Hi Jimmy,
Before I was ever involved in any church, back in 1993 - I called up a famous church in my town - (like famous in the USA!) ( I didn't even own a Bible till 2006!)
I asked the receptionist if they did or had healings at their church. She acted as if I was a reporter or something -very vague -eventually she asked if I went to the church. I said, no - it was for a permanently disabled friend that I was desparate for and was convinced this was the only solution at this point.
To my surprise, she carefully discouraged me in any healing there.But incouraged me to attend the church and just kind of see ---it was all so mysterious!!
If you were to call my church they would say "Come on in anytime!". I know this for a fact, btw. It is a Holy Spirit filled place and they have "prayer ministers" ( a new term for me) at the ready.
So last year, there was a "special" healer/pastor speaking -we have lots of visiting pastors- we were told in advance - there would be a big old healing afterwards ---so I told my crippled friend who was raised Catholic, but has a strong belief that God can do the impossible ---her husband, a pessimistic, sarcastic, non-believer, brought her trying" not to say anything.
She went up in line, after, he asked her -"So, did you feel anything happen?"
She said," I did feel better for about 10 minutes."
Am I surprised it didn't work for her ---Not at all. A person's faith has to have NO Doubt whatsoever. I'm tellin' ya.
That's just my experience and from a million books I've read on the subject,also.
The person has to "want" the pain to be gone -they have to have faith and belief and trust and all. I believe she has not had the preparation ---as in reading
the Bible and listening to encouraging tapes to build her faith.
The people in my church that want to be healed and believe that it is God's will for them to be healed and healthy get results. If they doubt or really "want" to be in their pain ---it doesn't happen. Hanging onto your pain is a subtle subconscious desire for some people, as you must know. It "works" for them...sometimes it is a manifestation they have created for some reason.
The phsycology of illness or pain you can read about on your own.
But, with our faith we are healed. If the devil is working between your ears with doubt - the cancer returns, the limp comes back --it happens all the time. Does that mean the pastor was not a "good authentic healer" Not at all. Can a person's faith be built up and they can go back for another prayer session ---Absolutely!!
That's why they must call it faith healing. I have been fascinated by this subject for years ---there are many books out there if you are interested.
Note: Needless to say -God does all the healing ---that's understood. I can not believe anyone on this site needs to "correct" another here on that. It's a "given".
Jimmy, if you want to understand more -boy, are there ever books out there. :)