I hope that as you are reading this, all is well with you. The Cheltenham Healing on the Streets team went out this Saturday without Chris and Ruth who were on a mission to Kenya - they are back now and I really hope Chris will be writing about what happened there on this blog very soon. The stories are amazing and definitely inspiring.
Meanwhile, in Cheltenham High Street we were being accompanied by the music of a folk group who said they were 'proper pagans' and, whilst this was possibly a spiritual attack, they were nice people and their music was jolly. We know that God loves them, whatever they believe. They attracted quite a crowd. We, on the other hand, had our new banner which is rather super and which drew the eye as it is different to the old banner.
We prayed for a number of people and had some good conversations. A believer was the first person to be prayed for - she had a lot of issues arising from her past which had developed into physical ailments, so it was good that she spoke to a lovely team member with such a gentle and kind heart.
We prayed with a lady with a chest infection and recurring colds. She is another believer with a busy life, but so wanting to be right with God.
Next we prayed with a gentleman who has been for prayer against cancer cancer a number of times. He told us that every time he comes he feels encouraged, which in turn encouraged us.
One of our team has been suffering with an ailment for a while which has now been diagnosed, so it was good to be able to pray into that.
A super lady in a wheelchair received prayer. She initially turned down the offer of prayer from one team member, but I guess God softened her heart because she was happy to talk to another team member soon after. She had spina bifida, but it was a recurring foot infection which had put her in the wheelchair and despite her initial bemusement, she was very cheerful and was touched and moved by the Lord.
A team member was able to pray by proxy for four members of her family who are dealing with cancer, tests for all sorts, and heart dysfunction. We continue to contend for what we see as 'biggies' as we know that to the Lord, who made all things, they're nothing.
A lady who regularly meets with us came past with her son. She has been feeling really low but we were so happy to pray a blessing over her and give her a hug. Another regular lady wanted a prayer for anything, so she had joy and fun prayed over her and she and a team member ended up singing lovely old hymns together like What a Friend We Have in Jesus and Onward Christian Soldiers (no, it wasn't me, surprisingly!)
Another lady received prayer for her granddaughter who has a congenital condition where tumours grow in her head. We didn't know her, but we know God does.
A team member received prayer against a rash that he's been getting.
A conversation with two youngsters giving out Argos catalogues led to a team member praying they'd get on better with getting rid of them and the next time he saw them they were on their second trolley-load!
Another conversation was with a nurse who works in a cancer ward in Hereford. She had fallen away from the church but prays for her patients and wants to go on Alpha.
We went out boldly on Saturday morning expecting amazing things. Every person that comes to the benches for prayer comes into a closer relationship with God from wherever they are at with Him. We were given an insight into the diverse spirituality of Cheltenham this Saturday, which, instead of allowing things to flourish, actually has lead to a spiritual desert. We were made more aware of our commission to introduce those we meet to the one who is able to quench our thirst.
Bless you all,
Al
Stories from team members of Trinity Cheltenham Healing on the Streets
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