Article November 5, 2007 Issue

The rebuke that heals

BY LYNN JACKSON

A rebuke may not sound very prayer-like. But when it comes to prayer, a rebuke given with spiritual authority can heal. A few years ago, I felt just that kind of authority. It occurred when I was skiing with my family.

I had headed up the mountain on the chair-lift with a friend, and decided I would wait until my friend got off the lift first. But I suddenly realized I'd waited too long—if I didn't move fast, I'd be heading back down the hill on the chairlift. Without thinking, I jumped off.

My skis hit hard ice to the side of the lift chair, flew out from under me, and I landed hard on my shoulder. The pain was tremendous and immobilizing. But right there, I realized I had a choice. I could accept this accident as my reality, along with the accompanying pain and near-paralysis of my arm, hand, and fingers. Or, I could rebuke the pain and immobility, just as Jesus once rebuked a fever that had immobilized his disciple Peter's mother-in-law (see Luke 4:38, 39).