The Lord has again been merciful to me and has allowed me to once more know His healing touch...
This past Monday, I wrote about the knee problem which developed on Sunday. I awoke Sunday morning only to discover that my right kneecap had swelled up. I also found myself in terrible pain, and I could not get up from my bunk. I had to actually turn sideways and propel myself off of it. Then, with my left hand stretched out to brace myself against the wall, I was able to hobble to my toilet and sink, which are located about four short steps away from the bed itself.
Afterwards, when my cell door opened for breakfast, I reported myself to the officer's desk in the cell block to explain my situation. I was required to do this. Inmates, according to the rules, must report all accidents or injuries to a staff member as soon as possible. And because I could barely walk, my condition fell under this category.
Therefore, I was sent to the Prison's Infirmary with an "Emergency Sick Call" pass. The nurse on duty, Mr. Darton*, after examining me, ordered that I be placed on cell restriction, and given one full day of bed rest, too. The pain, however, continued throughout the week. So, I had to limp along in agony to my work assignments and to the chapel. The nurse, who was very kind, also gave me an "Ace" bandage to wrap around the kneecap for added support. But other than giving me the bandage to wear and administering the standard doses of Ibuprofen as a pain reliever, I was left to ride this out on my own.
Yesterday, however, at approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, while I was at work, I received a notice that I had a visitor. This came as a surprise. But as a result of the call I had to return to my own cell, change clothes, and then limp the distance to the prison's visiting room.
It turned out that my friends, Tony and Tom, were here. Tony goes into many prisons and even travels to other countries because he's been called to be an evangelist. Tom, however, pastor's a church in Sparta, New Jersey. In addition, he has the gift of healing. So, a big part of his own ministry involves praying for those who are sick or injured.
Of no surprise, therefore, when Tony and Tom saw me hobbling across the visiting room floor, my forehead damp with sweat from the pain, Tom immediately offered to pray. He then moved his chair alongside mine so as to place both his hands over my swollen kneecap. And as Tom prayed, I could actually feel heat coming from his hands. It was as if had spread liniment or warm oil on the hurting area.
Frankly, though, I didn't feel anything more after Tom was finished. He prayed out loud for about five minutes, and Tony joined in too, but nothing happened. At least not yet.
Tom, however, said these kinds of divine healings don't always happen immediately. He told me to simply have faith in God and not to doubt.
And when I awoke this morning, this first thing I noticed was that the pain was gone. The hideous swelling was gone too. I could also bend my knee easily, and I knew I had indeed been healed. Likewise, I am absolutely certain that Jesus touched me through Tom's hands.
Then, later on, when I went to the chapel to attend this evening's worship service, I was able to give a brief testimony before the congregation about what had happened.
Furthermore, to add to the miracles, when Tony and Tom came here to visit me, they had no idea about my condition. They simply felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to drop by, and it turned out that I had a great need. Jesus in turn graciously allowed them to meet this need, and I am very thankful.
D.B.
*Mr. Darton is not his real name.
Afterwards, when my cell door opened for breakfast, I reported myself to the officer's desk in the cell block to explain my situation. I was required to do this. Inmates, according to the rules, must report all accidents or injuries to a staff member as soon as possible. And because I could barely walk, my condition fell under this category.
Therefore, I was sent to the Prison's Infirmary with an "Emergency Sick Call" pass. The nurse on duty, Mr. Darton*, after examining me, ordered that I be placed on cell restriction, and given one full day of bed rest, too. The pain, however, continued throughout the week. So, I had to limp along in agony to my work assignments and to the chapel. The nurse, who was very kind, also gave me an "Ace" bandage to wrap around the kneecap for added support. But other than giving me the bandage to wear and administering the standard doses of Ibuprofen as a pain reliever, I was left to ride this out on my own.
Yesterday, however, at approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, while I was at work, I received a notice that I had a visitor. This came as a surprise. But as a result of the call I had to return to my own cell, change clothes, and then limp the distance to the prison's visiting room.
It turned out that my friends, Tony and Tom, were here. Tony goes into many prisons and even travels to other countries because he's been called to be an evangelist. Tom, however, pastor's a church in Sparta, New Jersey. In addition, he has the gift of healing. So, a big part of his own ministry involves praying for those who are sick or injured.
Of no surprise, therefore, when Tony and Tom saw me hobbling across the visiting room floor, my forehead damp with sweat from the pain, Tom immediately offered to pray. He then moved his chair alongside mine so as to place both his hands over my swollen kneecap. And as Tom prayed, I could actually feel heat coming from his hands. It was as if had spread liniment or warm oil on the hurting area.
Frankly, though, I didn't feel anything more after Tom was finished. He prayed out loud for about five minutes, and Tony joined in too, but nothing happened. At least not yet.
Tom, however, said these kinds of divine healings don't always happen immediately. He told me to simply have faith in God and not to doubt.
And when I awoke this morning, this first thing I noticed was that the pain was gone. The hideous swelling was gone too. I could also bend my knee easily, and I knew I had indeed been healed. Likewise, I am absolutely certain that Jesus touched me through Tom's hands.
Then, later on, when I went to the chapel to attend this evening's worship service, I was able to give a brief testimony before the congregation about what had happened.
Furthermore, to add to the miracles, when Tony and Tom came here to visit me, they had no idea about my condition. They simply felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to drop by, and it turned out that I had a great need. Jesus in turn graciously allowed them to meet this need, and I am very thankful.
D.B.
*Mr. Darton is not his real name.
RSS Feed