Where Prayers meets Miracles
Acts 28:8-10
“ and it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed, afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery, and Paul went in to see him, and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. They also honored us with many marks of respect, and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.”
So many times there are stories in the Bible that God seems to have laid up for us many years ago for our present time and situations. Obviously the first layer of the story is historical in that it chronicles the beginning of the early church.
It’s pretty amazing to look on maps and see how Paul and his companion‘s journey with primitive means to far away places, and yet the church grew like wildfire. If we read the book of Acts we see many incredible stories and accounts of this happening. And then there’s the miraculous which shows God‘s direct healing hand in this chapter. And finally for us at Faith In Practice there’s the inspiration and wisdom to guide us as we move forward in this mission.
Background story. Paul on his way to Rome to have a hearing before Cesar. He has been shipwrecked and lands on the island of Malta.
The themes:
The importance of trust. Publius trusts Paul with his father’s care and life. What’s the average time involved between a FIP provider first meeting a patient and then signing them up for surgery on clinic day? Usually a few minutes.
The priority of prayer… always pray first. This is why spiritual connection to God is crucial.
The power of touch… he laid hands on him. We have to be careful lest we lose this with Zoom meetings and virtual care. Even though there is a language barrier, the power of touch goes so far to reinforce real genuine compassion.
The supernatural: Publius’s father is miraculously healed. God intervenes in us and through us.
The people react and bring many who were in need of healing ( think of our in country volunteers traveling many miles to bring their community members).
They then give the gift of respect; and as a result of this newfound partnership, they supplied many needs for Paul and his friends. Think of the prayer of gratitude expressed by our patients and their families to team members after receiving care.
In summary, Paul models selfless sacrifice; in that while he was on his way to Rome, in the midst of unjust accusation, he still takes time out for healing. (Reminds us of Jesus…never in hurry). There’s a moment when trust occurs, and prayer is the power that proceeds and calls upon God for this miraculous healing. He attracts a crowd just like our team volunteers see at Sunday morning triage clinics. And then the story reminds us of the beautiful relationship of Faith in Practice with the people of Guatemala ; that shows a true partnership in this mission.
This mission can never in any way be one of arrogant and condescending hero style healing. It can only reflect the wonderful family of God in his church and how we interact with each other as brothers and sisters; and always leaning into prayer and leaning into the true Vine…John 15:5
Blessings
Dr. Mark Woolf
