I was doing well in dealing with anxiety recently.
I went to therapy, did breathing exercises, and worked out.
Then I had a fall out last week.
My deadline was due at work, and I panicked. Since I freaked out, I didn’t exercise and was stress eating. I was full-on anxious when the weekend came.
I spent Saturday eating chocolates and binge-watching TV. Sunday was pretty much the same.
While I was preparing for the Sunday night worship service, I begged God to kill my flesh. I asked God for a miracle and prayed for a sign.
Fast forward in church, I felt that the message that evening was tailored for me. It’s always like that in church.
JD of Hillsong United preached about awakening.
What I got from JD’s message was I must open my eyes and see that God has already equipped me to face all adversity.
Then Peter Toggs went up the pulpit. My key takeaway from Peter’s message was that even though I took my eyes from God, God never took His eyes off me.
I highly respect these men because of the global impact of their ministry. I believe that God used them to give me hope.
After the message, Brian Houston, founder and global pastor of Hillsong went up the stage. As if he was reading my mind, he asked everyone who was believing God for a miracle to come forward.
I went in front of the stage without thinking twice. I raised my hands. My tears were falling uncontrollably.
A lot of people went to the front. Jad Gillies of Hillsong United was leading worship as the people gathered.
Then Brian Houston said that the Hillsong Pastors should come over and lay hands on us.
I’ll be honest. There were a few seconds of disappointment. I thought Brian Houston was going to lay hands on us, but I guess because of the number of people who turned up he realised he can’t do it.
I wanted Brian Houston to lay his hands on me because just like Elisha, I want a double portion of Brian Houston’s anointing.
A Hillsong Pastor came behind me and put his hand on my shoulder and started praying over me. He started praying generic prayers, and then he started saying words that were specific to my struggles.
I said to myself, “wow. Holy Spirit. Thank You. You really know my suffering.”
Then I felt Brian Houston’s hand on my head. And he spoke miracles in my life.
I said, “thank you, Holy Spirit. You knew it meant a lot to me that Brian Houston lay his hands on me.”
Then, JD came to me and said, “I want to pray for you, what’s your name?”
I said, “Otto.”
JD started praying for me.
The sensation that I was feeling intensified. It’s almost as if my head was about to explode.
After JD prayed for me, I heard someone who spoke in tongues lay his hand on my head. I spoke in tongues along with him, and he started prophesying miracles in my life. After the prayer, I looked in the corner of my eye to see who prayed for me, it was Peter Toggs.
With my head still bowed and arms raised, I heard Brian Houston declare miraculous healing for anyone who was suffering physically.
I said to myself I will receive this phenomenal healing not just physically, but also emotionally and mentally.
I felt Brian Houston ‘s hands on my head again. He prayed for miraculous healing in my life. I believed. I received the promises by faith.
I was starstruck after that service. Men whom I revere laid their hands on me and declared miracles in my life. I felt peace and comfort, for sure. I appreciated how God moved through these people.
This seems like a pretty regular event. However, I choose to believe that this was a fantastic night when the Holy Spirit used these men to let me hear His promises audibly. God made it known to me that He listened to my cry and assured me that He has my back. I just need to believe and have faith.
Psalm 66:17-20
New International Version (NIV)
17
I cried out to him with my mouth;
His praise was on my tongue.
18
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19
but God has surely listened
And has heard my prayer.
20
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
1 John 5:14-15
New International Version (NIV)
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Thank you for reading this devotional story, and I pray that it encouraged and empowered you in your walk with Christ. Please read other devotional stories on the website. You might find Beautiful Places, Beautiful God, Beyond Fathom and Get Ready appealing.
If you're interested in supporting this ministry of sharing the Gospel online, please subscribe, like and share this devotional story so we can spread God's goodness, empowerment and love. Check out Merch by High3r.com on the website as well. God bless you!