The truth about faith healing: charlatans, healers, and why not everyone is healed

November 7, 10:42 AMPhoenix Spiritual Pathways ExaminerMaryEllen O'Brien

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Failed faith healings are notorious, but is it ever real? Healing by faith pops up in the news periodically, often around its abject failure involving sick children and parents that denied medical attention to a child based on religious beliefs. Are people ever really healed based on faith and prayer alone? With skeptics quick to deny absolutely the possibility of healing through faith, and stories from people who claim just such healing has occurred for them — where does the truth lie?I asked someone who experienced a complete, spontaneous healing from Hodgkin's Lymphoma 25 years ago that occurred after a spiritual vision. Eddie Benitez, the musician and spiritualist who's paranormal experiences right in Tempe have been featured on the Discovery Channel, maintains he was healed of stage 3B cancer by Jesus and that in subsequent years, others were healed of illnesses when they sought him out for prayer. He did not seek them, they found him. He maintains he merely prayed simply, with the help of angels, and when faith was there, the sick were healed. Over the years he has reflected deeply on faith healing, and the following is what he has to say about it – the real, the fake, and the place of faith:

Eddie: "The practice of Faith healing has been going on for thousands of years.  There are two types of faith healing — the real and fraudulent.  There are those who proclaim that they are faith healers and do this with many types of chants, rituals, prayers, candles, touch of hands, voodoo, santeria, etc. There are Christians who believe that their faith in their church will heal someone. And you have the Jehovah Witnesses who forbid blood transfusions. There are religious sects that forbid their members from seeking medical care. These are all actually Faithless acts, although they might think they have faith. It is a psychological ploy. You would be better off consulting a Psychiatrist. God has blessed all of us on earth and most fail to realize that. 
 
The truth about faith healin

Faith healing comes from two sources God's creation —  "Man" — and the act of having faith in God. God made man in his image. Physical? No. Spiritual, yes. When God created the human body he created that most incredible part that not even science can create, let alone understand. They can only understand 14% of the brain functions. The chemicals that are hidden and manufactured during certain episodes of human emotions can create a super-strength in man, can create a surge of chemicals in the brain to manufacture and heal any infirmities. You see what happens in an emergency situation when the strength to lift a car off a person pinned underneath comes from somewhere within the body. So it is with the body's ability to create a surge of chemicals to heal illness. 

So why is it that often people who pray and go to worship God are not healed? Faith is a commanding word, yet touching when done with the upmost love and passion for Christ and God. People all over the world are asking God for healings, money, food, etc. Why are their prayers going unanswered? First, to create that faith that heals, you must love Christ and God, believe that they exist, and believe that the promise by way of the Blood of Christ for everlasting life is real. Don't think it, believe in it.  Your act of faith should be within your heart first, then surround yourself with love for all. What makes you think you deserve to be heard by God if you don't hear of him? If you don't know of him, his Son, his angels?  You who sit around healthy and deceive life and go there and come here — you mock others and still you claim God cannot heal? Even sinners will be healed before those without sins, even though they know not of Christ and God. Sinners will be healed before those who know God and still do not share the message and teachings of Jesus. The teachings are very simple. It's all about love and compassion. Even as the Master bled, he still asked God to forgive those who sentenced him (the act of compassion). I say to all, gain your faith by your acts and not your words. If God wants, he will hear you not or see you not. What your needs are, he already knows. He will always be there. Just know of him, love him and no matter what you do wrong in life, know that forgiveness is yours by way of Christ.

It is well known that Eddie communicates with angels. He concluded what he had to say about faith healing with a message he says comes from God, by way of the Angel Gabriel:
 

Creating that faith with God

"I (God), who gave you life and created you, still have faith that you will all believe not only in me, but also in my Son who was among you in the flesh. He gave you the prayer — and one prayer only. He showed you miracles — healings and acts of forgiveness, yet you still do not believe. I do not expect you to pray all day or dress in garments of falseness, but at least remember me through your works and acts of kindness and compassion. Achieve compassion and love and I will hear you. The faith that is needed and everyone lacks is the knowledge that if you just ask me for strength to deal with whatever illness or situation you're in, I will hear you. Do not show greed and ask me for a healing when so many are in line with illness; so many in line needing food, homes and many other things. For once in your life just ask me for strength.  Ask me to love you during your situation, as I have always loved you and all my children on earth.  Faith is so simple; it is man who makes faith complex with religion and prayers.  To be in touch, to be in oneness with me, seek spirituality. Even my own son who died on the cross I did not save. What makes you think you are better then him? — He who gave his life so you could have eternal life. You cannot come to God, but only by way of the Son.
Humble yourself before me and you will receive."
 

Photos:

Electric Hand, Courtesy Dreamstime
Faith & Compass, Courtesy Dreamstime