In many of the gospel stories of healing of children and young people, it is usually the parents that seek the help of the Lord Jesus. The story of the Cananite Woman, for example, reported in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-30 is worthy of repeating here:
Likewise, this scene from the movie Jesus of Nazareth can give us a visualization of how a parent's plea is looked upon by Jesus as a motive to cast out an unclean spirit from the boy. The story is taken from the Gospel according to Mark 9:14-29. Please forward to segment 2:15 - 5:14.Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour. (Matt. 15:21-29)
In the Ministry of Spiritual Liberation and Exorcisms, we often encounter, that in so far as children and young people are concerned, most of the spiritual openings to the unclean spirits in them where brought about by their parents.When they bring their children to AMOE for healing and pray-over, in tears they would ask that their children be helped. But during the prayers we are able to discern that the hold of the unclean spirit on the child is caused through no fault of their own but of somebody else. There indeed is the presence of the unclean spirits tormenting the child, but if after prolonged prayers there is still very little change happening to the child, then the cause is often connected with parents. When the parents are confronted on this matter, they would often deny that there was something wrong that they did. The classic filipino answer would be: "Hindi kami nagkulang." (We were not remiss in our duties.) "Ang gusto lang namin ay ang pinakamabuti sa kanya." (The only thing we desire is what is best for him.) But perhaps it is not the duties themselves, nor material aspects that are missing, but rather more on the moral and spiritual part. This area is something very complicated to explain because it would challenge the parents to really look into their lives and how they raised the children. And upon discovering the reason they would be filled with so much remorse that instead of facilitating the healing of the child, it worsens it, as the parents now enter in a crisis of faith themselves.
But just like in the healing of the Centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10;John 4:43-54), unwavering faith and humility is required as manifested by the father of a possessed boy:
"...But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:22-24)
Certainly the love of the parents for their children is very important; after all if that love and concern were not present they would not have sought for help. But in this case, human parental love is not enough. Supernatural love, flowing from their love of God is vital. They must surrender themselves totally to Jesus and have full confidence in God that He loves their children more than they could ever love them. As Jesus himself would teach us:
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)
AND THEY MUST PERSEVERE IN THIS FAITH.
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,… (James 1:6-7)
Take these four cases for example:
"If you will return, O Israel," declares the LORD, "Then you should return to Me. And if you will put away your detested things from My presence, And will not waver, And you will swear, 'As the LORD lives,' In truth, in justice and in righteousness; Then the nations will bless themselves in Him, And in Him they will glory."… (Jeremiah 4:1-2)
1. There was this case of a mother and father bringing their daughter to AMOE for help as the girl had seizures that doctors could not diagnose. Interviewing them, they have said that they are devout Catholics and have raised their children also to be good Christians. During the pray-over and the discernment, the lay-volunteers given by the Holy Spirit the gift of discernment of spirits during that ministry, privately told us that they saw idols and people offering incense. And one of those people they saw looked like the parents. When the parents were questioned in private, it was only then that they revealed that indeed they have been offering food and incense in a pagan ritual just to please the grandparents who come to visit. They did not take that as something serious. But the demons did, and God as well. Without a sincere and honest heart before God, no grace would be given for the Lord detests those who offer to idols."When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord..." (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
2. There was this case of a university girl who had been tormented by unclean spirits. She had undergone many pray-overs by herself with no companions. Her parents were never there whenever she is prayed over. They considered her just making things up. She requested them to stop going to occult practitioners and bringing her potions and barks, and amulets coming from them. But they would not listen. They did not believe that their going to the occult practitioners had something to do with her case. They only woke up from their spiritual slumber when they had another case at home, this time the younger brother of the girl was being attacked by unclean spirits. Only when the parents, especially the mother, renounced her superstitious beliefs and ties with the occult did healing start to come, for the Lord abhors those who consult sorcerers.. Without humility and repentance, no grace would be given."Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 19:31)
"I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people." (Leviticus 20:6)
3. There was this case of a mother who invited a spiritist or a necromancer, one who conjures the spirit of the dead, to call on the deceased husband in her home. The necromancer and the conjured spirit seemed to be of help for a time, or so she thought. Until, something strange, bizarre, and violent started to happen in their small family. When things got out of control, they sought the help of AMOE. During the discernment in between the multiple sessions of pray-overs that have been done. It became very clear, that the mother has only remorse, but no faith. She wants the family to be healed, the daughter who was under the devil's spell to be liberated, but her lack of faith is a hindrance. She would cry and cry being tired of the unfortunate events in her life. But no persevering faith, no persevering prayer. Without total surrender, complete faith, persevering faith, no grace would be given."And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
"But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,…" (James 1:6-7)
4. There was this case of a boy possessed by many spirits, who himself was becoming a medium, because the spirits come in and enter at will. The parents brought the boy to AMOE for help. And in the discernment they saw how the spirits come in and out. Through a series of prayer-overs, the entry-points of the spirits have been closed and the attacks have lessened substantially. But the boy was not yet healed and still goes into a trance. The mother was becoming desperate, questioning every time after every pray-over: "What do we still need to do?" In one discernment of AMOE, we were wondering whether the mother was a significant factor in the slow healing of the boy? And we were inclined to believe so. Her lack of faith, trust in God is becoming a hindrance. The boy cannot answer for himself yet in matters of faith. But the parents can on his behalf, and if they waver, then what faith would stand against the onslaught of the enemy against the boy? He is dependent completely on the faith of his parents, who also stood on his stead when he was baptized. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
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The journey of faith of the parents, their conversion, is as important as the spiritual healing and liberation of their children. Because unless the parents are converted, and their relationship with the Lord, their spouse, and their family is intentionally set according to the Word of God and His Commandments, any healing would be temporary. And that which is most important, the salvation of all, is left hanging. This is the reason the Lord does not heal in the manner of the understanding of the pagans and unbelievers. He seeks to heal first the soul which is of utmost importance, then he heals the body and what ails it.
In the gospels, the Lord heals the pagans and unbelievers in a different manner than His disciples. He heals the pagans and non-Jews immediately in order to show them how totally unlike He is from their false gods. But with his disciples, He deals with them in another manner. He disciplines them like children (Hebrews 12:6). He now teaches them that without Him, they could do nothing (John 15:5), and the devil, will murder them (John 8:44), and sift them like wheat (Luke 22:31) if they do not abide in Him. And so that they may remember this and etch it in their hearts (Deuteronomy 11:18-19), he allows them to suffer for a little while so that they be made perfect in suffering and their relationship with God be restored and strengthened (1 Peter 5:10).
When we encounter the stormy of the seas of our life, let us remember the gospel story when the Lord Jesus Christ calmed the storm in the presence of His disciples who were fearful, anxious, and weak in faith.
When we encounter the stormy of the seas of our life, let us remember the gospel story when the Lord Jesus Christ calmed the storm in the presence of His disciples who were fearful, anxious, and weak in faith.
"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41)
