[Healing] Who Heals?

[Tim Temple]

For objective information about what Unity believes, see:
http://www.carm.org/list/unity.htm
The Carmelites and the Benedictines ask for endurance in suffering, not
healing.  "You have not because you ask not." - James 4:2   Often we expect
and pray too low.

-Tim T.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: healing-bounces+ttemple5=bellsouth.net at justus.anglican.org
[mailto:healing-bounces+ttemple5=bellsouth.net at justus.anglican.org]On Behalf
Of JOHN & LINDA SURINCHAK
  Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 10:57 PM
  To: OSL Group
  Subject: [Healing] Who Heals?


  Peter Thomas is disappointed with the dearth of activity in this
discussion group.  The following is something which I am also submitting to
the Order of St Luke discussion group.


      Francis MacNutt, the director of the Christian Healing Ministry in
Jacksonville, FL, authored an article in his most recent Healing Line
newsletter entitled "Does Science Now Prove That Inercessory Prayer Doesn't
Work?" http://www.christianhealingmin.org/newsletter/2006/0506Article01.htm

    In his article MacNutt questions the design of a medical Study of the
Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer in Cardiac Bypass Patients (STEP)
which produced negative results.  There were three groups praying for the
rapid healing of the patients and MacNutt feels that there are two issues
present, 1) did the intercessors accept healing as a blessing from God and
2) were the intercessors experienced?"  MacNutt claims that the two groups
of Benedictine and Carmelite nuns, although steeped in a Christian prayer
tradition, possessed a bias in that "part of their unique calling has been
to accept suffering as a kind of substitute martyrdom united to the
suffering of Christ."   Therefore they did not possess an expectant faith -
"a belief that when they pray a real physical healing may take place."  The
third prayer group was one from the Silent Unity Church in Missouri.  This
group, who MacNutt referred to as Unitarians, were deficient as "Unitarians
do not have the reputation in believing in the uniqueness of Jesus as the
Son of God."
      I disagree with MacNutt's conclusions as he places the healing on the
shoulders of the intercessors and thus belittles the power of God.  How
often have we heard a minister say that the individual does not have to
describe their illness as God knows what's wrong?   We are dealing with an
omnipotent, all powerful, all knowing being....is it necessary for those
praying for healing to be experienced, have certain expectations or to
possess certain training?   To paraphrase the Rev Mark Pearson..."you know
how to talk?  Well prayer is talking while looking up."
      MacNutt equivalates the Silent Unity with the Unitarians.  This is not
accurate.  The Unity Church is composed of Christians who posses a long
prayer tradition; in fact, a huge one.  A visit to their site at
www.unityonline.org bears this out.
      Why did the study have a negative outcome?  I don't know,  but as a
healing prayer minister I have seen several miraculous healing over the
years and have received  positive reports from many people.  I've myself
have experienced great results on two occassions with prayer for my knees.
Curioser and curioser...I don't pretend to know what God is doing here.  All
I know is that this study will not deter me from offering healing prayer to
those in need.
      I wish to express my utmost respect for Francis MacNutt.  My response
to his article is an academic one.

      Blessings....John Surinchak+,   www.SVhealing.org



  Br John Surinchak +, OSL
  Santa Venetia Healing Ministry (UAC)
  Non Ministrari sed Ministrare
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