My cup overflows
” Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:13-16
Seven years ago, a close friend of mine was diagnosed with brain cancer, and the doctors gave her three to six months to live. When I heard the news, I wanted to see her and pray for her. During the week, I asked God to prepare me and give me the right words to say to my friend to encourage her. When I read, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed,” I felt like this was God telling me what to do, that God wanted me to share this with her.
I visited my friend and shared this scripture with her, and we prayed for forgiveness and healing. Something supernatural happened in her home. We felt God's tangible presence, and we believed He was up to something amazing!
Seven years later, God called her home. I will miss her deeply. She was a prayer warrior. She fought hard to live for her kids and see them grow physically and spiritually. She left this world a better place.
My friend was a beautiful example of loving God with her head, heart, and hands.
She loved God with her head, choosing to love Him no matter how hard things were. Despite the tumor growing, causing extreme pressure and seizures, she never once stopped worshipping Him. On the contrary, she expressed her love for God as if she was living her best life. She trusted in Him with every fiber of her being. She lived every day hoping, praying, and believing her miracle was coming! She had a worshipping spirit. During her pain, seizures, and weakness, her gratitude for God never diminished. Her hands were either raised way up worshipping God or open to embrace her friends and loved ones as she constantly witnessed to them and encouraged them to be strong in their faith.
She was our miracle! She didn’t have to do anything or be anything. The fact that she was alive and breathing was our miracle! God was merciful and compassionate and extended her life for seven years! Although seven years may not seem a lot for those of us who are left behind, they were seven extra, blessed years.
Over the next two weeks, we will be talking about giving over our head, heart, and hands to God. As we provide opportunities to come together and pray for one another for our healing or healing for others, know that God wants to transform all three areas of your life.
Whether you come with a request or come on behalf of someone else, please join us this Wednesday at 6:30 for a time of prayer and after worship on Sunday, October 24, for our healing gathering.
Blessings,
Grimelda Sanchez