Faith has been kicked around in prayer circles as essential for the healing of the sick. I have heard it from childhood. I was prayed for as a child. The song I learned is still in my head: “Only believe, only believe. All things are possible. Only believe.” And since becoming a minister myself I have prayed for the sick, encouraging them “to have faith.” Another song comes to mind: “Have faith in God / Have faith in God / Have faith in God for your healing, have faith in God.”

But how do we know the sick “have faith” to be healed? When they come to the healing line?  Or when they call on the Lord with tears in their eyes? Or when they give the evangelist their “seed” of faith that he demands? Or can it only be known after the fact?

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