In the 1980’s, for several years I attended a Bible college via a correspondence course. In the middle of studying for an exam on divine healing, the following words came to me: “Go lay hands on Jane.” This really startled me, since I had not had any contact with Jane for over a year, and she had not even been on my mind during that time. In addition, Jane was Catholic, and I didn’t know how she might react to something like that. She was also single and rarely home on a Saturday. After reminding the Lord of all these things, “Go lay hands on Jane” came to me once again
Deciding to “test the spirits” by calling her, and expecting no answer, I was shocked to hear her pick up the phone. I soon learned she had had abdominal surgery the week before. Even more amazing, she said she had been rushed to the emergency room a few nights before I called, due to severe abdominal pain. Praying for courage, I asked her if she would like me to drive from Cincinnati to Kentucky to pray for her. She said I was very welcome to come and pray for her.
All the way over to Kentucky, I was praying fervently. I was completely out of my comfort zone, and kept wondering what I should say when it came time to lay hands on her. Each time I wondered, the words that came to me were: “In the name of Jesus, be healed!” I kept asking if there were anything else I should say, but each time I mentally asked, the same words would come to me again. It seemed simple enough, but I was very nervous. I had never done anything like this before.
Jane was very, very happy to see me. Apparently, my call made her realize God was aware of her situation, and really cared about her. I think she was living in fear that the severe pain would begin again (the hospital could not find a reason for it), and she lived alone. As we chatted, I grew increasingly uncomfortable about what I was about to do.
Finally, I asked her if I could very gently lay my hands on her abdomen as I prayed. She agreed. I said, “In the name of Jesus, be healed!” Immediately, a very strange thing happened. I was surprised to hear the sound of “wind” rushing into my right ear. (We were inside, with no windows open, and no air conditioners on). I didn’t mention it to Jane, of course. After adding a few other words that I don’t remember, (the prayer seemed much too short to me otherwise), I breathed a sigh of relief that what I had worried about was over.
After saying good-bye to Jane, I began the drive back to Cincinnati. On the way home, I asked the Lord what that sound of “wind” was. The words that came to me were: “That was the sound of My Spirit.” As I pondered that response, I remembered something from the Bible.
The disciples were gathered on the Day of Pentecost in the Upper Room, after Jesus had ascended to heaven. He had instructed them in Acts 1:4-5 to “wait for the Promise of the Father…for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…” In Acts 2:2,4 it said, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…”
I realized it was a sound as of, or like, a rushing mighty wind that I had heard. It wasn’t a wind. (Remember, there was no possible source of a wind in Jane’s apartment). Rather, it was like the sound of a wind, suggesting the mighty and unseen power of the Holy Spirit! Amazingly enough, Jane never had any more pain or problems from that day on—she was completely healed! I felt so grateful that I had been allowed to hear that sound, and to witness God’s mighty healing power. God is good, and He speaks today!