Blessed are the Pure in Heart

In his book, Healing, Francis MacNutt, a Catholic priest, says that "the healing ministry should be an ordinary, normal part of the life of every Christian community. The sick need healing, just as much as they did in Christ's day. The larger issues of injustice will be helped when individuals in society are themselves made whole-when they are healed emotionally so that they can enter into healthy relationships, so that they are not acting out of prejudices or ancient hurts."

Luke tells us that Jesus stood up to read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah "the Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

Healing is still needed in the church today and Jesus is still healing. He is freeing us from sin, from ignorance, weakness, disoriented emotions and physical sickness in order to give us new life, a new relationship of love and union with his Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Cor 2:9)

Tonight I will be commissioned to minister at a faith based counseling center to women in need. I've been trained, prayed up, battered by the enemy, and lifted again by God. I am truly honored and humbled to be a part of God's work here on earth. Yes, we have been chosen to be a part of God's amazing ministry of healing and reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:18) It's hard to believe but God has set us apart, filled us with his Spirit and showered us with his grace. We are vessels of the Holy Spirit. We have all that we need through Him that loved us to help "bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and comfort all who mourn." (Isaiah 61:1-2)

2 Cor 1:3 tells us that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Cor 1:3) He desires to use us as vessels of His love and healing power to those who are afflicted and brokenhearted. We feel so incapable yet His power is made perfect in our weakness and His grace is sufficient. (2 Cor 12:9) It is our heavenly Father's desire that His sons and daughters "receive a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3)

"You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed….(Psalm 10:17-18a)
You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
You will deliver your children in times of trouble. You will protect and preserve their life. (Psalm 41:1-2)
You send forth your word and heal and rescue them from the grave. (Psalm 107:20)

God promises to restore all that is lost for His dearly loved children. He invades our darkness and calls us to "Be free!" He has compassion on us and guides and leads us besides springs of water. (Isaiah 49:10) We are a chosen people who belong to God that we may declare His praises for calling us out of darkness into the wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Father,
Thank you for choosing me and each of the woman that will attend the service this evening. I pray that each woman being commissioned tonight would know and grow in your abundant love, grace and mercy. That she believe in and trust on your power that is at work within her as your living water flows from her to a broken and hurting world. Strengthen her through your Spirit. Root and establish each women in love that they will know how to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is your magnificent love. Fill them with your fullness. You are faithful and will continue the work that you began , healing us in body, mind and spirit so that we can comfort those with the comfort you have given us. May your great name be glorified and the whole earth be filled with your glory! (Psalm 72:19) Amen