The following testimonies are by real people at Grace Fellowship who have been dramatically impacted by the incredible love and transforming power of Jesus. They have been posted anonymously to respect their privacy. If you are a member of Grace and have a testimony you’d like to share, please contact us or e-mail it to us. And if you are struggling with deep-seated issues in your life and need to find rest and divine restoration, our prayer ministry would love to help you in your healing process.
 

Posted on July 2, 2009:

The day before yesterday (Tuesday, June 30th) I was having pain in my left knee all day. I thought perhaps it was God telling me to pray for someone in our congregation that had knee problems, which I did. The pain did not go away, in fact it intensified. I couldn’t walk well and it hurt to touch it. (Note: On our camping trip last week, we did a lot of hiking, which tends to put strain on my knees.)

I had promised to take my son to B & R Icecream Tuesday night. My knee was hurting so much, I was afraid we wouldn’t be able enjoy our time together! As I was driving, I asked him to pray for my knee and immediately the pain went down 50%. I asked him to pray again and the pain left completely! I pressed on the spot that was hurting and it didn’t hurt. I’ve been pain free for two days! Thank you, Jesus! And for the record, he did not use a lot of fancy words, he just said that God can do it because He’s a good God and that He’s so big, He can do anything! That’s it.

Yea, God! Thanks for releasing the healing flow of Jesus!

Posted on June 13, 2009:

When my husband & I bought our home a year ago one thing that seemed like an extra bonus was the strawberry patch. It was big, and soon I was collecting a gallon of berries every day. I gave several plants away at the end of the season, but as strawberries do, the remaining plants put out runners and had “babies” which are now giving me berries. Some are funny shaped now, but they are good! One problem I have with my strawberry patch is that there are small slugs that like my berries. Recently there were so many slug holes in the berries that I felt like it was a race to see who would get to the strawberries first; me, or the slugs. Last week I wondered about putting down snail bait, but the patch is very large now, and in more than one location. I felt led to pray, so I asked the Lord to bless my strawberries. I had a thought afterwards that said “I will bless your strawberries, and they will not have slugs.” “Is that you, Lord?” I wondered. I knew time would tell. Today I had a very busy day, helping my husband and my son paint the house. We were done early and I went into my backyard. Seeing many red strawberries, I began picking them. Almost none of them had bite marks in them! And, they were shaped normally too! Could it be . . . ? Yes, God cares about our harvest, and looks over such small things as strawberry patches. We should never hesitate to take things to God in prayer, for He cares for us. Amen.

Posted on June 3, 2009:

A few Sundays ago, a brother in our church did the offering teaching and prayed for jobs and finances. One of the young men in our church has been looking for a job (he’s a great golfer looking to become professional). That same afternoon the young man got a call from the golf course where he had applied. The owner said, ” I heard you are looking for a job. We don’t have a position but will make one for you.” He is working at two golf courses, owned by the same people. Working there will allow him to go to the next level in his golfing career.

Another brother in our church got a $ .50 an hour raise!

And the church youth had the garage sale and made $243.00. Very good considering we didn’t have much stuff.

Posted on May 30, 2009:

I have begun working at a new temp job as a busser. So my first two days on the job went really well, and I arrived there early both days so I could have plenty of time to get inside and clock in without being out of breath.

I also have to work this Saturday morning. Last night I set my alarm clock for 6:00 in the morning. During the night I had a dream that I was an hour late and panicking to distraction. I woke up soon afterward and thought “Oh good, it was only a dream!!”. I went back to sleep and had the SAME DREAM AGAIN — I was an hour late!!! I was trying to dial my supervisor and tell her I was late, but the phone wasn’t working, and I couldn’t read the number off my address book (you know how dreams are).

When I was about to give up all hope, I woke up for the second time. It was about 5:30. I immediately thought it was best to reset my alarm for fifteen minutes earlier “just in case.” Then, as a reflex motion, I checked the switch to make sure the alarm was ON. It was NOT!! It had been off the whole time. So guess what? If I hadn’t had those dreams — not one, but two — I would not have checked my alarm, it would not have gone off, and I probably would have been an HOUR LATE.

God is so gracious to have sent me those dreams with a word of warning. Thank you Lord for protecting me today! Now I can get to work on time!! Praise Him!!

Posted on May 26, 2009:

In looking through the many paintings that we have painted over the last year, I came across a painting of a fetus being held by God. The name of the painting was “Destiny.” I immediately got the sense that we needed to gift this painting to the Pregnancy Counseling Center. I emailed the artist to ask her to pray about doing that…..this is her response:

I want to thank you for asking me to pray about giving the painting called “Destiny” to the Pregnancy Center”. I took it over last week and met Deb Hook, who was very happy to get the painting. It shows a fetus in the womb, and God’s hand holding it. She will put it in a room where mothers who have decided to keep their pregnancies can see it. Thank you again for following the leading on this.

Posted on May 6, 2009:

Firday morning the Lord gave me a picture of a bicycle. I was standing next to it - just looking at it. He spoke to my heart, “You do not learn to ride the bicycle by standing next to it, by looking at it, or even talking about it. You weren’t made to just longingly watch others ride. You were made to get on the bike and ride.” I was thinking, “But what if I’m scared? What if I fall? What if I can’t learn to ride?”

I remembered how my dad - probably similar to everyone else’s dad - how he held on to the bike and ran alongside of me until I took off. Then I got what the Lord was saying.. Am I content to stand by and watch everyone else ride their bikes, or am I willing to risk falling so I can ride? WILL I TRUST THE LORD TO RUN ALONGSIDE OF ME?

I really felt the Lord’s piercing question, “What are you willing to do for revival? What are you willing to do to live a revivalist lifestyle?” I don’t want to just talk about it. I want to live it. I’m willing to risk falling - perhaps a lot. But I want to be a revivalist - bicycle rider.

I’m also wondering what process other believers have gone through to experience the Lord’s outpouring in their cities. I’ve heard of young adults whose job is to pray 24-7 for revival - perhaps not seeing it - yet. I’m willing to contend and press in for more. I’m also honored to be on the journey with such amazing co-contenders as YOU.

Jesus, take us deeper in our relationship with You. We just want more of You in our lives, in our families, at work, at church, in our neighborhoods, and in our city. Forgive our unbelief. We believe that You are able to do exceedingly above what we could ever ask or think. We also believe that You want to partner with us - run alongside of us!!! Jesus, we get on our bikes today to go on an adventure with You. Would you increase our hunger to pursue revival in Sonoma County. Holy Spirit, bring people in our lives today that need You. We want to release the love of the Father and the healing flow of Jesus, and the substance of heaven into their lives! Amen.

Posted on May 6, 2009:

I attended the Open Heavens conference with no expectation. We had been out of town the week before for spring break, so attending was last minute. But God had plans for me there that I never could have thought possible.

I knew I was in trouble on Friday night when Dan began talking about changing the atmosphere we live in. Not just experiencing the atmosphere of God on Sunday, but talking it with you wherever you go. For some reason that seemed to be a new concept for me that night, even though, Ken has been talking about for some time now. Funny how the Holy Spirit works. So Sat. sessions were awesome and I knew that I wanted to touch God in a new way. I wanted what Dan was talking about, but thought for sure I wasn’t worthy of what he was offering. God has been trying to get me out of this thought process for a while now and on Sat. He ripped me from the mud I was stuck in. Like many others, I stood up for word of knowledge, because I thought, surely, that one is the most impressive. Being able to tell something to someone that only they would know. As I looked around the room, almost everyone else was also standing. So my thoughts went to a bad place. “See who you are standing with, you don’t measure up”. So I sat down with no expectation of receiving anything from the Lord. Dan proceeds down the list of spiritual gifts and gets to the gift of healing and tingly body parts. As he is praying my pinky fingers on both hands begin to tingle and my hands are getting warm. Trying to not think about, Dan asked if anyone was having that feeling? Right at that moment, I knew the Lord was talking to me. Not sure what to do with it, I just sat there! Then Dan asked me to get out of my seat to go and heal. First of all, I never asked for that gift and know you want me to use it? What if it is just a flook? But I checked my spirit and left my seat. I thought, you will never succeed in Christ if you don’t try. So I got up and walked over to a guy and the minute I touched him, a serge of electricity go through me. WHOA!!! Never felt that before. I have seen others jerk around in the spirit, but thought it was manufactured. I stand corrected!!!!!!!!!! Because from that moment on I was wrecked for Jesus!!! Everyone I touched “shocked” me!!!! Not only were my hands on fire but my heart was too!!! I experienced Joy like never before!!! I LAUGHED!!! And Jesus has kept me “LAUGHING” in Him all week!!! I touched several people that night and most experienced some sort of healing or joy that night. YOU GO GOD!!!!

Ok, then I get to church on this past Sunday (May 3rd) and the anointing was so heavy, that worship was off the chain and I couldn’t stop moving my body. I have never “shimmied” for the Lord before, but I was on Sunday. The Holy Spirit fell on me like never before. I WANT MORE!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve tasted, and hunger for more! I want our church to be a JOYFUL, “SHIMMYING”, church. One that touches the Lord on Sunday and carries Him with throughout the week and taps in for more the next Sunday!!! I want the atmosphere of the Lord in my home so that anyone who enters, saved or pre-saved, is touched by His love and joy; then wonders what is sticking to them after they have left. I am ready for a new level of worship too!!! Ready to find my own song from my heart!!! I am ready to express myself in new ways to the Lord!! BRING IT ON!!!!!

I hope I have adequately expressed myself. How do you really write down the things of the Holy Spirit?! My prayer is that someone will read this and be touched or blessed or both!

Posted on May 6, 2009:

At our Open Heavens conference in April, one of the exercises our speaker Dan McCollum had us do was invite the Holy Spirit to advance our giftings into new areas. One woman reported that her hands were tingling and hot - a new feeling for her. Dan immediately asked people in the room who were experiencing pain in their hands to connect with her. I didn’t initially go because I didn’t feel the description of the pain he was calling out matched mine - but then he pointed to the specific area on his hand where I had pain - and he said something about being related to carpal tunnel. I was out of my chair before I knew it! After Melissa held my hands I found the pain was gone - just gone!

Posted on May 6, 2009:

The conference really jump-started me. I was in a low spot with my faith and didn’t really realize it. I saw God in a fresh way and a very relieving way. I had been really down on myself for a long time. That feeling is gone and I am able to see through it now. My hands also got healed!!! I have had so much flexibility and no swelling in my fingers or joints. I have no abnormal pain and I am still amazed every day that I can open my hands fully without it hurting at all. That is really amazing!!! I needed this refreshing time with God and my church family. It was the best three days I have had in a long time.

Posted on May 6, 2009:

When I requested the gift of healing during the Open Heavens Conference, the intense pain I’ve had in my body for months dropped off my body as though it were a garment and fell on thee floor around my feet. It keeps trying to come back… but I am wearing my armor.

I also have a restoration of the gift of prophesy, and word of knowledge. I’m excited! Jesus is Lord!

Posted on May 6, 2009:

Although we knew a while back that Cindy’s brother was going to get married again, it was not until a week prior to the wedding that we received the actual invitation with another card enclosed asking people to give words of wisdom, encouragements, funny stories, poems etc, etc.

The thought flashed through my mind that I didn’t know him that well, and that I would not know anything to say about him. And I made up my mind that I would not give a speech.

On Saturday morning, as I was getting ready to go to the wedding, I was thinking about Cindy’s brother, and suddenly the word “pearl” came into my mind. A couple of weeks ago I had read an article about pearls. A pearl starts to grow inside the shell of an oyster or mussel when a foreign object enters or is placed inside that shell. That foreign object causes irritation, pain and suffering for the creature, and in order to protect itself against this pain that little animal starts to produce a fluid that will cover that foreign object. That fluid will harden and form a minuscule layer around that foreign object. So over a period of time multiple layers of this hardened fluid are covering that pain causing object, and the final product of that is what we call the pearl. When the pearl is being harvested the little oyster or mussel dies.

Cindy’s brother and the woman he just married had gone through a lot sorrow, pain and suffering in their lives. Both of them had gone through a divorce, and in my brother-in-law’s case he lost his oldest son to cancer when the boy was 19 years of age. And all of that around the same time. So a double whammy for him. But I have seen my brother-in law hang in there with the Lord in all those years.

What I felt the Lords was saying through this was that both of them were that pearl that had grown inside of that shell. The pain and suffering they had gone through in their lives was not necessarily God’s will, but He allowed it to happen. And because the both of them were hanging in there with God all that time, He allowed these pearls to grow, unbeknown to them, in this dark and cold “shell”.

I felt that the Lord was saying that on that day (Saturday, the wedding day) it was time for those pearls to be harvested, and that they no longer would have to dwell in that place of pain and suffering. That part died and was thrown away, as God removed the pearls to place them side by side on this ring of gold. God is that ring, there is no beginning or end found on a ring, and He placed those two pearls on that ring, just as a jeweler would do to fashion a beautiful piece of jewelery.

Posted on May 6, 2009:

About 1 1/2 years ago the roofing industry collapsed and I cried out to God what I should do. Should I hang it up or hang in there? A few days later the Lord gave me a dream that there would be more than enough work at a future time. I won’t get into the dream. But after a year and half nothing had changed. Our company had not even had a call for a reroof in 6 months. So approximately 3 weeks ago I made the decision to quit roofing and I was going to take the ladder out of my truck.

As I’m going outside to do just that, I get a phone call from someone wanting a roof estimate! I mean, what are the chances of that! Doe’s anybody think that was a ‘coincidence?’ I knew that this was a test. And I new it was for a higher calling in faith and prayer. I remembered all the sermons from Ken Smith regarding declarations.

Two days later, I go to the customers home and give them an estimate. But before I left, I sat in my truck and decided to proclaim that I was going to get the job. That God is good all the time. That He is for me and not against me. That He loves to bless His children. That He is a giver of good things. I stirred my spirit up so much that I had to roar in the truck! Fear and ‘reality’ tried to creep in, but I recognized it and stopped it. I was tired of living in fear. Yes, circumstances said that there are other roofers out there that because of the economy are putting on roofs for a lot less than I do. Guys that probably don’t have insurance. But I took all these circumstances and put them aside, to claim victory.

Miraculously, a few days later I got the job, even though the homeowners had gotten other estimates. That was favor. Update: “Learning to Deal with Resistance”

Once I got the contract to do the job, unusual interruptions starting to happen in the roofing process. I won’t get into that. But it seemed all too familiar. This had happened to the last few roofing projects I’ve had. When this happens, it puts a strain between the homeowner and contractor and often it holds up payment for a completed job. I expected to receive grief from the homeowner about the interruptions, etc. Revelation came to me as I drove to the owners home that I got this job by faith, but now it was time to contend for payment. Remember, the enemy comes to steal and destroy what God wants to provide. I then added to my proclaiming Gods goodness, spiritual warfare as well. I bound any hindering spirits and asked for an atmosphere of grace and favor.

When I got to the house, the homeowner just smiled and wrote out the check without asking any questions or any grief. God was teaching me a lesson. He’s teaching US a lesson. This was the full armor of God. First Thanks, then proclaiming Gods nature and goodness then finally spiritual warfare. Then BREAKTHROUGH! Now of course, we have to be careful not to define God as a formula. He is not a formula, but a relationship. This formual might not work next time. Breakthrough will come however, by hearing God’s new revelation in that specific matter and acting on it.

May all your thoughts be prosperous!

Posted on April 19, 2009:

I was missing some jewelry and had been looking for it for some months. Not actively, but just when I had a moment. The value of the jewelry is significant. About three weeks ago I searched my bedroom. (Keep in mind that I live in a very small house.)

I took all the drawers out of my dresser and searched them, I took everything out of my sewing chest, sifted it and replaced it, I removed and replaced books from my bookshelf, I emptied my closet and put it back together. Nothing in the room was untouched. I was off work last week, so I did the same in my kitchen, my living room, and my extra bedroom. Everything had been sifted through except one closet. I had looked in that closet and knew there was nowhere in there for the jewelry to be, but I determined to search anyway because there wasn’t anywhere else to look.

Thursday night in home group, Dianne told her story about losing her drivers license and having it reappear in a very unusual way. She also told us another story of a loss and recovery that happened in Colorado. Listening to her talk I reflected on my position, but thought to myself-this situation is different, what I have lost are “extra” things, not necessary things, so I didn’t say anything.

Saturday morning I was thinking about Dianne’s story and I thought, I really need to pray and just ask for them back (which I did do). As I was reflecting on Dianne’s story I was walking into the extra bedroom to get my checkbook. I thought to myself – “Things like that don’t happen to me.” Immediately I rebuked that thought and said aloud, “I need healing for that!” I pulled open the drawer where I keep my checkbook and there on top of a little basket was my jewelry. As I looked I started laughing because of my last thought! God really does have a sense of humor. He very clearly said to me, “Things like that really do happen to you.”

The drawer where I found the jewelry is one I am constantly in and out of. It is small and was one of the first places I looked when I began my search. I had searched it several times.

Yesterday I was reading a devotional and it highlighted the three parables about loss; the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. I saw in my actions, just the smallest picture of what God does with us. He never lets up in His pursuit of us. He is diligent, and He goes everywhere and uses every situation to win us to Him. (Even though I wasn’t going to find my coins in the kitchen I was determined to pursue every avenue.) God values us so much that He wastes nothing and pursues everything in winning us to Himself.

It brought me great joy to find the things I had lost, but much more so to know that this is one more way He is showing me that I am of value to Him.

Things like that do happen to me. Things that are important to me are important to Him.

Posted on June 12, 2007:

One of the gifts the Lord has given me is a love and compassion for people and the desire to help them. That is why I joined the prayer ministry team some time ago.

However, I soon realized that some serious “buttons” were being pushed, and I finally went from being a prayer minister to a prayed-for person.

I grew up in a family and church atmosphere which were based on “performance orientation” — meaning, if you did what you were supposed to do, you were good, acceptable, and loved. My personal interpretation was “the ONLY way to receive love, be noticed, and have a positive relationship was to DO what was expected of me.”

Also, my father ALWAYS said “no” to anything my sister and I asked; so my mother told us to come to her first and she would work on Dad for us.

Translated into my personal life and the prayer ministry, that meant that to receive God’s blessing, I had to be a Minister, and I better do it RIGHT all the time or I wasn’t going to have God’s blessing. But, at the same time, I didn’t REALLY expect God to speak to me, to give me guidance (which I needed to “do it right”), or to say anything but NO to me! So I withdrew from the ministry team and humbled myself to ask for prayer for ME!

The ministry team was patient, showed me kindness, and expressed love; they listed without judgment or criticism. They helped me to see the performance-orientated lifestyle I was living; to recognize the lies I was believing about myself and my God; and guided me through the healing process…of forgiving my family and the church, and recognizing the TRUTH about my wonderful Lord…that He has always loved me just as I am, that He does speak to me, and that I don’t have to “do” anything to deserve that love…just to receive it!

I recognize how my past influences me today, and that getting my injured parts healed has affected how I relate to my present family, my church, my ministry, and my Lord. I am very thankful to God for His love, and for giving us at Grace Fellowship this prayer ministry and such wonderful, loving, and dedicated ministry members.
 

Posted on June 4, 2007:

I’ve been a Christian for 22 years, but I always felt like I was walking around with a bag of rocks on my back. I struggled with fear, anxiety, anger, and control issues. As a Christian, I knew this wasn’t what God intended for me, but I didn’t know how to get rid of the “rocks”. Finally, I went and got prayer through the healing ministry at Grace Fellowship. They helped me to hear The Holy Spirit and to understand the truth. I went back for prayer several times until I felt those “rocks” were removed. I can now feel the JOY of the Lord! I finally feel the FREEDOM to be who God created me to be! I don’t live under the mantle of anxiety anymore. I don’t have to control everything and everyone around me. I just have to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey Him. I am truly living the “abundant live” in the Spirit. And you can, too!

—A Joyful Mother & Wife
 

Posted on June 4, 2007:

When I was 2 years old, my mother and father divorced and I did not see my father again until I was 16. When I was 5 my mother married another man who was very hard and punishing to me. I did not feel loved or accepted and always felt my father abandoned me.

I came to the prayer ministry with an aching heart and a feeling of deep sorrow. I have had very difficult relationships with men all of my life — not being able to accept the love they have for me and always expecting something bad is about to happen.

In prayer ministry, I was able to allow my mind to remember emotions that I felt as a small child. In those memories I could feel the hurt and loneliness which was surprising as I have become very good in hiding from those feelings. In the midst of the pain of the memory, I asked Jesus to come into the memory, as as I did, I could feel His calming love wash over me bringing peace and reassuring me of His love for me. I thought that was a good start to my healing, but there was more healing to come.

The next Sunday morning in church, we had just spent time in worship, and I was quite calm and not feeling any sorrow, when our pastor said that he felt many people were feeling disappointed and that we should stop and pray for any who needed prayer.

As I sat there considering whether I was disappointed or not, someone from our prayer team came over to me and said “Lord, remove all the pain from her, just let it come out.” At that moment, I felt a huge lump in the pit of my stomach begin to rise up and into my chest. I began to weep with a depth I had only felt when I was told my sister had died. At that point a woman from our congregation came over and held me in her arms like a child. She said everything would be OK, and I could let my pain go. The depth of my pain and sorrow surprised me as I realized that I had been holding on to so much pain. I was also filled with gratitude to my Father God who does not miss any detail. He knew I needed the touch of a loving person to hold me through that moment, and He sent someone to be His arms of love!

That was a release and washing that was so needed in my life. I have not been the same since that day! I have experienced the reality of God’s love!
 

Posted on June 4, 2007:

I have received prayer therapy for a few months now to let God shine His light into some very deep and dark places of my soul. I have experienced God’s power to expose lies that have been operating in my life for years. Lies that were causing me deep anguish and anxiety of spirit have been uncovered. My life has been bound up in life-long fear that has been driven by my belief system. Fear that has caused me to believe I was still a victim of childhood abuse. With each session of prayer, God has taken me back to a time in my life when I first believed the lie. He has shown me the truth in each situation as the memory of my abusive past has been exposed. With God’s tender loving care, He is replacing the lies with truth and the fear with peace. He is taking my pain and replacing it with joy. My heart is feeling a sense of freedom that I have never felt before!