We all need healing
As a Community we recognise that every one of us needs healing. The Bible puts this another way - we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom 3.23) This does not mean that we are to blame for our own sickness (John 9:1-6), although that is sometimes the case, but rather that we are all part of a world that is sick because humankind has chosen to pursue its own way rather than God's.
God alone knows our true need
Most of us carry wounds, often without knowing it, but which affect us in our daily lives. Even in the best of childhoods we find that there have been words spoken to or about us that have caused deep hurt or damaged our perception of ourselves, God or others. When we pray for healing we ask God to identify the root of our sickness and to heal.
Counselling vs. Prayer
Our approach to ministry is one of being alongside a brother or sister in need. We do not engage in counselling but rather come together to the Lord, the only one who can heal us, and ask Him to teach us how to pray. Maranatha has teams of people who have been trained in listening to God in the context of healing ministry.
Healing is about right relationships
Our journey together as a Community has helped us to realise that our need for healing is so often rooted in the need for 'right relationships' in our lives. The Bible calls this 'righteousness'. Our lives are made up of four key relationships: our relationship with others, our relationship with ourselves, our relationship with God and also our relationship with all creation. Relationships are healed through forgiveness.
Freedom through forgiveness
To forgive those who have hurt us requires supernatural power. The same power that Jesus demonstrated when He forgave from the cross (Luke 23:34) is available to us - we can pray in His Name. We have witnessed His healing transformation in the lives of countless individual men and women who have been released to live in a new freedom from even terrible past events.
How do we receive healing?
Many people have experienced healing by turning to God privately in prayer. Often, however we need others to pray with us at different points on our healing journey. Personal healing ministry is available by request through the Maranatha office.