When I learned that the laying on of hands was for every believer (see Hebrews 6:1-2), I was very excited and asked if I could have this done for me! In May, several elders and my dad laid their hands on me, anointed me with oil, and prayed that the Lord would make me a laborer in His harvest field and that I would lead many to Christ. I had no idea how this would change my life!
In II Timothy 1:6 we read, “Stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” The next verse explains the powerful gift of God that comes through the laying on of hands, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Fear had hindered me from many spiritual blessings, especially the blessing of witnessing to others. I would give out tracts but when it came to explaining the gospel I was disabled by fear.
Since receiving the laying on of hands, I have had a greater level of boldness and liberty to witness to others. In Acts 4:25 we read, “And now Lord, grant unto thy servant that with all boldness they may speak thy word.”
The Lord has opened many doors for me to boldly share the gospel. Wherever I go, there are hurting people that need to know the good news.
We were at a friend’s house and there was a girl that came who was having some health problems and was thinking a lot about eternity. The Lord prompted me to pray for her and to share the gospel with her.
The Lord gave me His boldness to ask her questions about what she thought she needed to do to go to heaven. She said, “If I tried really hard to obey the Bible and not to sin then I will be able to make it to heaven.” I then was able show her in Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is a free gift, “Not of works least any man should boast.” I shared that it is through Jesus that our sins our forgiven—not through our good works.
She broke down and wept and prayed to receive the free gift of salvation. She asked Jesus Christ to be her Lord and take “first place” in her life.
She thanked me over and over again and said, “I never understood until you explained it to me.” She went and told a lot of people what God just did in her life. She was full of joy and I was too, because I knew it was the Lord that did the work in her life.
I am so grateful to the Lord for removing my fear and replacing it with His boldness.
~ Priscilla
May 2008 Journey Guide
