Acts 1:8 (NIV)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

CONSIDER THIS

Today’s story comes to us from Lorinda Bodiford. It is a story of how healing turns the healed one into a healing storyteller who then becomes a healer themselves. I love that Lorinda models the grace of impartation at the end of the story. It’s in the spirit of the celebrated Holy Spirit from Acts 3 at the Gate called Beautiful, “What I have I give you.” That’s where we want to go—freely giving away what we have freely received—impartation. Read Lorinda’s story below in her own words, and if you listen, in her own voice.

“I am almost always right, but in your case, I’ll pray that I’m wrong.”

Not words you want to hear from a medical professional. “You have breast cancer.” More words I didn’t want to hear. How could I have breast cancer? I had normal mammograms every year and breast cancer didn’t run in my family. The next month, after a mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes, I faced a process of chemotherapy and radiation.

I remember praying, “God, if I’m going to go through this, then make it count.” Was cancer part of God’s will for my life? No, but I claimed Romans 8:28, knowing that God wastes nothing.

Very soon after the surgery, I developed an infection and went back into the hospital. My husband stayed with me during the day and went home at night. One night, I sank into desperation. With tears, I cried, “God, I can’t do this. You’re going to have to lift me up.” About thirty minutes later, the night nurse came in and said to me, “I saved you for last, I’m here to lift you up.” She got on her knees, took my hand, and prayed over me. The next morning, I was told that she was a temporary nurse who came only when they needed extra help. She also was a breast cancer survivor!

Because of the infection and strong antibiotics, I developed an intestinal infection called CDIF. This time, in the hospital again, I was placed in critical care for five days. “How are you going to use this, God?” God reminded me of the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” God gives strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. I learned to ask him for daily strength and trust him for tomorrow. Even now, I cannot sing that hymn without tears in my eyes.

I remember one afternoon while receiving chemo, a patient next to me began telling her story of having cancer three times. Fear flooded over me as I silently prayed, “God, take this fear and give me peace.” Drifting to sleep, I was awakened by the nurse, “Mrs. Bodiford, there’s someone here for you.” The woman I saw was a stranger who wanted to bless a breast cancer patient. Into my hands, she placed a book of encouragement and a crocheted cross. Once again, God’s presence and peace washed over me.

Seven years later, God continues to use this experience as I meet, and pray with, other cancer patients.

One morning, as I stepped out of the shower, I saw my reflection and my scar. God clearly whispered, “That is a battle wound. You are a warrior. Because you are my daughter, you are a princess. You are a warrior princess.”

For those going through a battle, know that you are a warrior and you are not alone. You are a warrior princess/prince. Claim Romans 8:28, trust God, and keep fighting.

THE PRAYER

Abba Father! Thank you for this story of healing mercy and grace. Thank you for temporary nurses who stand in for angels. Thank you that all healing is your healing, from the miracle of the human body healing itself to doctors and medicine to miraculous intervention to sufficient grace, and yes even our death results in the healing of resurrection. You are that good. We pray special grace; yes, we impart healing grace and the power of God to those who are suffering from sickness today and we name them now. And we thank you for Lorinda and this story. Let it travel now as far as the grace of God will go. Praying in Jesus’s name, amen. 

THE QUESTION

I know you are praying for healing for many these days. Will you experiment with this work of “impartation,” in your praying? It is the simple act of speaking words of healing and love directly to another person (even in your prayer closet) in the power of the Spirit in Jesus’s name. 

THE HYMN

Today let’s sing our Saturday song, “Sanctuary.” Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. Such a profound prayer of consecration. This is our story dear friends. This is our song. 

For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com

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P.P.S. Holy Spirit Stories Welcome

I would love it if you would send a story of faith from your life we might use on a Saturday in the future. We will be glad to attach your name or a pseudonym or anonymity—it’s up to you. It can be a story of coming to faith, a story of transformation, a story of healing, deliverance, suffering and sufficient grace, family reconciliation, prodigal returns, answered prayer, and so forth. A word count of 500–800 words works well. We can’t guarantee publication, but we assure you of our prayerful discernment. You can reply to this email with your story and it will come to me.