Where did the healing miracles go?

[AndersenKC]

I'd like to pose a question for discussion.
Where are the healing miracles and have you ever witnessed a true God driven miracle?

 

[Milo]

I have witnessed some miracles that pertain to me. I cant really say about healing miracles some very nice prophets and preachers do that but I expect when the time comes that we move mountain on a word that healing will be more common.

 

[SeventyOne]

They are still around. I know there are too many people running around claiming to be able to do such things on demand, generally discrediting the idea through their shenanigans.

I've had my own instantaneous healing of scoliosis about 32 or 33 years ago. (Am I really that old now?) A curved spine, visibly straightening out, popping and cracking as it went. Saved me from having to endure an operation where they were planning to attach some rod to my spine.

What I found interesting about it is that the prayer was the healing of two issues. God healed one on the spot and left the other as-is. No big deal. He has His reasons and I trust Him to always make the correct decisions.

 

[inquiring mind]

Healing miracles are all around us... if we let ourselves see them.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I'd like to pose a question for discussion.
Where are the healing miracles and have you ever witnessed a true God driven miracle?

They're far more rare these days than they should be, and when they are they are usually taking place overseas, where the real spiritual war is taking place: Around the World in 80 Miracles - Premier Christianity

Living in the States, I haven't seen any personally, and I've been running in Charismatic circles for close to 30 years now. Far more sermonizing and posturing about how we all have the power as believers to perform miracles than anyone actually doing so these days. The reason is because few want to pay the price. Smith Wigglesworth prayed incessantly, never going 30 minutes without praying, nearly always in tongues. He also never went 15 minutes without reading the word of God. He did these things for the purpose of remaining incessantly in the presence of God, and abiding continually in His Anointing.

Greater works than Jesus did WILL eventually manifest in the earth during the end-times, but only after the church wakes up from her spiritual slumber and gets serious again about her relationship with God.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[Solomons Porch]

I have seen many things, and I suppose I would like to share this one, because it shows us how even the smallest of miracles, how much He cares for us.

It was a sunday morning and I was preparing for church. I live beside my elderly parents, they have a dog they rescued and named him "lonely" because he was always left by the owner and never had real love. He was old and they had him for probably 3 years. His health began to go down hill, he was suffering and the chances of medications would not change anything, so said the vet. It had been about 3 days of my mama and daddy crying and praying for him, and on that sunday morning my mom called and asked would I go with them in the morning to the vet to have the dog put to sleep, she had been crying and couldnt stand to see the suffering.

I hurried over and talked with both of them, sadness all in the house. I walked over to "lonely" rubbed his head and comforted him. I felt grief for my parents having to watch him suffer. I layed down beside him, layed my hand across his chest and said Father I know you care about us and anything that hurts us, hurts you. Now Father will you come get "lonely" peacefully with no suffering right now in Jesus name? Lonely took one deep breath and instantly with no suffering passed away. Right under my hand I felt his last breath.

Was this a miracle? Yes it was, my parents were relieved of seeing the suffering and the dog they loved so much simply breathed once and passed away. This is just how much Jesus cares for our suffering and sadness. So for anybody out there that feels or thinks He doesnt love you or care for you, this story is to show you how much He does care.

God bless

 

[~Anastasia~]

Healing miracles still happen.

They are not rare in the Orthodox Church, but they are not made a big fuss over either. I am more skeptical of what happens on a stage with much fanfare, but the truth is that God can have mercy where He chooses, so I don't dismiss the possibility even there.

But it happens on a much quieter scale as well.

 

[AndersenKC]

I have seen many things, and I suppose I would like to share this one, because it shows us how even the smallest of miracles, how much He cares for us.

It was a sunday morning and I was preparing for church. I live beside my elderly parents, they have a dog they rescued and named him "lonely" because he was always left by the owner and never had real love. He was old and they had him for probably 3 years. His health began to go down hill, he was suffering and the chances of medications would not change anything, so said the vet. It had been about 3 days of my mama and daddy crying and praying for him, and on that sunday morning my mom called and asked would I go with them in the morning to the vet to have the dog put to sleep, she had been crying and couldnt stand to see the suffering.

I hurried over and talked with both of them, sadness all in the house. I walked over to "lonely" rubbed his head and comforted him. I felt grief for my parents having to watch him suffer. I layed down beside him, layed my hand across his chest and said Father I know you care about us and anything that hurts us, hurts you. Now Father will you come get "lonely" peacefully with no suffering right now in Jesus name? Lonely took one deep breath and instantly with no suffering passed away. Right under my hand I felt his last breath.

Was this a miracle? Yes it was, my parents were relieved of seeing the suffering and the dog they loved so much simply breathed once and passed away. This is just how much Jesus cares for our suffering and sadness. So for anybody out there that feels or thinks He doesnt love you or care for you, this story is to show you how much He does care.

God bless

Fascinating, I have something sorta similar. I'm married now, but before I was married to my wife my grandmother was declining during our engagement period. I never got to see her much due to my job situation. I worked odd hours of overnight shifts
But eventually I was fortunate towards the end too see her on a Friday, my day off. So here is how it happened.

My wife and I got word she has declined rapidly and we needed to see her soon. So we went to the hospice center where she was staying and found her in room laying like a vegetable. We approached her bedside and as soon as my future wife was in her eyes site my grandmother came alive, looking at us intently but not able to move. You could tell there was life underneath that aging body and purpose. You can tell a lot by just a person's eyes and hers were little up. I leaned over to look into her eyes and realized she was coherent, despite her body being paralyzed. You could tell she was concerned about something. It was then my wife came up to introduce herself. Took her hand and held it telling her who she was. We knew she could speak so she can make it to us through blinking. One being no two being yes.
At some point we asked her if she wanted to know if my future wife was a Christian. She blinked yes. I looked into her eyes and said yes she's a Christian. It was then that my grandmother turned with excitement as if she was saying she was happy and relieved to know that her grandson was going to be ok and she can finally rest in peace.
Then on that next Saturday night a conversation with regarding my grandma. That He would relieve her suffering and take her to heaven now that she knows her grandson is doing well and will be taken care of.

The very next Monday she passed away.

 

[itsmrjacobs]

I'd like to pose a question for discussion.
Where are the healing miracles and have you ever witnessed a true God driven miracle?

It's your definition of miracle that may be problematic for you. Is the surgery to remove cancer and be successful, not a miracle? Is it my best friend and his wife that had a problematic pregnancy and doctors said to abort for the child won't live more than a week a part from the mother and that said baby is now 5 months old?

There's miracles all the time, your issue is limiting God's power.

 

[AndersenKC]

It's your definition of miracle that may be problematic for you. Is the surgery to remove cancer and be successful, not a miracle? Is it my best friend and his wife that had a problematic pregnancy and doctors said to abort for the child won't live more than a week a part from the mother and that said baby is now 5 months old?

There's miracles all the time, your issue is limiting God's power.

I am merely starting a discussion and I was very specific to what kind of miracle and not omitting the others, I by no means am I limiting God's power that is impossible. His power can't be limited, but it can certainly be denied as that is prevalent in this day and age.

Maybe I can help clarify the difference in what I'm talking about.

There are Miracles or events where God is the only mover, such as the Great Flood, Creation etc.
There are Miracles where God uses people to perform them such as you said thru medical practitioners.
And the third where people and God meet then thru faith God moves supernaturally such as through prayer whatever the case.

I hope that this better outlines the discussion.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Healing miracles still happen.

They are not rare in the Orthodox Church, but they are not made a big fuss over either. I am more skeptical of what happens on a stage with much fanfare, but the truth is that God can have mercy where He chooses, so I don't dismiss the possibility even there.

But it happens on a much quieter scale as well.

Not that I'm saying this simply to check you on it, but do you think you could provide me some links giving specifics on what things are happening in the Orthodox Church? If not, I'd settle for detailed accounts of the events you know of, put in your own words. This issue is of special importance to me.

@ AndersenKC: I suppose I should admit my response was more negative than it could have been. I have actually witnessed some things, including several exorcisms, complete with young women kicking, screaming and writhing around in the floor being restrained by three and four men. I have also heard of a number of miraculous healings taking place from sources I trust, including arms growing back and teeth being replaced in people's mouths. But on the whole, as I said in my initial post, visible, objective manifestations of the power of God taking place in the churches today are IMHO far more rare than they should be, or will be.

Beyond stating you wanted to start a discussion about it, mind if I ask exactly why you wanted to bring the subject up?

 

[W2L]

I have my doubts about healing miracles. Im in the minority however, it seems.

This guy claims to have seen miracles, yet he himself is disabled, kinda. Maybe for some people the miracle is found in the heart.

 

[AndersenKC]

Not that I'm saying this simply to check you on it, but do you think you could provide me some links giving specifics on what things are happening in the Orthodox Church? If not, I'd settle for detailed accounts of the events you know of, put in your own words. This issue is of special importance to me.

@ AndersenKC: I suppose I should admit my response was more negative than it could have been. I have actually witnessed some things, including several exorcisms, complete with young women kicking, screaming and writhing around in the floor being restrained by three and four men. I have also heard of a number of miraculous healings taking place from sources I trust, including arms growing back and teeth being replaced in people's mouths. But on the whole, as I said in my initial post, visible, objective manifestations of the power of God taking place in the churches today are IMHO far more rare than they should be, or will be.

Beyond stating you wanted to start a discussion about it, mind if I ask exactly why you wanted to bring the subject up?

This question of mine was inspired by reading through the book of Acts and noticed the amount of miracles performed
Such as, Paul and Silas healing the man on the side of the road or maybe even the married couple that was immediately struck dead when it was found they were using donations for their own personal gain.

I'm just curious what if there is a reason for this what seems like such a disconnect between our time and biblical history inot regards to Miracles. I have no doubt that they have happened. No doubt at all, but I myself fell asleep if there is something hindering Christians from being able to perform as Jesus said in "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

Sorry can't add ref gotta work.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I have no doubt that they have happened. No doubt at all, but I myself fell asleep if there is something hindering Christians from being able to perform as Jesus said in "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

When you come back, rephrase this part for me. I'm not sure I know exactly what you are saying by it.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Not that I'm saying this simply to check you on it, but do you think you could provide me some links giving specifics on what things are happening in the Orthodox Church? If not, I'd settle for detailed accounts of the events you know of, put in your own words. This issue is of special importance to me.

I don't know of any link that provides an overview, but different aspects get talked about quite a bit. There are enough people I know personally (and I would discount any who seem ... suggestible or exciteable, if you know what I mean), but I've spoken to enough people I know who have witnessed various things. And in second degree, I hear a lot, also from people I trust. It really isn't made a big deal about though.

As far as healing, there are certain sources that have much more happening. Remember how the Apostle Peter's handkerchief healed people? By the same way, material means often communicate the grace of God. There are a number of icons called "wonderworking" that are associated with people being healed. Orthodox Christians, other Christians, and non believers as well. Sometimes there is oil or myrrh that is given to anoint and pray for healing that has resulted in miracles. There are sometimes very holy men who spend their days in constant prayer that are known for many miracles associated with them when they pray for people.

In fact, that is part of how a person is canonized a Saint. Saint just means we have EVIDENCE that they died pleasing to God, not having fallen away at the end. Generally, we avoid judging ANYONE's salvation. But we canonize martyrs, for example, since they died proclaiming the faith, so they did not fall away. Everyone else who is not a martyr and is recognized as a Saint must have verified miracles associated with them, since we view the miracles as evidence of God's working through them, so that they must have died in Him. These are generally instances of miraculous healing.

While they are alive, these people often have other gifts. You may be aware that we practice Confession in our Church. Such holy men often receive people for Confession, and instead of letting them confess, they tell them what they have done. Or they know other things they cannot know. Perhaps they become aware of a cancer before it is detectable, and tell the person so they can be treated. These are miracles, in a sense.

Warnings and healings that happen during dreams.

There are miraculous things that happen, like the falling of the cloud on Mt. Tabor every year during the observation of the Transfiguration, or the temporary reversal of the Jordan River when the Gospel is read over it during the observation of the Baptism of Christ, and other similar things. There are photos and videos of the yearly miracles, but I've never travelled there to observe one.

If you like, what is your particular interest?

 

[Hidden In Him]

I really like this one. I much prefer the preservation of the New Testament practices specifically, as was mentioned to have continued to take pace in the first few centuries after Christ by the early fathers. By the way, I'm sure I could look it up, but since I have you: Who are the most respected of the early fathers where Eastern Orthodox Christians are concerned?

Remember how the Apostle Peter's handkerchief healed people?... Sometimes there is oil or myrrh that is given to anoint and pray for healing that has resulted in miracles. There are sometimes very holy men who spend their days in constant prayer that are known for many miracles associated with them when they pray for people.

 

[Greg J.]

... have you ever witnessed a true God driven miracle?

Yes. A lot of miracles go on daily, even in the West. I thought this sentence was interesting (from the post #5 article), and not surprising at all: "Cessationist theology is almost non-existent outside the Western Church."

Where are the healing miracles ...?

They are where you find communities that believe in Christ, especially when there is great need there. This is the confusion in the West with our individualistic mentality where we hope for and seek healing for individuals. But there is power in numbers, and God does more in communities where people's lives are intertwined and have come to know Christ.

There are ridiculous ideas in the West what devotion to God means, so people are astonished when God doesn't seem to do miracles here or answer prayers, but if (guesstimate) 20% of a church's attendees were deeply devoted to God, then he would already be doing those miracles. I've never heard of a church in the U.S. with that much devotion to God.

I remember hearing about a Westerner visiting a country in Southeast Asia and made a normal prayer request to someone there. Their response was to gather a bunch of people together and pray half the night.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I really like this one. I much prefer the preservation of the New Testament practices specifically, as was mentioned to have continued to take pace in the first few centuries after Christ by the early fathers. By the way, I'm sure I could look it up, but since I have you: Who are the most respected of the early fathers where Eastern Orthodox Christians are concerned?

I'm probably actually not the best one to ask (you'd get good answers in The Ancient Way - the EO forum here), and I suspect too it depends on who you ask.The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox

Justin Martyr is quoted frequently, and Ignatius of Antioch as well. I'd think maybe Polycarp and Clement might be frequently mentioned. But I may well be forgetting others I should mention instead.

Depending on how early you mean, Athanasius deserves a lot of credit, and we owe much to Cyril of Jerusalem and John Chrysostom.

But as I said, you might get much more informed answers in TAW.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I'm probably actually not the best one to ask (you'd get good answers in The Ancient Way - the EO forum here), and I suspect too it depends on who you ask.The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox

Justin Martyr is quoted frequently, and Ignatius of Antioch as well. I'd think maybe Polycarp and Clement might be frequently mentioned. But I may well be forgetting others I should mention instead.

Depending on how early you mean, Athanasius deserves a lot of credit, and we owe much to Cyril of Jerusalem and John Chrysostom.

But as I said, you might get much more informed answers in TAW.

Thanks for the link. I'm familiar with Justin Martyr, and I've read numerous quotes and passages from the others. I've yet to do a full reading of the Anti-Nicene Fathers, but it's coming. I'd find it interested to know exactly how the East and West both developed their thought, so maybe I'll take a look at The Ancient Way down the road.

By the way, I like some of the things included in the bottom of your posts (big fan of asceticism). If you can, think you could teach me how to upload an avatar and log in personal notes and stuff like that? Maybe you can just direct me to the right threads or something (not very internet savvy just yet, unfortunately). Also, is there a way for members to post messages to one another here? Unless I'm missing something, there doesn't appear to be a messaging system.