Bastazo

I found my study notes from a neighborhood Women’s Bible Study course I took several years ago on prayer using Dutch Sheets’ book, Intercessory Prayer. I especially liked reviewing the page of notes about carrying one another’s burdens since many families, including my own, are presently facing troubled times.

Bastazo is the Greek word meaning “to bear, lift, carry”. Combine that understanding with Galatians 6:2: Help carry each other's burdens. In this way you will follow Christ's teachings.
I was taught that the meaning of Bastazo, or bearing another’s burdens, is a concept of being staked to that individual and representing Christ, the Balm of Gilead, and applying His healing salve as I pray for that person.

One afternoon, our teacher, Patricia, toted several flats of Pansies to our study time. She passed out Pansies to each of us along with 2 long Popsicle sticks. Patricia challenged our faith and knowledge by putting this concept of prayer into practice. We had all been praying for Barb, a woman in our neighborhood who had been sick for some time. She was unable to hold a job. One doctor thought it was Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but most doctors could not diagnose Barb’s pain and tiredness. So there on my window sill in my kitchen just above my sink stood a pansy with two stakes in it. One stake had Barb’s name written on it and the other stake had my name on it. I staked myself to Barb believing in prayer that the healing Balm of Gilead was healing Barb.

I am pleased to tell you that God healed Barb. One year after that Bible Study, I attended a women’s luncheon and ended up seated next to Barb for the event. I relished her tears as she asked me, one more time, to tell her the story of the pansies, the stakes and the Healing Balm of Gilead.

I love to tell this story and glorify our Great Physician!