“I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:9-10

A couple of weeks ago, my pastor asked me to give a testimony in both the traditional and contemporary services in our church. Gulp! 

Years ago, I was set free from a lifetime of fear (you can read about that here), and I told the Lord then that I would give a testimony anytime the opportunity presented itself. After all, doesn’t scripture say in 1 Peter, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”?

To say that speaking in front of both congregations was taking me outside of my comfort zone is an understatement. I prefer writing my testimonies on a keyboard than voicing them, but how could I not share what He had done for me? This is the testimony I gave, though I am providing more details than I shared in church because of the allotted time I had.

“I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.” Psalm 22:22

Our family, like many others, experienced Covid first-hand during the recent holidays. The symptoms were relatively minor, but it left a few of us with lingering issues. Two of my adult children sometimes had difficulty breathing, getting winded easily with the slightest physical exertion. For me, it was daily headaches, ranging from mild to migraine, and nothing relieved the pain.

A couple of weeks ago, the prayer team assembled at the front of the church after the service as usual, but I did not go forward. The thought just didn’t cross my mind. 

Parishioners began leaving, and it surprised me when one of the prayer team members approached me and said the Lord had nudged him to ask me how he could pray for me. The Lord had nudged him? For me? I contemplated his words, and then asked for prayer for my two children with Covid issues, not thinking about my headaches. As this servant of God began praying, the Lord prompted me to mention my headaches. When I did, he called another prayer team member over and they placed their hands on me and prayed for my family and me. I thanked them and left.

The following day, for the first time in over a month, I awoke without a headache, and I have had no headaches since that time. Praise God! 

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.” James 5:14-15

God is so good, isn’t He? Pray. Pray often. Pray for your family, your friends, your community… but don’t forget to pray for yourself!

“And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4