Healing

MacNutt has compiled the definitive work in Christian healing. Any church with or without a healing ministry would profit from a study of this book Part one walks us through the usually explanations and rationale that a lot of people need as preparation for healing if they've grown up in naturalistic, materialistic educational systems. We need to be reminded of the plausibility that the transcendent God we believe in really does transcend. The only thing I might have found interesting that isn't included here would be a brief background of the philosophical foundations of modernity and rationalism, although it might not have been appropriate for MacNutt's intended audience. Part two is an essential reminder of the necessity of faith and loving when it comes to healing. The book strikes a good balance between the theological, the practical, and the exhortative. Part three is perhaps the most useful part of the work. It divides healing into four categories: forgiveness, emotional healing, physical healing, and exorcism. It gives careful analysis of each situation and practical approaches to prayer. I appreciate that when he comes to exorcism, he is neither dramatic nor shy. Part four is a bit of a mishmash of last details. He gives twelve reasons why people may not be healed, talks about the presence of healing in the (seven) sacraments, and gives due consideration to the importance of secular medical care in addition to prayer. Having watched a healing ministry be established and flourish at a church, I now wish retrospectively that this was the foundational text. Pragmatically, it is at least the notes on the growth of a healing ministry in a well-written, complete, and balanced form.

Simply stated, "Healing" by Francis MacNutt may be the best work on healing through prayer ever written. The book includes an overview of the history of praying for healing in Christianity. That in itself is worth the price of the book. He traces how healing began as a central obligation of early Christian communities, but when Christianity became legal under Constantine, many of the precepts of pagan Roman society, such as those advocated by stoics, which deemed suffering as redemptive, infiltrated Christian theology and practice. People prayed less and less for healing as time progressed and saw their suffering as something they should endure without questions, for redemptive reasons. Also the role of the laity changed much once Christianity became legalized. Priests became more powerful and certain practices that were once considered the responsibility of all, such as praying for the sick (which is handed down in the Catholic tradition as the anointing of the sick) were no longer responsibilities that any Christian should perform, but relegated to those ordained. MacNutt's book includes many personal testimonies of people who were healed through services at which he participated. Some of the stories come from letters. Some of the stories are his personal experiences and situations that he witnessed. All areas of healing are included: inner healings from emotional wounds, physical healings and deliverance is also a topic the book covers. The book includes sample prayers used from various Christian faiths, or elements that should be incorporated into prayers, if the reader has an aversion for formal prayers. Any person may pray for healings, but the book believes as the Bible states, that healing is a gift given by the Holy Spirit and some people may be more effective in their prayers than others. And while healing may occur through prayer alone, the book does not recommend avoiding medical resources available to assist people's health and recovery because these too are gifts we are given and should use. It is true too, that some times illness does have a purpose in life, and that healing is not always God's will for every occasion. The book also offers guidelines for starting a healing ministry and assembling a team. The book looks at the way different beliefs in Christianity heal those who have faith in them. It does not say that one belief is more powerful than another, but the key element is faith in God's ability to work through venues. One of my favorite topics covered in the book is on sacraments; how different Christians believe in the validity of different sacraments, and MacNutt presents stories of how people are healed through each of them: baptism, confession, communion and anointing of the sick are the major heavy weights. MacNutt was ordained and worked as a Catholic priest for many years, but he also worked with Christian ministers who specialized in healing from other churches, such as the late Rev. Tommy Tyson and Agnes Sanfor

Real world, down-to-earth, in a realm too often seen as fantasy or historical, is how MacNutt approaches the healing work of a loving God. Scripturally supported throughout, this is an explanation of Christian healing, a straight-forward 'how-to' erasing much of the mystery many Christians and skeptics have surrounding the healing Jesus called His disciples to offer the broken. It powerfully affirms the healing work of Jesus, alive and occurring daily, even now. He provides practical answers, numerous experiences of his and others' and, at the same time, demonstrates the humility of walk in admitting those things to which he still cannot offer clear and simple answers, things beyond his understanding. This is a handbook for healing ministers, a book of testimony to instill faith in the unhealed that they can be healed, and a treasure for the Christian Church.

Father Francis MacNutt, has shared with us 30 years of experience on the healing ministry. I found this book, very helpful in giving me knowledge on a subject that is very difficult to talk with friends and even priests. It gives me courage enough to go on, and continue to discern on the healing ministry.

Father Francis MacNutt, a Catholic priest who has become known for his work in the healing ministry,presents a comprehensive discussion of what healing involves, what factors influence a person's ability to prayeffectively for healing, and various kinds of healing. This book is a must-have for anyone who feels that the Lord is calling them to a healing ministry.