ITEMS OF INTEREST

with contributions from Philip Yancey

PUTTING GOD FIRST

"I'VE BECOME MORE CONVINCED than ever that God finds ways to communicate with those who truly seek Him, especially when we lower the volume of the surrounding static. . . .

"To begin, I need to think more about God than myself when I am praying. Even the Lord's Prayer centers first on what God wants from us. 'Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done'—God wants us to desire these things, to orient our lives around them.

"How often do I come to God not with consumer requests, but simply with a desire to spend time with Him, to discern what He wants from me and not vice versa? . . .

"Though my needs may drive me to prayer, it is there I come face to face with my greatest need: an encounter with God himself."

Philip Yancey
Excerpted from "For God's Sake"
Christianity Today. March 2006

IN AFRICA, FAITH HEALING BECOMES A HEALTHCARE STAPLE

"AS the costs of conventional medicine continue escalating beyond the reach of many, more patients are turning to faith healing to beat the crunch.

"Surveys conducted by The Herald this week revealed that many people now first seek the services of faith healers and traditional medicine and only consult conventional doctors or clinics when they have no other option. Unlike in past years when one would seek medical attention for common ailments like headaches, only serious conditions are taken to the doctors now. . . .

"Mr. Patrick Matuka of Glen Norah said he was asthmatic but had not visited a medical doctor for the past two years. 'Instead, I consult faith healers and get prayed for. . . . Some people used to scoff but now they understand that besides dealing effectively with spiritual problems, faith healers are very competent at curing ailments and they do it for free, all you have to do is believe it works,' he said . . . .

"Madzibaba Henry of the Johane Masowe sect said prophets within his sect were able to assist people with ailments. 'Just like a doctor can prescribe that one take an antibiotic, we prescribe the injection of the Holy Spirit to heal.' . . .

"Another faith healer Madzimai Spiwe, who operates from Glen View, said by consulting faith healers, people could be advised in advance of an impending illness and get relevant remedies.

" 'Just like a check-up where a doctor can find that there is something wrong with one's chest, we can do the same through faith and vision and therefore ask for guidance from the one above, over the best course of action,' she said."

"People turn to faith healing"
The Herald. February 13, 2006

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