It was such a great week this last week. I’m still trying to put words to it all. Years back as the Lord was telling me of the work to come I would think ‘pray for many people’ and be completely overwhelmed. And even on my previous ministry trips I’ve had a love / hate relationship with prayer. I’m called to pray, but I don’t want to be the only one praying, others can pray, on and on and on the thoughts rattled in my head and heart.
But over the years I’ve been intentionally working through all of these mixed emotions, the dividedness between my heart and mind (by which nothing comes), my theology of healing, my fears, and so much more. And this week I prayed for a couple hundred people, in four days time, one by one and it wasn’t even hard (and this was after preaching and teaching for some hours beforehand each day).
All the fears I once had have been a smoke-screen. I was so content to stay in the moment with each person, “Jesus what would you have me pray for this one?” And the Lord just poured in pictures and clarity for each and every person.
I saw wide paths and many people and I prayed legacy. I saw rich colours and swirls of fabric and I called women forth unto beauty. I saw ripples spreading from feet and I prayed influence and impact.
On and on. Of course, I don’t know these people, didn’t know a thing about most of them, but Esther was alongside me (who knows each person) listening and she later confirmed that everything I was seeing and declaring was spot on.
One of the women I prayed for had leg and hip pain. So I prayed that all hip and joint pain must go right now in the name of Jesus. She reported a few days later that all the pain is now gone. Additionally, (so I am told, I barely remember this) I told her to go home and lay hands and pray the same thing for her husbands bad back (he does not know the Lord, is Hindu I believe). She has since reported that she did that, touched and prayed over him a couple of times each day for a few days, “I declare in the name of Jesus that all back pain must go right now”, and now he is fine and back in the fields working. I love how practical Jesus is, “What would bless you today? Okay, let’s agree to that.”
One woman had been troubled by a demon every single night for some years. Each night at about 8pm she would become chaotic and irritated, in confusion and unable to settle in any way whatsoever. I prayed that demon gone and as she was released it was amazing to see her utter joy and peace upon her being. She has been fine ever since, getting good sleeps and when she came to church on Friday evening she told Pastor that she is at peace and confident that nothing else can come against her. Praise the Lord.
One fellow told the pastor that he saw behind me a great shining light, both in the church and as I stopped by his work-place, at first he was afraid, but he realized the presence of God. His mom-in-law had numbness, a bit of paralysis in her left hand and arm, that is better now, her joints were in pain, that is better now. Story after story, freedom after freedom, some in so much pain they couldn’t work are now back in the fields; livelihoods that depend on healing and strength.
I was so glad to have the opportunity to just quietly listen to the Spirit for each person. Often, in other countries or places I don’t have this luxury. For in many places the ‘pray for people’ mandate means touch a person’s head, yell some words at them, and within 10 seconds go on to the next person.
Often there is so much noise with people yelling into mics or music blaring that I cannot even hear the person next to me let alone what the Spirit might have me pray for them – this has NEVER worked for me. When this happens I may as well leave and go have a nap or something!
But this week, I could pray the healing of Jesus, and the room was quiet as we waited on the Lord together. I could stand quietly for twenty seconds if need be, my hand on their arm, waiting on the revelation of the Spirit. I could ask them about the pain, “How is it now?” and then we could pray again, till there was some healing, if not in full at least as a start. I spent hours in prayer this week, together with folks – not ‘at’ them, and it has been the utmost privilege.
All praise to you God! May the healing continue for these people who so desperately need you to make a difference in their lives.
“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper…” 1 Kings 19:11-12
Cyndy Lavoie 