“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”  Acts 10:38

God’s goodness overwhelmed me at the Campus Renewal Conference this past May in Austin, Texas.

As a group of us were walking outside on The University of Texas at Austin campus to make it to an evening session, I saw a woman on the sidewalk curled up in a fetal position. It was obvious that she was in distress, and even though normally people mind their own business and keep walking, something prompted me to stop.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” I asked. She looked up at me with red, teary eyes and assured me that everything was okay, even though it was evident that she was upset. So I asked again. “Are you sure everything is okay? What’s your name?”

“Why do you care?” she responded. I was beginning to feel as though she didn’t want to be bothered.

“Because you’re a human. We’re all humans,” I replied.

As she continued to have a leave-me-alone attitude, I kept asking if there was any way we could help her. She finally allowed me to help her stand up.

As I grabbed her hand, I realized that her lower body was injured. We found out that she had hurt her right leg during her time as a marine. Naturally, I asked if I could pray for her leg, even though I was slightly intimidated. She agreed. So, I dropped my things, knelt down, laid hands on her leg, and prayed.

“Father, I thank you for complete wholeness in Jesus’ name. Every muscle, ligament, and bone be made new in Jesus’ name.” I then asked her to try and move her leg to see if it felt any different. She moved it a little and then kicked.

The look on the woman’s face was priceless. Her whole demeanor completely changed when she realized her leg was better! She lit up and started hugging and thanking me.

Although her leg was not completely healed (I prayed for her a couple more times afterwards – *see Mark 8:22-26), it was amazing to partner with God to see His goodness manifest in healing. As we parted ways, I simply told her that Jesus loves her. 

Jesus came to preach good news, heal the brokenhearted, and set the captives free. We are His hands and feet. What will we do with the Holy Spirit He’s given to us? 

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

Justin Tang

Justin is on staff with Campus Renewal at his alma matter, The University of Texas at Dallas. He is an alumni of Intervarsity and his heart is to see believers living as sons of God and walking out their true identity in Christ.