I thought I responded to this thread, but perhaps after seeing the responses already given, and agreeing with those, I did not.
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Thanks for the replies; I almost couldn't find the post, it has been so long. I still don't know if it is proper to pray for someone's healing, as that is a selfish thing, I suppose. And I don't know if God's will will be done whether we pray about a thing or not. But wait, maybe it will matter. Christ must want people to be healed - he healed them when on earth, but someone had to come to him first, I think. He didn't just heal all people on earth. I'm just thinking out loud here. Of course, I suppose there was a higher reason behind it at that time - I guess for people to believe he was sent from God?
There was that higher reason as you said... but also He healed those who came to Him out of love and compassion for them. But yes, they did have to come to Him (or at least ask, or send someone to ask on their behalf), out of FAITH. Those who had no faith could not be healed. Asking
demonstrated that faith.
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And now that people do believe in Christ, is that why there are not many miraculous healings, if any?
Do they?
Many people know the 'Jesus' of various religions, sure, who reflects those religions and their idea of God... but not Christ, Himself. Not as HE is, but rather as the people have made him to be in their image. (and not because they do not know His name, per se, but because they don't know Him... Jaheshua, the Living Spirit, Image, Word and Truth of God. For example, those who think and state that Jesus would have been at the 'front lines' killing the enemy with bayonet, etc. Sorry, I'm reading a book on religion in the first world war, and the words of 'teachers and preachers', etc, just a hundred years ago from 'christianity' echo what those same christians today denounce from members of extremist groups in Islam)
Gifts are given as are needed to build the Body of Christ UP... as Christ knows they should be given (and as long as there is faith to receive such gifts), yes.
But a
lack of gifts of the Spirit would be related to a l
ack of faith in the Spirit, yes?
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To get healed, would a person with that gift have to be sent? I do not want my little brother to die, but I feel like prayers are futile, since it doesn't have anything to do with the kingdom and God's will, and is my own will - and yes, it is more important right now than anything else. I know it shouldn't be, but it is.
One thing you can do when praying, is to do as our Lord did:
"Father
IF IT IS POSSIBLE.... (then ask for what you want).
But if not, YOUR WILL be done."
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Also, just besides God not listening to an unrighteous person's prayers, would those prayers actually be detrimental. In other words, if a group of righteous people pray for a thing, would those prayers be hindered by an unrighteous person praying for the same outcome?
Wouldn't that mean denying the righteous men what they ask for, on account of the one unrighteous?
Do you recall the words God gave to Abraham? That He would spare the ENTIRE place (sodom and gomorrah), for the sake of the few righteous in it? If just five, I think it was, righteous were found in it, then God would spare the entire place on account of them.
Hope some of that helps, Ataloa.
Peace to you, and to your loved ones,
your sister and servant, and fellow slave of Christ,
tammy