By Evangeline Paul Dhinakaran
Dearly beloved,
There was a great man of God in America- Oral Roberts- who was used mightily by God. When he was a little boy, his mother laid her hands upon him and prayed, “O God, somehow change my son to be a servant of God!” Though she had many children, she prayed for him with a special burden. But that son moved with bad friends and walked in evil ways.
Since he indulged in sinful habits, he had to leave his home. Even in that situation, his mother sent him saying “My son, I have prayed much for you. You will be transformed as a servant of God one day. I have that much faith. Wherever you may go, you will come back to Jesus.”
After leaving his home, Oral Roberts suffered a great deal. He was a victim of tuberculosis in his 14th year; he became seriously ill and was all skin and bone. A man who had compassion on him took him into his home and looked after him. Hearing of that Oral Roberts’ father came there in his car, and on seeing the pitiable condition of his son took him to a Gospel meeting. His brother who was in the car said to Oral Roberts: “We are now going to a Gospel meeting. The man of God, after delivering his message, will lay his hands upon every one of us. When he lays his hands on people, they all receive healing. Today when he lays his hands upon you and prays, you too will be healed.”
Oral Roberts went to the meeting in great faith that the servant of God would lay his hand upon him and he would be healed. It was time for the last prayer. The man of God laid his hand on everyone and prayed for them. But when the turn came for Oral Roberts, he just prayed saying a few words of God without laying his hand on him. This made him angry. He murmured within himself: “Why did not the man of God lay his hands upon me?” and went back to his seat and sat down. But when the man of God returned after prayer, he just touched Oral Roberts. That was all. His faith began to work and he was instantly healed. Unable to control his joy, he jumped up from his seat and went to the stage and gave his testimony.
That day his life changed. He wanted to minister just like that man of God. Since that day, he started praying for that. That is why God used him so mightily all over the world. There is a university bearing his name. Through his ministry, millions of young men have received Jesus as their Lord and are ministering for Him. Oral Roberts is popularly called: “The Father of the Servants of God.”
How does this faith come within us? The Bible gives the answer: “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Yes! Faith comes through our hearing of the Word of God. God performs miracles for us and makes us happy to the extent of our faith. The Word of God reveals about the blessings Christ has secured for us on the Cross. We only need to believe it. Then all His blessings shall be ours!
There was a great man of God in America- Oral Roberts- who was used mightily by God. When he was a little boy, his mother laid her hands upon him and prayed, “O God, somehow change my son to be a servant of God!” Though she had many children, she prayed for him with a special burden. But that son moved with bad friends and walked in evil ways.
Since he indulged in sinful habits, he had to leave his home. Even in that situation, his mother sent him saying “My son, I have prayed much for you. You will be transformed as a servant of God one day. I have that much faith. Wherever you may go, you will come back to Jesus.”
After leaving his home, Oral Roberts suffered a great deal. He was a victim of tuberculosis in his 14th year; he became seriously ill and was all skin and bone. A man who had compassion on him took him into his home and looked after him. Hearing of that Oral Roberts’ father came there in his car, and on seeing the pitiable condition of his son took him to a Gospel meeting. His brother who was in the car said to Oral Roberts: “We are now going to a Gospel meeting. The man of God, after delivering his message, will lay his hands upon every one of us. When he lays his hands on people, they all receive healing. Today when he lays his hands upon you and prays, you too will be healed.”
Oral Roberts went to the meeting in great faith that the servant of God would lay his hand upon him and he would be healed. It was time for the last prayer. The man of God laid his hand on everyone and prayed for them. But when the turn came for Oral Roberts, he just prayed saying a few words of God without laying his hand on him. This made him angry. He murmured within himself: “Why did not the man of God lay his hands upon me?” and went back to his seat and sat down. But when the man of God returned after prayer, he just touched Oral Roberts. That was all. His faith began to work and he was instantly healed. Unable to control his joy, he jumped up from his seat and went to the stage and gave his testimony.
That day his life changed. He wanted to minister just like that man of God. Since that day, he started praying for that. That is why God used him so mightily all over the world. There is a university bearing his name. Through his ministry, millions of young men have received Jesus as their Lord and are ministering for Him. Oral Roberts is popularly called: “The Father of the Servants of God.”
How does this faith come within us? The Bible gives the answer: “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Yes! Faith comes through our hearing of the Word of God. God performs miracles for us and makes us happy to the extent of our faith. The Word of God reveals about the blessings Christ has secured for us on the Cross. We only need to believe it. Then all His blessings shall be ours!
