The word deliverance sounds just plain frightening to me.
My mind goes right to exorcism style, horror movie dramatics and a whole bunch of yelling. I have heard people talk about them throughout the year but never questioned it to really find out what it is all about, probably because I was scared of the answers or just plain doubting it was real all together.
Last month in Nepal after a long day of ministry and hiking a couple hours up and then back down the Himalayas, we were all exhausted. It was getting late and we were getting ready for bed when our host came in asking us to pray for someone that was sick. At that moment Kep, Margaret and Christa left the room to go pray. Not long after they left, Kep returned telling us what was really going on. A lady had come to the church with her daughter who wasn’t feeling well. She was a Hindu and had come there from a village faraway to seek out Christians because all other god’s have failed her, she wanted to try Jesus. Danielle had met this lady at church a couple days prior and informed us that she had actually tried witch craft as well to try to heal her daughter’s pain. So in my head im thinking “okay a healing prayer! Great I love to pray for healing.”
But then it got weird. The mother said the witchcraft caused more trouble for her family, she had seen something go inside of her daughter. At this point we’re told that there was a feeling of demonic spirits in the child that were being controlled by the mother. I believe they called it generational spirits. We were told they thought it was best they separated the mother from the daughter to pray for her without distraction. At this point my heart is racing… I’m spooked
-what in the world is going on right now? Is this real life? I feel like I’m in a movie, not sure I believe in all that is going on right now.-
I knew spiritual warfare was a thing, but to this extent?! I was trying to stay present and buy into it all. I had never learned what to do in these instances or how to handle any of it, but I have read about it in the bible. I knew it was possible and I knew Jesus could do it… this is truly living like the apostles, this is living like Jesus. So I bought in. The group of us girls that weren’t in the room with the child were asked to pray for the mother. When she came in we all sat with her and comforted her as she wept. Her eyes were trusting, she yearned for help! We started to pray and all I kept saying was “Jesus, I know you can do this, I read about all the miracles and ability to cast out demons everyday when I open my bible. I believe. I believe. You have the power to rid the pain, break the chains holding this family down and heal what ever is hurting this family whether it is physically, emotionally or spiritually. Father open their hearts to you, to rid the enemy controlling their lives” I repeated this over and over, I re-read scripture in my head and reminded myself of my belief.
When we were done, the pastor came in to tell her the gospel. I was informed that nothing could be accomplished if she didn’t truly believe in Jesus and his ability to heal. Because she had been trying anything and everything to heal her daughter, we wanted to make sure she actually knew about our God, what he is capable of and how he can change their lives. He got down to her level, gently told her about Jesus and all that He has to offer… It wasn’t being translated, but it was so beautiful to watch. During this time all I could think about was this actually working.
As he took the time to tell her stories, provide examples and tell her that her belief can be the cure, you could see the women’s affect change. He told her that she would have to stop worshiping the idols she held being Hindu, and any other gods or religion she has tried. She was told that if she chooses to follow Jesus she is declaring He is the one true God. As he spoke she wept..she tore her bindi off her forehead (the dot on your forehead when you are Hindu) and threw it to the ground.
Our translator told us she agreed with what the pastor was saying and didn’t want anything to do with Hindu any more.. She wanted Jesus.
Moments later she accepted Jesus through a salvation prayer welcoming him into her heart. We were asked to give her encouragement while we waited for her daughter. We spent time reading scripture, finding examples of children being freed of spirits solely through their parents belief and love for Christ.
Kelly and I found the same story, so it was confirmed that that was the story she needed to hear. We read her Mark 9:14-29 where the father asked for healing of his son, Jesus tells him all things are possible for those who believe. The father immediately cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And the child was released of the spirits. She started to tear up once again. She smiled, held our hands and thanked us. Within moments her daughter came running in. They had spent a long time in prayer with her and then the pastor got down on the floor with a picture Christa drew of the simple gospel and told her about Jesus. She came and sat on my lap! I was shocked because I hadn’t even met her yet. Margaret told us her new name was Santi.
Her mom stroked her face, asked her questions and was so happy and surprised by her responses. Our translator informed us that she didn’t even remember coming to our church! The last thing she remembered, she was eating earlier in the day.. she felt like She just woke up. She was all smiles now! As she looked up at me I was astonished that this just happened. Still in disbelief I embraced the girl. So many questions raced through my mind. Which I’m guessing if you haven’t done missions outside of the state’s, your thinking I sound crazy! But this is real life people.
I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes and this child was a new person! She wouldn’t talk to my team, look at them or acknowledge their presence when she first got there. But when the prayers of were done, she was unstoppable!
We all went to bed a little rattled but with a sense of peace. When we woke up we were surprised by a visitor. Santi has come for a visit. She spent the entire day with me. We played games, sang songs, took long naps and ate lots of food! It started to get late and we found out we were having a sleep over!! This little one stuck to my side, she didn’t speak English but would gaze up at me with a sweet smile throughout the day. A smile of thanks, gratitude, love and curiosity. She was quiet but her laugh was beautiful. She would let out a small giggle or a boisterous sound when we were all being goofy!
She felt comfortable enough with us that she was able to sleep sound. She fell asleep at the dinner table around 10pm while we all played a big game of UNO. I picked up the 10 year old, carried her to our room and made her a little bed. I tucked her in, thanked her for helping to open my eyes and kissed her forehead goodnight.
Deliverance.
Doesn’t have to be a scary word. We helped free this girl of pain, break the chains the enemy had her trapped in and introduced her to her Savior. JESUS.
deliverance
d?’l?v(?)r(?)ns/
noun
1.
the action of being rescued or set free.
“prayers for deliverance”
synonyms:liberation, release, freeing, rescue, delivery, discharge, ransom, emancipation; M
Psalm 71:1-5
In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness relive the and rescue me; incline your ear yo me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command yo save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp if the unjust and crime man. For you, O Lord are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
