Expert: John Fields - 1/24/2010

Question
I recently had a friend ask me to send her friend with a gravely ill mother a "prayer cloth". She said because I am a Christian she knew that she could count on me to do it. I have prayed for the lady several times and added her to my congregation's prayer list. I haven't had a chance to talk with our elders about this "prayer cloth". I know the scriptural reference that is used, I'm just not sure what the church's position is on prayer cloths. Could you please give me your opinion?

Answer

I am assuming the passage used would be in Acts 19:11-12. Here is what it says: "God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out."

I have always felt that these dispensations of God's power were done ONLY through the apostles. I don't recall anyone else, aside from Jesus Himself, who was ever able to do this.

If it was me, I would ask, "Since this goes against my belief and conscience, is there any reason why straight prayer is not good enough?" There is nothing a piece of cloth can accomplish that outstretched hands or bent knees cannot equally accomplish. When Elijah prayed and it stopped raining for over three years. He had a faithful and trusting heart and required no prayer accessories like a piece of rug. The prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Period.

If this in anyway reflects how you feel you can communicate this message with tact and love.