Prayer Counseling Testimonies-Jesus knows you better than you know yourself

Easter 2025 series...

​Knowing Jesus… 2 different outcomes:
 
Recently, I got some follow-up feedback from a woman that I prayed with in a prayer session that lasted 1 hour.  I'm sharing healing that happened during and then after her appointment.

I’ve been praying with a decent number of women lately in this way.  In this blog, I'm sharing a powerful testimony in comparison to one with very limited response from the LORD.  (Note- Why would there be a limited response?  He does withhold at times.  He withholds when after giving them time to open up, the person receiving prayer is not honest in self-reflection.) 
 
First the encouraging testimony... The first woman who experienced significant healing has suffered over 30 years with debilitating fear.  She had memories from 5 years old and up.  Also, she was suffering from feelings of abandonment and betrayal.  It has gotten so bad recently, it manifested into scary physical symptoms that took her to the ED and follow up tests.  She’s also been spiraling into depression, and not caring for her little children the way she wanted to.  It was greatly affecting their home and family.  She has had years of counseling, but with no relief.  So, her next step was medication.  But, I convinced her to meet with me and pray.  In the session, the LORD deeply touched her.  I led her to invite Jesus into 2 traumatic memories in the prayer appointment.  
 
What happened?  He showed up!  And, in ways that will never be able to be understood!  It was all supernatural!  
 
As we focused on each memory, I asked her to invite the LORD into the moment.  In one memory, He showed up following her through a scary search at 5 years old for one of her parents.  She had escaped from her sister...  She was naked and crying as she screamed for her mom while running through multi-level floor apartment complex.  When inviting Jesus to come, she suddenly saw Jesus behind her and following her.  
 
“What is He doing?”
 
“He’s following me and making sure I’m protected.”  
 
I asked her if she had any fear now that Jesus was there.  She said, “No!  It’s gone!” 
 
From one minute of uncontrollable sobbing, to the next minute of peace and joy! He took her fear and anxiety, and healed her suddenly!  
 
He also showed up in the next memory at 12 years old in an amazing way to comfort and console and take her fear!  After the session, she was light and relieved and at peace!
 
Since then, she gave me an update.  She shared that she took courage and opened up to one of her parents, sharing her feelings and memories on feeling abandoned during childhood.  In that conversation, her parent was shocked about her feelings.  But realized they were valid, so shared some intimate detail from her childhood that helped her understand what was being hidden from her and why.  She also shared where she was going so often while leaving her alone with her sister.  A big family secret was shared, and her parent profusely apologized to her and bonds were reformed!  All of her physical and mental symptoms have since resolved, and she will not be going on medication! Jesus healed her emotions and body!
 
She wanted to say this also, “After the experience, I strongly feel God is leading my life very clearly.  He gives me direct messages through sermons and worship songs, through small groups and so on.  Currently I tell my family and friends (and also my doctor) that I’m so peaceful and happy now.  And I’m confident even though I will have new crises or hurts, now I’m confident and believe I have the power to overcome it with my God.  This is a big change!”
 
Hallelujah!  

What do you notice about what she says?  
1). She goes to church & bible study.  (A lot of Christians want what she experiences, but do not want to go to church.)
2). She is hearing Him when she worships.  (Are you pressing in to worship?)
3). After, she is giving praise to God to family, friend, and her doctor. (Do you talk about Jesus to others?)
4). She knows more difficult things will come, but she trusts in the power of God! (Do you experience His power in suffering so you deepen in trust?)
 
It is also important to note that she came open and receptive to the prayer process.  She is a woman (around 40) who loves the LORD, and has been pressing in to know Him better even in the suffering.  I saw this in her, and that is one of the reasons I suggested she have a session with me.  She shared that in her Christian experience, she has never experienced any form of prophetic prayer or intercessory prayer for healing.  She was very curious on what would happen, but didn’t resist, and was very honest about good and bad feelings and actions in the session.  God honored that, and blessed her greatly, as He promises in Matthew 6:6.  

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.- Matt 6:6
 
The LORD blesses and works with open hearts and faith of little children, no matter their age!
 
Now for a different example, a prayer appointment that felt uncomfortable and spiritually blocked.  The time did not end with great testimony or obvious transformation.  

I’ve been working and praying with a variety of women who are facing many obstacles due to bad choices.  One woman had recently suffered a setback.  But she excused it, and she boldly declared that Jesus understood, and that she was very close to Him.  She said several times how close she is to Jesus.  But when we began to pray, I didn’t really sense anything other than Jesus saying, “Distant.”  Unfortunately, she didn’t open up to confess anything, but did sob through the whole session.  The LORD was very gentle and kind, but quiet.  This is not normal, as in sessions, the LORD engages and prompts for more deliverance and healing. 

But she wouldn't open up.  She wouldn't be self-reflective or honest.  So I knew to shift and just spend my time interceding for her healing and repentance. 
 
Pride and self-deception block God’s power.  
 
“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” – Psalms 66:18
 
“If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.” – Proverbs 28:9
 
Only the LORD knows a person’s heart, and He can break through the strongholds. 

The sad thing is that many Christians won't open up to the LORD for the deeper healing they need.  

Jesus asked the invalid if he wanted to get well.  

Read the passage.  Did the invalid give him a direct answer? 

John 5:  1Some time later there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool with five covered colonnades, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda. 3On these walkways lay a great number of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed.  5One man there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there and realized that he had spent a long time in this condition, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am on my way, someone else goes in before me.” 8Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” 9Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk.

While the invalid gave an indirect reply to Jesus, Jesus was very direct with him.  Jesus ignored the invalid's story of helplessness, and gave him simple directions.  

"GET UP, PICK UP YOUR MAT, AND WALK."

The invalid had to have courage, and attempt to get up!  An impossible task without the help of the LORD!  But he took courage in the presence of God, and got up!  The miracle came!

He is still the same!  Jesus still gives simple instructions, He meets us where we are.  His power comes!

ARE YOU IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD?  WHERE ARE YOU POSITIONING WITH JESUS? 

The first woman above was open to experiencing Jesus in a new way.  She pressed in for healing through saying "yes" to a new prayer experience.  While, the second woman insisted she was in a good place, when really she's in a pit of oppression and self-deception.  

Here are a few direct instructions from the LORD...
"You will not live without words that come from my mouth..."- Matthew 4:4
"Come to me..." - Matthew 11:28
"Follow me..."-  John 1:43
"Partner with me and learn from Me..."- Matthew 11:29
"Get alone and pray to the Father..."  Matthew 6:6
"Don't worry about your life, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness...- Matthew 6:33

If you are stuck, you need to assess what simple instructions of Jesus that you need to start responding to.  Do not expect dramatic deliverance and help without responding and seeking Him.  

He knows your frame and He will withhold, if you are withholding from following His simple instructions.

Psalm 119:1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
    who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
    and seek him with all their heart--
3 they do no wrong
    but follow his ways.

​Follow His ways!!!!  And be blessed!!!!!!!!!!!

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