Earlier this week, Celina asked if four girls would volunteer to visit a couple families with her Thursday morning. Meagan, Anne, Linnea and I jumped at the chance to do women’s ministry. After breakfast, Celina loaded us all into the back of their pickup truck, and we headed out. The first house she staked out was Elizabeth’s, a girl who came to the church eight months before. She had surrendered her life to Christ, but her family hadn’t yet. We parked the truck by the road and walked down a grassy path into their little neighborhood. In their yard we were greeted by the family chicken, dog, and the duck, which looked like he had a bit of turkey mixed in him. Their house was tiny, yet held 3 full sized beds, a stove, kitchen table, refrigerator, and tons of little knick knacks adorning the walls. Elizabeth lived there with her father and mother, two sisters, her brother and sister-in-law and their baby.
Her middle sister used to go to church, but didn’t like it. Her sister-in-law wanted to go to church, but her husband wouldn’t let her. We shared words of encouragement with the family and exchanged our own stories of God’s love. The girls were curious about Linnea’s marriage, so she shared about what it’s like to minister with her husband and have the same God-given vision. We told the sister who didn’t like church that she was OK. She didn’t have to like church. Heck, most the time I don’t and Jesus’ love isn’t contingent upon that. We
did encourage her that church provides fellowship with other believers and teaching to help us grow and learn more about Christ.
We sat around talking for awhile, all of us girls. The chicken in the kitchen kept her eggs warm beneath her blanket of feathers. She clucked every now and again, reminding us that she was there. Time waned, so we thought we should head to the next house. As we got up to leave, Elizabeth’s mother asked if she could come to our Sunday night service to be prayed over. She told us how every time her husband leaves she hears a voice and can’t sleep at night. Meagan asked if we could just pray for her right then. She agreed.
We layed hands on her and began to pray.
Elizabeth came around and placed a small bottle of oil in my hand. I poured a little on my fingers and walked around anointing the doorposts and bed frames in the name of Jesus. Done with that, I made my way over to the mother. When I came close, all the hair on my body stood up. Something in my Spirit readied and a wave of adrenaline rushed through my body. Celina began singing a song of freedom. Just as soon as I understood what was about to happen, this woman started manifesting a demon. And just as quickly as it manifested,
a strong peace and confidence washed over me
. The Lord had prepared us and we knew He stood behind us. The mother shook violently, shouting at us to let go and leave her alone.
Yeah right. We called upon the Lord, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, to come and free her. Celina continued to sing. We commanded the demon to go in the name of Jesus, and walked in the authority He has given us. The violent shuddering subsided when she slumped over in a chair and vomited. Immediately, a feeling of relief filled the room. The heaviness lifted. The demon was gone. Victory. The mother turned to us and said, “Ahora, estoy tranquila.” (Now, I am peaceful)
There is victory in the name of Jesus. He has come to…
“Proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…”
