question concerning the "faith movement"

[KGM]

I have a question for those who are familiar with what I’ve come to know as “the faith movement”. I have a father-in-law who received a miraculous healing from a confirmed case of lymphoma cancer. He is part of this “faith movement”. He is very busy these days giving his testimony. I am thankful that God healed him. I’m a little confused though. He claims that he was healed because of his faith and because he “prayed the word”. He says that anyone can be healed by praying in faith that they are healed. My question is this: does anyone know of a person who prayed in faith but was not healed?

 

[cheddarsox]

In my experience this becomes a rather circular discussion. Those who are healed say they have been healed through faith. When someone is not healed, it is claimed that they do not have enough faith, that somewhere in their heart doubt is lurking.

I have known people who repeatedly and with certainty spoke of knowing God would heal them, even on their death bed, and then they died.

I have heard this explained as God using death as healing, that He chose to take them to heaven where there is no infirmity etc.

I have also heard of the lack of faith of a close friend or family member “jinxing” the healing.

So, for those who believe that God operates this way (healing due to faith alone) they have explanations for every outcome and nothing sways their faith.

Some people believe that God gives healing of the soul, even if the body remains infirm. But I don’t think you are referring to that type of belief.

cheddar

 

[aurora77]

cheddarsox:

In my experience this becomes a rather circular discussion. Those who are healed say they have been healed through faith. When someone is not healed, it is claimed that they do not have enough faith, that somewhere in their heart doubt is lurking.

This kind of belief just drives me nuts. I do believe that God answers prayers and that He can and will miraculously heal someone, as in the OP. But, to say that someone isn’t healed b/c they don’t have enough faith is wrong (and I’m not saying that you’re wrong, Cheddar, please don’t take it that way, I’m just commenting on what you’ve said, I don’t think that you actually believe this way.) I had a friend die this summer of cancer and he was so full of faith. One of the last things he said the last time I saw him was that “God doesn’t make mistakes.” When it’s our time to die, then it’s our time. My friend believed that God would take care of him and he died. For whatever reason, that was God’s intention. We should pray for miracles, because they do happen, but we also must keep in mind that God’s in charge, not us.