The Witness of Friends

Recently a friend of the family and a member of our church recently was told a growth she had found was sure to be breast cancer. Through mammography the doctor could see the tumor had "fingers" growing from it and to his best knowledge and experience these usually indicated cancer. As the doctor prepared our friend for the road ahead, which would include surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, we could see a sense of uncertainty and perhaps a glimmer of fear in our friend. She is a single mother of one. Her son is her life and she has worked very hard to provide him with a comfortable home and the things kids would want growing up. She has become close to our family as she made a connection with my wife and oldest daughter, while her son was a hit with our children. As I listened to her story, I couldn't help but feel that God had a plan and was going to be glorified in this situation.

For the Sunday service of October 23, 2012, I had felt a strong leading of the Spirit to hold a healing service. I felt like the Lord wanted me to anoint these ladies and anyone else in need of healing and believe God was going to be glorified. Notice I say ladies. You see along with our family friend, we had another church member and family friend with a very similar report. This lady of the church was also a potential bearer of breast cancer. She had called me, but I was on the line with another call so she called my wife, of whom just happened to be home that day. She too gave the report of uncertainty and yet she too put her trust in God for her future. So yes, the Lord led me to pray over these two women and anoint them in a special healing service. That's when the miracles begin.

After speaking on Luke 5, and the various healings Jesus did that day, I excitedly exhorted the congregation to be the friends that were lowering their friend through the rooftop in front of Jesus for healing. I asked the second lady mentioned to come up for prayer as I had already covered this part with her. Unexpectedly the first lady of the story couldn't be at church that day. As our friend (the first lady) stood at our door telling us how she couldn't be there, I assured her we would still pray for her in a special way. You see these two ladies not only go to our church, but they are very close friends and work in the same office at the same workplace doing the same type of work. Therefore it only seemed fitting to not only pray for the second lady, but to pray over the second lady a second time on behalf of her friend the first lady.

As she knelt down at the altar I informed her I would anoint her left shoulder and pray on her behalf first. I would then anoint her right shoulder and pray on behalf of hers and our friend who couldn't be there with us. After an outpouring of prayer and a special anointing of the Spirit not only for these two women, but for several others, we left the altar believing and trusting God. Tears were shed, hearts were lightened and eyes were opened. Then we received the miraculous news.

Monday late morning our friend we had prayed for by way of her friend who was at church sent us all a message. The tumor that was so assuredly cancer was benign; there was NO CANCER! We all witnessed a true living miracle through our friend and praised God all through the day. Then I realized what part of that miracle was meant for me. Yes, I am exuberant that our friend does not have cancer. But I am also excited that I got to witness such an amazing miracle. I am one of the friends that got to witness the healing power of Jesus Christ. What makes it more exciting, is the fact that the shoulder anointed on behalf of our friend, (right shoulder) was also the affected side in question of our friend. Only God would direct something like that. Only God would lead me to pray like that. I am blessed to have a healed friend, but I am blessed that I was able to be one of the friends to witness the miracle too. Just like the friends that lowered the lame man through the rooftop and witnessed the healing of their friend, I too got to witness our friends healing. What a mighty and loving God we serve! I wouldn't trade this for anything, and yes....I believe in miracles!

Blessings to you

Pastor Wayne