This week my team has gone through a difficult but valuable learning experience regarding spiritual warfare. On Monday evening, two of my squad members learned of a girl named Mayra who was under spiritual oppression and demon possession. She was basically in a comatose state with hands and jaw firmly clenched. Once a day, she would awaken to eat and would then become very violent both verbally and physically before once again returning to a comatose state. A group of us decided to set out to the house where the girl was staying and pray for her. To make a long story short, we prayed for a solid two hours without seeing any change in Mayra’s condition. It was very difficult, frustrating, and confusing. However, we were determined not to give in easily. A group of five girls, myself included agreed to come back the next evening and pray for Mayra again.
The next day came around, throughout which I was constantly asking God for spiritual discernment and wisdom. I knew that God could set Mayra free, and I truly believed that this was His will. After fasting supper, we five returned to the house and began praying again. This night was completely different than the previous one. We were left alone with Mayra, and there was a strong sense of God’s presence and peace in the room. We started speaking words of truth and hope over Mayra and proclaiming Christ’s victory over the powers of darkness. The only catch was that Mayra still appeared unresponsive. Her eyes remained shut, her mouth firmly closed, and her hands clenched in fists. After leaving my teammate Tara alone to pray with Mayra, we left again without seeing any signs of Mayra being set free.
But, again, something was different than the first night.
This time there was hope.
Before we left the house, I felt God telling me, “Wait. Be still and know that I am God.” I am firmly convinced that God is going to heal Mayra in His own perfect timing. Although I don’t understand why it seemed that the demons had not left, I do know that the name of Jesus Christ is fully sufficient to drive them out. After all, God does not need us to be present when He sets Mayra free. He will do so at a time that will bring Him the most glory. At the end of the day, God is still God. There is no other name under Heaven by which we can be saved. Please pray for God’s continued healing of Mayra, that His truth would pierce the darkness that surrounds her and her family.
This experience has taught me many things. First, I see now how critical it is to seek God’s will in all things and listen for His direction. It is not about how loud we pray or what words we say. I cannot manipulate God by my prayers, even if it seems that those prayers are for something good like casting out a demon from a seventeen-year-old girl. God works in His own time. What He wants from me in a situation such as this are my undivided attention to His voice and my complete trust in Him. It is His power that saves, not mine. It is His name that is to be glorified, not mine. Next time this happens, I know exactly what I must do first – seek God’s direction and will.
