From the archives of Evelyn Roberts
Oral and I had just returned from a healing crusade when our children’s babysitter said, “Evelyn, you need to have Richard checked. There’s something wrong with his legs. When I try to stand him up he screams.”
I was frightened. Richard was only seven months old, and polio was rampant. The hospitals were filled with children and adults suffering from polio, and a vaccine for the disease had not been discovered yet. I made an appointment with the pediatrician.
Later that week we were entertaining friends when Richard began to fuss. As I tried to stand him on his legs, he screamed. I asked our guests to excuse us, and Oral and I took Richard to a bedroom. I said, “Oral, there’s something dreadfully wrong with Richard’s legs. It could be polio. You’ve got to touch God for him.
Oral took the baby, laid him on the bed, and began moving his hands over his legs. I will never forget his prayer: Jesus, You have power above all power, and You can heal Richard. Satan, our baby is God’s property. You take your hands off God’s property. Loose this child, in the name of Jesus. You foul disease, come out in the name of Jesus and return no more. Amen and amen.
Then Oral picked up Richard and stood him on his legs. He smiled at his daddy as if to say, “I’m healed!”
I don’t know if Richard had polio, but whatever it was, it wasn’t good. When I see Richard ministering God’s Word and praying for people, I’m reminded of the blind man Jesus healed who said, “I was blind but now I see” (John 9:25 NIV). Richard was screaming in pain; but today he is still healed.