I had been in Winnipeg running errands and arrived at the Zion Church a little early. There were two others there and after a short visit we began to worship, listening to “No Longer Slaves to Fear”. While I prayed I became aware of the Holy Spirit falling heavy on me (I know that is a very subjective statement – but I don’t know how else to explain it – I was very much aware of the powerful presence of God). In tears I was moved to my knees, and Alyssa under the heavy influence of the Holy Spirit worshipped laying prostate on the floor. lying time the song was over several others had joined us in worship. Alyssa, said she sensed the Spirit was moving powerfully in our midst, and she invited each of us to pray out loud. Several dynamic prayers were spoken praising Jesus, and inviting Him to glorify His name on the streets. I was led to pray for Divine appointments, that Jesus would lead us to people that He wanted us to encounter, and that He would guide our words to say what He would have us say to them. I left for Portage Place feeling expectant and very confident that this was going to be another special night.
While we were waiting for everyone to arrive at Portage Place, a few of us approached a First Nations group sitting along the stone planters near the back door. One man had a guitar and called himself the Elvis of the North. Lorraine recognized him as the man who had harassed us on May 5th, only tonight he was more sober and wasn’t wearing a talisman. We had a fun time with them, they played us some songs and sang (more than one of them played and sang). One of the guitar players showed me the tattoos on the backs of his arms – the right arm said ‘Jesus’ and the left arm said ‘Saves’. Lorraine bonded with one of the ladies who was from Pukatwagan, and she shared her heart with Lorraine. While we visited with them security kept coming and telling them they had to leave (not sure why – maybe because you are not allowed to sit on the planters?). After security’s third visit they left heading for Central Park – we thought we would encounter them later, but we never did get to the park. One of the members in the group stood out to me. He was a little older, appeared more sober, and was quieter than the rest, and he walked with a cane. We didn’t know it at the time, but we would be encountering him again.
Alyssa advised us our team leader would be Lorraine, and myself, Mel, and a newcomer Candice would be part of her team.
In the Food Court we approached a man in a wheelchair. His hair was matted, his hands and arms were very dirty, and his clothing was covered in stains. His name was Peter, and although he was easy to talk to, he appeared to be very nervous as his eyes were constantly shifting looking in all directions. He said he was in pain, and had a bad knee, and he agreed to having us pray for him. After prayer, we asked him to move his leg, and see if it was any better, but he said it wasn’t. He then showed us his lower leg that had a huge red sore on his shin, he said it was a result of a broken leg that didn’t heal right, and we prayed for that, but didn’t notice any change. We blessed him with kind words and moved on. It was obvious he had enjoyed visiting with us, and having received some attention.
Near the A&W kiosk I noticed a First Nations lady with a cane. As I approached, her food arrived. I told her I wanted to talk to her, but I would wait until she had eaten, so she could enjoy her food while it was still hot. While our group was contemplating who we would talk to next I heard a quiet voice behind me saying, “You can talk to me now”. I turned to find the lady standing behind me. “What did you want to talk about?” she asked. I told her I noticed she was walking with a cane, and I wondered if we could pray for her. She eagerly agreed. Her name was Erica, and she was from Oxford House, having come to Wpg. for an appointment about her leg. In her right leg she had severe arthritis from the knee down. She said the pain was only an 8 but that was only because she had recently taken a couple of pain killers – usually it was a constant 10. We took authority over the arthritis and healed her in Jesus’ name, and the pain dropped to a 4, then we prayed again and the pain was completely gone. She got-up and walked around without her cane, without a limp, and without any pain. Her sister Eva, who had joined us was so happy for Erica, and Erica hugged us over and over again. She then asked us to pray for her sister Eva who was having bad dreams. While Lorraine and Candice prayed and released Eva from spirits that were causing bad dreams Mel and I continued to talk to Erica. She then told us about the pain in her heart. Her husband was an alcoholic, she had lost a daughter, and had just buried her grandfather, and she was hoping to be re-united with a 17 year old daughter on her way back home. We prayed for all of those circumstances. She told us that after I first approached her, she knew we were Christians and she told her sister, “I want to talk to those people.” Before we left I asked her if she knew who had healed her leg, and she answered, “God”. I told her that was right, and then asked if she remembered whose name I used when I was praying. she said, “Jesus”. I affirmed her answer, and then asked if she would like to have Jesus the healer of her leg in her heart. She said she used to be a Christian, she still believed in God, but she was confused. I assured her that she could pray right now, receive Jesus, and her confusion would leave. She said she was too mixed-up, so I didn’t push it any further. As it turns out, Lorraine had found out her sister Eva is a Christian, so perhaps she would lead Erica back to the Lord. As they departed our team was convinced that encounter was a divine appointment.
As the sisters departed the quiet man with the cane I had noticed earlier in the evening was walking by. Mel and I approached Allan and I said, “I thought you were going to the Park”. He answered, “We were, but now we are all going to the Forks”. I said, “I have a question for you before you go – why do you need a cane?” He said he had a bad hip with a lot of pain, but he didn’t know what was wrong with it. I asked if we could pray for his hip. He then told us we were doing it all wrong. The way to healing was to call the elders, and go to the healing hut, and if you bring tobacco, and are open you can see the spirits in the room. I then made a bold statement, that even surprised me. At that moment I had a vision of Elijah on the mountain when he had the stand-off with the false prophets, and I said if you let us pray for you right now Jesus will heal your hip. (On one hand I was thinking I am on solid ground here as this is exactly the kind of situation that Jesus will respond to as it brings Him glory, and another part of me was thinking, did I actually make that bold a pronouncement?). He responded with a talk about God the Grandfather, and Mary the Grandmother, and all kinds of other stuf. I again said, “If you let us pray for you, Jesus will heal your hip right now”. He then talked about how we can’t heal ourselves, and Mel assured him, it wouldn’t be us, but Jesus. For the third time I repeated, “If you let us pray for you, Jesus will heal your hip right now”. This time, something shifted, his composure changed, he hung his head in submission and said okay. I called Candice and Lorraine over, and we spoke healing to his hip in Jesus name. We had him get-up to test it. He acknowledged it felt better. We then prayed again, and when he got-up he said it was completely better, and walked without a limp, without his cane, and without pain. He was very excited, and tears were rolling down his cheeks. While all this was going on, another First Nations man kept coming to get him to go to the Forks. He was getting very impatient and Allan left before I could lead him in a prayer of salvation. As he went out Portage Place doors he gave us a big smile and waved good-bye with his cane high in the air – which he didn’t need anymore, but he didn’t want to leave it at Portage Place.
It is at about this point that Candice mentioned that she noticed that we had created a lot of interest in the mall. She said the shop owner/workers nearby were watching us intently, as well as custodians, and customers. I have to admit I was totally unaware of what was going on around me, perhaps their curiosity will result in future Kingdom release opportunities. Lorraine actually had the opportunity to explain to some shop workers and one security guard what we were doing.
It was now just before 9 when the mall closes. Mel said good night and left, as he was very tired from his work day. As Candice, Lorraine, and I were preparing to leave a First Nations man hurriedly approached us asking several times, with desperation in his voice, “Can anybody feed me? “Can anyone help me get some food?”. I said, “I can feed you – come with me.” We went to several kiosks but they were either closed or out of food. Someone said Tim Horton’s is open till 10 – so we went there, and while Lorraine was waiting for his sandwich Candice and I sat down with Bruce. We had a lot of conversation, and here is some of what took place (remember all this takes place over 30 or 40 minutes – this is an abbreviated capsule). It turns-out Bruce, who is very drunk, is just out of Stoney Mountain Penitentiary. He has no money, and he is homeless (he is originally from around James Bay). I firstly prayed a blessing of sobriety over him (we actually noticed him sober-up as we talked to him). He told us he was an alcoholic and treatment hadn’t helped him. I told him my story of being healed of alcoholism by Jesus and with his permission prayed for healing of addictions for him. Lorraine and Candice were assuring him of Jesus’ love for him, and he said Jesus couldn’t love him. He said we had no idea what he had done, and then told us he had murdered 2 people. He was so full of guilt and shame, and we discerned some of that was spiritual so we prayed those demons off of him. Again we assured him of Jesus’ love for him. He broke into heavy crying, and through a long discussion we led him in the sinner’s prayer, and he invited Jesus into his life. Lorraine was then led to ask him if he had any pain in his body. He said he did, in his abdomen but wouldn’t let us pray for him, because he said he had to suffer for Him, as he pointed upwards. I then had Bruce focus on me, as he looked into my eyes I felt like I was speaking right into his very soul. I told him that was a lie of the devil, that he didn’t have to suffer for his sins, as Jesus had suffered and died for his sins, and I bound that lying spirit, and set him free of that lie. Lorraine and Candice explained further what Jesus had done for him at the cross, and prayed for his pain. He had obviously forgotten all about his hunger as he hadn’t touched his sandwich. In the end he appeared quite sober, but was very tearful. We gave him money for cab fare and instructed him to go to Union Gospel Mission. I have called a friend at UGM advising him to expect him.
There are many hurting people out there, and Jesus loves them. He is sending us to heal the lame, bless the down trodden, and bring salvation to the lost. What a blessing to be part of what Jesus is doing.
This ministry is open to anyone – even if you are just curious come out for an evening and witness Jesus’ love for people, and be wowed by His awesome power as He touches lives.
Al Bayne