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The Favor of God
As Experienced in the Shinyanga, Tanzania, Crusade and Outreach
Observations of David Carmichael Bland of Changing Lives Ministries International
While every demonstration of the gifts of healings and the gift of miracles is a “favorite”—because it demonstrates the ‘favor’ of God, I was most impressed by the near continual flow of a tangible anointing that was present throughout our ministry activities, and the ease by which the anointing could be ‘stirred up.’ Jesus admonished His disciples merely to pray and then let the Holy Spirit do His part. This admonition was well demonstrated during the Shinyanga Crusade and outreach events. There was no striving to make healing and miracles “happen,” just simple obedience to pray, which resulted in God doing what He loves to do!
Jesus often asked those who crossed His path, “What would you have me to do?” In so doing, the answers He received often provided significant insight into the person’s attitude, motivation, and heart-felt desires. So too, was my experience in administering the gifts of the Spirit during the Crusade, hospital visits, etc. I saw those whom I thought would ask for healing or restoration of what seemed obvious to me, but upon questioning, found their concerns and desires were not what I saw as their obvious need. In such cases, the divine one-on-one personal touch of God to a not-so-obvious need that is most pressing upon the mind and desire of the individual petitioner becomes so personal that it often transcends the act of healing itself, and becomes the foundation on which a life-long relationship with God is built. For instance, one young man who had an obvious skin disorder, when asked his desire from God, responded with a request for wisdom. A middle-aged woman, who acknowledged an obvious physical need when questioned, was nevertheless most intent in asking for the healing of her marriage and the salvation of her husband. While prayer was, of course, directed in the area of their voiced need; nevertheless, I sensed an added anointing to pray for the deeper spiritual needs of these who were seeking something beyond the relief of a headache, backache, or similar discomfort. Additionally, in praying for their voiced needs, it became obvious to me that God was touching them in a special manner unique only to them, and invisible to me, and in so doing, God was creating a unique life-long personal relationship with each.
And
yet, in some cases the point-of-need was indeed an obvious crucial physical
need. Such was the case of Lilli, an orphan girl whose left blind eye was
opened to full vision. Her cautious expression of joy in what God had just
done was reflected in her ability to reach out to touch my nose that she
previously could not see through her blind eye. My heart rejoiced as I saw
God move in this young girl's life, not only removing an obstacle that would
have been a life-long inconvenience, but instilled an expression of the
Father’s love that will become a life-long relationship between her and the
Father—a foundation on which God can, and will build a life in her,
dedicated to His kingdom purposes.