“Will you have the surgery since you are asking God for a miracle?”
Some of my friends who don’t attend Woodland Church have asked me that question. Thankfully, not one person from our congregation has asked it, which makes me feel I have been a good pastor and preacher. Still, I understand why people wonder.
My answer has been simple: “If on the day of my surgery the tumor is still there, then yes, I will have the surgery. There is no conflict between praying in faith and seeking medical treatment. In fact, I believe it would be a lack of faith not to pray and to seek treatment.”
My friends have seemed relieved and understood after hearing this.
Let me elaborate just a bit. I have asked you to seek the Lord with me for divine healing because God answers prayer and heals the sick. God heals in answer to prayer, and He heals after surgery. For example, this morning in my Scripture reading I meditated on 2 Kings 20, where Hezekiah was dying and sought the Lord in prayer. God heard his prayer and promised to heal him, yet Isaiah also prescribed a medical treatment. Afterwards, Hezekiah basically asked, “How will I know?” That is a great question. Before you tell people you’re healed, it is wise to seek confirmation.
“Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord.’ … Then Isaiah said, ‘Make an ointment from figs.’ So Hezekiah’s servants spread the ointment over the boil, and Hezekiah recovered.” (2 Kings 20:5, 7, NLT)
That Scripture shaped my mindset as Becky and I went from appointment to appointment and test to test before my August scheduled surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital. I showed her different places in the hospital where God has answered prayer, where miracles have happened, and where memories come alive each time I see them. Suddenly, I was filled with joy remembering God’s faithfulness in that hospital.
The meetings today were very personal, and I am still processing them this evening. I am not discouraged or troubled, but there is a lot to think about, and I’m not ready to write about it yet. I discussed with the surgical team the things in life I enjoy doing. One of them said, “That is exactly what we want you to do after surgery.” It is a big surgery, and they want me to be active as quickly as possible. It will be good for me, though it will require some adjustments to my current lifestyle. I am hearing “no limits!” Although it is sobering news, we left encouraged.
Before we left, the staff told me, “Between now and then, eat whatever you want!”
Hooray!
When we left the hospital, there was only one place to go: Zingerman’s Deli, my favorite deli in Michigan. We shared a brisket sandwich, a garlic pickle, a potato latke with applesauce, and ginger ale.
Happy, happy, happy.
Thank you for your prayers, your faith, and your encouragement as we continue trusting God together.
Peace.
Coram Deo 
That’s a good word, Dennis. Two months before we were scheduled to return to Vanuatu in 2017, I wasn’t feeling great and decided to have a checkup. The results came back with a high PSA of 7.0 that was rapidly climbing. I was able to get an appointment with a surgeon at the University of Indiana, but in the meantime, I was prayed for several times. One prominent Assemblies of God leader even pronounced me healed. That was certainly what I was praying for. Yet, Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach’s sake and often infirmities. Paul had no doubt prayed for Timothy, but was wise enough to encourage him to “take his medicine.” In Hezekiah’s healing, God used a poultice of figs.On the day of the surgery, the PSA level was still higher, so there was no hesitation. Dr. Clinton Bahler asked if he could pray for me before taking me to the operating room! What a prayer he prayed! My cousin Randy Blankenship was with me and said he had never seen anything like that happen in all his years of pastoring. The radical prostatectomy was a complete success. Perhaps the brother who pronounced me healed was right after all!
Afterwards Dr. Bahler was showing me the video of the surgery. (He had used the Da Vinci robotic system.) As he explained the procedure, pointing to various parts of my internal organs, I simply said, “Fearfully and wonderfully made.” He looked at me and said, “Evolution is science’s greatest embarrassment.”
I am thankful for the Lord’s prompting and for the additional years that I’ve been able to serve Him. May He grant you many more years of loving service.
Good morning Pastor Clanton,
Thank you for sharing your updates, thoughts, and encouraging words. What a testimony of your faith and God’s faithfulness. I will continue to lift you up to the Lord for a healing and if surgery is necessary let your healing be smooth.
Love,
Diane
Love you, Diane. Thank you for praying for me.
Gary, Thank you for sharing a part of your story. I’m sure there is much more. However, what you have written is so encouraging! We are all blessed that God has granted you recovery and added years to your life. Greet Lori for me! God bless you! Dennis
Chuck and I continue to lift you in prayer! We love you much!!!
Hi Dennis,
Madaline and I were very happy to see you in MI earlier this month after so many years. We recall the wonderful times we were able to spend together in Belgium.
Please know we are praying daily for you.
Bless you my brother,
Gerald Branum
Becky and I are so grateful for your prayers. We are so proud of y’all and love you and your beautiful and growing family.
Becky and I are so grateful for your prayers. We are so proud of y’all and love you and your beautiful and growing family.
I was so surprised to see y’all! Thank you for taking time to talk with me and remember some very happy days. Please know that I am so encouraged to know that you are praying for me daily. I will be sure and pass this along to Becky. Blessings!
I was so surprised to see y’all! Thank you for taking time to talk with me and remember some very happy days. Please know that I am so encouraged to know that you are praying for me daily. I will be sure and pass this along to Becky. Blessings!