An extract from Divine Encounters, Bill Johnson, Spiritual Java et al.

The release of the presence of God, which carries in the Kingdom of God, happens through five actions that I am aware of:

(1) Laying on of hands. This is a biblical mandate. Heb 6:1-2 "therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity...the laying on of hands.." the Kingdom within us is released through the touch of faith, which is an intentional act for healing, blessing, or impartation. Mark 16:15-18 "..Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation..they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

To be honest, I didn't grow up feeling totally comfortable with others laying hands on me, much less having to lay hands on others. We Asians must live up to our legacy of being restrained and shy at all times. Besides the point of being shy/ashamed about it, there were instances in my life where I found the act meaningless. A group of missionaries are leaving tomorrow and the pastor encourages the entire congregation to lift our hands towards the group while they were being prayed for. Or, while walking pass the corridor in church, members within a cell are spotted laying hands on one another while bowing in prayer. Like whatever for?

Until the recent years, this principle of laying on of hands remained an unnecessary and somewhat vulgar act in my view. The church I worship at embarked on a spirit-led movement some time back and almost every Sunday, the congregation was encouraged to lift their hands and receive from Jehovah Jireh. It could be physical healing, emotional healing, blessings asked in His name, even laughter, holy laughter. Being a young adult who still resides very much in the "discovery" phase of life, I wanted to try everything out. I count it a fortunate thing that my boyfriend, a staff in church then, would encourage me in this aspect and fill me in with more uplifting testimonies that only the insiders were aware of. Slowly but surely, I did begin to see greater meaning in what the elders in church were encouraging us to do. Glenn has this wonderful gift of having both palms heated up whenever there is release of power. He also knew when people released annointing to him as his palms and body would heat up. In order to ascertain this was something spiritual and not self-concocted, he once prayed at home for Heavenly Father to release His anointing, then placed his hands in the freezer, only to find that his palms warmed up in an extraordinary fashion. There were times when we prayed for each other and he asked me to feel the "heat" too. I really felt it. It was almost like a direct transfer of heat from his palms to mine, just that the naked eye wasn't capable to witness it.

Enough of the testimonies of others. I too, have my own to share, and I give thanks to the Lord for this. I never thought I could impart healing or blessings unto others in a tangible manner until friends whom I have prayed for told me they could feel the transference of heat to the part of the body which I laid my hands on. Before Glenn and I were a couple, there was one time when he commented he was physically exhausted and I laid my hand on his forehead as a gesture of comfort while I uttered a prayer for him. I obviously didn't think much of it and wanted to retract my hand after the prayer, but he was smiling from ear to ear even while I stood there awkwardly with one arm raised. And he said, "Mmm, the healing power from the Lord is flowing in the form of heat waves. Can you feel it?" Frankly, I wasn't sharp enough to detect anything he was saying. But I was so stunned that I simply gave thanks to God for using me as His vessel.

Gradually as I honed myself to be more in tune with the unseen, I begin to understand and agree with the significance of lifting and laying hands. Sometimes I do feel His presence and anointing with His children even as I stand amongst the congregation. In other times when I pray for others, I do feel heat waves leaving my palms, especially when I pray for those in real need and I desire greatly to impart. I guess such experiences which even Science can't explain must be coupled with faith, faith and more faith. Never mind if I can't feel or see a visible difference. Never mind if I look stupid raising my hands when those around look all calm and composed; I want to be in the posture of surrender. Jesus felt the healing virtue leaving Him when the woman plagued with blood issues for 12 years touched the tip of His garment. Jesus often lifted His hands and head toward the heavens. In Him, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

I still struggle in this aspect occasionally, especially when people I pray for happens to be the someone of the opposite gender. I still do wonder if transference of the Lord's power did occur when more often than not I feel nothing else but the bare skin of the person I prayed for. But I learnt and would very much like to practise - let go, and let God. It's not about me and my fancies, it's all about God.

Time forbids me to share in greater length, the other 4 actions the book mentioned. But just as others have encouraged me, I also encourage you to seek out your own. Ask and you shall be given. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. This is the unfailing promise the Lord has towards His children. Hallelujah, Hosanna to the highest.