These are what the Bible calls "the last days" . the "days of harvest" just before Jesus returns again to the earth in what we call "the rapture" of the Church. Around the world in many countries, multitudes of people are responding to the Gospel and are being "born from above", Spiritually renewed, and healed in body, set free from demonic bondages and sinful habits, and thereby experience the joy of the Holy Spirit. There are three Bible words which describe the Church during "Harvest time", these are, (1) Thanksgiving, (2) Joy, (3) The "Presence of God" with us.

REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION

"Restoration, Is perhaps the major theme of the Bible, and will explain to you how you may be "saved" and "healed". healed in spirit, mind, and body. In Genesis we read how God put man and woman into a Garden, and they enjoyed fellowship with him.

Adam was made "In the likeness of God" (Gen. 1:2) "So God created Adam and Eve in His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them." (Ge. 1:27)

God said , in effect, "You can eat of any tree, except that one tree, the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." (Gen. 2:17)

What happened?- Incredibly, Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate the fruit! Even then, all was not hopeless; in the day they ate the fruit, they did begin to age and to die, but God declared that the offspring of the woman would "crush the Serpents head". (Gen. 3:15). This was the first promise of Redemption and Restoration. The Promised Redemption is the focus of God's message throughout the Old Testament. a promise of Restoration to come In the person of The Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, the main objective of the Book is really the Covenant between God and the Nation of Israel. In Egypt, God instructed them to put the blood of a lamb the doorposts, so the "death Angel" would "[pass over" their households. Today the blood of the lamb of lamb (Jesus) is appled not to door but to our Heart!

The "blood of the lamb" became a symbol of God's Covenant throughout the entire Bible. Jesus is "the Lamb of God". (St. Jn. 1:29) John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the World."

The Angel had said to his Mother Mary, "Thou shalt call his Name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins, (Matt. 1:21) and in the Book of Hebrews, (Ch. 8, Vs. 8-12) the Lord says, "I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah", and he goes on to explain the differences and the benefits of the "New Covenant".

In St. Luke's Gospel, Ch 4, Vs 16-21, Jesus explains his Mission. and tells that he came to heal, to set people free from the bondage of sin, and restore God's creation by establishing Kingdom "on earth as it is in Heaven". The Gospel is "Good News"! The Gospel is the most liberating, healing, and life-giving truth the world has ever heard!

The Bible teaches that man was created "in the image and likeness of God". Thus originally there was perfect health, however, the day man sinned, he became separated from God, and mankind now experiences sickness, too!

HEALING IN THE ATONEMENT

Many illnesses come about because of sins, or because of traumatic experiences and other negative incidents of our younger years. But whatever sins you have committed, and whatever hurts you have suffered, the Bible says The Lord whatever hurts you have suffered, the Bible says The Lord Jesus "heals the brokenhearted and binds up the wounds. (Psalm 147:3) God wants to set you free from all bondages of satan, and make you whole again in body, soul and spirit. Any soul in search of healing may approach our loving God in simple prayers. Just ask him!

Looking into the future, the Bible says (Rev. 12:10) "Now is come Salvation and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down," (Vs.11) "and they overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."

THERE IS HEALING FOR YOU!

Yes, there is healing for you "in the Name of Jesus"! About two-thirds (2/3) of his public life was devoted to healing the sick abd the oppressed. The healing love of Jesus is true and alive and still available to the present time and for always.

Divine healing of the body, however, is usually the result of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus; He wants to set you free from the power of the devil. He wants to heal you in your spirit, soul and body.

The Lord Jesus Christ wants to convey to you His healing love. He wants you to know that in time of need, trial, sickness and problems, he is always available to help and comfort you. Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus "Is the same, yesterday, today, and forever." The bible also says God "is no respecter of person". That means if Jesus ever had compassion on anyone, he will have compassion on you --if he ever healed anyone (and He did!) he is willing to heal you!

The Disciple John wrote, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV.) This speaks of being Spiritually renewed (changed) in our mind and spirit. God the Father then becomes, in a very personal way, 'our Heavenly Father", and a loving Father who heals out of his pure love and compassion. It is our complete surrender to him and trust in him that brings forth the miracle of healing. Read Psalm 103; verse 3 says "In forgiving all your offenses, In curing all your diseases." Yes, faith in God will bring his Grace and power to heal.

The healing love of the Father descends through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, and the Redeemer of mankind, by the power of the Holy Spirit, thus the Blessed Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are all involved in our Salvation and in the healing of our bodies.

If you will believe in Jesus, and will pray the following prayers, you will experience the love and healing power of God which will flow to you. It is suggested that you read the prayers, then make them your prayers, and pray daily in faith, even in your own words, believing in Jesus name, until you receive the "touch of God" and the healing you desire. You will benefit first in spirit, then body!

The scripture says in Romans 3, Vs. 22, (NIV) "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23- "for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God, 24- "and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ".

Vs.25, "God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement." ( Romans 3:22-25) and 1 st Jon 1:8. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us", but Vs. 9, says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

One last reminder; it is important that you seek God and His forgiveness which leads to full Salvation, and not just His healing gifts. Healing from above contains a power that really does produce peace, joy, and restoration to full health of the one who is sick, for body, mind, spirit and soul, through the living presence of Jesus, our Risen Lord!

We believe in One God, revealed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So the first prayer is to the Father the second prayer is a prayer of faith for healing and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, and the third prayer is a prayer for Guidance to the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. You may read these prayers to the Lord, making them as your own.

So in conclusion, anyone needing God's healing power whether one is a 'leader', a Deacon, a Nun, a Priest, a Christian Layman, or an unchurched: "sinner" who is seeking God's help, is included by the above Scriptures, and will be freely forgiven of all their sins, and may then seek God's healing power if they will sincerely pray the following prayers", (these are composed by a Church Bishop to help you pray effectively.)

THE 3 HEALING PRAYERS:

•  Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, I worship You, I give You thanks, I praise You for Your Glory. Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus Your only son to pay the penalty for the sins of the world, so that I too may be forgiven and have eternal life by faith in Him, and thus share with Uou and all the saints in Your Glory. I offer thanksgiving to You for being my kind and loving Heavenly Father.

•  "Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on me; You are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive my prayer. For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

"Lord Jesus, I am a sinner, but only say the word and I shall be healed. Your chosen Apostle Peter said, "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will saved". (Acts 2:21) Lord Jesus, I do believe in you; have mercy on me. Forgive me of all my sins, and grant to me the gift of Salvation and eternal life; write my name in "The Lamb's Book of Life" (Rev. 21:27)

"Lord Jesus you gave us your body and blood in the Eucharist and as a continuing memorial sacrifice, so that even now I may share your life. By faith in you and your sacrifice on the Cross, I humbly pray that you will wipe away all my sins and lead me to everlasting life, and that I may enjoy with you in the Glory of Heaven, together with your Mother Mary and all the saints who have done your will throughout the ages.

"Lord Jesus, when you left your throne in Heaven and came down to earth, you went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil (Acts 10:38). You described your Mission in these words, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor". (Luke 4:18-19 NIV.)

"Lord Jesus, you identified yourself as the Messiah, the promised one sent by the Father, by your healing of the blind, the deaf the lame, the lepers, then by even raising the dead to life, and the preaching of the Gospel to the poor. (Luke 7:22)

"Lord, you healed the sick because you had compassion on them, and you also told your Disciples to heal the sick. According to your teachings, sickness is from the devil, but you said of yourself, "I am come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly. So Lord Jesus, I ask now that you will send your healing power into my body and correct all the deficiencies. Heal me and restore my health I pray, so that I may in turn become a testimony of your Grace.

"Lord Jesus, I thank you now for the gift of Salvation, and by faith I also thank you for the gift of healing. Now I pray you will send the Holy Spirit into my heart, my mind, and my body. You said, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth". (John 14:16-17) "and He shall teach you all things."

(3)  "Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth and Grace, please bless me now. Illuminate my spirit; fill me with your Holy Presence. Give me understanding and teach me how to live each day so that my life may become blessed and that you may direct my thoughts and my actions, that in turn you may bless others through me.

"Please direct my life so that I may know more perfectly "the Way of The Lord". Blessed Holy Spirit, enthrone the Lord Jesus to live in my heart; and fill me with your Holy Presence. Reveal your plan for my life; guide me, watch over me help me to live daily according to your will; I trust in you.

"May the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come upon me and remain with me forever, this is my prayer. Thank you Lord!'

    Amen.

Bishop Howard E. May. S.J.C.
Inter-Faith Church Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 10403 Broadway Centrum Q.C. 1112
Philippines