CHM Intercessors – Releasing the Power of the Holy Spirit

by Anne Early
Mar/Apr 2004

Central to everything that is accomplished through Christian Healing Ministries (CHM) is the power of the Holy Spirit. Teaching, praying for healing, writing, planning – all depend upon the Spirit.

God has blessed this ministry by providing a faithful band of prayer warriors, the CHM intercessors, who "pray without ceasing" for the release of the Holy Spirit in our ministry and in the lives of individuals around the world. This dedicated group is widely varied, being composed of medical doctors, nurses, therapists, and psychologists; missionaries, priests, pastors, and nuns; some are retired and others are working; some are home–bound and some are athletes. They are bound by one common thread, a deep love for Jesus Christ that compels them to pray for healing the sick.

Apart from their common unity in prayer, the intercessors show a diversity that demonstrates the breadth of the mystery of God's love. By geographical location, they range from the United States and Canada to the U.K. and other parts of Europe, to New Zealand and Australia, to several African nations, and to the Philippines. Their spiritual journeys are equally diverse; for example, our newest intercessor is leaving this month for a three–year ministry in the Marshall Islands.

For the most part, these devoted intercessors — several hundred in number — prefer to remain nameless, in the spirit of Jesus' instructions: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:6). For the most part, they pray alone with Jesus as their intercessor, and in so doing, release the power of the Holy Spirit around the world.

We have asked permission of several intercessors to let us share with you something about their work, and we will begin with Joy Lamb, who started this ministry of intercession and wrote the book, The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Joy continues to furnish every CHM intercessor with a copy of her book to be used as a guide in praying the Scriptures. She also gives a copy to any prisoner or prison chaplain who requests it. In addition to supporting CHM's work of intercession, Joy has started an intercessory ministry she calls "History's Handful," who pray for the church, our nation, and the world. (We are happy to report that prayers for Joy Lamb's vision are being answered. One eye has been healed from macular degeneration, and more prayers are needed to complete the healing process.)

One intercessor, Marian Malone, combined her work of intercession with her service as a nurse on the Mercy Ship last spring. She not only cared for patients but also took time to comfort children in the refugee camps of Sierra Leone.

Annette King is another intercessor who serves in emergency circumstances, as well as regularly praying for the individuals named on her prayer sheets. When we hear about a life–or–death situation, we call Annette, who responds immediately. Hearing her voice on the telephone (energetic, joyful), one might guess her age to be 50 to 55 years. She ends each conversation by saying that she has been blessed by the call and the opportunity to pray for the person in need. Annette is 95 years old.

Barbara Avery is eager to share information about her street ministry in Kerrville, Texas. Barbara came to Christ after her third year in prison, and says that the last six years of her nine–year sentence were spent "reading the Bible, every word of copies of The Healing Line, and books by Francis and Judith MacNutt." She says that they have been a tremendous influence in her life. Upon her release from prison, Barbara started "B.A. Angel of Grace Ministries," to work with street kids. In November 2003, Barbara reported that approximately 27 youth had been deeply touched on a regular basis, and now that number has increased to 100, and the ministry has been extended to families. Barbara says, enthusiastically, "I just want everybody to know about Jesus." Using Joy Lamb's book, The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, she prays Scripture over her street kids, gives each of them a copy of the book, and teaches them how to pray.

It was shortly after writing his testimony for the Winter 2002 issue of The Healing Line that Mac Nibbs became an intercessor. Following a career as a naval officer, Mac completed all three levels of CHM's School of Healing Prayer (SHP^®). It was while he was attending SHP^® III that it became evident Mac needed prayers of deliverance. Moreover, he was in a great deal of pain. Knowing that Richie Smalley was strong in praying for deliverance, I went to my office to call him. As I reached for the phone, it rang. The person calling was Richie. He said, "Anne, I think the Lord is telling me there is someone you want me to pray for. Do you know who it is? And does that person have a headache?" Mac was having a terrible headache, and so was Richie. Richie prayed for Mac, and within a few minutes, both headaches were gone. Mac feels that his experience will enable him to help others — enable him to identify the need for deliverance and inner healing and to pray for those who are oppressed and wounded. Mac now leads a prayer ministry in his church in San Diego and, furthermore, is enrolled in seminary to become an Episcopal priest.

We value all our intercessors and praise God for each one's contribution to this great ministry. Many of our intercessors suffer from chronic illnesses and truly demonstrate the truth of Paul's words, "when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12: 10). One intercessor who, as the result of an automobile accident is paralyzed from the neck down, has said she receives a physical blessing each time she prays for the physical healing of others. This intercessor demonstrates that physical incapacity in no way limits the power of intercession, for in her "weakness" she still releases the power of the Holy Spirit for the healing of others.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Isaiah 52:7)