Have a question or comment? Don’t hesitate to speak up — ask J! J will answer some of the questions directly on the site.
Question:
I used to watch you all the time back when you played for Illinois. What is your best memory from Illinois?
Kyle S., Rantoul, Illinois
Answer:
My best memory from playing ball at Illinois is the time we went into the Horseshoe to play Ohio State when they were No. 1 in the country. It wasn’t just beating the No. 1 team that was so special, it was where we had come from over the previous two years. We went from being walloped by every Big Ten team in 2005 to beating the No. 1 team in the country in 2007. That’s improvement!
Question:
When you say “I prayed for a woman six times” what does that mean? Are they separate prayers or is it just asking for healing six times in one prayer?
Sarah J., Darien, Illinois
Answer:
Great question Sarah! When I pray for someone dealing with pain, I always try to get a baseline for what his or her pain is like. I ask them what their pain is like on a 0 to 10 scale (0=No pain 10=worst pain ever!). For example, they might say their pain is at a 7. So then I go ahead and pray. Usually my prayers are short and to the point, never more than 30 seconds. Then I ask if they are feeling any sensations and if their pain is better by testing out the painful body part. If nothing happened, then I almost always try to pray for them again. If the pain has decreased, then I pray another short prayer and ask them to test it again. I repeat this process over and over until either the pain is completely gone, or their pain level ceases to go down. We know that Jesus had to pray twice to heal a blind man completely, so that probably gives us free reign to pray 20 times or so for somebody to be healed in one setting.
Question:
When I read your Healing Log I see that you oftentimes approach people in wheelchairs and ask to pray for them. Do you think doing that makes them feel like God loves them, or makes them feel ashamed and awkward because you are pointing out their disability and treating them different?
Carter P., Chicago, Illinois.
Answer:
I see where you’re coming from Carter, and you’re right, you do run the risk of offending or making someone feel awkward. I guess you have two options. One would be to not do anything and nothing would happen. The other option would be to approach them and ask them if I could pray that they would be healed. Doing this could cause them to feel awkward and could make them feel bad, or it could encourage them that someone actually cares and believes that Jesus can heal them. When I weigh what could happen when I approach people in wheelchairs, or any person for that matter, I always remind myself that if God heals them their life will be changed forever for the better. Just the chance of that happening is enough for me to approach them and ask if I can pray because I know that it is God’s will to heal everyone!
Question: Do you get a lot of crap from your peers about your religion? I sure do, I guess I’m only 15, but I stumble on showing my religion outside of church. Any tips?
Trent C., Illinois
Answer: Sure I get some flack for being a Christian, but you gotta look at who is saying that to you. I mean most people that rag on others are just insecure about themselves.
I’ll tell you this. No matter what, be who you are. You are made to be radical Jesus lover. The only opinion that matter’s is God’s. What other people say may hurt you, but in the end you gotta be who you are and who God made you to be. People used to get on me all the time about not drinking and not sleeping with girls, but now they respect me.
Trent, I pray that the Holy Spirit would just give you grace right now to do what seems
so hard…to stand up for what you believe in!
Question: God has been relentless in telling me I have to start bringing GOD to my workplace and introducing people to him which really brings fear to my heart . I have made numerous gentle attempts only to be argued with and told that ” my beleiefs are mine and their beliefs are theirs. My boss is a strong person that continually attempts to convince me that God has no rules and accepts all lifestyles when she catches me in conversation with anyone she does not hesitate to interject her ” proffesional opioion and backs up her knowledge by reminding everyone her father is a pastor . I know God is telling me to take the risk and stp out at work. I just feel so intimidated. Thank you.
Ann R.
Answer: Thanks for your question. Sounds like a tough situation.
Whenever an authority figure is over you that doesn’t agree with you on your actions it can be tough, especially when it comes to your faith. We want to do our job well and please our bosses, not upset them.
That being said, as long as you aren’t “getting in trouble” with these conversations. Meaning, as long as it isn’t jeopardizing your employment and your ability to make a living, then keep going for it with all you got. People will always disagree with you, and you can’t ever get everybody to like you, so be you and be who God has called you to be.
I really believe that the world is begging to see Christians live a life that is inline with an authentic gospel. A life full of grace, love, and power. Keep being who you are no matter what!
Question: I enjoy the healing log and videos. Keep them coming! My question is regarding your experiences in healing. Have any of your healing successes been medically verifiable? I.e. fixed a broken bone, made a malignant tumor benign, etc? Pardon my skepticism, but it seems most of your achievements have been made in subjective/unproveable areas of headaches and joint pain. Thanks a bunch.
Steve G.
Answer: Is it medically verifiable? Most people I pray for I don’t see again, and I do most of my prayer on the street or in public areas where I meet strangers. I simply go off what they tell me when I pray. I ask them how they feel. If they tell me the pain is gone then I believe them. If they tell me it is not, then I believe them. Most encounters
are only a few minutes long, and I don’t have any medical equipment (i.e. x rays, mri, cat scan) on hand to “prove scientifically.” I simply go on what they tell me. If somebody was willing to pay for a test to be done on them I would gladly take a look the results and I am confident their would be a change for the better in the condition. However, if all the pain and movement is restored why pay money to go to the doctor? It seems pretty useless and economically silly (as far as pain goes, Cancer would be a different story.
I have never personally prayed for someone who has been healed of cancer but I know people who have prayed for people that have cancer and the cancer has miraculousy disappeared. I believe its only a matter of time before I pray for someone with cancer and they are completely healed.
As far as broken bones go, I have prayed for 2 broken toes that have been healed. One time the woman took off her walking cast and walked with no pain. She was in shock. She didn’t go to the doctor though, because she had no pain and started wearing regular shoes.