A little detour this morning.  Yesterday's worship service reminded me of a powerful truth:  We can't just talk about Jesus' ability to heal, or the power of faith in healing:  We must pray and demonstrate our faith!  At the close of the message, I asked those present who had a special need for prayer, or who desired a deeper faith in Jesus to raise their hands.  Many did.  Then I prayed for the group--for myself and all the others who had raised our hands.   What a powerful time!

I have often experienced the power of the Holy Spirit "flowing" through me in times of prayer, and yesterday was one of those times.  As I prayed, the words I said came not only from my heart, but from my heart under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Those moments are available all the time as we put our faith in Jesus and trust the Spirit to work as He has worked since that Pentecost day so long ago when the Father fulfilled His promise and sent the Spirit to all who believe.

At the close of the service, we offered another opportunity for prayer, this time individual prayer (an opportunity that is available every Sunday at New Life, but which we often don't specifically mention except in the "rolling announcements" on the screen before worship)  for those who desired to be anointed and receive prayer.  Again, people  responded.  Prayer is so vital in our lives as followers of Jesus.  As  Donald Baillie put it so long ago, "Prayer is not a substitute for action.  It's an action for which there is no substitute."  May we remember the importance and power of prayer offered in faith to every aspect of our life as Jesus' followers.  May we pray without ceasing knowing that God wills it, AND that God still answers the prayers of His people!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for wanting to speak to us, and to have us speak to You!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may receive and offer healing in the powerful name of Jesus, in whose name we pray.  Amen.