A Healing Perspective
by J. John - February 2009
Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.
Ezekiel 1:28
This is a documented story of healing that happened recently. It was a normal chilly morning for upstate New York. The service was about to begin, and people were slowly coming in. The front door opened and in walked a mother, grandmother and two teenagers. However, one of the teens, Katie, was limping and looked completely dejected. I knew immediately that something was terribly wrong. I went up to her and asked what had happened. She told me that someone had slammed into her on the soccer field. The result of an MRI was that she had a stress fracture, but there was a second ‘sting’ to the MRI result. A tumour was present on the shin bone! The family were then told by the doctor that in these situations almost all of the tumours of this type are malignant.
Katie was scheduled for surgery. She was told that her career in sports would probably be over. The physical pain was overshadowed by her emotional pain, which was clearly visible in her eyes and words. Not only was her fracture leading to complications and the fear of cancer, but her spirit was broken. At this point her mother and grandmother were also in tears and it appeared that all hope had left the family. ‘This is a nice kid, Lord,’ I thought to myself. ‘Would you put it right please, Jesus?’ I said that we would pray for her after the service. The service began...
After the Holy Communion we gathered for coffee and fellowship. I made a bee-line for Katie. Not only was her body doubled over but the sadness in her eyes was obvious. For her, it was the end of the road. It was as if all her plans and aspirations were blown away and hope was not even in the equation. Do you remember feeling like that as a teen? I sure do. Not only was the shin shattered but her mind and heart was also. I heard more of the history and we spoke of forgiving the person who had slammed into her. Then, with Katie’s permission, we laid hands on the immobilised knee and ankle. It was a brief but powerful time. The Amen was said and we all went home.
The sorrow in the teen’s eyes came to mind several times that week, as if a reminder to pray for her. The following week, it was a normal chilly morning in upstate New York. Chapel was about to begin and the people were slowly coming in. In walked the mother, in walked the grandmother, in walked the daughter… wait a moment… Katie was walking normally. She was beaming. I hurried over. ‘What’s going on?’ I inquired. As I approached her, the most noticeable thing was in her eyes. Huge, open, beautiful, excited and hopeful eyes. Radiant beyond words. This girl was on fire, her face positively beatific, as if she had seen the Lord himself. Praise God. This sixteen-year-old knew; SHE KNEW. You have to have seen this face, this face of pure joy, pure freedom, pure knowing, pure Jesus – on fire, radiant with peace and all-knowing. An Easter face! I have not knowingly looked into the face of a saint but, my goodness, this was probably the closest thing to it. For a moment life was put on hold; for a moment all went silent; for a moment time stood still. Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I asked her what had happened.
She told me that the next day she awoke with no pain and that she danced to the kitchen to tell her mother. They went to see the specialist who took another MRI. The stress fracture could not be found but more importantly the tumour was not there. It was GONE. The doctor said that she would cancel the surgery, as it was now not needed. The physician said, ‘This cannot happen!’ The family told her about the prayer. ‘You have been cured,’ she proclaimed. ‘You are all set, you can go home.’ The doctor called the next day and wanted to see her again just to make sure that what she had seen the day before was true!
In this ministry, now and again I get to see into souls. As I reflect on this miracle I am sitting here smiling at God’s love. But the thing that I see the most in this are the beatific features of this teen, who, in the look in her face, told me without words that she knows who the Saviour is, she knows who the healer is, she definitely knows the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Katie, will you tell your friends about this?’ I asked. ‘Oh yes,’ she responded.
My faith was uplifted that normal chilly upstate New York morning. I had looked at someone who really knows Jesus, and truly knows the healing love and compassion of ‘The Healer’. What a privilege it is to pray for people. What more could we ask for? Now this is living!
This is what the healing ministry is all about: ‘The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed’ (James 5:15-16)
My friends, be well, do good works and for God’s sake, love one another.
Rev. Nigel Mumford
Director, The Oratory of Christ the Healer
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center
575 Burton Road, Greenwich, NY 12834
healing@ctkcenter.org
www.ctkcenter.org