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An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

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ministers like Harris (2002) 3 . The laying <strong>of</strong> h<strong>and</strong>s also allows <strong>the</strong> person needing healingto receive <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit simultaneously with healing. The above extractsillustrate that faith as well as some confidence in <strong>the</strong> Christian doctrine, <strong>the</strong> healer <strong>and</strong><strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit are reasons why Christians pray for <strong>the</strong>mselves, seek <strong>the</strong>prayer <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>and</strong> pray for o<strong>the</strong>rs to be healed. This notion agrees with Harris‟ viewson <strong>the</strong> reasons why Christians should pray for healing.The services in COGIC are not specifically focused on healing. Below are two extractsfrom observation <strong>of</strong> COGIC services which indicates a similar closing for all <strong>the</strong>services. <strong>An</strong> invitation for prayer is made. Those who come forward for prayer isrequesting prayer for different things such as healing, <strong>the</strong> anointing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit, adeeper underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir Christian faith or prayer for ano<strong>the</strong>r person.The extract below illustrates <strong>the</strong> spontaneity <strong>of</strong> how healing is introduced <strong>into</strong> COGICservices.The service began with <strong>the</strong> usual praise <strong>and</strong> worship led by <strong>the</strong> praise <strong>and</strong> worship team<strong>and</strong> moderated by one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> younger members (a church elder)Two young people were invited to give an exhortation. This was followed by <strong>the</strong>collection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fering (collected in large straw baskets.) During <strong>the</strong> collection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><strong>of</strong>fering <strong>the</strong> praise <strong>and</strong> worship team sang.3 Rev Peter Harris (2002) sets out <strong>the</strong> following five reasons why Christians should pray forhealing:Jesus healed <strong>the</strong> sick;Jesus comm<strong>and</strong>ed his disciples to continue His healing ministrylThe early church healed <strong>the</strong> sick;Christians through history have healed <strong>the</strong> sick;The promises <strong>of</strong> Jesus encourage us.240

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