The Charism of TEACHING

By Andy O'Neill, extraction and commentary by Eoin Ó Riain

"The fifth element which came to light in my study of prayer meetings is called teaching. As the meeting draws to a close, the leader calls on a person to deliver a prepared paper on some aspect of the Christian faith. This teaching is usually a ten minute affair. The most popular teaching themes appear to be based on explanation of some parts of Scripture or some conclusions which can be drawn from Gospel parables or from healings by the Lord during his life on earth. As academically qualified scripture scholers are very thin on the ground in Ireland, authentic deep scripture commentaries are very hard to come by in the Renewal and as a result many prayer groups are unable to provide a scholarly Scripture teaching service."

As Andy says, this element is the one that is most frequently missing at a prayer meeting here in Ireland. This may not be so elsewhere.

At the group which I most frequently attend, AVILA in south Dublin, (Where Andy O'Neill himself, was a member of the core group) sometimes a scholar from outside is invited to deliver a teaching. Sometimes these are very strong indeed and I believe that the Holy Spirit guides these speakers in a powerful way.

Before such a person speaks the whole meeting prays strongly and with purpose to the Holy Spirit to enlighten the speaker, finally singing "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on him/her." When there is a large meeting, as we have, this can be very moving indeed.

Heavenly Father,

Send us more teachers to help us to understand the fulness of your plan for
us and show us the way to fulfil its every nuance.

Help us to remember your covenant "My spirit which rests on you and my
words which I have put into your mouth will never fail you from generation
to generation of your descendents from now on, for evermore." (Is 59;v21).

When we have heard let us with Mary our Mother "treasure up all these
things and ponder over them." (Lk2 v19 and v21)

Praise, honor and Glory be to the Triune God. Amen

Extracted with permission from The Power of Charismatic Healing: A Personal Account by Andy ONeill. Copyright 1985; ISBN 0 85342 749 6; Published by the Mercier Press, 5 French Church Street, Cork, Ireland. Telephone: +353 21 275040; Fax: +353 21 274969;

EMail Address: books@mercier.ie