Momentum (Christ – centred, Spirit – empowered, Mission – focused)
A few weeks ago, I witnessed something unexplainable. During the Canadian Pacific District Conference, in British Columbia, a group of people decided to pray for Ralph Shareski, an International Worker serving with his wife, Ruth.
Ralph has been suffering with cancer and has been increasingly weakened by the treatments. He is brave and optimistic, trusting God to provide everything that he needs in this difficult journey. He was very open when a few faith-filled believers asked if they could pray for him. After a series of bold prayers were expressed for Ralph’s healing, one of the individuals asked a very audacious question, “What is something you have not been able to do since your illness?”
Ralph thought for a few moments and then replied, “I am not strong enough to run. I was crossing the street the other day, and I tried to speed up a bit and almost fell flat on my face. I have no strength in my legs.” In a burst of radical faith, the person who asked the question put out a challenge: “Try to run, Ralph.”
Without hesitation, Ralph began to move, and his legs responded with strength and stability. He ran and continued to run as he felt energy being infused into his body. It was an unmistakable intervention of Almighty God. What he had been unable to do God gave him the ability to do.
When Jesus healed the blind man in John 9, he told him, “‘Go…wash in the Pool of Siloam’…So the man went and washed, and came home seeing” (John 9:7). There was an immediate call to act out in faith.
In my journey of praying for people to experience a supernatural touch of God, I wonder if I have stopped too soon. How many times have we, without hesitation, been willing to pray bold and audacious prayers of faith, only to leave them hanging, without any tangible action?
We pray for faith to share Jesus but may never open our mouth as numerous opportunities present themselves. We ask for faith to trust God with our financial matters but may never exercise extravagant giving. We ask God for faith to forgive our enemies but may never get close enough to them to forgive.
One of the remarkable characteristics of the healing that A.B. Simpson experienced was his choice to act on the faith for which he prayed. After asking God to heal his failing heart, he climbed a small mountain, feeling the powerful strength of the living Christ within him as he took each step.
Maybe today is a day when we need to take a risk and act on the faith for which we have prayed. What step of risk is God asking you to take? I met Ralph a few days ago and asked him, “Are you still running?” He answered with a strong affirmation: “I ran this morning!” Perhaps it is time for you to run too!
Attempt “in His name and strength what would be impossible in your own” — A.B. Simpson
“The cross is also practical and powerful in its influence upon our ministry for others, our relationship with the world and our work for God” — A.B. Simpson
Please find the original version in C&MA website