medicine that might help them get well! And also the name of a “good” doctor that might be able to help them get over the sickness! If they truly believe that God wants them sick in order to teach them something, why, oh why are they trying to get well? Yes, I have seen this repeated many times. If they were sincere and truly were willing to suffer for God, this would have merit, but if they are willing to suffer, why are they trying by every means available to get well? More importantly, everywhere in the Word of God we are told that health, not sickness is God’s reward for faithfulness. For instance, Exodus 15:26 And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer." We Christians will truly do our suffering in this life, and that without escape, but our suffering will be like that of the Apostle Paul and the rest of the Apostles, we will be persecuted!

Now let’s turn to the Word of God and look for His will in truth. Here are the questions that need to be answered.

1.     What does the Bible say about Divine healing?

2.     Where do we find these Scriptures?

Never listen to people about spiritual things unless they are using the Word of Life, the Bible, as their source. Always judge what others are saying by God’s word, never interpret the Bible by what people say! When someone is truly teaching the Word of God correctly, all of the Scriptures will line up with what is being said, no Scripture will be fighting what is being said.

Let’s start with the atonement.

Isaiah 53:4 - 5 Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten 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.

According to Strong’s exhaustive concordance the word "grief’s" in Isaiah 53:4 is the Hebrew word "Choliy" and means -

1) Malady,   

2) Disease,   

3) Grief.

The word "healed " in verse 5 is the Hebrew word "Rapha" and means -

1) To cure   

2) To heal   

3) Cause to heal    

4) Thoroughly to make whole.

I contend that the last part of this verse (Isaiah 54:5) Is our release from sickness and disease (and with His stripes we are healed). Many people disagree with me on this point; in fact, I would say that most pastors today disagree with me on my understanding of this verse. They say this portion of scripture refers to spiritual healing.

Allow me to make my defense, first of all, the Bible tells us that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin!

They didn’t beat the lamb before they sacrificed it and it is clear that the first part of this verse deals with Spiritual healing. (But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities) Did our Heavenly Father allow unnecessary punishment to come to His beloved Son? No, it was because of His great love with which He loves us, it was for our well being that He permitted the stripes, they were necessary! Let’s look at how the writer of the Gospel of Matthew viewed this scripture. What did he believe this verse meant?

 Matthew 8:14-17 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with [His] word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.

 

Let’s See How The Rest Of The Bible Deals With This Subject.

First of all, who did Jesus commission to preach His gospel and did not command them to heal the sick and cast out demons? The answer is, NO ONE! When He sent out the twelve He said in Matthew 10:7 - 8 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

When He sent out the seventy He said: Luke 10:1-9) Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.  And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. "Go your ways, behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. "Carry no purse, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. "And whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house.' "And if a man of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you. "And stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. "And whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.

The Happy Results

Luke 10:17-19 And the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.

And then in the Great Commission

Mark 16:15 - 18 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

The reason for our Lord commanding this is simple, the Gospel of the Living God is not like the teachings of other religions, because our God is God! He demonstrates His Gospel with signs and wonders. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just dusty words written down in books, it is power and authority, it is Eternal Life, It is more than you and I can comprehend right now in our present state! In John Chapter 14 verse 12 Jesus said - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.  Are you doing the greater works or, are you following man down a path of secular humanism, living like everyone else in this world, living as if Jesus had never done or commanded the things that I have just quoted? Start following the Risen and Glorified Christ.

Anyone can sit down and dream up a new religion today, but just because we dreamed it up don’t expect the supernatural presence of God to accompany it. (It won’t!) By the way, the "dreaming" up of a new religion is happening a lot lately. My friend are you in a dead religion? One that has to suppose the existence of God? It is time to switch. Let me illustrate this point: Some time ago I was in my office and a man came in and asked to see me. After introductions, he said that he had something important to tell me. Right then the Holy Spirit said to me that this man represented a mid-eastern religion. He was an American, born in this country, without any accent. I could not detect through my natural senses anything different about this man, but God let me know what this man had come to see me about. So I said to him, "Have you ever raised the dead? Laid hands on someone with a terminal illness and had the Living God instantly heal the person? He said a startled "No." I said to him, "Then my friend, you have need to listen to me, for I have done these things, through the Mighty power of the Living God, who dwells in me!" And he did listen.

My friend, we have been given a Gospel that is to be demonstrated not just talked about! My God Lives, and is on the throne, He never changes, never lies, always keeps His word. Do you believe Him?

Where Do We Go Next?

Well, why not to the only Scripture in the Bible that directly answers the question for us. James 5:14 - 16 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Observe the Bible asks "Is any sick among you?" If God wanted to "teach" some of us something through sickness, He made a big mistake in the wording of this Scripture! But don’t worry God doesn’t make mistakes. He meant exactly what He said! Who is eliminated or not included in this blessed promise that is in this portion of Scripture? The answer is no one; if you are among us you are included! Do you take the Bible as the final authority? I hope your answer is “yes,” because if your answer is “no” you are like a boat running around in the water without a rudder! Your self-will and unbelief has robbed you of your Bible, and in reality of your ability to be led by God’s precious Spirit!

What Is The Sick Believer To Do?

"Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" What will the out come be? And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. What! Where is the doubt? We have a promise, but there is a requirement, "The prayer of faith!"  Not the prayer of doubt! We must believe to be converted, in fact, to receive anything from God we must have faith.

Do you see the folly of those who suppose that praying, "If it be thy will" would be proper here. I believe that sometimes it is a good and proper way to start a prayer to God, but only when His will is hidden from us. On this subject it has been made abundantly clear. "Is any sick among you?" This, my friend, is the only place in the Bible (all 66 books) where this question is addressed and answered in a direct way. Are you sick? Have you taken the instruction of the Bible? Can you believe God in this! If you answered “Yes” then I have a new question –

Will You believe Him!

I would like to state at the outset that Faith in God’s healing power always works, but if you do not truly believe, but go on in presumption, you could die. Don’t do it, if you don’t truly believe, go to a doctor, a hospital, don’t sit in unbelief and presumption, and die!

When we truly believe we are at rest in our soul, we see the work completed even when we can see no evidence of anything happening.

Here is a little testimony to demonstrate this fact.

One day Smith Wigglesworth was having a meeting in Bury, in Lancashire, England. A young woman was present who came from a place called Ramsbottom, to be healed of goiter. Before she came she said, "I am going to be healed of this goiter, mother." After one meeting she came forward and was prayed for. The next meeting she got up and testified that she had been wonderfully healed, and she said, "I shall be so happy to go and tell my mother that I have been wonderfully healed." She went to her home and testified how wonderfully she had been healed, and the next year when we were having the convention she came again. To the natural view it looked as though the goiter was just as big as ever; but that young woman was believing God and she was soon on her feet giving her testimony, and saying, "I was here last year and the Lord wonderfully healed me. I want to tell you that this has been the best year of my life." She seemed to be greatly blessed in that meeting and she went home to testify more strongly than ever that the Lord had healed her. She believed God. The third year she was at the meeting again, and some people who looked at her said, "Look how big that goiter has become." But when the time came for testimony she was up on her feet and testified, "Two years ago the Lord graciously healed me of goiter. Oh I had a most wonderful healing. It is grand to be healed by the power of God." That day someone remonstrated with her and said, "People will think there is something the matter with you. Why don't you look in the mirror? You will see your goiter is bigger than ever." That good woman went to the Lord about it and said, "Lord, you so wonderfully healed me two years ago. Won't you show all the people that you healed me." She went to sleep peacefully that night still believing God and when she came down the next day there was not a trace or a mark of that goiter.  I have never seen a healing take that long to manifest itself, nor did it take that long when Jesus prayed or touched someone, but it seems that God had a purpose in all of his, perhaps to teach us al not to walk by sight! Remember Jesus said Go your way and  as you believe, so shall it be!

 

The Lord taught us that our faith is always our victory in receiving our healing

The Centurion's Faith - Matthew 8:13 “And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; let it be done to you as you have believed." And the servant was healed that very hour.”

A woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage - Matthew 9:22 “But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." And at once the woman was made well.”

The Syrophoenician Woman - Mark 7:29 “And He said to her, "Because of this answer go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."  FAITH

Bartimaeus Receives His Sight - Mark 10:52 “And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”

The Ten Lepers Cleansed - Luke 17:19 “And He said to him, "Rise, and go your way; your faith has made you well."

In all of these cases the individual’s faith brought the victory, faith always does!

Seven Common Questions That Need To Be Answered

Over the years, (44 years) that I have been preaching, praying for the sick, and casting out devils, I have been asked questions about praying for the sick, here are a few of them, and my response.

Seven Common Questions That Need To Be Answered

Over the years, (44 years) that I have been preaching, praying for the sick, and casting out devils, I have been asked questions about praying for the sick, here are a few of them, and my response.

#1 What About Paul’s Thorn?

Paul had a thorn, why didn’t God heal him, he asked three times and wasn’t healed.

2 Corinthians 12:7 - 9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Some say the "thorn" was a sickness, some conjecture that it was an eye sickness, Ophthalmia, which is said to induce bodily weakness, and a repulsive appearance! I have trouble with this explanation for three reasons:

1) Ophthalmia is a disease, which causes pus to run down from the eyes of the victim continually. Now read the following scripture and see for yourself if this "conjecture" makes any sense. Acts 14:8 - 10 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. What do you think, and please be honest, if you were sick or crippled and someone was preaching "healing through faith" with pus running down his face from his eyes. Would you "have faith"? Would you not say and with reason "physician heal thyself"?

2) My second reason for not agreeing with this conjecture is this. The Apostle Paul had just said in 2 Corinthians 11:22-30 Are they Hebrews? So [am] I. Are they Israelites? So [am] I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So [am] I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. Notice, in prisons, in deaths oft, beaten, shipwrecked, perils of robbers, In weariness and painfulness, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness.

What is missing? Sickness!

3) We have no need to use "conjecture" here, for the text in question gives us the answer to our question! What was the "thorn"? ‘There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.’ We do not need to "conjecture" about this, we need not guess! The same text that announces a "thorn in the flesh" tells us just exactly what that "thorn in the flesh" was! Reread 2 Corinthians 11:22 - 30 you will see over and over "beaten", in stripes above measure, The word "buffet" in the text above according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Strong’s reference # 2852 Greek (Kolaphizo) means: to rap with the fists (to hit). So we can see this is exactly what happened to Paul over and over again. Here is the picture, we have a person that has been given the task of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and everywhere he goes he is beaten, or put in prison and beaten. He has asked of the Lord three times to release him of this "thorn" but the Divine response is, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

#2 Where Does Sickness Come From?

Let us read Job 1:9-12 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath [is] in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

And also let us read Job 2:3-7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? And still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst Me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth Thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse Thee to Thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Observe, God allowed Satan to do as he wished with Job, but He did not allow Satan to kill Job.

Now we see the Lord saying "although thou movedst Me against him, to destroy him without cause." Notice Satan, not God did the evil but God took the responsibility, because He "allowed" Satan to do it! God is not the author of sickness for He is "the Lord that healeth thee." Satan is the destroyer, the one who smites with sickness. It is God who heals! "So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown." God has made available through the Gospel a relief from sickness; if we study the book of Job we find who the author of sickness is.

#3 Don’t You Believe We Will Die?

Many times when discussing Divine healing I have been asked "Don’t you believe we will die?" Yes, I believe the Bible and life itself teaches that we will die, Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." We do not have to be placed in the bondage of sickness. Our body will wear out as we grow old, we might become a little hard of hearing, (especially if we are in a workplace that has a high noise level.) We might not see as well when we are 60 years old as when we were 16. But growing old, (wearing out) and contracting a life threatening disease are two different things. The former is natural the later is not! We have to grow old (wear out) we don’t have to endure a life threatening disease, Praise be to God!

#4 Won’t People Praise God By Our Being Sick?

I have heard this one many times, I know that sometimes people bear up under pain, but my question is this, should we "bear up?" If so, why didn’t Jesus know about this? Did He instruct anyone to "bear up" NO! He healed them. Now watch and see when it was that the people praised God. Luke 13:11-17 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself]. And when Jesus saw her, He called [her to Him], and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And He laid [His] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or [his] ass from the stall, and lead [him] away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? And when He had said these things, all His adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. The praise comes when the healing takes place, at least that is the way it happened with Jesus. There are many Scriptures that point this out.

#5  What About Medicines?

Some people have taught that the taking of medicines is a lack of faith. I don’t believe this is true in all circumstances. The Bible doesn’t teach that either, let’s look at 1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.  Paul didn’t think it a lack of faith to take a natural remedy to help an infirmity. On the other hand the medical profession has had a few "treatments" in years gone by, that I have disagreed with, for instance, drilling holes in the head of a person suffering with a migraine headache, bleeding a person for common colds and the such. (Common eighteenth and nineteenth century cures) Today we would laugh at such cures, but no one laughed then and I am sure some would laugh in the next century (If the Lord tarried) at some of the cures commonly practiced today! Doctors are great at fixing broken bones, and without doubt, modern doctors are light years, medically speaking, beyond their nineteenth century counterparts. But when it comes to cancer and various other diseases, often the doctor finds his limitations.

The Lord is the great Physician! And He makes house calls!

  

#6 Why Were Some Believers Left In A State Of Sickness?

Often people have wondered why if divine healing is true, did Paul leave Trophimus sick in Miletus! It is simple; at that time Trophimus did not exercise faith. The only other conclusion that we can come to, Scripturally speaking is to impugn the Word of God and say that it doesn’t always work! Jesus Himself said “Go your way and as you believe in your heart so shall it be!  It really comes down to this, do we believe Jesus or not!

 In my 44 years of praying for the sick I have found that between the years 1965 and 1985 about eighty five percent of the people prayed for have been healed and approximately fifteen percent were left sick. Between the years 1986 to the present time (2009) it has been much different, about 50% were healed and 50% were left unhealed. Why the change, I believe it is because today most people only have a pretended faith, not a real trust in the Living God. Jesus Himself asked this question – Luke 18:8   . . . .  “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"  It is true about people being converted also; all are not converted when the Word of Truth goes forth! People must believe to receive salvation or healing, and for that matter anything from God must be received by FAITH! I am certain when God’s condition of faith is met, the person will be converted or healed! If this is a problem for you, reread James 5:14-17

#7 Why Not Go To Hospitals And Heal Them All?

Some time ago I had a minister seek me out (he didn’t believe in Divine healing) to ask me one question, "Why, if I believed in Divine healing, as he had heard, didn’t I go to all of the hospitals and heal all of the sick people in them?" A good question, one that had to be answered. I answered the question by asking him a question. I asked him if he believed that in those hospitals there would be people that weren’t Born of the Spirit of God? He said that he guessed that there probably were people in hospitals that weren’t born of God. So I asked him why he didn’t go and have all of the people not born of God’s Spirit get born again? He said they would have to believe and repent. I said that is also why they are sick; they have to believe! Without faith it is impossible to please God.

 

A Thought To Dwell On

Where in all of the New Testament Scripture did someone come to the Lord Jesus in faith, and ask for healing, only to be refused? Jesus came to minister to the lost sheep of Israel, But when the Samaritan woman with the daughter who was grievously vexed with a devil came to Him, even when He refused at first, ultimately He cast the demon out! Read the account for yourself and see; Matthew 15:22-28 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [Thou] Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away, for she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

A Few Testimonies Of Healing

Sometimes it is well to hear examples of others reaching out to God and receiving healing, it does point out for certain, that God is still on the throne and has not changed!

E. Payne

Back in 1965, I met a young lady by the name of E. Payne, she was blind, and I wanted her to know that God would heal her sight if she would believe. After talking with her I found out that she had a very rare type of brain tumor, and was subjected to cobalt treatments, (common back in the early sixties.) The cobalt treatments destroyed her optic nerve in both eyes, and now no operation could restore her sight. I asked about her forehead, she told me that as the tumor grew, it caused convulsions, so they cut out a three-inch hole in her forehead and placed the skin back over the hole, to allow the tumor space, and stop the convulsions. Every time her heart beat, the skin expanded, out, then back in, out, and then, back in.

The following Sunday my wife and I took her to a Church meeting in Theba, AZ. This was a migrant farm labor camp situated on a very large farm.

After we started to sing, a young Mexican mother brought in her three week old baby. She walked up in front of the Church and showed me the baby, it only had on a diaper, I could see red blotches all over the baby’s body, I put my hand on the baby’s head and found out that he had a raging temperature; the infant looked at the point of death to me. I immediately told everyone to pray with me, I and another brother that had gone with me, asked the Lord of mercy to heal this little infant, I then told the Devil to leave the baby alone. At this point we both said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, be healed!”

The mother then took her little infant and went to the back of the house and sat down. We didn’t have many of the Mexican people coming to our meetings, they were Catholic and the local Priest didn’t recommend our meetings. The only reason that they would come, was to receive healing, because it was common knowledge that anyone sick could be healed at the meetings.

When we finished singing and praying, I began to preach, after just a few moments the young mother let out a scream, then held her baby straight up, the Devil whispered in my ear, “The infant died!” I told the Devil, “That was a lie!” I quickly went to the rear of the house where the mother was standing and had her lower the infant so that I could look at it, all of the red blotches were gone, I touched the baby and found that his temperature was perfectly normal, as usual God had healed, praise His Holy Name!

I was expecting Miss Payne to ask to be prayed for, to receive healing for her eyes, she did not. On the way home from the meeting, I asked Miss Payne what she thought of the miracle of the child being healed. She said, that it was amazing, and that was all that she said. About two weeks later, after I returned home from a flight, Miss Payne’s mother called me, she sounded distressed; I, then found out the rest of the story, Mrs. Payne told me that her daughter was having a convulsion, and that the doctors had sent her daughter home because nothing more could be done for her; they further stated that no one had ever survived this particular tumor. The doctors then told her that her daughter would die within six weeks; a convulsion, one that they had no power to stop, would take her life. Mrs. Payne told me all of this, while holding her daughter’s tongue. The mother went on and told me quickly that her daughter had said, as the convulsion started, that if she would call me and have me pray over her, she would be healed.

I told the mother that I would get down before Almighty God, and ask for her life to be spared until I could drive the forty-five miles to her and lay hands on her for healing.

God answered the prayer, when I arrived at their house Miss Payne was alive and out of the convulsion. I then had to do something hard, I knew that the Payne family attended a denomination that taught that God didn’t do miracles anymore, that He only used natural means to cure. I understand what happens to one’s faith when under this type of Devil teaching for any length of time. I turned to Mrs. Payne and asked her, “Do you believe that God is going to heal your daughter right this very moment?  She looked down at the ground and said, I th . . . I . .  She couldn’t finish one word, I told her to go out of the house, I could not have any un-belief in the house while praying for her daughter, and she left the house. I prayed for Miss Payne, and God healed her, the tumor was gone! About two or three months later the doctors called to see what had happened, they were told that she was still alive. The doctor ordered a new examination, he could find no evidence of the tumor; but said it might come back. A year later a new examination was given, and they still could not find any tumor. The doctors now believed that a miracle had happened and said so; they then put a plate of some sort in her head to protect the hole that they had made. Two years later my wife and I received an invitation to her wedding. She is still alive!

A Small Thing

This experience was not one of life or death, it was something that most any doctor could have taken care of, it was a boil under the left eye of a man that had just surrendered his life to the Lord of Glory. The man’s name was Arnold; he had the boil for a very long time. However, one day it started to grow again. Arnold went and talked to a doctor because as the boil started to grow larger it made his eye flutter, and this was very annoying. The doctor told him that if the boil imploded it could take out his optic nerve, and he would go blind in that eye.

Arnold inquired as to how much the procedure would cost, the price was more than he had, and so he called me, and said, “Do you think that God would heal me of this boil?” I said to him something that I have said to many people, “Do you think that God will heal you?” He said that he did believe that God could and would heal him. I set up an appointment to pray for him the next night, which was a meeting night.

When the meeting began Arnold asked if I would please pray for him, I told him that I would, but first I wanted to share some Scriptures with him to base his faith on, I preached for approximately one hour. On two occasions he stopped me and asked if I would then pray for him, I kept preaching, finally after going from Genesis to Revelation, I told him to come forward for prayer.

It was evident that his faith was strong at this point, after praying for him, I told him that it would dissolve in a few days and be gone; but as I was telling him this, he looked disappointed; I said further that if his faith was very strong, God might just be allowed to do a miracle, he might wake up in the morning and see that the boil was completely gone.

Arnold asked me if I could take him to work the next morning because his battery was bad in his pick-up truck, we both worked at the same airport, I told him I would. The next morning, as Arnold opened his door, I could see through the screen door that something was different with his face, I hurriedly opened up the screen door and looked at his face, the boil was absolutely gone! In its place was a tiny little blue line. If he had the operation, it would have been black and blue for several days, but it was completely GONE!

I, the man of faith, was amazed. Arnold told me that as he went to bed the night before, he said to his wife, ”When you see me in the morning this boil will be gone.”

God always honors faith like that!

M. Crane

The next example of God at work was a test of my faith. A friend of mine went with his brother, and their wives to Mexico for a vacation. While having fun, he also had a heart attack! His brother didn’t have confidence in the Mexican hospitals, and so, strapped his brother in the seat of an airliner, and headed back to Arizona.

Later that night I received a call from his wife, she said that her husband was in very critical condition in Scottsdale Memorial Hospital, and wanted me to come and pray for him. I left immediately. When I arrived his wife and children, along with his brother were all in the waiting room.

I went into the ICU and looked at him, he didn’t look good; he looked more dead than alive. As I went to pray, I realized that I was struggling with my own faith in regard to seeing him beat this thing. I stopped praying for him, and asked the Lord to forgive my lack of faith, and help me believe. In about five minutes my faith recovered, and I could pray the prayer of faith. (This was the first time that something like this had happened to me.)

After praying, I left the ICU and started to return to the family to tell them the good news, his brother met me at the door of the ICU unit, and asked me what I was going to tell his family? I said that he was going to live and be fine, and I was going to tell them this. He said to me, ”No you are not! The doctor had already said that he could not possibly live, and I will not allow you to further upset them!”  I said to him, “If you want to sit around this hospital until the doctor returns and looks at him again, you may, but I am going to tell the family to go home and get some rest, because he will live.” The family went home, and when the doctor again examined him, he called to say all was going to be fine.

Mr. Crane went on to live to be quite old!

The Missionary And Her Problem

This incident occurred in Belem,’ Brazil, while my wife and I were serving the Lord as missionaries. One evening a woman by the name of D. Green came to visit us, she began the conversation by saying she heard that I had been praying for the sick and expected the Lord to heal them, outside of any natural help from man.

I told her that this was true. She then told me that she had attended a large accredited college in California, and her teachers taught her that God did not do miracles any more, and not to expect it. I responded to her by saying that she had been lied to, and then asked her where in the Bible had she, or they, her teachers, read that God was going to stop doing miracles?

This started a lengthy conversation; we didn’t stop until three in the morning. I was very tired the next morning, and made a promise to my body, that I would have it in bed early this evening. When evening had arrived I could see Mrs. Green coming through the jungle to our little home, I groaned, oh no, not again. When she entered our home I told her that I believed that I had covered just about every Scripture pertaining to Divine healing, and did not want to contest with her any longer on the subject. I said to her, “I am content if you don’t believe in Divine healing, and asked if she could be content with me believing?” She then began again, asking more questions, only to try and refute everything that I said. The evening disappeared, and once again it was three in the morning. I could not understand what good could possibly come of this. I, now, was VERY tired.

The next evening Mrs. Green appeared on our doorstep.  I became very emphatic, and told her that I didn’t intend to discuss the subject of Divine healing with her anymore. The next thing I knew, we were engaged in the subject of Divine healing once again! She was very intelligent, she was a Bible translator, she and her husband were very nice, and gentle people, her persistence on this subject was out of character for her. We went on with her questions until about eleven that evening, and then something very remarkable happened, after answering her last question, she didn’t argue, she didn’t respond. After a moment or two, I looked up at her, she was crying very gently; I was somewhat shocked to see tears in her eyes. I asked her what was wrong, she simply said, “I believe,” I said, “what?” She repeated, “I believe.” She then went on to tell me that she was not allowed to return to her Indian tribe in the Amazon jungle until she had the operation; she was continually bleeding, internally, and could not return to the jungle until after the operation. She went on to explain that she and her husband were at a critical time with their work, and the time off for the operation would be costly. At this point she looked me in the eye, and asked, “Do you think that God would heal me?” I told her that I had been making that very point for the last three nights; of course God would heal her, if she would only believe and trust Him.

At this point she asked for prayer, my wife and I prayed for her. I felt on my body a wonderful anointing of God’s precious Spirit, and knew that God was at work in her. After we prayed, with tears coming down her cheeks, she exclaimed, “I am healed!”

The next morning she was coming down the path to our little home, as she came closer I could see that she was crying. I asked, ”What is wrong?” She said, “The mission won’t let me return to the tribe until I have the operation.” I asked her, “Did God heal you last night?” She said, “Yes” I then said to her, “If you ask the doctor to give you one more examination before the operation, what will he find?” She started to smile, and said, “He will see that I have been healed.” I said let him examine you, and then you can testify to that doctor of God’s amazing grace! After the doctor examined her, he found that the flow of blood had indeed stopped. She then went on to witness to this doctor of God’s healing power.

Because I have been praying for the sick, and casting out Devils for so many years, I can’t remember all the thousands of people that I have prayed for, the list would make a very complete book. I believe that this small sampling will demonstrate that God is still on His throne, and He has not changed.

 Malachi 3:6

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 And again, Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

A Few Testimonies From The Eighteen Hundreds

Instantaneously Healed

Brother E. B. Williams, of Warren, Ill., writes us of instantaneous recovery of a woman in answer to prayer as follows "In the year 1830, in the town of Shelby, Orleans county N.Y., a woman of middle age lay very sick for a time under the doctor's care without any benefit and then she was pronounced by all as incurable. As I was praying one morning in church, without thinking of the case, there came a voice to me from some source which was as distinct as a man could speak, saying: 'Go, and pray for that woman.' I went to her home the next week, and tried to make her comfortable. She was apparently in a dreamy state. I left the house without prayer, and thought no more of it, until a day or two after, when father and I went to the same place on business.

She saw me and beckoned me to come to her, and I did so. She whispered to me, asking why I did not pray for her the other day, and added: "Something told me that thee came to pray for me,' (she was a Quaker.) I told her I was sent to do so, but diffidence and timidity prevented me at that time. I felt no call to pray then but a day or two after, while I was alone and going by the place, without thought on the subject, the words came to me again, as plain as man could speak them: 'Go, and pray for that woman' I went in, and called the family together and while we engaged in prayer, an invisible power was felt by all in the house, and that woman was healed at once, and was made completely well."

Robert Green’s Wonderful Answer To Prayer

Robert Green was born and brought up a slave in Charleston, S.C. His master was a Methodist minister, who owned a large number of slaves, and was consequently very rich; but the act of emancipation suddenly reduced him to poverty. This reverse of fortune so overcame him, that he was taken immediately sick, and died soon after. Robert had by this time become a first-class cook, and when freed, he went as cook on board a steamship running from Charleston to New York. This position he held for two years, after which he came to New York to live, and found no difficulty in getting and keeping a job as cook in saloons or hotels. While engaged in this business he was taken sick with a rheumatic disease, which confined him to his bed for six months. After having spent all of his savings for doctors and nurses, he was carried to the Home, a helpless cripple; he could use neither hands nor feet. One afternoon as we were visiting through the wards, finding him so very sick, we stopped by his bed, and began to talk with him about his soul, warning him to get ready for death. Until this time he had been careless and unconcerned about eternal things; but to find strangers so interested in his soul's welfare, and the solemnity and earnestness with which the exhortation was delivered, so deeply impressed him, that he could not obliterate the effect from his mind. He slept none that night, for the solemn words kept ringing in his ears: "Get ready for death! Get ready for death!" At one time during the night, he felt quite sure that he saw the same missionary standing by his bedside, repeating the same words: "You better get ready for death!" He heard her voice, and knew it to be the same that warned him in the afternoon. The following day he would take no food, but said that he must fast and pray until the Lord had forgiven his sins.

He was in great distress of soul, praying day and night for mercy. The next Wednesday he asked if he might be taken into the chapel to the meeting. The doctor said he was not able to go; but he begged so hard that the doctor finally consented; and two of the men helped him into the chapel. After the sermon, an invitation was given for sinners to come to the altar for prayer. Robert said he wanted to go, and the men helped him to the altar, where he began to cry for mercy. The praying ones gathered around him, and carried his case to the Lord in mighty prayer. He had a hard struggle, but came off victorious. The blessing came in overwhelming power; he began to shout the praises of God, and asked to be helped on his feet. They told him he could not stand, and had better remain sitting. But he begged them to help him on his feet; so they raised him from the chair, and held him, while he continued to shout: "Glory to God! Glory to God!" Soon he told them to let him go, and, breaking away, he walked off a few steps, and stood shouting: "Glory to God!" for a few moments. Then he began walking to and fro in front of the altar, still shouting: "Glory to God! He has converted my soul, and healed my body! I am a well man. Glory to God! He has converted my soul, and healed my body!"

The next day one of the doctors came into the ward, and left him some medicine. He said: " Doctor, I don't want any more medicine. The Lord has converted my soul, and healed my body." "I heard," said the doctor, "that you walked from the chapel into the ward yesterday; Are you well to-day? Let me see you walk!" Robert rose to his feet, and walked across the ward and back. "That will do," said the doctor; "I guess you will be able to leave the Home soon." And he did leave soon after, and engaged in his former business. It has been about four years since his conversion. He has enjoyed perfect health ever since, is a member in good standing in one of the churches, and continues faithfully following the Lord. - Brands from the Burning.

 Elder Simpson’s Recovery

Elder Bowman, of the M.E. Church, gives the following instance from his own experience:

"In the fall of 1858, while visiting Indiana, I was at an annual conference where Elder Janes presided. We received a telegram that Elder Simpson was dying. Said Elder Janes: "Let us spend a few moments in earnest prayer for the recovery of Elder Simpson." We kneeled to pray. William Taylor, the great California street-preacher, was called to pray; and such a prayer I never heard since.

The impression seized upon me irresistibly, Elder Simpson will not die. I rose from my knees perfectly quiet. Said I: "Elder Simpson will not die." "Why do you think so?" "Because I have had an irresistible impression made upon my mind during this prayer."' Another said: "I have the same impression." We passed it along from bench to bench, until we found that a very large proportion of the conference had the same impression. I made note of the time of day, and when I next saw Simpson, he was attending to his daily labor. I inquired of the Elder: "How did you recover from your sickness?" He replied: "I cannot tell." "What did your physician say?" "He said it was a miracle." I then said to the Elder: "Give me the time and circumstances under which the change occurred.' He fixed upon the day, and the very hour, making allowance for the distance a thousand miles away that the preachers were engaged in prayer at this conference. The physician left his room and said to his wife: "It is useless to do anything further; the Elder is going to die." In about an hour he returned, and started back, inquiring: "What have you done?" "Nothing," was the reply. "He is recovering rapidly," said the physician; "a change has occurred in the disease within the last hour beyond anything I have ever seen; the crisis is past, and the Elder will recover." And he did."

The doctor was puzzled; it was beyond all the course and probabilities of nature, and the laws of science. What was it that made those ministers so sure -- what was it that made the patient recover, at the exact hour that they prayed? There is only one answer: "The ever-living power of a Superior Spirit who rules the world." -- Wonders of Prayer.

 

A Cancer Healed, And A Withered Arm Restored

Brother W. B. Bailey wrote us from Hybrid, Mo., January 7, 1887:

"I had a cancer in my left breast. It pained me very much; had become very sore and tender, and was a running sore. The saints prayed for me, and the Lord answered our prayers. Praise His holy name! The pain left me instantly, but the cancer healed gradually. It healed up without medicine or plaster, or anything but by trusting God alone. Praise the Lord for healing me, both soul and body. See Mark 16:18 and James verses 13-16."

His wife wrote at the same time:

"And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matt. 21:22 I praise the Lord, prayer was answered for me. I was very much afflicted in body. I went to the doctors. They could not cure me, I only grew worse. Was taken with a pain in my right shoulder. How I suffered, no one can understand. I could not use my arm without great pain. I could not raise my hand to comb my hair. My arm wasted away until it was smaller than the other. My hand was cold most all of the time. I was a cripple ten years. And then the saints prayed for me, and God healed me in answer to prayer. I can use my arm now. My hand is like the other. I can write and work with my right hand. I also had the dyspepsia seventeen years, and am healed in answer to prayer."

Miss Carrie Webb’s Story Of Her Restoration To Health By Prayer

Miss Carrie C. Webb, who believes that she experienced a faith-cure recently, while sojourning at Northport, Long Island, has returned to her home, 416 Gold-street, Brooklyn, and many friends and neighbors have called to see her, and hear her remarkable story. She is twenty-three years old, and of slender form. She has been a teacher in the Hanson Place Baptist Church for several years, and her father is a deacon in the Bedford Avenue Baptist Church, whose venerable pastor, the Dr. Hutchings, with many members of his congregation, are firm believers in the efficacy of prayer in removing disease. Two months ago Miss Webb went to spend the summer at her brother's house, in Northport, and her condition, physically and mentally, was such that her friends never expected to see her come back alive. She has, however, returned, with her mind bright and clear, and her health fully restored.

This is Miss Webb's explanation of how the change was brought about: "I had been declining in health for nearly seven years, suffering constantly from bronchitis and a severe cough. My mind became affected, and I had strange and uncontrollable thoughts, and became morbid and despondent. I was at last attacked with neuralgia, and often prayed that I might die, as I became a burden to my family. One day soon after I arrived at Northport and while I was lying on a lounge in the library, at my brother's house, my eye lighted on a book on faith-cures. I read it. That same afternoon my brother asked me if I had ever thought of faith-cure, and I told him about reading the book, adding that I had never thought of it in connection with myself. I said, I did not think I had sufficient faith to receive such a blessing. He told me to think over and pray about the matter; and three days after I went to him and told him I was ready to be anointed. My brother sent for the Presbyterian minister of the village, and when he arrived, we went into the library. The service was very impressive, and I wept all the time it was going on, and when he was pouring oil on my head, I did not feel any better, and I did not feel any better the next day, but rather worse. "Just one week after the anointing I awoke in unusual pain, and prayed to God to let me die. Then I suddenly thought it would be better for me to pray for health; and I prayed, and cried, for three hours. Finally, when I arose and stood erect, I felt a sensation of health and strength I had not known for seven long years. I realized that I was well again, and that my prayers had been answered. Not only had my pains all vanished, but the cloud also disappeared from my mind. The cure was genuine and complete. I have not had a pain or ache since that morning of prolonged prayer."

Sister K. J. Convers

In 1890, Sister K. J. Convers, of Stanton, Mich., wrote us of her remarkable recovery through the faith and prayers of Sister N.G. Fisher, of the same place. We are well acquainted with these saints of God, and know the circumstances as related to be reliable. Sister Convers' statement is as follows: In the year 1885, I was healed by the hand of God, and am still telling of His power, and praising Him for His love to me. At that time I had had poor health for a number of years, and for several weeks previous to my healing I was dangerously ill.

I went to a great many doctors. They all said that I would die very soon. The last one who came said I would not live but a very short time. But in early life I gave my heart to God, and, so was only waiting for Him to take me home. March 1, 1885, I became worse. Friends came to see me, expecting it would be the last time. Brother and Sister Honer sat up with me. In the morning, just before they started home, he said: "Sister Convers, at half past two, look to God. We will remember you in prayer for your healing." For nearly a year before, every time I saw Sister Fisher she would say that God wanted to cure me.

I would answer: "I would like to get well;" but that was about all the thought I ever gave it, until God fitted me for the work to be done. At the time Brother and Sister Honer appointed for special prayer, I was taken very bad. Every time I coughed they had to raise me to keep me from strangling; and that time when I laid down I saw Sister Fisher standing at the foot of my bed, but at that time she was a mile away from me praying. Just by her side I saw the blessed Savior standing. I saw His hand pointing toward me, and heard Him say, "If you take that medicine you will surely die at four in the afternoon." God sent Sister Fisher to see me.

He came with her, and filled both of us with His blessed faith; praise His name! I had tuberculosis. My lungs were so nearly gone that my voice could only be heard in a faint whisper. I had heart disease, and a tumor in my right side, so that I could not touch my feet by bending over.

My left side had been struck with paralysis, and my hand was helpless. I had ulcers on my liver, and had not lain on my left side for six months. It was just half past four when Sister Fisher came, and at half past six I was a well woman, and up off from my bed, praising God for what He had done for me. I felt God's hand laid on every diseased spot. When the hand was laid on my arm, I felt the hand so plainly I could tell the side the fingers were on. When it passed off from my arm, the Lord said to me: "Now can you raise clean hands?"

My husband said my hand went up; I held it there one hour without even moving a finger. One Monday evening after God healed me, I walked one mile to church, and told what God had done for me. It has been five years since God healed me, and I keep well, by having faith in Him; and when I feel badly I just ask God to keep me well, and I have faith He will, and He does. My faith is strong today. God can save us from sin, and He is able to heal our bodies. I have laid aside medicine, and taken God for my physician, and am telling everybody what God can do, if we will believe His Word. Praise His matchless Name forever! Oh you of little faith take God at His Word and be healed.

Healed Of Diphtheria

In the fall of 1885, our oldest boy, then two and one-half years old, was taken very ill. Diphtheria had for some time been raging to a considerable extent in the city of Grand Rapids, where we then resided. But a short time before, friends, who had just buried a little daughter, who had died of that disease, had visited at our home. Our little Rolin's throat was badly cankered, he could no longer lie down without strangling; and we felt that by nothing but the power and mercy of God, could he be spared to us. With a sad, aching heart, I laid away his little playthings, thinking I might never see him use them again; and as I looked over to the cemetery on the hill beyond us, a great yearning cry of anguish went up from my soul, as I thought that, in all human probability, I might be called within a few days, to that place, to lay away the form of my darling.

More from a sense of regard for the feelings and convictions of others, than because of any confidence in the power of human remedies to meet the demands of the case, my husband sent for a physician. As the one sent for was not in his office; the friend who went for him brought another, prominent for skill and experience. After careful examination, he pronounced the child dangerously ill of diphtheria, and said to the friend who brought him: "They do not realize how sick that child is; whatever is done for him must be done quickly." He would leave no medicine, unless we gave him entire charge of the case, and this we did not feel ready to do.

After his departure, my husband said to me: "If you wish me to send for another physician, I will do so; but for myself, I can as easily exercise faith in God to heal Rolin as to trust Him to receive the money to pay a doctor."

Then, while I sat with Rolin in my arms, he knelt and prayed. As he plead with God that, He would spare and heal the child He had given us, I knew he was wonderfully helped of the Spirit. When he arose he told me that he had the positive assurance that his prayer was heard, and that Rolin would recover.

For hours previous, the sick one had been suffering greatly; but he immediately appeared very much better, and soon dropped into a sweet sleep. We laid him down among the pillows, and soon after retired, and that night we all slept well. The next morning, Rolin was up, dressed, and playing as usual about the house, and there was no more sign of diphtheria in him.

In a short time a sister in the Lord, who had been with us the previous afternoon, but who left at about the time we sent for the physician, and who knew nothing of what had transpired in her absence, came to the door. As I met her she said: "I have good news for you. Rolin is going to get well." And upon careful inquiry we found that at very nearly, if not exactly, the same time that my husband said to me that God had assured him that Rolin would recover, this sister, then a mile and a half away, had testified the very same thing to those that were with her.

A few weeks later, my husband was just as miraculously healed of the same disease, and the very next day rode over twenty miles in a cutter; and though it was a very cold, raw, windy November day, his throat did not trouble him in the least.  Yours in the love of Jesus.  - Mrs. S. B. Shaw

Mrs. Claghorn Healed Through Faith

"I am the Lord that heals you."

With a deep sense of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for my restoration to health, I write this testimony. I will begin with extracts from a statement of my condition at the time of my restoration, written by the attending physician thinking it will be more satisfactory than one of my own.

"Mrs. Claghorn came to me for treatment, first on June 6, 1885, then afterwards during August, 1885, and almost continuously thereafter, until January 26, 1886 -- the day of her sudden and marvelous restoration to health. Her symptoms were frequent chills, pains in the bones, pains in the back, inability to sleep, and at times terrible paroxysms of tonic and chronic spasms, strongly marked opisthotones, cramping of limbs, coldness of extremities, intense pain at the base of the brain, intolerance of light, sometimes complete unconsciousness; the paroxysms being frequently followed by partial paralysis of the right side. She also suffered from a large cellulitis tumor. At times the case responded readily to the treatment given; at other times, she grew rapidly worse for several days; the attack culminating in a paroxysm, followed by more or less paralysis. Such an attack occurred from the 21st to the 25th of January 1886, although not so severe as some she had had. The morning of the 26th, she was unable to turn herself in bed, and had not stood upon her feet for five months. The details of her sudden restoration, which occurred that afternoon, she can best give in her own language. She rode about a mile the next evening, in a cutter, to prayer-meeting, walked down the aisle like a girl of eighteen, and from a condition of emaciation, rapidly gained in flesh and appearance. I made an examination March 5, 1886, and found the cellulitis tumor gone. More than a year has now passed away, and she is and has been apparently in the most perfect health. There has been no recurrence of her sufferings during the past year.

Respectfully, A.M. HUTCHINSON, M. D., Waseca, Minn.

For two weeks before my restoration I was unable to turn myself in bed, or to feed myself. All that time my right side was helpless, and I was rapidly sinking. On the 25th of January, I was taken with convulsions, though not so severe as on some previous occasions.

My physician was with me until midnight, when I grew easier. On the morning of the 26th, I felt better, until about seven o'clock, when I commenced to feel much worse. I suffered intensely, and could feel the terrible convulsions coming back. While I was in such pain, my husband received some statements of "faith-cure," which an unknown friend had sent, and he commenced reading one; saying it might make the time pass more rapidly if I could bear the reading. I was not at all interested at first, for I knew nothing of such things; I had heard of a few cases, but they were all so far away, I set them aside as something I could not understand. But this was an account of a lady whose disease was just enough like mine to hold my attention, and he read it to the end. I was too ill to think much about it, but I could see it was no made up story, and wondered if God would really do such things.

At 12:40 P.M. my husband went out, leaving me in the care of an attendant, who was in an adjoining room. I began to wonder if it were possible that the Lord could heal me. I had not, in all my sickness, asked Him for health. But now I seemed to be led to make the request: "Lord, if Thou hast this healing for me, give it to me now and instantly a voice said: "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise and walk!" and I was thrilled through and through with sensations impossible to describe. While I was wondering, the command was repeated in the same words. But I did not feel any strength, and the terrible pain still remained. So I said aloud: "But I haven't the strength, Lord; give me the strength, and I will get up;" and again the same voice said: "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise and walk " Then I made an effort to arise; it was more a mental effort than anything else; but I rose like a feather, and stood upon my feet. All pain ceased the first moment for months. It was just one o'clock. I commenced to say: "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief," and prayed it continually. Then I sat down on the side of the bed, and raising my arms above my head, used the paralyzed side freely.

A swelling the size of an egg was gone, and everything inside of me seemed to be changing position, and recreating sensations impossible to describe were felt all through me.

Then I got up and walked a few steps, and turned and looked at the bed, and the medicine beside it, and I commenced to sink to the floor. But I asked for more strength, and received it, and went on around the bed to the center of the room, when I thought I would have my clothes brought, and dress. But when I would have called the nurse, the impression was received (not in an audible voice): "It is enough, you have seen the power of God, go back to bed;" and I obeyed.

Upon returning to bed, I re-consecrated myself to God, and begged Him to complete His will in me; and glorify Himself in me; and I received the assurance that He would. Soon after the nurse brought me some food. I surprised her very much by feeding myself, and my stomach, which had previously rejected all food, retained it now with ease.

Now my husband came in, looking so disconsolate, and prepared to find me much worse than when he left me. I need not attempt to tell of his joy and surprise upon hearing what God had done for me in his absence; you can better imagine it. When he had returned thanks, I requested him to go for my physician.

The Doctor was not in town, and I did not see him until evening. His first words upon entering my room were: "Glory to God!" and he returned thanks to God for His marvelous work, as only a thoroughly consecrated Christian could; not reserving a particle of credit for the cure, but giving all glory and honor to God. He forbade all medicine. That night I arose and knelt at the bedside in prayer. I slept that night, as I have every night since, like a babe. I never had such refreshing sleep. I had had no natural sleep during my sickness.

The next morning I arose and dressed, unassisted, and walked out to breakfast; ate heartily, and in the evening I rode nearly a mile to our weekly prayer-meeting, and told how great things the Lord had done for me. My strength returned gradually. For days I could not stand upon my feet without first asking for strength; and if I were standing, and would for an instant take my mind off Christ, I would commence to sink to the floor. All functions were naturally resumed without any pain whatever.

Tumors and all inflammation were all dispelled, and I was a well woman. Several times I had severe paroxysms of pain, but I would go right to God, and he would remove them at once.

My right side was much shrunken, and shorter than the other. When I stood upon my left foot, the toes of my right foot touched the floor. That, however, stretched out gradually as I used my limbs. It is now more than a year since I was restored. I have done all my work since the first of June. I ask for strength for a day at a time, and God helps me over all the hard places.

I have not had a sick day since my restoration. I have had severe colds several times, but they have been removed by resorting to my new found Physician; and I have not taken a drop of medicine since the 26th of January, 1886, neither have I done anything for myself in a medicinal way. God has done it all.

Satan has tried many times to tempt me, but the Sword of the Spirit, when presented, proves too much for him. I have written this for the glory of God.

Mrs. Cone’s Poison Ivy Suddenly Healed

In answer to our request, Sister S.E. McKeen, of Lake City, Iowa, has furnished us the following account of a wonderful case of physical healing. Her statement is entirely reliable. We give it in her own words "Last August, I attended a meeting held at Storm Lake, Iowa, for the promotion of holiness, and while there became acquainted with a young minister and wife from Dakota by the name of Cone. Unfortunately for them, they pitched their tent where poison ivy had grown, and she became sadly poisoned. When I first saw her on Thursday evening, she was suffering from fever, and in great pain.

Her face was swollen; her eye bloodshot, and her whole body was covered with the eruption that follows the ivy-poison. Her stomach also refused to retain food or medicine, and if she raised her head she became faint. "Physicians were consulted, and various remedies tried, but still she found no relief. The tent had been moved, and on Sunday morning, when I called to see her on my way to the tabernacle to morning service, she was no better.

That morning her husband had told me that she wanted them to pray that she might be healed. I went on to the service, but the tent was so crowded, and I was feeling so very tired, that I went to our tent to lie down for rest, and read my Bible. I had lain but a few minutes when her sister-in-law came in, and said that Mrs. Cone wanted me. On asking what was wanted, she said: "She wants you to pray that she may be healed." To say that I was surprised does not express it; I was amazed, for ' faith-cure' was something I did not know much about, never having given it any serious thought.

I did not understand the work of the Holy Ghost, being myself a new convert to holiness, and having come to this place to be established in the doctrine. "I said: 'I'll go. Oh Jesus, show me what to say to the dear one, and for her to You."

I sat down by her bed a moment, and then asked: 'Do you believe the prayer of faith will save you?' She quickly answered: 'Yes.' I knelt down beside her, and prayed, and the Holy Spirit took complete possession of me, for I did not know where I was or what I said; but when I arose my soul was so full I could not speak. I left her, still in prayer, without a word.

"I was engaged in one of the small tabernacles, and had so completely given her over to Jesus that the whole thing passed from my mind. It was five o'clock when I returned, and as usual went to see how the sister was; when, I found her sitting outside her door, and dressed for evening service. When she saw me she said "Praise God! I'm healed.' Glory to Jesus! The Great Physician had been there and she was restored whole.

Her husband had only that morning got permission to leave his tent on the ground, for the Storm Lake physician had said she could not be moved for a week. Hallelujah! How it strengthened my faith, and how strong I felt to do God's will. I have often felt my weakness since then, but it has been a bright spot to look back to ever since. I am walking in the highway of holiness, and light streaming down from above makes my pathway all clear, going home to Jesus."

Mrs. Miller, A Suffering Invalid, Healed By The Power Of God

Charles G. Finney, during his lifetime, was familiar with the circumstances connected with the remarkable healing of a sick lady in Oberlin, OH. The wife of R.D. Miller, and these facts were vouched for as unquestionably authentic. Mr. Finney says:

Mrs. Miller is the wife of a Congregational minister, and a lady of unquestionable veracity. However the fact of her healing is to be accounted for, her story is no doubt worthy of entire confidence, as we have known her for years as a lame, suffering invalid, and now see her in our midst in sound health.

This instantaneous restoration was accounted by Mrs. Miller and those who were present, as a supernatural, and direct answer to prayer. The facts must speak for themselves. Why should not the sick be healed in answer to the prayer of faith? Unbelief can discredit them, but faith sees nothing incredible in such facts as are stated by Mrs. Miller.

Mrs. Miller's own statement is as follows, and it is fully endorsed by the most reliable citizens and members of the First Church at Oberlin:

"From my parents I inherited a constitution subject to a chronic form of rheumatism. In early years I was attacked with rheumatic weaknesses and pains, which affected my whole system.

For nearly forty years I was subject to more or less suffering from this cause; sometimes unable to attend Church meetings for months at a time. For seven years, until the last three months, I have been unable to get about without the aid of crutch or staff, generally both. I have used many liniments and remedies, but with no permanent results. I have been a Christian from early life, but last spring, in our revival, I received a spiritual refreshing from the Lord, which gave a new impulse to my faith. Since then my religion has been a new life to me.

"Last Summer, several of us Christian sisters were in the habit of spending short seasons of prayer together, that the Lord would send us a pastor. Some of our number had read the narrative of Dorothea Trudel, and had spoken to me on the subject of healing in answer to prayer.

My faith had not then risen to this elevation. I had in fact accepted what I supposed to be the will of God, and made up my mind to be a lame and suffering invalid the rest of my life. I had long since ceased to use remedies for the restoration of my health; and had not even thought of praying in regard to it, for I regarded it as the will of God that I should suffer in silent submission. (One of the Devils greatest deceptions)

"Notwithstanding what had been said to me, I remained in this opinion and in this attitude until the 26th of September, 1872, when several ladies met at our house, by appointment, for a prayer-meeting. I had been growing worse for some time, and was at that time unable to get out to attend a meeting. I was suffering from a great deal of pain that afternoon; indeed, I was hardly able to be out of my bed. Up to this time, none of the sisters who had conversed with me about the subject of healing by faith had been able to tell me anything from their own experience.

That afternoon, one lady was present who could speak to me from her own experience of being healed in answer to the prayer of faith. She related several striking instances in which her prayers had been answered in the removal of many different forms of disease to which she was subject.

She also repeated a number of passages of Scripture, which clearly justified the expectation of being healed in answer to the prayer of faith. She also said that Jesus had shown her that he was just as ready to heal diseases now as he was when on earth; that such healing was expressly promised in Scripture, in answer to the prayer of faith, and that you can study the entire Bible and will find that it was nowhere taken back. At times some men and a few denominations had taught that Divine healing had stopped, but the Bible, from cover to cover nowhere agrees with this!

These facts, reasonings, and passages of Scripture, made a deep impression on my mind, and, for the first time, I found myself able to believe that Jesus would heal me in answer to prayer. She asked me if I could join my faith with hers, and ask for present healing. I told her I felt that I could. We then knelt, and called upon the Lord. She offered a mighty prayer to God, and I followed.

While she was leading in prayer, I felt a quickening in my whole being, whereupon my pain subsided; and when we rose from prayer I felt that a great change had come over me, that I was cured. I found that I could walk without my staff or crutch, or any assistance from any one. Since then my pains have never returned; I have more than my youthful vigor; I walk with more ease and rapidity than I ever did in my life; and I never felt so fresh and young as I now do, at the age of fifty-two.

"Now, the hundred and third psalm is my psalm, and my youth is more than renewed, like the eagle's. I cannot express the constant joy of my heart for the wonderful healing of my soul and body. I feel as if it was every whit made whole."

The testimony of eyewitnesses to this healing is as follows: "We were all present at the time of the healing, and know the facts to be true. We are all Christians, and have no interest in deceiving anybody, and would by no means dishonor God by stating anything more than the exact truth.

Since the healing, Mrs. Miller is still with us, and in excellent health. Neither the severe cold of last winter, nor the extreme heat of this summer, has at all injured her health. From our first acquaintance with her, she had been so lame as to be unable to walk, except by the aid of crutches. Since which time she has been able to walk without help, and appears perfectly well."

Her husband, also adding his testimony,  "She has been unable to walk without crutches for a series of years -- A long time ago, we tried many remedies and physicians, with no lasting good results, and were expecting she would remain an invalid. Of late, she had applied no remedy, nor taken any medicine. At the time of her cure, she was much worse than for a long while before, being in great pain continually, until the moment she fully believed; and, in an instant, she was restored to perfect soundness. From that moment to this, she has not felt a particle of her former complaint.

"She can now walk for miles as fast as I wish to, without feeling very much fatigue, she now does all her own housework, and attends seven meetings during the week. In short, she is stronger, and seems as young and spry, as when we were married, thirty-two years ago. The work of the dear Savior in her cure seems to be perfect, and she is an astonishment to all who knew her before and see her now. To His name all the praise.

"Another lady, the same week my wife was healed, a member of the First Congregational Church, confined to her bed with a complicated disease, was prayed for, and restored at once to soundness also."-- Wonders of Prayer.

Remarkable Healing Of Mrs. Susan E. Miller

When I was twelve years of age I felt the need of a new heart. I asked God for it, and He gave it to me. I am now forty-six years old, and oh, how wonderfully the Lord has led me! I must say, there is nothing so grand and glorious as to know that we are of God's chosen ones. When I came to Grand Rapids five years ago I became acquainted with S. B. Shaw (President of the Michigan Holiness Association), and his very worthy wife. I saw them live by faith alone for all things, both spiritual and temporal; and of them I learned how to consecrate myself wholly unto the Lord.

I had been afflicted with rheumatism from a child; and had spent large sums of money for my recovery, but could only find relief for a few weeks at a time. I was sick and helpless in bed with inflammatory rheumatism, when I heard through Mrs. Shaw of Mrs. Dora Griffin. I sent for her to anoint me. After she had done so, and while she was praying for my recovery, the Lord touched my body, and I was healed that very same hour, and have never been troubled with rheumatism since; praise God!

One year after this, the piles came upon me, and I suffered greatly. After trying many remedies and doctors without relief, I said: "The Lord has healed me, and He will heal me again; " so I went to the "Beulah" rest, and after prayer and anointing, I was healed, and went home happy, healed and converted in both soul and body; praise His name forever!

Dear friends, you who are sick of sin and sick in body, come to Jesus, and be healed, soul and body. -- Mrs. Susan E. Miller.

Miracle Of Healing

The author has received a letter from James H. Blackman of Sharon, Mass., (P. O. address at Canton, Mass.,) which is of extraordinary interest. Some of the facts have been given before, but never so fully as now. Slightly abridged, it is as follows, dated Oct. 23, 1875:

"In the spring of 1870, my wife was taken sick with kidney-complaint. She continued to grow worse during the summer. I took a bottle of urine to Dr. Erasmus D. Miller, a celebrated physician of Boston, to be tested. He sent me a note saying: "Her disease is Bright's disease of the kidneys, in a far advanced stage, and incurable.' The water was afterward tested by several physicians, who coincided with Dr. Miller. An increase of albumen was apparent at every test, and the last, (a 2 oz. bottle,) tested by Dr. A. A. Holmes, of Canton, contained nothing but albumen. The water gradually decreased in quantity, and finally stopped altogether, and for two years nothing passed. It is well known that physicians do not profess to cure this disease. During my wife's illness her left limb became completely paralyzed, and withered away to the size of a man's wrist in the largest place, without any feeling even to pins and boiling water. She tipped a milk pan of boiling water upon her feet, but did not know that this limb was scalded till she began to dress her well foot. For three years and two months she did not walk; for two years she crept upon her knees, drawing the lame leg after her; and for the last year she moved herself around in a wheeled invalid chair. During these three years she was taken out of her bed in the morning and put in to it again at night. For the two years and four months no physician had been in the house, and she had taken no medicine, resorted to no bathing or rubbing. She ate but once a day, and immediately would vomit.

"During her sickness, God gave me a new heart, and I prayed for her conversion, which occurred in January 1874; and then for that of our daughter, which took place in February. Previously I was a Unitarian, unacquainted with evangelical doctrines. Not knowing that the Christian world had decided that the day of miracles had passed, in my ignorance and simplicity, I went to praying with faith in Christ's promise, that my wife might be healed, my wife and daughter joining after their conversion. God gave me the assurance that our prayers were accepted, and I became bold to say to others that she would soon walk. I made this declaration to James Jennison, a Congregational minister at Canton, and he replied: "Why, you can't expect God to do a miracle!

My assurance grew stronger and stronger, and filled me with joy and gratitude. Just then the water came back in large quantity, and on being tested by Dr. Holmes, proved free of albumen. On the morning of February 25, 1873, I prayed earnestly in secret, and then placed my wife on her knees at the family altar, and again prayed earnestly that she might walk. At the close of the prayer she was unconscious, and looked dead. She remained thus about three minutes, then she exclaimed: 'I can walk! I know I can walk! Praise God, I can walk!' She got up off her knees, and walked twice around the room, exclaiming: 'Praise God, I can walk! Why don't you praise God that I can walk?" Then we commenced shouting: 'Glory to God!' Oh, the rapture of that moment! We bowed before God and thanked Him for the great miracle He had performed.

"I opened the door, and she walked out upon the piazza; and about an hour afterward she walked out and shook hands with a neighbor, who was so surprised that he lost all power of speech. The paralyzed limb became immediately enlarged, and in a few days was plump and round, and stronger than the other. The appetite came back, the vomiting ceased, and Bright's disease, with all its attendant pains, passed away. She is in better health than ever before, and, like the impotent man at the Beautiful Gate, goes about leaping and praising God, often walking eight and ten miles a day without limping or fatigue.

"We got our faith by prayer and reading the promises. How could we, after having been born again, refuse to accept those promises as true? Our hearts had been given to Him, and we prayed for her recovery, that each might be enabled to go out into the world and make known the wonderful things God had done for us, in giving us clean hearts; and by the grace of God, so we will ever do."

The last part of Isaiah 53:5 says “And by His scourging we are healed” Jesus Christ paid the price for our healing; there is no need for us to bear it. The atonement takes care of all of humanity’s problems, many preachers don’t realize this.

I am not telling you about a Jesus that Paul knew; I am telling you about a Jesus that I know. He is the answer to all of life’s problems: sin, sickness, and demonic oppression and possession. After reading this little booklet someone might think that I put more emphasis on healing than I do on salvation. This is not true; this booklet is designed to help those that are undergoing a life threatening sickness, by letting them know that there is hope, and help, in the name and being of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. We have many other books on salvation, and we will be only too happy to send them to you. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give,” as a result, we don’t charge for any of our materials.

A few important things to think about!

Simply believe the Gospel, and Psalm 103:3, along with James 5:14-16.

Search your heart; and see if you have any un-forgiveness in your heart. If you find any un-forgiveness, at this very moment, forgive the person from your heart, make it right with whoever you have something against, and as much as it depends on you, make certain if anyone has something against you, that you do all that is in your hand to do, to make it right.

Next, search your heart, look deep and see if you have any un-confessed sin in your life, if you find any, REPENT OF IT!  You must have a pure conscience when you ask God for healing, if you don’t, you will find trouble in truly believing, and exercising faith.

Do what James 5:14 asks of you, call the elders of your Church to pray the prayer of faith for with you, if they start to pray with the words “If it be Thy will” find someone that has read the Bible, and knows the will of God, as pertaining to Divine healing. The prayer of un-belief will not get you healed! James said “And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick.” The phrase “If it be Thy will” is a declaration that we do not really know, If we don't know, how can we believe that the one we are praying for will receive his or her healing! This is not the prayer of faith that James was demanding in this Scripture.

  If you can’t find elders to pray the prayer of faith for you, contact us at 615-597-1358.

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