Remission or Miraculous cure

I think of "divine healing". A satellite TV program offered at least 2 promises, one was to see a healer in South Africa, the other was to attend a church series in Peckham London between 29 Feb. and 3 March. I cannot believe God needs us to travel half way across the world or wait till the end of the month to bless us!

We had been kindly invited to a healing centre which specialises in prayer for healing. I declined at present, its probably 200 miles away and I believe if God is to heal he can do it through the prayer of the local church.

Interestingly today's sermon at our local church was on John chapter 14 verses 1 to 14. Jesus says in verse 12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father." The "I tell you the truth" is Jesus' emphasis that this really is true and can be trusted, however unbelievable we find it. Jesus healed many, where and when asked, not half way across the world or after waiting for a week!

So can I ask God for a miracle? I find two at least three encouragements:

The National Health Service (NHS) supplied book on breast cancer has a dictionary of cancer related words. I am encouraged that it defines remission as either a permanent or temporary relief. So our NHS would accept a miraculous healing as just another remission. They must be common for the guide to include that word!

An elderly lady I gave a lift to church today stated she had received miraculous healing of arthritis in her ankle after "laying on of hands" and prayer that day. Her foot was now straight, it had been bent in that morning.

We also received a second book from Amazon, "Dear God, they say it is cancer" by Janet Thompson. She had breast cancer, and wrote it as a guide for others. She has stories of many sufferers. On a quick glance through I found one case where the cancer had disappeared between biopsy and surgery. Her book is reviewed at: http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?pid=521692&tab=1&agid=2

Janet says: I'm also a "winner"! You see, there is a spiritual battle going on around us -- a battle for our souls, our hearts, and our minds -- and God does not want us merely to survive this battle. He assures us that with His help we will be victorious. Wounded but not defeated. Not just surviving, implying we barely made it, but energized by running the race, staying the course, and fighting the good fight.

Don't let me push this book too much. It is great to have a Christian guide through the breast cancer maze, but the descriptions of treatment are US based, and could easily mislead a UK citizen. For example it recommends one has a discussion with the surgeon, discusses mastectomy, lumpectomy. reconstruction etc, goes away for a while, discuss and research, pray about decision and return to doctor. Here we are more a cog in a production line, we had ten minutes with surgeon, accepted lumpectomy without reconstruction as Jan took doctor's advice, and my reading of Readers Digest 40 years ago recommended it! However had I had more time I believe we would still have gone with that decision, I believe God can guide us rapidly if needed!

I have also listened to a sermon by Leonard Ravenhill on the Wesleyan revival. From his and others' experience I believe such miracles are not the result of trivial prayer. Leonard's sermons are here http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Leonard^Ravenhill

Details on the revival are from http://www.unityinchrist.com/history/wesley.htm "they also set aside two days each week for fasting and prayer,"

Janet is content either way, assured that either she will have a miraculous healing, or be healed by conventional surgery. However she is adamant that I take a camera with me on Thursday to record any miraculous healing!