healing the mentally ill - whose faith?

[GreatistheLord]

If healing is only reliant on the faith of the praying person, because the other person is mentally unable to engage in faith, why aren't we emptying the mental hospitals? Likewise, with small children, and the dead, God allows our faith to heal the other one without regard to their faith.
Okay, raising the dead requires *alot* of faith, but we still have the other 2 groups to start with.

We, as the faith community, are normally hindered (or helped) by other people's faith, so why don't we have a field day in places where God only regards our faith

- mental hospitals
- morgues
- children's hospitals

Am I wrong?

[JimfromOhio]

Are you sure you want to discuss this? Some members here have relatives and knows more in detailed what is going on spiritually and their lives. I will be back tonight and I hope you are ready for a challenge.

See ya tonight.

[GreatistheLord]

I'm really interested in the truth here, if I'm wrong, please show me.

[victoryword]

If healing is only reliant on the faith of the praying person, because the other person is mentally unable to engage in faith, why aren't we emptying the mental hospitals? Likewise, with small children, and the dead, God allows our faith to heal the other one without regard to their faith.
Okay, raising the dead requires *alot* of faith, but we still have the other 2 groups to start with.

We, as the faith community, are normally hindered (or helped) by other people's faith, so why don't we have a field day in places where God only regards our faith

- mental hospitals
- morgues
- children's hospitals

Am I wrong?

I won't say whether you are right or wrong. The Bible does show us several examples of people being healed via the faith of another. The Centurion whose servant was sick was healed via the Centurions faith. The Syrian woman whose daughter was vexed with a devil was healed via the mother's faith. The man with palsy was healed via the faith of the men who ripped the roof from the house Jesus was in and lowered him in there. The boy with epilepsy was healed via the father's faith. I am sure we could cite other examples.

However, at the pool of Bethesda, there were a whole lot of sick people there but only one man received healing. Why? We don't know. BUt Jesus did not empty out that area of sick people. On the other hand, no one came to Jesus asking for help for themself or on behalf of another.

Finally, I have gone on weekly hospital visitations with a team (back in the days when doctors were sympathetic to Christians doing these things). I have seen some miraculous results. However, I never emptied a hospital. Some did not want prayer. Others were happy to receive it. It was from the latter group that I saw some of God's miraculous intervention.

[GreatistheLord]

I won't say whether you are right or wrong. The Bible does show us several examples of people being healed via the faith of another. The Centurion whose servant was sick was healed via the Centurions faith. The Syrian woman whose daughter was vexed with a devil was healed via the mother's faith. The man with palsy was healed via the faith of the men who ripped the roof from the house Jesus was in and lowered him in there. The boy with epilepsy was healed via the father's faith. I am sure we could cite other examples.

However, at the pool of Bethesda, there were a whole lot of sick people there but only one man received healing. Why? We don't know. BUt Jesus did not empty out that area of sick people. On the other hand, no one came to Jesus asking for help for themself or on behalf of another.

Finally, I have gone on weekly hospital visitations with a team (back in the days when doctors were sympathetic to Christians doing these things). I have seen some miraculous results. However, I never emptied a hospital. Some did not want prayer. Others were happy to receive it. It was from the latter group that I saw some of God's miraculous intervention.

But I'm saying in cases where there are only people who can be healed by your faith, why aren't we making a bigger difference there?

[The Lord is my banner]

But I'm saying in cases where there are only people who can be healed by your faith, why aren't we making a bigger difference there?


Because most of us don't believe we can?

[Jimbeaux]

Because most of us don't believe we can?

Next question: why aren’t most of those who believe than can making a bigger difference?

~Jim
If the first step in an argument is wrong everything that follows is wrong.
~C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

[jmpr007]

If healing is only reliant on the faith of the praying person, because the other person is mentally unable to engage in faith, why aren't we emptying the mental hospitals? Likewise, with small children, and the dead, God allows our faith to heal the other one without regard to their faith.
Okay, raising the dead requires *alot* of faith, but we still have the other 2 groups to start with.

We, as the faith community, are normally hindered (or helped) by other people's faith, so why don't we have a field day in places where God only regards our faith

- mental hospitals
- morgues
- children's hospitals

Am I wrong?

Do you think our sins cause us to be sick & handicapped? And if so, how do we get well? What do we do?

[The Lord is my banner]

Well if anyone wants to increase praying for mentally ill people you can use me as a practice peice. :(

[jmpr007]

Prayer is great. But didn't Jesus tell us how we could be free from our infirmities?

And i will keep you in my prayers. :)

[GreatistheLord]

Do you think our sins cause us to be sick & handicapped? And if so, how do we get well? What do we do?

Handicapped? If you've been sinning enough to think that God might make you handicapped, I would first hand yourself in to the police :).

Seriously though, repent of the sin, and find some christians that can pray for you who believe in healing today. Not all sin leads to sickness, but sometimes there is a link.

[JimfromOhio]

Handicapped? If you've been sinning enough to think that God might make you handicapped, I would first hand yourself in to the police :).

Seriously though, repent of the sin, and find some christians that can pray for you who believe in healing today. Not all sin leads to sickness, but sometimes there is a link.

My wife's oldest daughter have cerebral palsy and mentally challenged. My own daughter who is 18 has some sort of mental disability. Oh yeah, I have Multiple Sclerosis. We live in a world which places great emphasis on beauty, wealth and power. People with disabilities are often a symbol of the opposite – they struggle with physical or mental imperfection, powerlessness and often poverty. Which is why Word of Faith is so focus on having everyone healed. Handicapped people are so ugly and so needy.

When Christian believers become ill, the Bible encourages us to pray for healing. For the person who does not experience healing, Biblically, God will grant the strength to endure hardship through HIS GRACE (people keep forgetting GRACE :doh:)

A disabled Christian believer can enrich in a Christian community, Christians with disabilities – especially those in positions of leadership can serve as God's best examples of His power being made perfect in weakness. The Bible also teaches us to bear the burdens of someone with a disability fulfils a command of scripture (Galatians 6:2). 2 Samuel 9:3-4 tells the story of David’s kindness to Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, modeling the way the church should minister.

I believe as Christians that the church must remove physical, emotional and spiritual barriers in order to bring in people who are suffering with disabilities. I believe that when those who are suffering are utilized in outreach of the Kingdom, the fullness of the Bride of Christ (Church) only then reflects the glory of the Bridegroom (God). I believe that the church are commanded by God through Scriptures to train and equip people with disabilities in order to help them exercise their Godgiven gifts in building the Body of Christ. God is NOT limited to goodness.

God gave us the power of faith, see 1 John 5:4

KJV
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

NIV
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

There are so many Christians who have disabilities and they are filled in many churches. Disability allows the life of Christ to be manifested to others through the flesh. God builds strength, virtue, compassion, faith and sacrificial love into His children “to become conformed to the image of His son.” (Romans 8:29)

Word of Faith focus on temporal based on faith rather than Grace which is eternal and powerful.

Regarding doctrines of healing and suffering, the Bible does not teach that He will always physically, emotionally and mentally heal those who come to Him in faith.

[Faithful Love]

Next question: why aren’t most of those who believe than can making a bigger difference?





Who says we aren't?:confused:

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

Well if anyone wants to increase praying for mentally ill people you can use me as a practice peice. :(
If you want to pray for someone ENTIRELY incapable of even understanding faith let alone exercising it you can always pray for Moriah's 2nd daughter. She bes born with a condition called Tuberous Sclerosis and suffers profound developmental limitations, grand mal seizures, renal complications, and behavioral problems similar to severe autism as a result. She bes 20 years old with an academic level of a very slow 2nd grader, the emotional level of about a three year old, NO concept of either time or object permanence, and will never have anything remotely approximating a normal life without specific and utterly miraculous divine intervention.

The entirety of her father's side of the family bes atheist or other non-believers. What a great opportunity for God to demonstrate the reality of His power and love if she could be healed--a wonderful testimony not only to Him being REAL but to Him being loving--so no one has anything to lose from this.

[GreatistheLord]

If you want to pray for someone ENTIRELY incapable of even understanding faith let alone exercising it you can always pray for Moriah's 2nd daughter. She bes born with a condition called Tuberous Sclerosis and suffers profound developmental limitations, grand mal seizures, renal complications, and behavioral problems similar to severe autism as a result. She bes 20 years old with an academic level of a very slow 2nd grader, the emotional level of about a three year old, NO concept of either time or object permanence, and will never have anything remotely approximating a normal life without specific and utterly miraculous divine intervention.

The entirety of her father's side of the family bes atheist or other non-believers. What a great opportunity for God to demonstrate the reality of His power and love if she could be healed--a wonderful testimony not only to Him being REAL but to Him being loving--so no one has anything to lose from this.

I didnt mean to cause any distress in bringing up this thread, so apologies to those who have children/relatives who are suffering in this way.

I believe that the prayer of faith will heal the sick (Jas 5:15), so I will pray for her. If you believe the same, please join me.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

You did not cause this one any distress, Friend. His peace be with you. :hug:
Thank you for praying for her. Moriah must confess this would be an area in which its faith bes extremely weak after all these years. In its head it knows nothing bes impossible with God, but in its heart it feels like asking to see an amputee grow a new leg right before our eyes. Lord it believes, help its unbelief. Amen.