Praying for Sick and Ministering to People in Public
As our topic for the blog entries this month was on practical application of what we read in the Bible, as a supplement to last month’s blog on calling and being equipped for good works, I decided to interview my husband, because to me he has absolutely embraced the call of God on his life and lives out his life to help other people. I thought that would make him the perfect subject for this interview. For a couple of years my husband, Carlo, has been ministering to people wherever he goes. Let me explain what I mean by saying he ministers to people wherever he goes, He has a regular hospital ministry where he prays for the sick and he will also pray for literally anyone he encounters, be it on the street or at the shop or on the phone. I am continually encouraged by his boldness and faith and his conviction that ministry does not start or stop at in a church building. God loves everyone, all day, and He is consistently active in their lives. If we are sensitive and heed his voice we can be the hand that minsters to their needs and loves them with His love. God wants to use every single one of us to love the people we encounter and bless them and relay to them the good news that He loves them.
Me: How do you approach people?
Carlo: I see someone standing there and if I recognise a need, usually physical, I would like to emphasise that I walk towards them, not away from them. You’ll know you’re heading in the right direction when the person’s profile becomes larger and not smaller. Seriously, you would just start a conversation about anything, like “what happened to you” or “how did you get hurt?” or “why are you walking with crutches?” etc. It’s ok to ask them what’s wrong and engage in conversation. The process typically looks something like this:
1) l lead with “God loves you”
2) I offer to pray for him/her
3) I would ask them to check afterward, expecting change
4) l then share some good news with them
5) Shake a hand, give a hug
6) Turn around and continue shopping with the wife and kid
Me: Do you have a typical prayer?
Carlo: No but if you need help, ”Be healed” works
Me: How did you get started? What motivated you to get started?
Carlo: I wanted to see what Christ looks like outside of the church
Me: So what does He look like?
Carlo: He’s has a beard, long hair too. And on a lighter note, he looks like love. He looks absolutely supernatural. This is who He is. He looks like someone who absolutely agrees with what God has said.
Me: Do you ask people permission to pray for them and what does that typically sound like and how do they respond?
Carlo: Sometimes. More often I just ask them to give me their hand though I don’t think that necessarily qualifies as asking permission. I’ve not had any rejection yet, people are usually very open and inviting. This applies to both believers and unbelievers.
Me: So you walk through the shops and see people in need of prayer, usually physically hurt, and your thinking…..
Carlo:… I have what he needs
Me: Does God move and heal people even when you are not in a typical church set-up when ministering?
Carlo: Yes. This approach comes with a non-religious feel. This makes people more accepting of prayer and it also allows reaching people that might never attend church. It draws people because there is no mention of affiliation and no asking for money. We only mention Gods love and his goodness
Me: How has this influenced your relationships with people?
Carlo: Mostly positive
Me: What has praying and ministering to the sick done for you?
Carlo: It has made my faith grow in Gods faithfulness and made me trust him more. It has put me in the position to trust him more
Me: Do you experience nerves?
Carlo: More like butterflies
Me: What would you tell someone who wants to pray for sick but don’t know how to?
Carlo: I’d tell you there is no amount of praying and fasting that will facilitate the process, you need to just do it
Me: You believe it is Gods will for sick to be healed?
Carlo: Yes
I asked Carlo to also supply me with some of the core scriptures that encourages him to pray for the sick and minister healing.
Isaiah 53:5 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.
Psalm 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
Jeremiah 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them; and I will reveal unto them abundance of peace and truth.
Luke 9:2 And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.
I hope you enjoyed his responses as much as I have. Upon closing he felt the need to emphasise that when we pray and minister we should have fun and trust God to do what He said. God is faithful and consistent. I want to tell you that you already possess the necessary skills and gifts to minister healing. I pray that God will encourage your heart to pray for people around you and minister to them. May you find boldness and a renewed desire to minister healing to the broken hearted and oppressed.
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