One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” (Acts 3:1-4)
When I read about healing, I think of Joel Osteen’s family. His sister, Lisa, was healed from birth defects and his mom, Dodee, from terminal liver cancer. Dodee declared and thanked God when the doctor told her she had only six weeks to live. She believed the Holy Spirit would heal her, and the Holy Spirit did. She and her husband, John, also thanked God he would heal their daughter when it was declared she would never walk and would have a short life. Today Lisa is married, has three children, and is an associate pastor at Lakewood church with no physical or mental defects. The Holy Spirit blessed the Osteen family because of great faith.
We must not only ask for the Holy Spirit, we must clear our minds and bodies and make room for the Holy Spirit. We must believe and declare that the Holy Spirit will change and heal us. Peter, the doubter and warrior, and John, the empathetic apostle, were often at odds with each other. Peter was jealous because John was closer to Jesus. When the Holy Spirit changed them, they became closer and went together to the temple to pray. Before having the Holy Spirit, Peter would’ve said, “Look at me!” After receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter said, “Look at us!”
Father God, let the Holy Spirit connect with my spirit. Fill me with wisdom, power, and Your love to make a difference in the world. Change me like you changed Peter. Take jealousy and doubt from me as You did from him. Help me understand the hearts of those I may have misunderstood and help me to show them your love and be a friend. Build my faith and help me declare faith, healing, favor, and praise by saying, “Thank you for healing my _________ and declaring to others you are healing me because I have faith you want me to be whole. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.