Pastorgraphs: “Balm of Gilead”
April
23, 2012
Is
it possible? Could the prayers of a handful of people help someone facing heart
surgery, cancer, or any disease?
Research
focusing on the power of prayer in healing has nearly doubled in the past 10
years.
Harvard
scientist Herbert Benson, MD, conducted studies on prayer. He focused
specifically on meditation to understand how mind affects body. “All forms of
prayer evoke a relaxation response that quells stress, quiets the body, and
promotes healing,” he told WebMD.
Mitchell
Krucoff, MD, Duke School of Medicine cardiologist, added, "All of these
studies, all the reports, are remarkably consistent in suggesting the potential
measurable health benefit associated with prayer or spiritual
interventions."
We
are beginning a new ministry at Christ Ministry Center called “Balm of Gilead”.
Healing and wholeness involves both the body and the spirit; linking wellness
to the best of medical and spiritual care.
Balm
of Gilead is a free, personalized ministry to help anyone realize health and
wholeness using the Biblical principles of prayer, faith, hope, love, laying on
of hands, and anointing with ointment (Balm of Gilead).
At
Christ Church, we have had dramatic examples of prayer’s effect on healing. For
example, two members diagnosed with advanced (Stage 4) cancer, who received the
best medical care available, also received the intense prayers of our
congregation. Both are in remission, living full lives years after their poor
diagnostic prognosis. There are others; “walking miracles” who are doing better
than anyone expected.
From
my own journey through prostate cancer, surgery and radiation, I was reminded
how important the spiritual aspect was to my healing. I have the best doctors
in the world, men of faith! I thank God for them. My insurance company even
counseled me to call upon my “inner spirit” to speed the healing process, as
studies have proven. It worked.
Will
everyone seeking a healing miracle find one? Not necessarily. God in His Wisdom
knows what is best for us. But there is scientific evidence prayer does play an
important role in healing and wellness. It certainly will not hurt!
A
quick background: The land of Gilead, a mountainous region east of the Jordan
River, was known for its medicinal balm (ointments) from early Biblical times.
Joseph’s jealous brothers sold him into slavery to a caravan on its way from
Gilead carrying “balm” for trade in Egypt.
An
old African-American spiritual puts it into poetic verse.
“There
is balm in Gilead,
To
make the wounded whole;
“There
is a balm in Gilead
To
heal the sin-sick soul.”
The
hymn points back to Jeremiah 8:22: “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no
physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (New
International Version). So, Balm of Gilead speaks to “spiritual” healing.
Let
me tell you what our Balm of Gilead ministry is NOT. It is not hocus pocus,
snake oil, and what some have distorted as “faith healing”. It is a “free”
outreach of Christ Ministry Center.
Also,
this is not just for the “church going” or religious people. It is for both
“saints” and “sinners”, whom God loves without bias.
And
it is not just for the physically ill. If you have hatred in your heart, an
addiction, or anything that is holding you back from the Lord’s blessings, and
being healthy in body and soul, we will pray for you. You may have even “given
up on God”, but God has not given up on you. He loves you.
The
Balm of Gilead ministry is an opportunity for ANYONE to have a minister pray
for you, and be upheld in a journey to spiritual wholeness and healing.
Church membership or religious affiliation is not required. The goal is not to
make more Methodists, but to help folks of all faiths (or no “religion”)
achieve health and wholeness in their lives.
Is
it just for “the sick”? No, the Balm of Gilead is as much preventative as it is
remedial. However, it certainly is appropriate for anyone facing a medical
crisis. It is an adjunct to professional medical care. And yes, we make home
visits for those who are not well enough to travel. For those outside San
Diego, I will be most pleased to extend this ministry to you by phone or the
Internet.
What
does it involve? We set up an appointment. I will listen to your need and pray
for you. Simple as that. For those who desire it, you have options for “laying
hands” on your head as I pray, anointing you with Balm of Gilead ointment, and
serving you Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper (an often neglected aspect of
wellness). Your request may be private between you and me, or with your
permission extended to our Gilead Prayer Team. Your privacy will be respected.
So, if you want a private, single prayer, that is okay. Otherwise, we will pray
for you daily over a set period of time. This may involve a single visit, or if
you wish, regular appointments, such as in preparation for an upcoming surgery,
as you work toward wellness and wholeness in body and spirit.
Does
it cost anything? Only a few minutes of your time and a willingness to let God
mend your broken body or spirit. It costs no money.
So
I extend an invitation to you, your family, friends and acquaintances. If you
are interested in setting up an appointment for personal prayer for your
physical and spiritual wellness, please call me (619) 723-1371 or Jeannetta at
the church office (619) 284-9205. As this ministry grows, I will be calling
upon the Rev. Perry Sproat, who is gifted in this form of ministry, and the
pastors of our congregations to join me in the Balm of Gilead ministry.
Bless
you, each and every one, Brother Bill
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue
San
Diego, CA 92116
(619)
284-9205
From
the Quote Garden
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
~ World Health Organization, 1948
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