Faith in Jesus or faith in 'faith'?

Matthew 8 : 5 - 13

Just give the order and my servant will get well

Several years ago, when my husband was ill, a relative introduced us to an itinerant pastor who has a prayer and healing ministry. We made contact and the pastor came over to our home to visit. He was very encouraging and hopeful that my husband would be healed. He visited us every two weeks or so, and even brought a friend from his church to join in the prayer. However, after several visits there was no change. I personally felt uncomfortable because they started trying to teach us to pray in tongues. To ask for the gift is fine but I was quite put off because they tried to 'teach' us a technique of how to do so! At that time, I was already practicing centering (contemplative) prayer and tried to explain that I could encounter God that way. Anyway, perhaps I was a kind of 'stumbling block' to them. After some time, they stopped coming. It was later on that I realized that their healing ministry was based on the teachings of Kenneth Hagin. In short, the belief was that if you have enough faith you will be healed. And conversely, if you are not healed perhaps you do not have enough faith. 'Faith' was almost raised to the level of a 'power' that brings healing and it is important to somehow work up enough faith. Have 'faith in faith' might be the simple way of putting it.

When I read about people encountering Jesus, asking for and being healed, I note a significant difference from what is taught by the 'faith healing' ministry. There is always a relationship: a personal encounter with Jesus, trust in his ability to heal and on his compassion for those who are sick in body, or mind or spirit. This is the case with the centurion who came up personally to Jesus and expressed trust in his authority. When I seek healing it is important to remember that I am bringing myself to Jesus, encountering him and asking him to help me. In fact, all the above actions describe what 'faith ' is, but 'faith' is not a spiritual power we try to work up (the more the better) that can be used to bring about healing. When I pray about my kidney condition, it is Jesus my Lord I seek first of all. In the context of a loving and trusting relationship with him, I can lay my petitions before him, trusting that he knows best what to do. Yes, I can be specific and ask to be healed in a particular way. But these days, I realize that our God is a God of surprises, who can do exceedingly and abundantly more than what we could ask or imagine. I cannot narrow him down to working in a particular way which seems best to me. In fact, even as I pray a specific petition, I desire most of all much openness to God's presence and action on my behalf. These may come in surprising ways, and it is important not to be so preoccupied with our own expectations that we miss the Lord's gracious 'coming' in love and power.