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Severe daily pain: prelude to a profound moment. The "moment" actually developed through discussion about how to cope with something that never "should" have happened and now appears to be a permanent addition to a life. There is anger, fear and hopeless despair about ever experiencing joy in life again. In such a dilemma, faith and belief in the goodness of the God we serve is central to maintain any hope as we seek Him in prayer. Knowledge of His character and intent toward us is crucial to keep emotional balance. What if we don’t have it? No amount of intellectual conviction or academic study alone will endure when pain is a constant companion. On the other hand, illusions maintained do not accomplish good either.

"Jennifer," who suffers with daily severe pain, was strongly advised by a prayer partner/mentor that she needed to demand that God heal her, that God owed her healing, and that she has every right to expect it to be relatively soon. It was further indicated she was not to contemplate or express any "negative" feelings or concerns, but remain speaking in bold confidence that her healing is indeed already accomplished and act on that, no matter how she felt! Speak only positive things into reality! Initially, despite

prayers for surgery , she found comfort in this kind of assertion. Over time, when the pain continued and even worsened, the partner’s inference was that Jennifer must not have enough faith to claim her healing or she was not walking in it boldly so it couldn’t happen. Jennifer’s fears were not reduced by this approach but exacerbated by it! Clearly, so she thought, she must be at fault for not being faithful enough. The only other apparently inescapable conclusion was that God is ignoring her prayers, that He doesn’t care about her circumstances and worse yet, that He is not loving. After all, what human parent would stand by and allow suffering if it were in their power to undo it?

This approach is what some have termed, "Name it, Claim it" style or more recently, "Word of Faith" or even "Prosperity Gospel." It is just as strongly promoted by some as it is decried by others. I agree with the perspective that it is not Scriptural, and far more "human centered" than is wise or accurate. The idea of personal control and the directive to tell God what we need rather than look to Him for His way is key to a metaphysical "New Age" perspective of creating reality by how you think and behave. It is rampant as our church bodies move toward experiential sources, rather than Scriptural truths, in apostasy.

As I walked through this matter with Jennifer, her insights seem far more specific and revealing so we both thought others might find them helpful. Her discomfort with the approach went unspoken with the mentor because the authority or charisma of the individual was strong. She seemed to allow no room for questions or disagreement, intimidating Jennifer, unintentionally or not. In her own heart, she had not quite felt comfortable to "tell" God what to do. As we considered what it is for a created being to tell the eternal Creator what to do, Jennifer was quick to assert her recognition of this: