Faith, Healing, and the Power of Prayer
Summary
God is indeed good, and His goodness permeates every aspect of our lives. This morning, I had the joy of sharing with you the journey of faith and the power of prayer, especially in the context of family and healing. We explored the profound truth that God is our healer, Jehovah Rapha, and how we must continually seek healing for our body, soul, and spirit. We also delved into the myths surrounding healing and the importance of understanding God's will in our lives, even when healing doesn't come in the way we expect.
I shared personal stories, including the journey of writing my book, "When God Doesn't Heal Now," which addresses walking by faith through pain, suffering, and death. This book was born out of a need to correct misconceptions and to provide a biblical perspective on healing. We also discussed the role of angels, as described in Psalm 91, and how God commands His angels to protect and guide us.
A significant part of our time was spent discussing family salvation, inspired by the story of the Philippian jailer in Acts. We learned that salvation is not just about being saved from sin but also about healing and deliverance. The story of my brother, Al, illustrated the power of persistent prayer and the breaking down of walls that separate us from our loved ones. Despite years of estrangement and spiritual barriers, God orchestrated a divine appointment that led to Al's salvation.
We examined the walls we build in our relationships, such as spiritual arrogance, offense, and prayerlessness, and how these can hinder others from seeing Christ in us. The call to action is clear: we must pray without ceasing for our family members and trust God to work in their lives. As a community, we have the opportunity to intercede for our loved ones and witness the transformative power of God's love.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Goodness and Healing: God is our healer, Jehovah Rapha, and we must continually seek His healing for our body, soul, and spirit. Understanding that healing may not always come in the way we expect is crucial, and we must trust in God's perfect will and timing. [05:15]
2. The Power of Persistent Prayer: Persistent prayer is essential in breaking down the walls that separate us from our loved ones. We must pray without ceasing, trusting that God hears our prayers and will work in the lives of those we intercede for. [29:57]
3. Breaking Down Relational Walls: We often build walls of spiritual arrogance, offense, and prayerlessness that hinder others from seeing Christ in us. Recognizing and dismantling these walls is vital for fostering genuine relationships and leading others to Christ. [34:23]
4. Family Salvation and Divine Appointments: The story of the Philippian jailer and my brother, Al, highlights the importance of family salvation and the divine appointments God orchestrates. We must remain open to God's leading and be ready to share the gospel with our loved ones. [55:50]
5. Community Intercession: As a church community, we have the opportunity to intercede for our family members and others in need of salvation. By coming together in prayer, we can witness the transformative power of God's love and see lives changed. [59:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:49] - Introduction to Healing and Prayer
- [05:15] - The Myths of Healing
- [08:58] - Commanding Angels
- [14:29] - The Importance of Prayer in Marriage
- [17:20] - The Story of the Philippian Jailer
- [20:25] - Family Devotions and Sibling Rivalry
- [23:51] - Estrangement and Reconciliation
- [27:20] - A Nightmare and a Wake-Up Call
- [29:57] - Covenant Relationships
- [34:23] - Breaking Down Relational Walls
- [38:05] - The Power of Community Prayer
- [41:00] - Living Differently from the World
- [44:23] - A Year of Prayer and Miracles
- [50:02] - A Divine Appointment in Spokane
- [55:50] - Al's Salvation and Reconciliation
- [59:40] - Call to Prayer and Intercession
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 16:25-34
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Paul and Silas take while they were in prison, and what was the immediate result of their actions? [17:20]
2. How did the Philippian jailer respond to the earthquake and the open prison doors? What was his initial reaction, and how did Paul intervene? [17:20]
3. What was the significance of the jailer's question, "What must I do to be saved?" and how did Paul and Silas respond to him? [17:20]
4. How did the jailer's household respond to the message of salvation, and what actions did they take following their belief? [17:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the concept of "walking by faith through pain, suffering, and death." How does this relate to the story of the Philippian jailer and his household's salvation? [05:15]
2. The pastor shared a personal story about his brother, Al, and the barriers that existed between them. How do these barriers compare to the walls mentioned in the sermon that can hinder others from seeing Christ in us? [34:23]
3. The sermon emphasized the role of persistent prayer in breaking down relational walls. How does the story of the Philippian jailer illustrate the power of prayer in unexpected situations? [29:57]
4. The pastor discussed the importance of divine appointments in the context of family salvation. How can believers remain open to such divine appointments in their own lives? [55:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's goodness in a challenging situation. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's role as Jehovah Rapha, the healer? [02:49]
2. The sermon highlighted the importance of persistent prayer. Identify a family member or friend for whom you have been praying. How can you renew your commitment to pray for them without ceasing? [29:57]
3. Consider the walls of spiritual arrogance, offense, and prayerlessness mentioned in the sermon. Which of these walls do you recognize in your own relationships, and what steps can you take to dismantle them? [34:23]
4. The pastor shared a story about his brother's salvation and reconciliation. Think of a relationship in your life that needs healing. What practical steps can you take to foster reconciliation and share the gospel with that person? [55:50]
5. The sermon emphasized community intercession. How can your small group come together to pray for the salvation of family members and others in need? What specific actions can you take as a group to support each other in this endeavor? [59:40]
6. Reflect on the concept of divine appointments. Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt God orchestrated a meeting or conversation? How can you be more attentive to such opportunities in the future? [50:02]
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of living differently from the world. Identify one area of your life where you can make a change to better reflect Christ to those around you. What specific actions will you take this week to live out that change? [41:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Healing and Timing
God's goodness is evident in His role as our healer, Jehovah Rapha. This healing encompasses not just our physical bodies but also our souls and spirits. It is essential to understand that while we seek healing, it may not always manifest in the way we expect. Trusting in God's perfect will and timing is crucial, even when healing seems delayed or different from our desires. This trust requires a deep faith in God's overarching plan for our lives, knowing that His ways are higher than ours. [05:15]
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy." (Psalm 103:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's timing for healing, and how can you actively surrender this to Him today?
Day 2: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer is a powerful tool in breaking down the barriers that separate us from our loved ones. It is through continuous and fervent prayer that we can trust God to work in the lives of those we intercede for. This kind of prayer requires patience and faith, believing that God hears us and is actively working behind the scenes. The story of the Philippian jailer and the speaker's brother, Al, illustrates how persistent prayer can lead to divine appointments and breakthroughs in relationships. [29:57]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person you can commit to praying for persistently, and what specific prayers can you start lifting up for them today?
Day 3: Dismantling Relational Walls
We often build walls in our relationships through spiritual arrogance, offense, and prayerlessness, which can hinder others from seeing Christ in us. Recognizing these walls and actively working to dismantle them is vital for fostering genuine relationships and leading others to Christ. This process involves humility, forgiveness, and a commitment to prayer, allowing God's love to shine through us. By breaking down these barriers, we create opportunities for reconciliation and deeper connections with those around us. [34:23]
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What relational wall have you built that needs dismantling, and what steps can you take today to begin this process?
Day 4: Embracing Family Salvation and Divine Appointments
The story of the Philippian jailer and the speaker's brother, Al, highlights the importance of family salvation and the divine appointments God orchestrates. Salvation is not just about being saved from sin but also about healing and deliverance. We must remain open to God's leading and be ready to share the gospel with our loved ones. By doing so, we can witness the transformative power of God's love in our families and experience the joy of seeing our loved ones come to faith. [55:50]
"And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.' And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house." (Acts 16:31-32, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be more open to divine appointments in your family, and what steps can you take to share the gospel with them today?
Day 5: The Role of Community Intercession
As a church community, we have the opportunity to intercede for our family members and others in need of salvation. By coming together in prayer, we can witness the transformative power of God's love and see lives changed. Community intercession involves a collective commitment to pray for one another, support each other, and trust in God's ability to work in the lives of those we care about. This shared responsibility strengthens our faith and unites us in our mission to spread the gospel. [59:40]
"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in community intercession, and who can you partner with in prayer this week to support each other's spiritual journeys?
Quotes
He is the God who heals. And we were learning a lot about prayer. And praying for the sick. And praying for those who needed healing body, soul, and spirit. Most of us still need continually healing over our minds. I know I do. I'm 77. And they say you become forgetful in your old age. [00:03:19] (40 seconds)
Let me suggest to you this morning that you get your God whys out of your brain and never use them again. The God whys? I mean, you can ask them. Guess what? You get the silent treatment from God. And one lady popped up. She says, I know why. She probably had unconfessed sin in her life. [00:05:50] (27 seconds)
And so they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and immediately he and all his family were baptized. [00:17:52] (25 seconds)
God is not willing for anyone to be lost. The Bible tells us that. But he starts with our families. He goes out from the biological family, all of them, all the relatives, the aunts, the cousins, the crazy uncle, whoever they are. He wants them all saved. [00:18:44] (32 seconds)
And we build the wall. The wall is sort of like this brick wall back here. And we're going to be able to do that. And we're going to be able to do that. And we're going to be able to do that. The pastor is going to share with you and the leaders are going to share with me how we're going to use this wall back here as a wall of prayer down the road. [00:33:12] (13 seconds)
And so on our side of the fence, when we're reaching out to a loved family member in our own biological family, in our family of friends, in the family of God, etc., we build these walls, the wall of spiritual arrogance. Now, I'm just going to have a time of confession and repentance right now. [00:33:49] (27 seconds)
And my understanding is I have seen... I have sat down over the estate, over the will, in the office there, trying to reconcile family members over a little bit of money or a little bit of property or something like that. And they're mad at each other and they're mad at each other and all that. That hurts. [00:37:36] (29 seconds)
And, you know, 100 Huntley Street had tens of thousands of people on their mailing list, and every month they got a newsletter about what the ministry was doing and how they could give a gift, and maybe if they give a gift, give some kind of premium, like a book, in return as a thank you for all of that. [00:44:23] (19 seconds)
And the campaign to reach out and pray for family members went on not for a week, but for a year. And I went back a year later to sort of celebrate with them and praise God for all the salvations because thousands upon thousands were saved, because millions were praying, and especially the family members. [00:47:05] (32 seconds)
And you can imagine, if this church prays, prays for people they put on the wall, for the wall to come down. Can you imagine the Holy Spirit going after your family members? Can you imagine God using perfect strangers to witness to them, and to love them, and to tell them good news? [00:58:24] (24 seconds)
for this time to let the Holy Spirit speak to you to shut your eyes and open your heart and say, Holy Spirit, who of my family members do I need to pray without ceasing for? Who do I need to have this whole church praying for without ceasing? [00:59:10] (30 seconds)
Who is someone in here in the family of God? You may not have a biological family, but you've got brothers and sisters right in here and that need to be in here in the community that you need to be. praying for. That plumber who just hates his job and hates you whenever you call him. He needs Jesus. [00:59:40] (23 seconds)
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