No Magic

"Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13, NAS.

Being regularly involved in community health and development projects, it is not unusual for us to be asked to help people who are dealing with serious illness. Last week my husband, Tom*, called me from a village and asked for help with a diagnosis and treatment for a 65-year-old man who had not eaten in over a week. He was all bones and looked as if he were at death’s door. It’s times like these that I feel so helpless. Over the phone I was, of course, unable to do anything except recommend that they find a treatment center nearby, which I knew was ridiculous.

This man lives in a village where the people rely heavily on witchcraft for healing, as they cannot afford medical treatment. He is the father-in-law of a new Christian named Randy. Andy, who was the first known Christian among this people group, joined Tom in praying for this man’s healing.

Today Randy came for training. He said, “My father-in-law is now sitting up, eating, and getting stronger each day.” What a huge testimony to Randy and the other villagers as no magic was used to heal him, only prayers to Jesus! In hindsight I didn’t have to feel helpless after all. We have the best medicine in the world; a simple prayer made with faith in a risen Savior!

*Names changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

The healing of Randy’s father-in-law will result in many people from his village coming to faith in Jesus.

Spiritual strongholds, like trust in black-magic, will be overcome by the power of spiritual truth among Randy’s people group.

Groups of believers will continue to rapidly multiply throughout the half a million members of Randy’s people group.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.