Word and Power Chapter 11

Power and Pain

He opens with two stories about two families -- one whose daughter was not healed and died and one (his) whose daughter was healed. He says both were in the will of God.

He says we should pray about how to pray. When we pray for the sick there two options: Pray for healing, pray for peace. This makes sense, but is also dangerous. It puts it on the prayer to discern whether God expects this person to live or die. Yikes. Can't be taken lightly. But I agree this seems to be the truth.

He lists four myths about healing:
1. If only you have enough faith, you will be healed.
2. If you really trust in God to heal, you will not take your medicine.
3. True healing must be dramatic and instantaneous.
4. Healing ministry is individualsy praying over the sick.

He lists three principles for effective healing prayer:
1. Effective healing prayer is listening prayer.
2. The richer the relationships, the greater the healing.
3. Nos and yeses both come from a good God.

I think part of my problem is that I think Evangelicals are interested in gleaning skills from Pentecostals, but that Pentecostals are often entrenched in the four myths and find it hard (for their faith is in question) to learn from the other stream. But I am not very knowledgable about that fact. The Pentecostals I see are ones who weren't happy at the Pentecostal churches either.

I thought Banister's thoughts here were very true and clear.