God bless you.
Don't believe it when anybody tells you "a man ain't supposed to cry."
That's a lie. Real men do cry. Mean, inhuman and insensitive males may not. But
real men cry. Take me, for example. This morning (Saturday, Aug. 23), I broke down.
Yes, me, Rev. Lacy J. Banks, the strong preacher, great man of faith, Sun-Times
reporter, loving husband, father and grandfather, brave freedom fighter and resident
tough guy. I broke down. Sitting at the kitchen table, with my face looking out the window
at the tall trees dancing in sunny summer breezes and with my back facing a counter
top holding some 20 different medications and vitamins, I cried.
I cried because, for another crashing moment, I had gotten tired of being sick, being
in frequent pains, mounting medical bills and being cooped up in my house for most of
the day and night.
Tired of taking so many pills.
Tired of the frequent new pains in my lower back, my groin area and legs.
Tired of not being able to get on my treadmill consistently and work up a good sweat
with a workout that's also good for my weak heart.
Tired of waiting, perhaps most of all, on my healing to be complete.
And then the worst part of me dared to question my own God, my very rock, my
shepherd, my light, my salvation, my refuge, my strength and my very present help in
the time of trouble.
I dared to ask the question, "Oh Lord, how long? I know You're healing me. But
when will You be finished? What's taking so long? I want to be strong and pain-free
again. I want to go back to work for the paper covering and writing about the world's
strongest and healthiest human beings. I want to take my grandchildren to the park
and movies again. I want to go out with my wife more. I want to be better able to help
take care of my aging mother-in-law. I want to dance in the sunshine and run in the
rain and get back on the treadmill for hourlong runs. Oh, Lord, how long?"
Then when I realized what I was doing, I felt ashamed and even angry at myself.
I felt I had let God down, let you down and let myself down. When I started this blog
four months ago, after being diagnosed with brain cancer, prostate cancer and
end-stage congestive heart failure , I felt feisty and furious for the Kingdom of God. I
wanted to show the world through this blog that God not only would heal me, but that I
would be a perfect model of a faithful, patient, tough and courageous recipient of the
healing.
It was great encouragement when a Northwestern Hospital oncologist told me that
her extensive test results revealed that the cancerous tumor, discovered on my brain's
pituitary gland by some 100 MRI X-rays, is benign. That was one healing down and two
more to go.
Dr. Allen Anderson, UCMC cardiologist, added new medicines that relieved my
weak heart of the malfunctions resulting in shortness of breath and fatigue to the extent
that I no longer immediately needed a heart transplant.
Then on May 21, Dr. Brian Moran, renown radiations oncologist, performed
brachytherapy on me to help dissolve and destroy my prostate tumors.
But while the radioactive seeds were causing painful side effects in dissolving those
tumors, back and leg pains, that had been only occasional over the last two years, now
became more frequent and severe whenever I'd stand or walk for more than a few
minutes.
So, Saturday morning, home alone, after my dear wife, Joyce, had gone out for her
usual Saturday morning chores and shopping, and I had refused her standing invitation
to join her, I suddenly found myself holding an unscheduled and most rare pity party that
moved me to tears of sadness and madness. But in the midst of the crying, I sobered up
with the knowledge that God is still blessing me, regardless of my frailty and fallibility.
And when that happened, those tears changed in midstream from being tears of
sadness and madness to tears of gladness.
Relieved, I then called a faithful friend and prayer partner of mine, Deacon Erwin
Dabney, who, along with Deacon Jimmy Coleman, has been a staunch supporter
helping me to excel and prevail in my latest health issues. Deacon Dabney is also a
prostate cancer survivor, who underwent his brachytherapy, radiation treatment and
chemotherapy in August of 2007.
When I shared news of my mounting discomforts with him, I was relieved to
discover that he was still dealing with the same symptoms, though his are less
severe now because he is taking some medicines that I can't yet take because they
conflict with my heart medications.
Obviously, my situation has always been more complex because of the weak heart.
If I only had to deal with the prostate cancer, that would have been easier. But to have to
deal with prostate cancer, brain cancer and end-stage congestive heart failure forces my
doctors to reconcile conflicts with medications. So some of my symptoms are having to
go untreated or treated with less intensity.
Then in my conversation with Deacon Dabney, I broke down in tears again. But this
time, they were tears or thanksgiving and praise. I am thankful to know first-hand that
some of my most severe symptoms are common to most of my colleagues, who are also
battling prostate cancer. Knowledge is power. Deacon Dabney's revelations greatly
relieved my anxiety. He has been where I am and is faring better as the results of his
treatment progresses.
I also got great cheer, consolation, encouragement and comfort from another
friend, who called just to check on me and assure me that God still loves me.
But even though this happened in the privacy of my home, I felt obligated to be
honest with you, who are being encouraged by me. And so, here are some confessions.
Yes, I'm strong. But these health issues have taught me that I'm not as strong as I
thought I was. I have limitations, too.
Yes, I have faith that God will completely heal me completely of each health
problem that I have. But I often am haunted by anxiety and impatience during my
weighty wait.
I'm going to try harder to do better. Occasional preaching engagements help me
to stay active, praise God for His goodness, encourage others with similar problems and
pick up new prayer partners. I'm looking forward to preachinf Sunday morning (Aug. 24)
at First Baptist Church of Melrose Park, where Pastor John Belser was among the first to
assure me his church was praying for me and offered me a standing invitation to come
preach about my latest evangelistic assignment of being healed by God.
I'm thankful. And here comes those tears again. I'm thankful that I'm still alive and
not in as much pain as others in similar situations.
I'm thankful for my wife, my children and grandchildren, my sisters and brothers in
flesh and Christian spirit.
I'm thankful for a decent job with good health insurance benefits.
I'm thankful to have access to good doctors who are accessible and helpful and who
also love and respect God.
Most of all, I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered more
than any of us will ever suffer, shed His blood on calvary as a remission for our sins,
died on the cross one Friday to pay for our sins and then arose from the dead Easter
Sunday morning to assure our salvation of eternal life. So, just as Christ arose from
the dead, so shall we if the Rapture return of Jesus doesn't come first.
God bless you.
God bless you, brother. Your testimony is enlightening and encouraging. Please know that there are many, many saints who are praying with and for you that your complete healing is soon manifested. You are a gift to the body of Christ.
Stay Blessed.
Banks' response: Thank you, Dorothy, for reading this blog and for extending
your prayers and encouragement. You, too, are not only a gift to the body of Christ,
but a gift of Christ to us.
Thank you for your testimony. You are such a blessing to me. God bless you as you preach tomorrow -- if I were in Chicago I would certainly be there to hear you. And remember, Tears are a language God understands!
Banks' response: Yes, Liz, there are prayers that eyes and heart can pray
better with tears than mouths can do with the spoken word and hands can do with
the written word. And I believe that God has special angels on the "tear" watch in
heaven. They patrol of tears in which they can read human agonies and needs
that can't be properly articulated any other way.
He knows how difficult this is for you. HE knows sometimes you will be weak. HE MADE YOU! YOU ARE HIS! Isn't it wonderful that when we fall and began to question if we keep at it we'll get around to the blessings and just can't stop praising HIM. Then the question becomes, LORD, you've given me so much, why on earth do I want more? Our cups are running over but sometimes we get numb and can't feel the spill. Your strength is in acknowledging your weakness. I cry with you and I pray for you. Please pray for me.
Banks' response: If I could embrace your tears, Gwen, I'd hug them fiercely
deep into the night. If I could bathe in them, Gwen, I'd soak in them first, then
wash with them and never bother rinsing. Just as prayers of the righteous
availeth much, so do the tears of the truly compassionate. I'd rather show my
strength any day than my weakness. And, of course, the joy of the Lord is our
strength. We show our muscles by being happy in serving and praising God. Few
things lacerate Lucifer more than a Christian's smile, especially one beamed in
the face of adversity. Looking forward to preaching at Morning Star Sept. 21.
You don't need to apologize for crying. I'm amazed by your courage and your faith.
I have never had cancer but my sister died in 2006 from lung cancer.
She was so loyal to God--very active in her church, with unwaivering faith. She always believed God would heal her even when doctors told her there was nothing else they could do.
She was in terrible pain near the end and although God did not heal her--He set her free. She may not have been mad at God but I was and still am at times. How could he take someone that served Him so well? Or why make her suffer so long? To be sure she could do so much more for God if He let her live.
I don't mean to be mad at God but I miss her so much.
On her grave marker my sister's favorite bible verse tells us not to trust our own understanding but to trust God. And that is what I
am trying to do. I know I'll see her again.
I'm sorry you are in such pain. I can't imagine not being able to go outside and walk my dogs or jog on the beach. I pray that God will comfort you and strengthen you. Thank-you for sharing your story. You are a true inspiration. Cindy
Banks' response: Thank God for you, Cindy. Thank God for your tenderness
of heart and your toughness of hope and for your concrete compassion. It's not
easy sitting by the bedside of a dying loved one who seems to get worse the more
you pray. Yes, that's the kind of stuff that can get us in trouble with Daddy because
it can give you the pain and frustration that move us to sass the Lord. We are not
our own, anyway. He didn't have to let your friend die before you. So often, God
is so good to us that we get greedy, get lulled into a sense of inherent entitlement
and have the odious audacity to feel that we deserve to keep on getting blessed
well and even better. Rest assured that God understands the idiocy the begets
anxiety and vice versa. Suffering and seeing loved one suffer can almost inflict
the same brand of insanity that vexed Job's wife when she suggested that his
bring his agony to closure and commit sanctified suicide by cursing God and
dying. "Yeah, baby, make God kill you and take you out of your misiery," she
said, in effect. "This don't make so sense, honey." Those words coming from
those lips that Job had kissed under many a midnight star shocked Job into
his angry rebuttal.
"Woman! You must be a fool!" Job rejoined. "Woman! You don't
sound like my wife......Though he slay me, yet will I serve Him......The Lord giveth,
the Lord taketh away.....all the days of my appointed time, I'm going to wait until
my change comes......(because) I know that my redeemer lives."
And so it is with me, Cindy. I know God lives. And, as my dear friend Andrae
Crouch once wrote, "because He lives, I can face the future and whatever it holds.
Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know who holds tomorrow. And life is
worth the living just because he lives."
Good Afternoon Rev.,
I was moved to tears today while reading your blog. So just like you asked God to forgive you for breaking down I am doing the same. I shed tears because you continue to bear your innermost thoughts with us. By doing so, I continue to be inspired. What I have endured through life is nothing compared to what you are dealing with. I am still encouraged. I still believe that you are going to be healed. I still know that we must go through the pain and suffering to get to the other side. Mark 9:21-23 says: Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood, he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "IF YOU CAN?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." This scripture has gotten me through many situations. When I start feeling sorry for myself and doubting that God is going to move, this scripture comes to me. We all know that he can do this. We all know that he will do this. His scripture says so. We believe the scriptures and that makes it true. Someone once said, "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it." Isaiah 43:18-19 says: "Do not dwell on the past. Do not take it with you into the future. Behold, I am going to do a new thing in you." Rev., God is doing a new thing in you.
Stay encouraged. I know I am.
Donna
Banks' response: The beauty of this blog is people like you. People with a
positive passion for people. People with supreme compassion. Sensitive, caring,
sharing people who are always ready, willing and able to lend a helping hand,
heart and head to help get some healing done. You are one true ambassador
of joy and happiness. You are an emissary of empathy and sympathy and I thank
God for you Donna. I thank God for your tears and cheers. This blog is truly a
Kingdom thing--the give and take, call and response, much like that of our
venerable, Spirit-filled church services where the anointed sermon, prayer or
song is greeted with sweet affirmations of "amen!" or "hallelujah?" or "thank
you Jesus!" I have preached many times about that boy, apparently hampered
by epilepsy, that Jesus' disciples encountered while Jesus and select disciples
communed with on the mountain of transfiguration. And the boy's daddy were
amazed and disappointed that Jesus' remaining disciples could do nothing for
the boy. And when Jesus came down and healed the boy, He told His disciples
that they failed because they lacked the faith to function efficiently. He added
that some feats, and the requisite faith, need fasting and prayer. For me, the
suffering is easier than the waiting. But the weight of my wait reveals shallow
faith. Perhaps it is by divine design that I show my humanity, too. I am, after
all, human. And I should never be shamed to expose this frailty and
vulnerability. For isn't it also in our weakness where Christ's strength is made
perfect. Christ shines brightest in the darkest night. Bless you, Donna. Bless
you real, real good.
Lacey, I'm glad you are seeking the Lord for your healing, One thing you might want to do is to cast out of your body all demonic spirits of cancer. All cancer is demonic. Just say "In the name of Jesus I command all spirtis of cancer, heart disease, and sickness to come out of my body now." Also break any and all curses of cancer,premature death and sickness and infirminty over your body. Say "In the name of Jesus I break any curse of cancer, sicknes and premature death over me back 20 generations on both sides of family according to Galatians 3:13." Finally constantly speak life and healing to your mind and boly. Everday say "I'm believe I'm healed from the top of my head to the soles of feet in the name of Jesus. And play healing tapes over and over. you can get them from ministries like Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar and others like them. Do all of this and continue to take your meds and gradually you will start getting better.
Banks' response: Michael, thank you so much for taking out precious time
and energy to read my blog and email your comment. Your advice is most
generous and encouraging and I thank you for it. I am praying to God for my
healing and also speaking to my issues in the name of Jesus. And in due season,
as you say, I will be healed. Thank you for your prayerful support and stay tuned
for new developments.
Lacy,
I have cancer also, perhaps not as debilitating as yours. I've had cancer for 1 year now (two surgeries and cancer treatments).
I am spiritual and I do pray. I'm also fond of haiku. This is my prayer throughout the day.
Dear Lord, make me well.
Renew my strength and spirit.
Cure me, oh my God.
Today I offer up a prayer for a fellow cancer sufferer. Here's hoping you have a day that you can enjoy, despite the burdens you carry.
Best wishes and prayers for a good day,
Richard
Banks' response: I, too, have dabbled in haiku. Here is one freshly minted
from the moment.
Winter's snow clusters
clothe frozen pine tree branches
sparkling in moonlight
I, too, am subsisting on a divine diet of prayer.
Lord increase my faith
And reverse my failing health
With vim and vigor
Thank you for reading my blog, my fellow cancer survivor. And I pray that you
get your complete healing before I get mind. Please, I'd be much obliged if you'd
step before me in God's healing line.
And when healing comes
Remember to thank Jesus
For cancer conquest
Lacey,
God Bless for saying some of the things that all of us as cancer battlers and survivors feel sometimes. You are in my prayers.
Banks' response: Thank you, Margaret, for encouraging us cancer warriors,
who have to guts, sanity and humanity to holler "ouch" every now and then. Pride
keeps many of us quiet. But to vent one's frustrations and pain out loud helps
release the pressures and agonies of painful, slow healing.
My story is a little different then yours, I know that we cannot change certain things in our personal lives, only God knows why we need to go endure them, God is with you he is you sheperd and He will not let you walk this walk alone.
Sometimes life things no fair, but I have learned that even when people do the wrong thing I pray to God not to grow angry or in silence be my worst enemy.
Be happy, share every emotion and feelings with the people who loves the most that is your family, hug your wife,dance with her your favorite song slowly but holding each other hearts.
Have wonderful day, and enjoy the next Saturday.
God Bless You
Marya
Banks' response: We Christian cancer warriors pray, Marya, that our
suffering and our healing all take place within the diameter of God's divine
dominion. For in Him, we live, move and have our being. In Him, we find relief
from all that ails us. In Him, we find refuge and shelter in stormy times. But we
Christians pray also from non-Christians facing the same challenges as Jesus
teaches us to love everybody--enemies and friends--and our neighbors even as
we love ourselves. There is healing not only in God's grace and mercy, but in
our willingness to love and forgive those who persecute us and say all manner
of evil against us falsely for His namesake. Thank you for your kindness and for
your tenderness of heart.
The patience of Job, David and Paul. People always say that as if those great men of the bible didn't travail. Job ranted, raved and questioned his birth before he got a grip; David always begged for forgiveness for somethin' or other and he was a man after God's own heart; finally Paul questioned the thorn in his side and he's the brotha' who had a personal conversion with Jesus Himself. So why do we as Christians put so much pressure on ourselves for not being able to go through every trial with this great grin on our faces? I say cry, fall out, beg and plead. God can take it. After all, His mercies are new every morning and they endure forever. I'm praying for ya.
Banks' response: Thank you so dearly, my beloved comrade, for your
comforting words, that put the suffering of the faithful in heavenly, cosmic
context. You remind me to cry is divine. After all, Jesus wept. Yes, Jesus, a man's
Man, the Son of God and God incarnate--He cried real tears at the grave of His
departed friend Lazarus. And if King Jesus was human enough to cry, then who
am I to hide my grief. And for what cause? Pride? Hypocrisy? Courage? Social
cosmetics? Macho? Sometimes, he is toughest who is most tender and sensitive.
Few reversals are more refreshing than to take our tears to Jesus and have Him
redeem tears for cheers and perils for pearls. Great is the Lord and greatly to be
praise. Thanks, MSP, for caring and sharing in such a big, big way.
Dear Minister Banks -
I thank the Lord for using you to bring the message of Him to the forefront in a secular vehicle. Hallelujah. God works in such wonderful and miraculous ways. Wonderful and miraculous is what your testimony is thus far and, I, a saint of the Most High God stand in Total and Complete Agreement with You that every single cell of your body is free from pain and discomfort and that every single cell, artery, tissue, organ, all flesh, bones and blood comes into perfect alignment with the word of the Lord that declares that you are completely healed because of the work done on Calvary. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God. Jesus Christ.
Declarations of Faith to share with you, according to the Scriptures state:
Ezra 5:5
The eyes of the Lord are always watching over you. His power and presence are with you to overcome any obstacle you may face.
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds you both now and forevermore.
Luke 21:19
By steadfast and patient endurance you win vitality for your soul.
Ezekiel 34:23, 27
Jesus is the Lord of your Life and He watches over you meticulously!
You are redeemed from the curse and rescued from the hand of bondage. The curse is lifted from all of your ground and from every area of your life. Because of Jesus you can expect nothing but good things from God both now and forevermore.
Psalm 139:5
The Spirit of your Father the Lord, hems you in on all sides. His hand goes before you and guards your back as well. You live within His hedge of protection and the devil cannot get to you no matter how hard he tries.
Psalm 106:10
YOU ARE REDEEMED!
Psalm 91:
Read Entire Psalm (any version). You do dwell in the Secret Place of Most High and you do abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He gives his angels charge over you to keep you in all of your ways of obedience and service. With Long Life does the Lord satisfy you and show you His Salvation!
Continue to speak the Word of God over your situation and continue to let the Word work for You.
I also thank the Lord that his protective covering is not only aligning all that concerns you with his Holy blessings and healing power through the blood shed on Calvary, but all of those that tune in to your article and have stood with you.
SHALOM! HALLELUJAH TO THE LAMB OF GOD JESUS CHRIST!!!!
Evangelist Edwina Holley
Amazing International Grace Ministries
AIGE1717@YAHOO.COM
Banks' response: God bless you, Reverend, and thank you so very much for
such thorough words of comfort and prayers for our healing. God is ever faithful
usward, who call upon His blessed name in faith, nothing wavering. Thank you,
woman of God, for touching and agreeing with the desires of our hearts for
complete healing. And when our healings come, we will be most careful and
certain to come back to the House of Prayer, raise holy hands toward Heaven
and give God the glory, the thanksgiving and the praise. For in those days, when
we shall once again be bathed with the lush, latter rains of biblical yore, we shall
come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves of rich harvest, with which He has so
bountifully blessed us anew. Hallelujah! And thank you, Jesus!
Please do not think I only appreciate hearing the Word from you. My soul feeds on well delivered messages and so often they seem to be delivered to me only. As if the Lord said, "this is what she needs to hear, NOW!" I am so excited that you will be at the Star next month. Hopefully, I'll be there with extra oxygen that day for sure! Feel free to invite our fellow travelers, they are all welcome. HE is still on the throne.
Banks' response: I've already gotten promises from fellow passengers
promising they will convene at Morning Star on King Drive, 11 a.m., Sept. 21, for
my vocal and more dramatic version of the blog. I'm finding more and more of our
blog readers and fellow cancer and heart patients coming up to shake my hand
after I preach. Those preaching engagements also give me a chance to promote
the blog and add more readers. You are one of several supporters at Morning
Star. But you are No. 1, Gwen, in more ways than one. God bless you for your
continued support. Deacon Posey said the men of Morning Star are very excited
about having me return as their Men's Day speaker. So many church members
have known me only for my job as a Sun-Times reporter these last 36 years and
become pleasantly surprised to find that I can also preach God's word as well as
report man's word.
Dear Brother,
Continue to walk in the "wholeness of Christ and his healing of you".
You are indeed a "MAN" and even beyond that - you are a "called and favored man of God". I continue to pray and intercede on your behalf against the spirits of heaviness, bondage, weakness and discouragement. I pray to paralyze them right now and plead the blood of Jesus that they will not be able to take residence in your mind, body or spirit in the name of Jesus I declare it. In Jesus name I pray and circumcize the thoughts of restlessness, impatience and for God's healing. I pray that God will further cover your body with increased comfort and strength as restoration and wholeness takes place. Further, I pray that your lips will continuously praise and bless God as well as your dripping journalistic skills do the same as you chronicle. Testify.......
Banks' response: Oh bless the wonderful thunderful name of Jesus, the rock
of our salvation, the author and finisher of our faith anf the bishop of our soul. Your
comment amounted to a divine bolt of lightning applied to my infirmity. I am being
bombarded and transfused with power from on high day by day by the mighty
likes of you. This networking with the Household of Faith is working wonders in my
life and I pray God is passing it on and on and on to my fellow passengers on this
healing training. With prayer partners like you, there has never been a better time
for me to be sick than now because I am coming out of these things. The Lord is
truly blessing me right now with healing released from His wings and stripes under
the inducement of supplicant saints. Yes, prayers of the righteous indeed do avail
much. I am serving eviction notices on my tempestuous tenants one by one,
ordering each to pack up his furnitures and whateverother belongings and to get
to stepping. Weeping has overstayed its welcome in me and must take flight for
joy cometh to ring forth my morning. I thank God for you and your growing faith
and fervor in God's anointing. We were both spat from the same sanctified womb,
raised in the milk of honey of a holy household headed by holy parents surrounded
by holy congregations. So we got connected early so that we would have the
righteous resources for such a time as this. We're on display here in this new
communicational frontier of the internet. We're Kingdom wired and inspired for God
to do a new things for all the world to see and consequently know that God is still
in the healing business and that he that dwelleth in he secret place of the most
High (and that's my hideout), shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I feel
like shouting right now. Satan and sickness, get behind me and out of the way
because the Spirit of God is upon me to get healed completely for His glory
because I have covenant with Him to give him the credit, the thanksgiving and
praise.
Dear Rev. Banks,
I'm not a churchgoer, but my experience with cancer a few years ago really helped me open up my heart. I was between full-time jobs and uninsured when I was diagnosed at age 35, and as I quickly found out, too young or too wealthy (on a part-time bookkeeper's salary - I was making 13K/year!!) to qualify for any help. I can't even tell you how many times I broke down crying - at home, in public, everywhere. I remember one entire night I spent walking the length of my apartment, weeping so copiously that my very pregnant downstairs neighbor came up at 3AM because she heard my footsteps.
I found the help I needed to get treatment eventually, just like I knew that I would, and now two years out, I still cry much more easily than I did before, but it feels good. When I cry, I know I am just letting go of the negativity and the fear that is a natural part of any cancer journey. It's okay and even necessary to let yourself have that release once in a while, so I hope that you are able to let go and let yourself experience ALL the emotions (good & bad) that come with this.
I can't say that I am ready to say that cancer has been entirely a blessing for me, though it did introduce me to myself as a woman of fierce strength, but at this stage of the process, I am able to look back and see clearly that it has not all been a burden. I hope that you will eventually be able to get to that point as well,kyfsdm and remember that God never gives us more than we can really handle.
Much love to you!
Kate
Banks' response: Oooh wee, Kate! What a testimony. You don't have to do to
church to have church. Your prayer meeting of tears got picked up on Heaven's
radar and the angels on patrol telegraphed your suffering straight to the throne of
God and healing started being dispensed to you. Thank you for sharing your
humility and, most of all, for including God in the mix. He is the quintessential
Secret Ingredient who makes the difference between life and death, strength
and weakness, joy and sorrow, victory and defeat. He alone is the one who will
heal us and roll our burdens alone. God loves you Kate and is pleased that you
are willing to focus on Him the process of our suffering. Yes, He knows, and I'm
so glad God knows, just how much we can bear. The song says, "Thought the
load gets heavy, you're never left alone to bear it all. Just ask for strength and
keep on toiling, though the tear drops fall. You have the joy of this assurance:
Our Heavenly Father will always answer prayer. And when you healing comes,
Kate. When your healing is complete and done, don't forget to give God the
glory, the thanksgiving and the praise.
that makes
God is!
Banks' response: Yes, God is, Denise. And that's all we have to acknowledge
to get Him to take a shine to us. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For
he, or she or they, that cometh to God, must believe that He is and that He is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. God is. And because God is, you are, I
am, we are, they are, he is, she is and it is. Our existence and the totality of
reality owe their origins to the fact that God is.
This blog has really helped this morning. I am at Northwestern right now waiting to see a cardiac surgeon. I have 2 appointments spread over 6 hours, then I have to drive 3-4 hours back to my downstate home.
I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in Dec 2006 and had my right kidney removed 2 days after Christmas. I went into a coma from which I did not awake until Jan 2. During the coma, I had several small strokes, partially paralyzing my left leg. The surgeon had also nicked a nerve, the result of which has been chronic pain in my left leg for the past year and a half. I am restricted to a recliner most of the day.
Two months ago, I went to the hospital for cellulitis in my leg, while in the ER, I had a heart attack. One life flight and several thousands of dollars worth of tests later, I discovered that I have 2 completely blocked arteries and a leaky valve. My heart is only pumping one-third of the amount it should. The surgeons downstate said I fell below their acceptable risk threshold and refused to operate, that is why I am here in Chicago. I have told everyone that I want the doctor to swing for the fences. I am counting on God to finish healing me, and my wife is too stubborn to allow me to leave until our girls are grown. She says heaven will just have to wait.
I still get really depressed sometimes, and I have made my final arrangements in the event that the doctor strikes out. Your blog entry did really help.
Banks' response: God bless you, Jack, for reading this blog and making public
your tremendous health struggles with God, your wonderful, loving wife and
common sense determination helping you survive. My fellow prayer partners and I
touch and agree with you and your wife on the desires of your hearts for your
healing.
It seems that you and I are suffering twins with our multiple miseries and
mutual support systems.
What impressed me most about your testimony is how you have positioned
God out front, first and foremost, your wife by your side and the doctors, God's
blessed instruments, as your tools. God has placed doctors at our disposal and
wise men don't cast these pearls to the swine of rejection and neglect.
Unfortunately, there are millions of Americans who postpone seeking vital medical
care because they have lost, and some never had, basic medical insurance.
God bless your wife, Jack. She is so much like my own. She loves you dearly
and doesn't want to see her husband and the father of her daughters leave any
too soon, even if she has to sass so high a power as Heaven, for goodness sake.
What a woman! What a love she has for you! What a love you have for her! What a
mighty couple your kids have for parents! And let me tell you something, Jack: God
loves couples like you, fighting adversity together, armed with the raw, but
awesome armaments of your love for each other, your loves for Him and your faith
and determination to excel and prevail with His help against whatever challenges
come you way.
Dear Lord, thank you for bringing Jack and his wife together in love and loyalty
and preserving them for such struggles as theirs, for such a time as now and for
such an audience as us to see and be inspired by their love and faith. Please, Lord,
in the perfect name of Jesus, move in a mighty way and heal Jack either
straightaway or through the skills of his doctors. If the latter is Your Will, then lead
him to the best of your doctors. Bless those doctors and other medical personnel
that they will be at the top of their skills when treating him. Increase Jack's faith,
too, Lord, to defend him against the satanic assassins of doubt, fear. hopelessness
and impatience. Ease his pains, perk up his spirits and calm his troubled mind.
Speak peace to his heart, mind and soul and assure him that all is well because he
is in the hands of You, Lord, the Almighty God. Dispatch secret service angels from
heaven's sanctified security force to stand vigil around his bed, guarding him from
danger and fanning him with their wings. Please, Lord, do these things, we pray in
the name of Jesus. This is Your servant's prayer, in Jesus' name, amen.
Dear Man of God,
First and foremost as you know, Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you. We have to address healing from God's perspective. Please know that God already "Healed" you, took your sickness, sorrow and disease in his body over 2,000 years ago when his son received those stripes and shed his blood. See Isaiah 53:3-6, Mat 8:17, 1 Pet2:24. We have to confess God's promises and speak to the sickness, disease and problems. Say "By Jesus stripes I'm Healed of all manner of sickness and disease." Speak to the cancer say " Cancer, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea." Jesus said, "Whosoever shall say unto this mountain (could be sickness, disease, problems) be thou removed and be thou cast into sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, shall whatsoever he say, he also said "What things soever that you desire, believe that you receive them "Now" and you shall have them based on Mark 11:23-24. Remember, you have to speak to the problem. God Bless you.
Banks' response: God bless you, Carolyn. I believe God is pleased with this
intra-ministering going on in this blog between me and prayer partners like you.
This is no one-way ministry. As I minister to you, you minister to me . So I am
getting as good as I am giving. That's the way God likes it because this is the way
of true family with its members caring for and sharing with each other. That's how
Daddy wants us to roll, as the young folks say. We are to bear one another's
burdens. And you are so right in your counsel. We, the redeemed of the Lord, do
have the power to command our adversaries by faith in the name of Jesus and
they must obey. So, in the name of Jesus, I publicly curse my curses right now
and command my sicknesses to abate their torment and to vacate the premises
of my flesh and spirit. In the name of Jesus, I accept His healing through His
grace and through my faith in Him to be empowered to tread on serpents and
any other such would-be threat. I thank and praise God for His faithfulness to
answer our prayers and to see us through our struggles triumphantly. He is truly
worthy and deserving of all praise.
Greetings Rev Lacy, I know how you feel, I am 45 years old living with Breast Cancer and sometimes it gets over whelming and I cry. I believe in the power of prayer and healing. Every now and then I need a good cry. My 16 year old daughter is a good helper while attending Walter Payton High School she is now in her junior year maintaining 3.5 on a 4.0 scale God is still good. Keep me in your prayers as I will do the same for you.
Banks' response: God bless you, Patricia, and your faithful, loving daughter,
too. Feed her with your faith and with your fight. My maternal grandmother, Mother
Minerva Sanders, lost a breast to cancer some 20 years before her death from
pneumonia complications at age 71. So I know the agony of breast cancer. But her
toughness, discipline and love helped influence my makeup. I thought she was the
meanest woman in the world when I was a little boy and she whipped me for the
least thing. I remember one time she even rapped my full-grown mama, Sarah
Loraine Banks and made her cry. But as I later realize how much of a jungle society
is, I concluded that she didn't whip me enough. Her whippings were programmed
to toughen me. So you fight against your health challenge will be one of the most
precious monuments you'll leave to help her remember you and be inspired
accordingly. I pray that you get your healing before I do. And you victory also will be
one mighty inspiration to all the world.
God bless you, Man of God!
I often visit your blog albeit this is the first time I've posted a comment. My thoughts and prayers are continually with you. I offer just a few words of encouragement to you. I am astounded by your strength. I appreciate your candor. I love you for your commitment to God. Please try to remember Job 3:25-26 - For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Jesus spake Matthew 27:46 - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
God is our friend as well as our creator. He understands us because He made us. Our Savior has been exactly where we each find ourselves during troubled times. God testified about Job's character just as Heaven is testifying about you. God had confidence in His Son, just as He is confident that your faith won't fail you. It doesn't mean you don't get tired and/or discouraged, feel alone--which are human emotions. It means that even when you are in the midst of the firy trials, your faith stands strong--your faith in God and His ability to supply all your need is unwavering. We have the Great I Am on our side--He is always there. A very present help in trouble.
There is no shame for 2 Corinthians 12:9 reads: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me...
Again, Man of God, be encouraged because Heaven is testifying about you...
e.
Banks' response: Great God from Zion, Edie! What a most wondrous and
profound comment, deeply rich in wisdom and chockful of God's word. I love it
when you and my other prayer partners talk bible to me. I love it when your words
are spiced with God's word. They show that you are ministering me right smack
dab in the heart of center of God's mind and his mighty mission for us all. I feel the
deep heatbeat of God in your comment. And your application hits the bulls eye of
necessities.
So, yes, Edie, here I am: I'm called to glory in my infirmities for the majesty of
God, so that His grace may avail not just for me, but for all helpless, hurting
people throughout the world. I've never known God to be sweeter than He is right
now in these situations that seem so sour and dire. He shines brightest in the
darkest nights of negativism. He alone will carry you, me, all of us through, come
what may. Thank you, Edie. Thank you for your salvation and sanctification.
You are healed! This is the message I bring unto you.
You have already run the race and fought the good fight. You are now on encores. I'm fighting a terminal illness, but I'm way past my sell by and even my use by dates because I believe that my desire to help elect Barack Obama President right before we celebrate Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday is being affirmed by a higher authority. I don't think God takes sides but he helps us decide what side to take.
I was fortunate to have my wife get elected a Judge on February 5. I asked an eminent Episcopal priest in Philadelphia if a 'dying wish' were granted and I were still alive would it be inappropriate to ask for a new dying wish. He said that wishes are prayers, and if the motivation of the wish is pure and right it can be asked for and may well be granted.
I do not hate John McCain, but Blessed are the Peacemakers and I believe that Barack will be a peacemaker, and a strong one.
Thank you for making me think how blessed we both are. May you continue to live a righteous and just life enriching others, free of pain.
Banks' response: Dear Philip, thank you for reading my blog and posting such
a soul-stirring comment. I am proud to be a fellow cancer warrior with you. I admire
your fervent faith and how, in our time of suffering, you find relief in the promise of
progress being projected by the Democratic Party's current convention and the
unprecedented election of Barack Obama as its Presidential candidate. The bag
men on Capitol Hill have sold themselves and our government so much to
special interest lobbyists that they have fallen out of touch with the common
American. And the economic, social, environmental, physical, mental, emotional
and spiritual health of our great nation has become so savaged and flawed that the
rank and file are now ready to elect the best proponent of change, even if he is a
black man. But I feel that any other man with the same qualities of Obama,
regardless of race, would have been equally successful. Corrupt leadership in the
highest levels of the most vital areas of our nation is a sickening contaminent of
you, me and so many other ailing people. So our individual predicaments are
mere microcosms of our nation's macro chaos. Speaker after speaker is mounting
the lectern serving notice that our dear nation is in dire straights and in desperate
need of new leadership with the integrity, wit and grit to heal our land.
But, less we forget, all healing comes from God. In fact, He offers a failsafe,
foolproof formula that must be activated by a privileged priesthood: you and me.
Our Lord declares in the Old Book that "If my people, which are called by my name,
will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then
will I hear from heaven. I will hear their prayers, forgive their sins and heal their
land." The nomination of Obama is a collective act of our Household humbling
itself and praying actively through our God-blessed gift of suffrage. It's our
Christian duty to be responsible trustees of our votes, which we must use to be
competent custodians of our nation's government. Yes, we are a nation that is the
world's greatest university of diversity. But the spiritual common denominator of
our nation is that, I believe, we are still a God-fearing and God-cheering nation.
Yes, we respect and welcome people of all faiths and political persuasions, insofar
as all people respect the rights of others. But I believe that at the core we are still
an in-God-we-trust nation. So I welcome the way you see our healing, Phillip, in
the context of our nation's broader healing. Restoring competence, compassion and
character to government leadership is a medicine you won't find of pharmaceutical
shelves of our drugstore. But it will do a lot to trigger comprehensive healing.
di
I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 27.It was detected through my blood.It was pre stage.I will be 51 on 09/08/57 and cancer free and never been in remission.At the age of 34 I was diagnosed with a degenerative joint disease which could have crippled me at any time of my life.I also had sinus and asthma and nerve damage,I was on so much medication I couldn't think.I stayed in and out the hospital.I had seen over 20 doctors ,15 therapist from 1991-2003.I used to cry alot and ask why me? Today I know why I was chosen to carry these diseases and illnesses in the past.God was using me as his vessel so I can tell you and everyone who has something today, God is a healer.His word does not return to him void but to accomplish what it is sent out to do.I was a sheep who strayed away.But I came back to him. In 11/2004 I reconnected back to God.I started going to Living Word Christian Center. I confess my sins,got baptised and filled with the Spirit of God.I stop speaking and claiming those negative diseases over my body.Below is a healing prayer given to us from our church if you had any kind of sickness or disease. I said this prayer day and night until it manifested in my life.In 02/2005 I went to the doctor and they told me they could not find anything wrong with my body.I didn't believe it at first so I went to the doctor again in 03/2005.Doctor said we can't find nothing wrong with your body.I went home and all the medicines I had been taken for 12 years i threw every thing in the garbage.It has been 3 years now I don't even take a tylenol.So From one Christian to another If you Believe it you can Achieve it.I stand in agreement with you and all saints YOU ARE HEALED ,IN Jesus Name.The prayer below that worked for me will work for you too.Praise Yahweh Shammah.(the Lord is there)
Confession taken from pages 113-115 of Prayers that Avail Much Commemorative Gift Edition, © 1997 by Word Ministries, Inc.
Health and Healing
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I confess Your Word concerning healing. As I do this, I believe and say that Your Word will not return to You void, but will accomplish what it says it will. Therefore, I believe in the Name of Jesus that I am healed, according to 1 Peter 2:24. It is written in Your word that Jesus himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. Therefore, with great boldness and confidence I say on the authority of that written Word that I am redeemed from the curse of sickness, and I refuse to tolerate its symptoms.
Satan, I speak to you in the Name of Jesus and say that your principalities, powers, your spirits who rule the present darkness, and your spiritual wickedness in heavenly places are bound from operating against me in any way. I am the property of Almighty God, and I give you no place in me. I dwell in the secret place of the Most High God. I abide, remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power no foe can withstand.
Now, Father, because I reverence and worship You, I have the assurance of Your word that the angel of the Lord encamps around about me and delivers me from every evil work. No evil shall befall me, no plague or calamity shall come near my dwelling. I confess the Word of God abides in me and delivers to me perfect soundness of mind and wholeness in body and spirit from the deepest parts of my nature in my immortal spirit even to the joints and marrow of my bones. That Word is medication and life to my flesh for the law of the Spirit of life operates in me and makes me free from the law of sin and death.
I have on the whole armor of God, and the shield of faith protects me from all the fiery darts of the wicked. Jesus is the High Priest of my confession, and I hold fast to my confession of faith in Your Word. I stand immovable and fixed in full assurance that I have health and healing now in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Once this has been prayed, thank the Father that Satan is bound and continue to confess this healing and thank God for it.
Scripture References:
Isaiah 55:11
1 Peter 2:24
Matthew 8:17
Galatians 3:13
James 4:7
Ephesians 6:12
2 Corinthians 10:4
Psalm 91:1
Psalm 91:10
Psalm 34:7
2 Timothy 1:7
Hebrews 4:12,14
Proverbs 4:22
Romans 8:2
Ephesians 6:11,16
Psalm 112:7
Banks' response: Sheila, (excuse me English teachers) ain't God good? In our
defense against the doubters and the pouters who say God isn't healing, you are
our Exhibit A to the affirmative. Christ lives and Christ heals. I thank you for reading
this blog and for joining my growing line of prayer partners, who have a passionate
burden for God's healing in me. I, and so many others, have to be immensely
impressed the way this blog has tapped into the soul of a most sensitive America.
I believe that the ills and evils of our day have driven more and more of us to
realize that, yes, we are our brother's keeper. My pain is your pain. My gain is your
gain. And if we obey our Savior, King Jesus, and love our neighbors as we love
ourselves, then we will all prayerfully and faithfully network for the common good.
In the vein, the healing of all America starts with the healing of each ailing
individual and we, as a nation, are the hope of civilization.
I thank you for your testimony and for your continued faith in Jesus, the rock of
our salvation. Our land desperately needs healing. Our air is sick, water and soil
are increasingly polluted. Our economy is critically ill. Our educational system is
severely crippled. Our corporate and government leaderships are afflicted with the
malignant cancers of greed, deceit and theft. Our weather has turned woefully
wicked with killer heat waves in the summer, killer cold waves in the winter and
killer storms in between. Our social welfare systems have been starved by
government leaders driven by sinister insensitivity and selfishness. The lengthy
laundry list of sufferings you itemized for yourself, Sheila, pretty much sizes up the
overall critical condition of our nation and world. I sternly believe that, on a massive
scale, there is a direct relationship between social and moral ills and physical ills.
Unemployment makes me sick. Millions of people not having medical insurance
makes me sick. The high price of gasoline at the pump for the last year makes me
sick. Record home foreclosures and business bankruptcies make me sick. A war
ignited by lies make me sick. The ever-widening chasm between the rich and the
poor make me sick. The eradication of the middle class makes me sick. The AIDS
epidemic makes me sick. So I see America's healing somewhat embodied in that
of each of us. So herein should be every man's plea: Let the healing begin and let
it begin with me.
Mr. Banks, i miss your writing in the paper (reading the newspaper is an activity i greatly enjoy)...I'm looking forward to reading your byline again.
Banks' response: Thanks for your best wishes and prayers, Bob. I'm anxious to
return to work as soon as I'm well enough and get medical clearance. I feel that date
drawing nearer and nearer.
Dear Lacy,
Many thanks for starting up this blog. I have a few things to say;
one of which is Jesus said;"It is finished!" and the second thing I'd like to say is that; "my children perish because of lack of knowledge" and the 3rd;" I am the lord your healer!"
I believe the paradox of these statements is the foundation of a real breakthrough!
Let me elaborate on the first; it is finished!, That means an end to all the devil had access to in our lives. That includes sickness, poverty, cancer etc
By claiming it is finshed it is finished period. Hence all cancer, sickness and death is finished!
Secondly, my children perish through lack of knowledge. Please forgive me reverend. I am not trying to judge or anything.. But have you broken all ancestorical curses & generational curses from both sides of your family and any other curse you may have spoke over yourself without realising?
Please pray that God will forgive you or anyone who has exercised witchcraft/curses over you ("EVEN WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG!").
In addition, have you any abominations in your home such as; occultic items? The devil thinks he's smart, But the Holy Spirit is great in wisdom! any little thing/foothold could spark off a riot in your health!
You are healed by Jesus' wounds and stripes. Everything you feel is a replicating sickness of the devil. God has healed you instantaneously. The devil got in straight afterwards (say 1 second later) to convince you that you ain't been healed!
I will pray that God enpowers you to know the truth about your illness even more.
However, there is one last thing. Perhaps in all God's wisdom, you maybe enduring something for someone who has the same sickness as you. That person may come into your life and you may have to lay hands on him. He wil be healed instantaneously and then God will see your healing through.
God bless you reverand!- amen
Banks' response: Thank you, Danny, for reading my blog and for giving your
informative comment. There are many ways one can interpret Jesus' sixth saying
on calvary. My understanding is that He was referring to His mission that had been
accomplished for the redemption of doomed sinners up to that time. But if one
dares stretch His declaration beyond that to include victory over all that ails
mankind, that is worth considering, too, in terms of "big picture" reality. At the end
of the day, all sin and sickness is conquered by Jesus' redeeming blood and
stripes. But as it pertains to individual healings, it does not mean that each
healing is necessarily instantaneous in terms of earth time. Yet, if a healing takes
takes years to be complete in terms of earth time, that's instantaneous in terms
of heavenly time. Likewise, a day in the Lord is as a thousand years on earth.
Therefore, I don't worry because 10, 20, 30, even 100 years of suffering on earth
will be swallowed up in the eternity of joy that awaits us in heaven.
blessings to you,
i cant imagine what you going thru i encourage you my brother in christ God did not bring you this far for nothing he is with you the whole way thru the pain and painful thoughts that come up thru ups and down Jesus is with you he will never leave you nor forsake you remember My brother those who suffer for the name of Christ shall be rewarded and i believe this the enemy tried and tried but but God grace & mercy said no you are on you way to the next demention (level God wants to bring you remember Job God on gave the enemy but so much room in his life the enemy knows Gods hand is on you and the Blood covers you and your family Just dont lose focus on the purpose to bring him Glory and that is what you doing the enemy hates that he sees the annointing on you spirit and life we could have be gone lone ago but God mercy said no rejoice be encourged my brother God is bring you to another level may the love of God bring you Joy in your times of pain and when he brings you out remember we all must get on our knees and praise him whorship him and share his testamony he gave you you are a blessing to us all
love in Christ,
your Spiritual sister Lissette
BANKS' RESPONSE: God bless you, Lissette for droping in on me and
emailing your kindness and encouragement. You are the stuff of heaven and an
example of the marvelous extending hand of God. Thanks for caring and sharing.
To God be the glory, the praise and the thanksgiving.