Somewhere in the excitement of Dr. Mullen’s teaching, it dawned on me: we were in a healing conference—why not ask for healing prayer?
I thought about it through dinner. The Fishnet conference was a mixed spiritual bag (which included a wandering panda bear), but its heart was sound. Powerful worship and solid teaching continually ushered us into God’s presence. A prayer formed in my heart as Ruth Fazal led evening worship. Whatever God intended for me, I wanted it. If counterfeits were operating, I trusted him to protect me. When the prayer lines formed, I looked for Dr. Mullen and stood on his line.
While waiting, I scanned the crowd around me. Donna was on one line, Debra on another. I focused on Ruth’s worship and repeated my prayer, affirming my desire to receive God’s gifts with no monkey business. Then it was my turn for prayer.
I explained briefly to Dr. Mullen about the car accident and the herniated discs in my neck. He responded with a game-changing question:
“Did you forgive the person responsible for the accident?”
The question stunned me. No one had asked it in twelve years, nor had it surfaced during my Seven Steps session. Memories flooded in of the accident. I couldn’t remember anger, only shock. The man responsible certainly didn’t intend the accident—in heavy city traffic, it only took a moment of inattention. Had I forgiven the moon-faced man in black glasses?
Dr. Mullen waited patiently. I focused on Ruth’s violin, a lifeline in the riot of images tumbling through my mind. The day after the accident, the man called to apologize for my injuries. I assured him it could have happened to anyone. I’d probably be fine in a few days. When I hung up, I prayed it would be so and maybe included a forgiveness prayer. Did I?
Finally, I replied, “I think so.”
“Let’s make sure,” the doctor suggested, taking my hands. He prayed a short prayer in tongues, of which I understood nothing. When he finished, I returned to my seat unchanged but convinced I’d received a key to my healing.