3.2.25 Word from the Pastor

Encounter Prayer & Worship: A Time of Healing and Power

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Encounter Prayer & Worship has been a truly blessed time in God’s presence. Just last Thursday, a brother shared that at the beginning of worship, he was experiencing pain in his hip. But as we continued to worship and pray before the Lord, he testified that the pain was completely gone—he had been healed.

As I reflected on his testimony, I was reminded of the power we have through the blood of Christ.

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Isaiah 53:4-5

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah speaks of Jesus, the Suffering Servant, who bore our griefs and sorrows on the cross. Through His wounds, we are healed. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God, and with that proclamation came divine healing and deliverance. He also promised that when we pray, the Holy Spirit would come upon us with power. We are the dwelling place of the Spirit, and when we seek Him, the outpouring of the Spirit brings healing and freedom.

How do we live day to day? Do we truly believe in the power of the Gospel and the healing work of the Spirit? Do we have faith that when we pray, God hears and answers? We should trust that at the name of Jesus, darkness flees, anxiety and depression can be lifted, and physical sickness can be healed. We don’t have to wait until Jesus returns to experience His power—He is moving here and now when we seek Him in faith.

Through prayer, my simple confession has been this: “Jesus, I just want more of You.” More of Jesus in my life, more of Jesus in my family, more of Jesus in our church. Because in Him, we find hope, joy, and strength for each day. I’m reminded of the hymn:

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.”

We can face each day because Christ has risen from the grave. His resurrection power is at work in us through the Holy Spirit.

I pray that we would continue to surrender our lives to Jesus, that we would seek Him through Encounter, through our Sunday services, and through daily prayer. May the Holy Spirit move powerfully among us—bringing healing, driving out darkness, and strengthening us to live in His power.

May you find hope today in Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Amen.