We continue from yesterday's meditation on how the revival in Argentina began with gatherings of people crying out to the Lord in prayer. Dr. Edward Miller, in his book, The Secrets of the Argentine Revival, witnessed much of what happened. Miller writes:
Trying to get the press and radio to promote evangelism was seen as unreasonable. Under President Peron's rules, all religious activities were strictly monitored and censored. All meeting plans had to be reported to the police sixty days in advance. Special permission was required for any specific meeting, and approval for large gatherings was very difficult to obtain. Tommy Hicks’ desire for a large stadium was considered impossible; furthermore, it had never been done before. The committee’s attitude did not suggest that any miraculous government change of rules was even remotely likely. Still, God sent Tommy Hicks to Argentina and told him to speak to the president.
The committee warned Tommy Hicks that high American government officials had been insulted and refused interviews, so how could an unknown, unrecognized, and insignificant preacher from the United States ever get an audience with President Peron? But Tommy Hicks believed in his God and went to his hotel room to pray. He knew that God had sent him and that God was more powerful than any dictator. The next day, Tommy, accompanied by an interpreter, walked up to the Casa Rosada, also known as the Pink House, where the government offices were located. As they neared the door, an armed guard stopped them with a machine gun aimed at Tommy's chest and asked brusquely, "Who are you? What do you want?” Pastor Hicks carefully explained his desire: to hold a salvation–healing crusade. The more Tommy explained, the more interested the guard became. Finally, the guard asked, "Do you mean to say that God can heal?" "Yes, He can, and He will," replied Tommy. "Well, can He heal me?" queried the guard. "Yes, He can. What is your problem?" asked Tommy. "I have hepatitis, and my liver is killing me right now," the guard answered. "Give me your hand," the evangelist responded, and he prayed the prayer of faith. The power of God surged through that guard's body, and in a moment, his pain and sickness were gone.
Feeling the power of God, the guard was utterly astonished. He instantly felt a release from his pain. In total amazement, he said, "Why, it's all gone; all the pain is gone!" "Of course it's gone," replied Tommy, "God has healed you." The guard responded, "You come back tomorrow, and I will get you in to see the president." The next day, the guard cordially greeted Tommy and his interpreter and escorted them to President Peron’s door. The president greeted Tommy and his interpreter and asked why they had come after asking them to be seated. Pastor Hicks carefully explained the plans for the citywide salvation and healing crusade to Peron and requested full rights for the evangelicals to meet in stadiums and sporting arenas. He then explained the way of salvation and healing to the president.
President Peron, at that time, was suffering from a severe case of psoriasis, a skin disease that none of the doctors had been able to cure. It had worsened steadily, even leading Peron to refuse all photographs of himself. Listening in surprise to Pastor Hicks, Peron asked, "Do you believe that Jesus Christ heals today the same as He did when He was here on Earth?" Tommy replied, "Of course I do. Here, give me your hand." Once again, Pastor Hicks prayed the prayer of faith for President Peron, and as God's power flowed into him, he staggered back from the impact. Before the eyes of the onlookers, Peron's skin became smooth and soft, and he was instantly made whole and complete. Amazed, he stepped back and exclaimed, "Caramba, Dios mio, estoy curado!" (Good heavens, my God, I am cured!). At this, President Peron sat down and signed the declaration of complete freedom for the evangelical church in Argentina. In a moment, God did what was impossible for man to do.
God can do the same today as He has done before and throughout church history. It’s time to cry out to Him for His hand of deliverance and salvation for the lost. Keith Thomas
In desiring to keep these meditations to a 3-4 minute read, we’ll come back to this story tomorrow, but if you can’t wait, the series is found on the All Studies page, scroll down until you come to the series called: On Fire With the Holy Spirit, The study is called: Revival Changes Nations.
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