ArticleBlog | Healing and Preaching: a conversation
Healing and Preaching: a conversation
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 12.09.20
A friend once said to me that ‘Every preacher only has one sermon – they just dress it up in different ways.’ I didn’t agree at the time, but during the last fifteen or so years of my own preaching journey, I have come to see the truth in her statement, although the message I have felt led to share over and over again has been a great surprise. Despite very little experience in my own life of heartache, trauma, grief or fear, the subject of healing – specifically healing of the heart – is almost never absent from my sermons or worship leading.
God is gracious, and knows my shortcomings in understanding and empathy. In order to guide and develop the growth of this longing in my heart, Jesus has brought into my life a wonderful friend, Amy, who walks this journey with me. She has experienced unimaginable levels of pain and trauma, and I have had the privilege of coming alongside her in prayer, alongside other professionals who have brought their assistance and skills on the long road to healing. Helen:
Now, several years into this difficult and painful process, Amy often comes with me as I preach in different churches, sharing in the music and bringing insight and experience. Very tentatively, she is beginning to find a voice of her own, so we discussed how to bring healing to the broken hearts in every pew.
Helen: When I’m preaching, there’s a longing, almost a des
