The Anointed Handkerchief

The Origin of the Anointed Handkerchief

My uncle Steve has been such a huge support throughout this journey. There have been many days when I have almost lost the plot and I have called him or text him and he has immediately lifted me up in prayer. His console and guidance has helped grow my faith and my strength.

Like many others, Steve would regularly do prayer requests at his church for me. I remember the weekend before I went into ICU, I was at home in my bed and I could hardly move my body yet I was listening to the (Living Waters Christchurch) facebook live. The church paused the recording (for my privacy), so I still don’t know what was said but I remember feeling so strengthened knowing that so many people were interceding for me.

When I was in ICU (see near death), Steve flew up a few times from Christchurch and one of these times he brought with him an anointed handkerchief that his church congregation had prayed over for me.

At the time, I didn’t understand about things being anointed. What I found out since is that this practice is mentioned in the book of Acts, when the apostle Paul would share garments / articles anointed by God with people too sick to make the journey to where he was ministering.
And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. Acts 19:12

I had this handkerchief tied around my wrist and I found strength with it on so many occasions. For over a month straight it stayed on my body. Every time the ICU nurse would give me my daily wash, they would respectfully tie it back around my wrist. Many times I would be alone and scared, fearful and unable to find the words to pray. But having this handkerchief made me feel like I had an extra amount of divine protection and that I was covered by the prayer of others.

Now, it sits in my sock drawer. And in writing this I am thinking to go and move it straight away haha. Until this week, neither Steve or I had ever considered where the handkerchief might have came from. But he recently found out, and I was blown away with amazement and gratitude.

Steve was at church and a man Adrienne approaches him and tells Steve he heard me speak last year (of my healing) and thought we should know where the hanky came from.

Steve’s recollection:
Adrienne was out on the streets evangelising with his team when one of his colleagues took him a handkerchief and said, “I think we should pray over this for someone who needs healing...” Adrienne thought it was a bit unusual (but also thought not to second guess God’s instruction) and so they prayed over this hanky. Adrienne had another friend with the gift of the prophetic, and gave him the hanky to pray over. When Adrienne asked him what he felt after doing so, his friend replied “Intense joy and celebration”. The following Sunday when the congregation was praying for Sarona, Pastor Wes asked “Does anyone have a handkerchief?” Adrienne stepped forward with the handkerchief from his pocket.