From the archives of Oral Roberts – First of two parts
First Corinthians 12:8-10, the apostle Paul talks about the “power” gifts of the Spirit, which are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These are power gifts that God’s Holy Spirit divides or gives to different ones from time to time. The gift is given when a need comes.
In my twenties, I was pastoring a small church and attending a university. I had been taking, among other courses, physical education, and it was a tough course because the man in charge was a great athlete and in great physical shape. At that point in my life, I was not a great athlete and not in great physical shape. The things he put us through injured the arches of my feet. I had a hard time getting around, but because I had a small church, I could visit nearly everybody in the church in two or three days.
I was visiting from house to house, when I came to Sister Simpson’s house. Now Sister Simpson knew that from time to time, the gift of healing worked through her. I knocked, and when she opened the door, I hobbled in because my feet were hurting so badly. “Oh, what’s the matter with your feet?” she asked. “I’ve nearly broken the arches in my feet.” I explained.
She began to cry. Sister Simpson always cried before she prayed for someone. She pulled out a chair and ordered, “Put one foot up on this chair.” As I put my foot on the chair, she stood crying for a moment, and then she just put her hand on my foot. I could feel warmth go through my foot and I knew I was healed!
She said, “Now put the other foot up.” Again, she cried a moment and then put her hand on my left foot, and it, too, was instantly healed!