Spiritual healing

Eileen Blenkinsop reports on a Quaker spiritual healing event at Glenthorne

Sixteen of us gathered at the Glenthorne Guesthouse and Conference Centre, Grasmere, on a beautiful spring day in May. Two spiritual healers, Patrick Muganda from Kenya and Allan Holmes from Cockermouth, had joined together to present a day of spiritual healing, to tell us of their respective ‘calling’, compare their experiences, and inform us of what takes place during a healing.

‘Today is a day for the heart and not the head,’ began Patrick, as he reminded us of everyone’s need for silent prayer. He explained: ‘We need stillness, and nourishment of Spirit, mind and body; and for others to uphold us in the Light of God to help us combat disease when we are unable to do it for ourselves.’ ‘The healing power comes from God,’ said Allan, and ‘we are simply His hands and channels for His love.’

Patrick belongs to a structured Quaker Meeting at Kakamega, Kenya, where it is compulsory to be tutored in Bible study for two years before even becoming a member. Patrick is now a pastor at his Local Meeting, as a result of years of study both in Kenya and the USA. Patrick felt a calling towards healing work in his country, where disease is common and where mental and spiritual disturbance causes much suffering. He takes his services to wherever they are needed, such as to hospitals, where his work complements the work done by doctors and does not pose a threat to them. He also goes to schools, to prisons, to people’s homes and to the market place (see the Friend 5 August).

By contrast, Allan’s background as an atomic scientist allowed him little time for things spiritual. He had been a regular churchgoer for most of his life – but with reservations. He had many good friends from other denominations, some of whom had formed a healing group and were actively involved in the work. They recognised in Allan a calling to healing, and asked would he undergo a ‘laying on of hands’ in the name of God. Somewhat surprised at this request, Allan agreed, and in his own words: ‘a small group laid their hands on my head and I was flooded with Love. I spoke loudly “in tongues”, which I knew to be of praise. Images of people in need flashed through my mind, and I know this sounds crazy for a scientist but that is what happened.’ Allan underwent some training, and for many years he has been a Quaker spiritual healer and a member of the Friends Fellowship of Healing. His work has brought much relief to many who suffered; even within his own family miraculous cures have taken place when prognosis was poor. Miracles do happen sometimes, but not always. Both Patrick and Allan have received many written testaments of gratitude for the easing of symptoms or for a cure.

After a picnic lunch under the blossom-packed cherry trees in the garden Patrick and Allan offered their services to us and, one by one, we were given time with the two healers while the rest of the group held a ‘Meeting for Worship for Healing’ of family or friends or anyone we knew who needed to be held in the Light. Names were quietly written down and placed ready to receive absent healing prayer.

I have called you by your name and you are mine.
(Isaiah 43 verse 1)

The Light of God surrounds me;
The Love of God enfolds me;
The Power of God flows through me.
Wherever I am, God is, and all is well.

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Comments

This article drew me in to the events of that special day. I wasn’t there but I could feel it.

By ACWartist on 15th August 2016 - 18:54

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