ANYTHING YOU ASK
04th May 2016
In 1977, one autumn Friday evening we attended a Renewal Teaching Meeting in St. Kea Church, Truro, Cornwall. It was at the beginning of the ‘charismatic revival’ and the speaker was expected to bring a challenging word and then minister to the gathered group of people. After giving the ‘word’ he surprised everyone by refusing to pray in the accustomed manner, because he perceived that there was little or no ‘faith’ present among the people!
He had been teaching on the prayer promises of Jesus, particularly “You may ask me for anything in my Name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14) See also John 16:24. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. We had heard the word, but after years of never seeing any demonstration of signs and wonders, we expected nothing and got it!
The next morning we awoke to a crisis; our children got up early and were outside melting lead in the large garage that was used as an outside storage space and play room. Joanna, our 9 year old daughter was badly burnt when the molten metal exploded in her face, as the boys added some wet metal to the pot.
We called for Colin (the previous night’s reluctant minister) to pray, which he did, and having removed the lead from her eyes, and been assured that she had forgiven the boys, she was put in our bed to sleep. The next few hours were a battle of faith versus rational thinking. Did we believe Jesus would be true to his word, or should we have gone straight to A & E?
We had asked Jesus in the name of God to save her eyes, and He did! When I awoke her for lunch all swelling had subsided, her eyes were perfect blue and white, no longer angry and inflamed. Her face and clothes were still covered with lead, and she asked, “Why did God heal my eyes and not my face?” We had not asked Him to do that as we were so concerned for the eyes. Subsequently we did pray for complete healing, emotionally and physically, and within a week there was no evidence of the incident!
Testimony ignited faith, and at that evening’s meeting many exercised their faith, and God did amazing things, as the people were able to believe the promises of God. Luke 18:8 says, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Pray for a new revelation of faith for yourself, your church, and for God’s glory to be demonstrated in our society as our all powerful Father does what only He can do - the impossible!
by Joyce Sibthorpe
