For Fadre

The year was 1996, and I was home alone in my Colorado Springs apartment. I moved to the area with a friend to attend Bible college. The sun filled our living room, and I glanced outside to glimpse a group of children playing. Bursting with energy, the boys and girls frolicked in the springtime sun. As I watched them, I noticed Fadre, who was twelve at the time. She lived in one of the first floor apartments. The young girl's knee was encircled with an orthopedic wrap. Immediately in my heart, I felt a desire to lay hands on and pray for Fadre. With that impression came a knowing that she would be healed.

I strolled downstairs to the first floor, and one of my neighbors looked inquisitively into my eyes and asked, “What are you doing?” I paused and wondered what to say. Then I responded, “I am going to pray for Fadre's knee, and God is going to heal her.” The answer I gave surprised me, since I am normally not so blunt. I walked outside and joined the children and asked them if they would pray with me for Fadre's knee to be healed. I explained that Jesus Christ still heals the sick, and He still answers our heartfelt prayers. They welcomed the suggestion to pray for Fadre. I led a prayer for God to heal her, but nothing happened. Fadre, who had dislocated her knee the day before, said her knee still hurt.

I remembered a story in the Bible where Jesus prayed for a blind man. The first time He prayed, the man's vision restored only partially – he saw people as trees. Jesus prayed a second time, and the man's sight became completely clear. I shared this story with the children, and then we prayed a second time. Fadre's eyes filled with joy. She tested her knee by walking slowly and then began to jump up and down. She declared, “I'm healed! I'm healed!” We were thrilled with excitement, and I was careful to give all the glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of all health and healing. Apart from Him we can do nothing.

All of us as believers have been commissioned by the Master to lay hands on the sick (Mark 16:18). When we pray, sometimes the individual is miraculously made whole. At other times, the person heals gradually. Ultimately, every Christian, who suffers with sickness, will be healed when he or she meets the Lord. I am thankful that all of us can obey the Holy Spirit and watch Him work wonders for His glory and for the benefit of others. On a bright Spring day in 1996, a young girl named Fadre received a touch from God. I thank the Lord that I could be a part of that.

© Copyright 2009 Tom Toya. All rights reserved.