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

Respondent: You have to have the giftInterviewer: Really!! But the whole church prays for the sick and supports the ministerwho is praying.Respondent: You have to have faith; People like Benny Hinn pray for people.The respondent did not answer the enquiry about spiritual healing and prayer. This wasprobably because she did not want to expose her lack of knowledge or she did not wantto say something that might give a negative view of herself or her church. Instead sheattempted to redirect the conversation by the reply “You have to have the gift. ``The researcher tried to get a focus by saying „the whole church prays for the sick andsupports the minister who is praying.‟ The respondent again redirected the conversationby saying „you have to have faith, people li Benny Hinn pray for people.‟ Theseopinions may be the result of her apparent lack of experience of spiritual healing in herown church although she believes that media personalities such as Benny Hinn, a mediapreacher and healer, are more successful in their prayer for healing. On the other handshe may not have wanted me to be delving into the activities of her church and aimed toprotect the people with whom she worships.Prayer and faith are closely linked as indicate by Respondent 3 belowRespondent 3 (URC): Now, gifts of healing do not operate in isolation from other giftsof the Holy Spirit. You will almost certainly need to operate gifts of faith, whilst workingthe gifts of healing244