Here is part 1.
Around the same time as the Christmas Connections event, I was again in the East Unit at the Hutchinson Correction Facility with my colleague Daren Busenitz. Each time I go into the prison to teach, I try to listen carefully to what the Spirit wants and usually do a teaching on prayer and our identity in Christ. This week, I felt clearly that I needed to teach on the healing power of God and give action steps for the guys to practice in the days following.
Before entering the prison, I texted a team of
intercessors to cover the evening in prayer. Every response was filled with
expectant belief that God was going to respond and move. As Daren and I walked
into the room, there was a tangible peace and presence. We opened with worship
and then I taught for about 45 minute on God’s power and how he still wants to
use us to heal just like his disciples did. Following the teaching we
gave space for the Lord to move and I showed how they can pray and lay hands on
the sick.
One brother needed prayer for his ankle, so I had several of
them come up to lay hands on his ankle. After they prayed three different times
this brother’s ankle was completely healed. Praise God!!!
I told them that Faith was lived out by RISK.
It takes some risk to step out and pray for healing and for people we do not
know. I released them in prayer and told
them I would come back in a month to hear stories of what God would do through
them. The next night I received this story from Brother Abe. It is so
powerful to hear how God moved in their midst as they took a risk.
Just
yesterday at our bible study with Bro. Matt, he challenged us to walk in our
God given authority in Christ and in the Power of GOD. We had a wonderful night
of prayer and healing. For the last 6 months it seems we have been talking
about God's kingdom, setting our affections on things above and not on the
things on this earth. We have been talking about the two Kingdoms: The KINGDOM
of GOD and the kingdom of the devil. For so long we have been operating under
the devils kingdom. We literally have given the wily one our keys. The Keys our
LORD and Savior died for on our behalf. The keys He has handed over to us in
Acts 1:8. I am talking about the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. We were
challenged yesterday to be bold in Christ to be who God calls us to be; to pray
for another and lay hands on another- believers and UNBELIEVERS.
Well today at work, Bro. Gentry step out on faith and took the RISK. I overheard a co-worker of ours say that his back was hurt. Take in mind he is not a believer. I talked to bro and told him, we are going to ask him if we can lay hands on him and pray for healing. You should of seen the look bro gave me. He was hesitating at first but willing at the same time. He was like if he agrees than okay. I talked to this individual and told him what I overheard him say, and asked if we could pray for him. He was like, man I accept all prayers. I may not believe in who you believe in, but i believe in the power of prayer.
The first time we laid hands on him just like Bro. Matt said, I felt some heat released through my hand while Gentry and I both prayed. Gent was fired up after that. About 30 mins to an hour later, I asked him if he noticed any difference. I let him know it is alright to say no if he didn't. He said no. I than told him about the bible study we had last night and how we were challenged to step out on faith and take a risk. I then told him that we will pray again but this time I would like for him to explain what happened. In the process of explaining what happened he told us that the pain moved from one area to another. Bro. Gent and I looked at each other. After a few more questions, we prayed again. This time for me, the heat not only was on my hand but I felt it through my arm. You want to talk about a wow experience.
After
this prayer, the guy walked off. Gent and I shared with each other what we
experienced. So at our lunch break, the guy told me, man I feel better. I still
have a dull pain but not so pinpoint and painful as it was. He was like man
this is crazy. I told him we have one more prayer to go and I believe you will
be healed from this. So the next time, I asked him another series of questions,
not only did he feel better but the pain moved to another location of his body.
Bro Gent and I went in again praying. This time I felt this heating sensation
through my shoulder, flow through my arm to my hands. We will know tomorrow how
he shall feel, pain or no pain. Regardless of pain or no pain. He asked me a question;
He asked if God will honor our prayer even though he doesn't believe. He didn't
even realize God had already did with the diminishing of his pain. In my last
prayer, I told him face to face. That my prayer was that HE will come to know
that GOD LOVES HIM JUST AS HE LOVES US. The first prayer was said in silence,
the last two were out loud and it is the MIGHTY AND GREAT NAME OF JESUS WE
PRAYED. What a day, I have to tell you. GOD is so, so, so, so good.
IN CHRIST,
Abe
IN CHRIST,
Abe
Hello Mathew Penner. I am encouraged to come across your pro ile on the blogger and the blog post. I am blessed and eel privileged and honored to get connected with you as well as know you and your amily and also know about you being missionary wtih Disciple Nations. I love getting conected with the people o God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying or one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry or last 37 yrs in this great city o Mumbai a city with a great cotrast where richest o rich and the poorest o poor with the love o Christ to bring healing to the brokenheared. We also encourage young and the adults rom the west to come to Mumbai to work witih us during their vacation time. We would love to have young people rom your church come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I AM SURE they will have a li e changing exeprience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking orward to hear rom you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your amily and riends. Also wishing you a blessed and a christ centered New year. God willing I will be in the States in the month o May and will be so glad to visit you i you are in Wichata. Note : one letter is missing rom the words due to key board's ault.
ReplyDeleteHello Mathew Penner. I am encouraged to come across your pro ile on the blogger and the blog post. I am blessed and eel privileged and honored to get connected with you as well as know you and your amily and also know about you being missionary wtih Disciple Nations. I love getting conected with the people o God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying or one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry or last 37 yrs in this great city o Mumbai a city with a great cotrast where richest o rich and the poorest o poor with the love o Christ to bring healing to the brokenheared. We also encourage young and the adults rom the west to come to Mumbai to work witih us during their vacation time. We would love to have young people rom your church come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I AM SURE they will have a li e changing exeprience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking orward to hear rom you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your amily and riends. Also wishing you a blessed and a christ centered New year. God willing I will be in the States in the month o May and will be so glad to visit you i you are in Wichata. Note : one letter is missing rom the words due to key board's ault.
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