Mags GarganThe Miracle Ship by Dr Brian O’Hare
Anthony Redmond
A few years ago, I reviewed a very moving and inspiring book by Dr Brian O’Hare entitled A Spiritual Odyssey for The Irish Catholic. Brian O’Hare has now written an account of an unusual and somewhat extraordinary Donegal man called John Gillespie, said to have amazing powers of healing and deliverance. Obviously written with conviction and devotion, this book may not appeal to everyone. Some may find it controversial in parts.
As a youth, John Gillespie suffered unbearable pain in his hip and leg. This lasted a number of years. Finally he was diagnosed with developmental dysplasia, a rare and serious abnormality of the femoral and hip socket. Specialists could not help him.
John continued to pray fervently to God to cure him. He prayed relentlessly for years and finally his prayers were answered: he was miraculously cured. He became convinced that God was calling him to the ministry of healing and deliverance. Nervous and reluctant at first, he decided he must obey what he believed to be God’s call to him to help others.
Since then numerous people have claimed to have been healed of their sufferings by God acting through John Gillespie. He insists that it is not his power that brings about a cure, but God’s. He also insists that it is of the utmost importance how one prays and the faith of those requesting healing. He believes that one must pray with total trust in God and behave as if a cure has been granted, even before one feels any better in health.
Strong faith
So a lot depends on the supplicant. Healing requires strong faith. John Gillespie says: “It’s like a farmer who plants a field of potato seeds. He’s not out on the field the next morning tearing his hair out because there’s no sign of the potatoes. He’s knows they’re coming… he knows he has to be patient. But he has no doubt that they’ll come. The prayer of faith is something like that… patience is part of the deal… like the farmer waiting for the spuds.”
Another essential condition for healing is forgiveness. We must not harbour resentment or bitterness in our hearts against another.
He also believes that some illnesses can be caused by demonic influence or inherited curses. He says that the only two forces in the universe are God and Satan and the notion of what is termed an impersonal universal force or energy is theologically untenable. A lot of psychosomatic illness can be caused by unforgiveness, according to John. He reminds us of the words of Jesus: “Father, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
I think the part of the story that might raise a few eyebrows or cause some questions is the significance he attaches to demonic influence, and any object in a house that might contribute in a mysterious way to illness or trouble.
John Gillespie attacks anything associated with New Age and its practices. He believes that many people are unaware of the dangers of New Age and its pernicious influence and may even regard it as harmless and fun. He lists some of the things he regards as “dangerous”, from reflexology to (surprisingly) the Enneagram.
Essentially, he says: “The New Age does not believe in a God who transcends His creation… [and] fails to distinguish between God who created the universe and the universe He created.”
This is truly an interesting account of an extraordinary man who has undoubtedly touched the lives of many people for the better. Readers can judge for themselves.