Testimonies
2004
December 2004 Update
Orphan Spirit
"When I was 10, my mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I am the only daughter in our family and subconsciously I felt like I had to step up to the plate and take care of my dad and brothers. I felt as if I could no longer be a child but was forced into adulthood. I learned to take on other people's burdens and saw myself as a caregiver. She was also diagnosed in the midst of a great joy...my family was on vacation and we never had money to go on vacations so it was a big treat, we all got a virus and my mom got one too but it triggered the beginning of her MS symptoms. I started over the years to associate good things happening with an automatic bad thing happening, I never realized how many areas of my life were affected by this thinking. I have been prayed with before for obvious things like abandonment, anger, fear but I recently was freed on a level I have never experienced before. We just bought a new house and I had a son 7 weeks ago...very great blessings in my life, but as before, I have been waiting for the bad to happen, expecting it! I went to a friend's house to receive prayer with my new son Samuel. In prayer my friend led me to renounce many things but then she mentioned the orphan spirit...I doubled over in a deep recognition in the pit of my being that this was it, I was finally able to identify the spirit that had bound me and robbed me for so long! I renounced the orphan spirit and had an amazing physical experience...I felt as if I was breathing for the first time, that air was reaching places I had never felt it go before. I just wanted to breathe! I was filled with a deep peace and joy and left my friends house praising God, not really sure of the extent of this deliverance. When I got home, I sat down, took my son out of his car seat and went to hold him, not having a thought that there was anything different... But, I looked in his eyes and it was as if I had never seen him before. It was as if I was seeing my son for the first time! This spirit had been blocking me from truly seeing my son! I had been having difficulty feeling fully connected to him since his birth. I loved him but I had not been able to bond with him like I wanted and after my deliverance the bonding was immediate. My fear of motherhood melted. I never knew that this spirit was robbing me, praise the Lord for giving us the tools to name and fight my enemy!!!"
A Man from PA
"Six months ago you prayed for me. I was delivered of what I believe was the root to many of my problems. I was set free from a spirit of purposelessness. That was combined with healing of my masculine identity and a fear of sexuality. Since that time I have been totally free of a compulsive sin."
Orphan Spirit
"When I was 10, my mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I am the only daughter in our family and subconsciously I felt like I had to step up to the plate and take care of my dad and brothers. I felt as if I could no longer be a child but was forced into adulthood. I learned to take on other people's burdens and saw myself as a caregiver. She was also diagnosed in the midst of a great joy...my family was on vacation and we never had money to go on vacations so it was a big treat, we all got a virus and my mom got one too but it triggered the beginning of her MS symptoms. I started over the years to associate good things happening with an automatic bad thing happening, I never realized how many areas of my life were affected by this thinking. I have been prayed with before for obvious things like abandonment, anger, fear but I recently was freed on a level I have never experienced before. We just bought a new house and I had a son 7 weeks ago...very great blessings in my life, but as before, I have been waiting for the bad to happen, expecting it! I went to a friend's house to receive prayer with my new son Samuel. In prayer my friend led me to renounce many things but then she mentioned the orphan spirit...I doubled over in a deep recognition in the pit of my being that this was it, I was finally able to identify the spirit that had bound me and robbed me for so long! I renounced the orphan spirit and had an amazing physical experience...I felt as if I was breathing for the first time, that air was reaching places I had never felt it go before. I just wanted to breathe! I was filled with a deep peace and joy and left my friends house praising God, not really sure of the extent of this deliverance. When I got home, I sat down, took my son out of his car seat and went to hold him, not having a thought that there was anything different... But, I looked in his eyes and it was as if I had never seen him before. It was as if I was seeing my son for the first time! This spirit had been blocking me from truly seeing my son! I had been having difficulty feeling fully connected to him since his birth. I loved him but I had not been able to bond with him like I wanted and after my deliverance the bonding was immediate. My fear of motherhood melted. I never knew that this spirit was robbing me, praise the Lord for giving us the tools to name and fight my enemy!!!"
A Man from PA
"Six months ago you prayed for me. I was delivered of what I believe was the root to many of my problems. I was set free from a spirit of purposelessness. That was combined with healing of my masculine identity and a fear of sexuality. Since that time I have been totally free of a compulsive sin."
Bottom of Form
September 2004 Update
TESTIMONIES
The testimonies below are well worth taking time to read. One demonstrates how we can be a source of blessing to others if we are prepared. The second one is a wonderful story of transformation. This man had a life changing experience coming forward on a prayer line. Then because of the training his priest had received at the Freedom conference, his liberty did not stop there but went to much deeper levels.
TESTIMONY 1
Knock, Knock, Knock. Marty peeked out of the window to see a young woman who was canvassing for an environmental group. Recognizing the clipboard she fully expected to say her usual polite "no thank you" and go about her day. Marty opened the door and found herself caught in the conversation. Later she would understand: this was a divine appointment.
Marty wrote: It was a very hot day, so I asked Betty (not her real name) if she would like a drink of water. She came into my kitchen and we continued to chat as she drank. She shared that she went to a College that I knew was a Christian school and was earning money for a ministry trip. We were then able to share our common faith in Jesus.
Before she left she used the bathroom. She returned distressed. She was having heart palpitations. I told her to sit down, relax, and have some more water. The distress continued and began to become worse. Silently I began to pray. Betty began to explain her history of panic attacks, and her understanding that they were spiritual and that she had received prayer for them.
We talked about prayer ministry and I explained that my husband and I frequently pray with people and that many experience freedom. I briefly explained the history of the model of deliverance prayer in the book, UNBOUND. I told Betty I had a copy of the book and asked her if she would like to take it with her and read it. (We always have copies in our home.) I gave her our phone number and told her to read at least the first half of the book and to call and make an appointment with us if she would like prayer.
I sent her on her way with a hug and a moment of prayer asking for peace and blessing.
Two weeks later she called and asked for prayer. She read UNBOUND and was ready. She came with her mother, who quietly prayed for her as we led her in ministry. She renounced many things, and forgave many people, the most important one being her father. As we prayed God's blessing over her, she said she felt such freedom and that she had "a tingling sensation over her whole body."
A month later we received a note from Betty who was overseas on a ministry trip. She was doing great. She has not had a panic attack since we prayed. God was showing her more areas where she needs freedom and she is looking forward to our praying with her again when she returns.
I am so grateful that God has equipped us to work with Him as he sets the captives free.
TESTIMONY 2
The following was written to a priest who had attended one of our conferences. It was written as encouragement to others to seek the Lord by receiving prayer.
Perhaps the best way-to-start is to explain my regular way of being, prior to meeting you. I felt just like Howard Hughes' Grey Goose airplane: seemingly fine from the outside, but held down by a great weight. Whenever I tried something new, I was convinced it would fail. Meeting strangers - even though it's required in my work - often brought up old, painful feelings. Somehow, I could never shake the awkwardness of the little eight year-old Eric, who got picked on all the time. When faced with uncertainty, I was prone to despair. During the past few years, which have been brutal on me financially, professionally, and emotionally, I often thought of suicide and was trying to prepare myself for taking that way out.
There were many, many painful events in my life - too numerous to go into here - that led me to feel this way. And, I indulged in these emotions, by often feeling worthless and sorry for myself. I felt deeply flawed and like a fraud, pretending to be a happy, successful person. Until I met you, I thought my life was going to be filled with an ever-increasing amount of paralyzing negativity. Such was my hopeless, fearful path.
Partly because I felt deep down inside that life shouldn't be so terrible, and partly because I just didn't want to feel so coldly alone anymore, I attended my first Healing Mass with an open mind. You told the congregation about other's past experiences of being healed - spiritually, physically, emotionally. A fellow parishioner got up and said a few words about his inoperable brain tumor, now in complete remission.
One by one we all got up into line, just like receiving Communion. When it was my turn, you anointed me with oil and prayed over me. There was a person behind me, ready to catch me, should I faint. Another was praying intently with you, to my right. I waited.
Your prayer got more intense. I saw others fainting - "resting in the spirit". Then you asked me to repeat a few precious words.
Everything changed. A gentle, loving wave quickly washed over me and through me. Yes, I could have remained standing with your hand on my head, but it was better for me to lie down. I wanted to fully experience and be filled with this healing wave. I was trembling like never before, in ways that I couldn't control, necessarily - but I was allowing this all to happen. As I mentioned before, I was completely aware of all that was happening to me. I could have stood up abruptly and walked away if I wanted to.
I sure didn't want to, however. You began praying in tongues as I felt... things.. leaving me. Painful things. Harmful, toxic things. I wish there was a better word than things, but I didn't have one at the time. All I knew as a result of this process was that I was filled with a joyful feeling so great that it made me giggle. When you were done, I lied there basking in a warm glow of loving, connected feelings.
As I walked back to my pew I felt that something deep inside me had profoundly changed for the better. People around me were praying, or gently crying, or just sitting there. The church was alight with prayer and surrender to God.
After a few moments, you and I spoke, and upon hearing of my background, you offered to pray over me. I found myself agreeing to meet with you again, but I was unsure if I actually would go through with it. It would take a night's sleep to decide for sure.
That night, I had to explain to my wife (who's Jewish) what I'd just done, and what might be next. It was tough, not only for our different religious backgrounds, but also because we both can be a bit skeptical of anything with the word "Healing" in it.
I managed to explain that I was pursuing something that just might make me feel better about myself. Also, I told her that I had a hunch that I would be more open to love and therefore be a better husband to her. The next day, I called you to confirm my appointment.
My meeting with you could not have gone better. You asked me some very insightful questions and listened without any-judgment whatsoever as I listed one painful event after another. Each dreadful act, every disrespectful thought, all of my regrettable behavior came tumbling out. Never once did I feel as though you were waiting to pounce on my weaknesses.
Quite the contrary, you were patient, understanding, and filled with total regard for my well being. You listened intently to everything I said, and brilliantly answered all of my questions. With a clear picture of who I was, it was time to pray.
Again you prayed over me, and like before, I felt a deep, cleansing wave rush through me.
After more than 90 minutes of prayer, sometimes with me repeating words you'd chosen, other times it was just you, we were done. I felt like a totally different person.
I was and am still free. Free from being prone to anger and frustration. Free from feeling "haunted" by my past, and by the need to be constantly distracted. Free from the deep well of sadness that found me wherever I went. Free to love like never before - completely and HONESTLY. To make an analogy, I felt as though I was the same computer, but all my bugs and viruses and old, unworkable programs had been permanently deleted.
In place of the negative, is a quiet power unlike anything I've ever felt. I'm not imagining it and that still amazes me. I wake up with it every day. I have options now. I have a Way now. I HAVE PEACE IN MY HEART NOW. This freedom so precious! Seemingly every hour I learn something new. And, slowly but surely I am preparing myself to hear the word of God as He tells me of His plans for-me.
Everything I knew has been turned on its head.
Thank God!
TESTIMONIES
The testimonies below are well worth taking time to read. One demonstrates how we can be a source of blessing to others if we are prepared. The second one is a wonderful story of transformation. This man had a life changing experience coming forward on a prayer line. Then because of the training his priest had received at the Freedom conference, his liberty did not stop there but went to much deeper levels.
TESTIMONY 1
Knock, Knock, Knock. Marty peeked out of the window to see a young woman who was canvassing for an environmental group. Recognizing the clipboard she fully expected to say her usual polite "no thank you" and go about her day. Marty opened the door and found herself caught in the conversation. Later she would understand: this was a divine appointment.
Marty wrote: It was a very hot day, so I asked Betty (not her real name) if she would like a drink of water. She came into my kitchen and we continued to chat as she drank. She shared that she went to a College that I knew was a Christian school and was earning money for a ministry trip. We were then able to share our common faith in Jesus.
Before she left she used the bathroom. She returned distressed. She was having heart palpitations. I told her to sit down, relax, and have some more water. The distress continued and began to become worse. Silently I began to pray. Betty began to explain her history of panic attacks, and her understanding that they were spiritual and that she had received prayer for them.
We talked about prayer ministry and I explained that my husband and I frequently pray with people and that many experience freedom. I briefly explained the history of the model of deliverance prayer in the book, UNBOUND. I told Betty I had a copy of the book and asked her if she would like to take it with her and read it. (We always have copies in our home.) I gave her our phone number and told her to read at least the first half of the book and to call and make an appointment with us if she would like prayer.
I sent her on her way with a hug and a moment of prayer asking for peace and blessing.
Two weeks later she called and asked for prayer. She read UNBOUND and was ready. She came with her mother, who quietly prayed for her as we led her in ministry. She renounced many things, and forgave many people, the most important one being her father. As we prayed God's blessing over her, she said she felt such freedom and that she had "a tingling sensation over her whole body."
A month later we received a note from Betty who was overseas on a ministry trip. She was doing great. She has not had a panic attack since we prayed. God was showing her more areas where she needs freedom and she is looking forward to our praying with her again when she returns.
I am so grateful that God has equipped us to work with Him as he sets the captives free.
TESTIMONY 2
The following was written to a priest who had attended one of our conferences. It was written as encouragement to others to seek the Lord by receiving prayer.
Perhaps the best way-to-start is to explain my regular way of being, prior to meeting you. I felt just like Howard Hughes' Grey Goose airplane: seemingly fine from the outside, but held down by a great weight. Whenever I tried something new, I was convinced it would fail. Meeting strangers - even though it's required in my work - often brought up old, painful feelings. Somehow, I could never shake the awkwardness of the little eight year-old Eric, who got picked on all the time. When faced with uncertainty, I was prone to despair. During the past few years, which have been brutal on me financially, professionally, and emotionally, I often thought of suicide and was trying to prepare myself for taking that way out.
There were many, many painful events in my life - too numerous to go into here - that led me to feel this way. And, I indulged in these emotions, by often feeling worthless and sorry for myself. I felt deeply flawed and like a fraud, pretending to be a happy, successful person. Until I met you, I thought my life was going to be filled with an ever-increasing amount of paralyzing negativity. Such was my hopeless, fearful path.
Partly because I felt deep down inside that life shouldn't be so terrible, and partly because I just didn't want to feel so coldly alone anymore, I attended my first Healing Mass with an open mind. You told the congregation about other's past experiences of being healed - spiritually, physically, emotionally. A fellow parishioner got up and said a few words about his inoperable brain tumor, now in complete remission.
One by one we all got up into line, just like receiving Communion. When it was my turn, you anointed me with oil and prayed over me. There was a person behind me, ready to catch me, should I faint. Another was praying intently with you, to my right. I waited.
Your prayer got more intense. I saw others fainting - "resting in the spirit". Then you asked me to repeat a few precious words.
Everything changed. A gentle, loving wave quickly washed over me and through me. Yes, I could have remained standing with your hand on my head, but it was better for me to lie down. I wanted to fully experience and be filled with this healing wave. I was trembling like never before, in ways that I couldn't control, necessarily - but I was allowing this all to happen. As I mentioned before, I was completely aware of all that was happening to me. I could have stood up abruptly and walked away if I wanted to.
I sure didn't want to, however. You began praying in tongues as I felt... things.. leaving me. Painful things. Harmful, toxic things. I wish there was a better word than things, but I didn't have one at the time. All I knew as a result of this process was that I was filled with a joyful feeling so great that it made me giggle. When you were done, I lied there basking in a warm glow of loving, connected feelings.
As I walked back to my pew I felt that something deep inside me had profoundly changed for the better. People around me were praying, or gently crying, or just sitting there. The church was alight with prayer and surrender to God.
After a few moments, you and I spoke, and upon hearing of my background, you offered to pray over me. I found myself agreeing to meet with you again, but I was unsure if I actually would go through with it. It would take a night's sleep to decide for sure.
That night, I had to explain to my wife (who's Jewish) what I'd just done, and what might be next. It was tough, not only for our different religious backgrounds, but also because we both can be a bit skeptical of anything with the word "Healing" in it.
I managed to explain that I was pursuing something that just might make me feel better about myself. Also, I told her that I had a hunch that I would be more open to love and therefore be a better husband to her. The next day, I called you to confirm my appointment.
My meeting with you could not have gone better. You asked me some very insightful questions and listened without any-judgment whatsoever as I listed one painful event after another. Each dreadful act, every disrespectful thought, all of my regrettable behavior came tumbling out. Never once did I feel as though you were waiting to pounce on my weaknesses.
Quite the contrary, you were patient, understanding, and filled with total regard for my well being. You listened intently to everything I said, and brilliantly answered all of my questions. With a clear picture of who I was, it was time to pray.
Again you prayed over me, and like before, I felt a deep, cleansing wave rush through me.
After more than 90 minutes of prayer, sometimes with me repeating words you'd chosen, other times it was just you, we were done. I felt like a totally different person.
I was and am still free. Free from being prone to anger and frustration. Free from feeling "haunted" by my past, and by the need to be constantly distracted. Free from the deep well of sadness that found me wherever I went. Free to love like never before - completely and HONESTLY. To make an analogy, I felt as though I was the same computer, but all my bugs and viruses and old, unworkable programs had been permanently deleted.
In place of the negative, is a quiet power unlike anything I've ever felt. I'm not imagining it and that still amazes me. I wake up with it every day. I have options now. I have a Way now. I HAVE PEACE IN MY HEART NOW. This freedom so precious! Seemingly every hour I learn something new. And, slowly but surely I am preparing myself to hear the word of God as He tells me of His plans for-me.
Everything I knew has been turned on its head.
Thank God!
JULY 2004 UPDATE
TESTIMONIES
A man in Pennsylvania.
Recently a man we prayed for was dramatically set free after he had fallen back into drug addiction. In his desperation for help he brought into the light childhood abuses that he had been running from all of his life. After he renounced his enemies and forgave he was immediately set free. His first words were, "I feel so clean". He said that when he was delivered a bright light went on in his head and the darkness left. That night when he went to bed he could not sleep. When he closed his eyes it was just too bright to sleep! He has had to learn to sleep without the darkness he had know most of his life.
A man in the Midwest.
Recently I spoke to a hospital Chaplain who attended one of our conferences. He was excited to tell me about some of the opportunities he has had to put into practice what he learned at the freedom conference. One man with cancer was at the end of his rope, overcome with despair. As the Chaplain listened, the man's story poured out … his father would come home and carefully close the windows and blinds before he beat him and his siblings… someone he really cared about killed himself… on and on the story went.
The Chaplain explained the five keys and led him through them one at a time.
The next day he checked on him. "I have been in bondage for 35 years and now I am so happy. God did more in one hour we spent together than in the last 5 years of counseling."
After telling me some other stories, he told me his. Before the conference he read UNBOUND. As he read it he remembered the rejection he felt from his classmates in 2nd grade. He wept for a week as he forgave them. Then at the conference, as I lead the group in renunciation, he took a deeper hold of his freedom.
Following the conference his wife read UNBOUND and they prayed. Both of their lives were changed as she was set free from a fear of abandonment. Looking back, he realized there was always something not right in their marriage. "There was always a barrier between us, but we did not know it, living with it was just normal life for us. Now after 12 years of marriage I know what marriage is supposed to be like." It was after they received this gift that things really began to happen at the hospital.
A woman who came to a workshop at the Conference at Franciscan University wrote:
PRAISED BE JESUS CHRIST NOW AND FOREVER! AMEN! ALLELUIA!
I know that the Lord meant for me to be at this conference seeing as how I was freed from so much.
At the workshop, Neal led everyone in a prayer saying, "I forgive ____ for ____. And in the Name of Jesus I renounce bitterness, hatred, etc." It was at that moment that I forgave a man I never thought I would forgive. As a young teen, our next-door neighbor, a man old enough to be my grandfather, made very inappropriate advances towards me and a few times touched me inappropriately. I did keep going back to him and even did some stupid things that only made it worse. Mostly though, I just wanted his junk food. Though he moved away I did see him years later and he again made advances toward me. Finally, I told him never to call and I would have the law involved if he did. I never heard from him again. But I was still angry with him and I hated him. So that Saturday afternoon in the workshop, I forgave this man. My heart isn't heavy with the anger anymore. At the healing service that evening, a priest said there was someone there who needed to forgive his or her harsh, overbearing father. It was me. So I approached Neal for prayer (I was his last 'customer'). He led me through the same prayer and I forgave my dad for not being the father he should have been, for hurting me, for not loving me. In the Name of Jesus, I renounced the hatred and bitterness, and gave it all to Him. I feel so free now! Forgiveness is a wonderful thing
I want to share this with a dear friend of mine. I hope to one day lead him in this prayer so that he too can be free.
TESTIMONIES
A man in Pennsylvania.
Recently a man we prayed for was dramatically set free after he had fallen back into drug addiction. In his desperation for help he brought into the light childhood abuses that he had been running from all of his life. After he renounced his enemies and forgave he was immediately set free. His first words were, "I feel so clean". He said that when he was delivered a bright light went on in his head and the darkness left. That night when he went to bed he could not sleep. When he closed his eyes it was just too bright to sleep! He has had to learn to sleep without the darkness he had know most of his life.
A man in the Midwest.
Recently I spoke to a hospital Chaplain who attended one of our conferences. He was excited to tell me about some of the opportunities he has had to put into practice what he learned at the freedom conference. One man with cancer was at the end of his rope, overcome with despair. As the Chaplain listened, the man's story poured out … his father would come home and carefully close the windows and blinds before he beat him and his siblings… someone he really cared about killed himself… on and on the story went.
The Chaplain explained the five keys and led him through them one at a time.
The next day he checked on him. "I have been in bondage for 35 years and now I am so happy. God did more in one hour we spent together than in the last 5 years of counseling."
After telling me some other stories, he told me his. Before the conference he read UNBOUND. As he read it he remembered the rejection he felt from his classmates in 2nd grade. He wept for a week as he forgave them. Then at the conference, as I lead the group in renunciation, he took a deeper hold of his freedom.
Following the conference his wife read UNBOUND and they prayed. Both of their lives were changed as she was set free from a fear of abandonment. Looking back, he realized there was always something not right in their marriage. "There was always a barrier between us, but we did not know it, living with it was just normal life for us. Now after 12 years of marriage I know what marriage is supposed to be like." It was after they received this gift that things really began to happen at the hospital.
A woman who came to a workshop at the Conference at Franciscan University wrote:
PRAISED BE JESUS CHRIST NOW AND FOREVER! AMEN! ALLELUIA!
I know that the Lord meant for me to be at this conference seeing as how I was freed from so much.
At the workshop, Neal led everyone in a prayer saying, "I forgive ____ for ____. And in the Name of Jesus I renounce bitterness, hatred, etc." It was at that moment that I forgave a man I never thought I would forgive. As a young teen, our next-door neighbor, a man old enough to be my grandfather, made very inappropriate advances towards me and a few times touched me inappropriately. I did keep going back to him and even did some stupid things that only made it worse. Mostly though, I just wanted his junk food. Though he moved away I did see him years later and he again made advances toward me. Finally, I told him never to call and I would have the law involved if he did. I never heard from him again. But I was still angry with him and I hated him. So that Saturday afternoon in the workshop, I forgave this man. My heart isn't heavy with the anger anymore. At the healing service that evening, a priest said there was someone there who needed to forgive his or her harsh, overbearing father. It was me. So I approached Neal for prayer (I was his last 'customer'). He led me through the same prayer and I forgave my dad for not being the father he should have been, for hurting me, for not loving me. In the Name of Jesus, I renounced the hatred and bitterness, and gave it all to Him. I feel so free now! Forgiveness is a wonderful thing
I want to share this with a dear friend of mine. I hope to one day lead him in this prayer so that he too can be free.
June Update 2004
TESTIMONIES
1. Several weeks ago a woman called me, because she was having extreme nightmares. The more she prayed the worse they got. I arranged to have friends pray with her. She said that she did not feel any different right away but two nights later she woke up at 12 midnight and realized something was different. She got out of bed and turned off the light. That was the first night of her life that she spent without the light on. She lay in bed weeping with joy and praising God till 6am.
When our friends prayed with her she renounced numerous fears that had a grip on her life. Having lived with them so long she had adjusted her life to their presence and was unaware of their influence on her, except her fear of the dark.
After prayer she was amazed to discover that the boil she had for 14 years disappeared. She had gone to many doctors, finally ending up with a specialist who told her it was something she would probably just have to live with.
2. A Pastor reports:
I have been visiting a woman who was admitted to hospice care. Today I brought her communion. The minute I came through the door she brought up her ex husband and all the bitterness and resentment she had and the hard time she had letting go of it. She said that the divorce happened 14 years ago but it felt as if it was still fresh. She readily admitted that she had to forgive and she knew that the lack of forgiveness can often cause sickness in people. She half laughed and said maybe that's what happened to her.
I shared with her what we learned in the conference about being set free in Christ. We went through the process you taught us and then I prayed the prayer of command. This is what she said: "that's so weird, normally when you pray over me I feel something enter me. Just then I felt something go out of me. It felt like it left me from my stomach (she pointed near where her cancer started, in the colon) she smiled and said she never felt so free and such joy in her heart. Let freedom in Christ reign. Amen
3. John had been suffering from depression for 25 years. He was committed to a psychiatric ward multiple times, eight times by a federal court judge. People were afraid of him. He thought he was Christ. Someone gave him a copy of UNBOUND and when he read the chapter on forgiveness the light went on. Realizing how deep the bitterness was in his family he began to forgive and change. This is the first report I got from his wife: "This is the first happy Christmas we have had in 15 years- John is so different." Next report: One day John was working in the yard and he asked his wife to come out and talk to him while he worked. She said no she was busy & then it hit her: my husband wants to talk to me. Her next thought was "who is this man I am living with?" Later the kids said the same thing "Who is this guy". He now he puts into practice the five keys every day.
His Psychiatrist believes he is healed. He bought a copy of UNBOUND and started weaning him off medication. Everyone who knows him is amazed. He is continuing to receive prayer from the group we trained in Minnesota.
4. We have asked many of you at our conferences to pray for James, a young man in Australia who was in a coma and for his friend Rachel who has been standing by him. Good news; He is out of the coma. He has a long rehab period ahead.
Recently, a friend of ours named Fred had an accident and is now in a coma. Through the miracle of email and the UNBOUND grapevine, many of you have been praying for James and Rachel. Now their church in Australia has been praying for Fred. Please continue to pray for them both.
Recently Rachel wrote:
"It's hard to explain but I'm not worrying anymore because God is looking after him more than any doctor could…I have been praying with my friends using the principles of UNBOUND- they have really been helped."
TESTIMONIES
1. Several weeks ago a woman called me, because she was having extreme nightmares. The more she prayed the worse they got. I arranged to have friends pray with her. She said that she did not feel any different right away but two nights later she woke up at 12 midnight and realized something was different. She got out of bed and turned off the light. That was the first night of her life that she spent without the light on. She lay in bed weeping with joy and praising God till 6am.
When our friends prayed with her she renounced numerous fears that had a grip on her life. Having lived with them so long she had adjusted her life to their presence and was unaware of their influence on her, except her fear of the dark.
After prayer she was amazed to discover that the boil she had for 14 years disappeared. She had gone to many doctors, finally ending up with a specialist who told her it was something she would probably just have to live with.
2. A Pastor reports:
I have been visiting a woman who was admitted to hospice care. Today I brought her communion. The minute I came through the door she brought up her ex husband and all the bitterness and resentment she had and the hard time she had letting go of it. She said that the divorce happened 14 years ago but it felt as if it was still fresh. She readily admitted that she had to forgive and she knew that the lack of forgiveness can often cause sickness in people. She half laughed and said maybe that's what happened to her.
I shared with her what we learned in the conference about being set free in Christ. We went through the process you taught us and then I prayed the prayer of command. This is what she said: "that's so weird, normally when you pray over me I feel something enter me. Just then I felt something go out of me. It felt like it left me from my stomach (she pointed near where her cancer started, in the colon) she smiled and said she never felt so free and such joy in her heart. Let freedom in Christ reign. Amen
3. John had been suffering from depression for 25 years. He was committed to a psychiatric ward multiple times, eight times by a federal court judge. People were afraid of him. He thought he was Christ. Someone gave him a copy of UNBOUND and when he read the chapter on forgiveness the light went on. Realizing how deep the bitterness was in his family he began to forgive and change. This is the first report I got from his wife: "This is the first happy Christmas we have had in 15 years- John is so different." Next report: One day John was working in the yard and he asked his wife to come out and talk to him while he worked. She said no she was busy & then it hit her: my husband wants to talk to me. Her next thought was "who is this man I am living with?" Later the kids said the same thing "Who is this guy". He now he puts into practice the five keys every day.
His Psychiatrist believes he is healed. He bought a copy of UNBOUND and started weaning him off medication. Everyone who knows him is amazed. He is continuing to receive prayer from the group we trained in Minnesota.
4. We have asked many of you at our conferences to pray for James, a young man in Australia who was in a coma and for his friend Rachel who has been standing by him. Good news; He is out of the coma. He has a long rehab period ahead.
Recently, a friend of ours named Fred had an accident and is now in a coma. Through the miracle of email and the UNBOUND grapevine, many of you have been praying for James and Rachel. Now their church in Australia has been praying for Fred. Please continue to pray for them both.
Recently Rachel wrote:
"It's hard to explain but I'm not worrying anymore because God is looking after him more than any doctor could…I have been praying with my friends using the principles of UNBOUND- they have really been helped."
May 2004 Update
TESTIMONIES:
TESTIMONIES:
Our purpose in sharing these testimonies is to give glory to God, to impart hope and to share the insights that are found in personal stories and reflections. Joyce sent us this report about what happened while we were praying for the father's blessings: Neal began to pray about how happy God was at my birth and about his beloved child being named Joyce and he mentioned my name over and over. I knew this was God speaking through Neal because he had no way of knowing the issue I had with my name. Just that week my counselor gave me my name from a book of names with a prayer attached to it to hang on the wall by my phone at work because I have had such difficulty with saying it or being recognized by it. All week long I had been trying to relate to Joyce – Joy, Joyous, God's gracious gift being me. I knew this was God's way of telling me this was real and I was free, finally free and how much he loved me. There was no way other than the Holy Spirit having put those words on Neal's lips that he could have prayed what he prayed. Pastors of a Vineyard Church in Green Bay wrote: Neal, we also just want to say thank you for writing this book and gently reminding the church that we are supposed to be about deliverance ministry. We've shied away from praying for deliverance for a while for a variety of reasons, but you've really helped de-mystify the experience and clear the fear and confusion that surrounded it. Again, thank you for your obedience.
From Oklahoma:
I have experienced spirit-filled Christian counseling, Theophostics counseling, Purity with Purpose, and Breakthrough/Momentus. However, the principles in Unbound brought a level of deliverance much deeper and more thorough and quicker than I have ever known. Thanks for the freedom to become who I was originally intended to become.
From Baltimore:
I definitely feel different. I used to think I could not give up the thoughts I had because they gave me comfort, but now I do not feel tempted to think them. My comfort is in the praise of my God.
A note from Minnesota:
I take refuge and comfort in this newly discovered revelation of the Father's love. I have been forever changed and for the first time, I'm able to embrace and believe God really loves me.
The following email is very helpful to understand that we are in a process of taking back our lives from the lies of the enemy: I just want to thank you. I know in my gut that something happened to me. I went for prayer on the last day of the conference. The group I had was very loving and gentle. I didn't feel anything --so to speak-- during prayer but I decided to believe by faith that something happened--of course we both know that this knowing comes from God. The group leader spoke about a vision she was seeing of the giant in Gulliver's travels when the little people tied him down with strings but one day the giant "woke up" and said what is this and threw the strings off. Well the next day it was like that was happening--
God has been opening my eyes. He has made me realize that I had allowed how people treated me to dictate my worth as a person--I renounced that lie and took back the authority I had given them.
I also noticed other things. For example the other day I dropped a bunch of papers on the ground outside. I started to get impatient and condemn myself but the Holy Spirit reminded me I was free from that so I said out loud "nope--I am free from self-condemnation and impatience and I choose to walk in that freedom" and it was over.
On Sunday night after the last session I was in bed and this feeling of guilt for no reason came over me and I said "I am free from guilt and condemnation-there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and whom the son sets free is free indeed" and the feeling was completely gone. This is so liberating--before it was like I had no power or no choice--I was in bondage to my feelings and behavior. My feelings dictated truth from me and I couldn't break free from this but now I know things have changed.
I wrote down all I was freed from and all the lies I have believed and I ask the holy spirit every morning to remind me I am free when situations arise and to remind me of lies when they resurface and to help me walk in that freedom. The Lord had been revealing more things I have to renounce and more lies I have believed. He is so merciful. I know that he will be going deeper as time goes on. But like others have said--I have hope now.
Bottom of Form
March 2004 Update
TESTIMONIES
A woman from Philadelphia:
I recently read your book Unbound. I was tremendously blessed by it… I feel there is such a need for this ministry in our churches and in my own life.
A woman from Tennessee wrote:
Thank you for UNBOUND. That book really allowed my faith to grow stronger. Even though it was very hard I forgave the man that killed my ex-husband and best friend…
A woman in Pennsylvania wrote after prayer: What a great night's sleep! The chain-smoking stopped immediately. I am SO much better. For the first time, I don't feel weighed down at all!
A man who attended a training seminar wrote: As an encouragement, I learned from seeing you engage w/ others using your model in an effective manner. The book is great but like a good CD, nothing beats seeing a live performance in person… On a more personal note I really do believe something in my spirit broke an un-Godly hold on me as a result of our abbreviated prayer time together. I feel a liberty and internal peace I've not know for years and I know it's God and not a glass of red wine and a good night's rest.
A young woman in college wrote: Through a set of odd circumstance I came across your book UNBOUND. I have struggled my whole life and I just thought that I had a problem. When I picked up your book I began to learn things I never knew before. I was raised a Christian in a conservative protestant home. I did not know about spiritual bondage. I am 21 and attend a Christian college. The last few years I have started to have a deeply personal relationship with the Lord and He has started to heal me. I have only told one other person what I told you, and I am so thankful that I did. I am free. I am now aware that I am in a spiritual battle, but now I have the weapons to fight my enemies. Once you broke the power of all the spirits I renounced and then I renounced doubt and unbelief and told them to go I felt such release. I remember repeating "release" over and over as I attempted to describe to you what had happened.
A woman in Pennsylvania wrote:
Thank you, thank you, and thank you for giving to the Lord...I am a life that was changed!!!! Your book and meeting with you for prayer have been such a blessing to me. I talked to my friend this morning and she could tell what a difference my time with you made and she is very excited for me. My husband actually cried when I told him that for the first time ever in our marriage he would be alone with just me in the bedroom last eve. Being set free from my own pain is just now allowing me to see all the pain I have inflicted on others in my messed up confused state, but the lines of communication and healing are there in place of the walls and barriers. To GOD be the glory for ever and ever...Amen
A woman in Massachusetts wrote: I have been in therapy off and on most of my adult life trying to find peace and contentment but never quite getting there. I tried every church imaginable afterward and dabbled in the occult and new age religions in my search for myself. I have been told since I can remember that I wasn't wanted and I lived in a home that was devoid of and emotional feelings except my mothers control and my father's absence. Most of my childhood is wiped out from my memory except for a few horrors – like at five trying to drown myself in the bathroom sink. I continued the cycle of wanting to die (and how to do it) most of my life. I was unloved, unwanted and untouched except for the many incidents, which no little girl should have to endure. I was never believed or protected from sexual predators that came in and out of my life and in some way I think I came to accept that. I truly believed that I was so evil I could even tempt the men of God. I could go on and on about abuses that happened to me and sins committed by me in my search for love. I always knew Jesus was my Lord and savior but I still could never believe that he could LOVE ME and many times I turned my back on him. A few years ago though I opened my heart and soul and let him sneak in, but I still never found that true feeling of love and forgiveness because I was so focused on my sin. After reading "Unbound" I felt that so much in the book touched my heart and soul and signed up to be part of the upcoming conference at our church. I was asked if I wanted prayer. Next thing I knew my life came pouring out as I told my story. Without going into detail of the things I renounced one by one freely and without reservation, I felt a freedom come over me that I cannot begin to explain. One of the things I have always been able to do is numb my body whenever I can't deal with something that is happening. All of a sudden I felt this strange feeling of blood flowing in my legs with a feeling of electricity, not pins and needles, something I don't think I ever experienced before, it rose up throughout my entire body. I felt as if my body was coming alive for the first time in a very long time God was showing me I was free, FINALLY FREE and how much HE LOVED ME. I walked out of the church that day with the feeling of wings and I actually held my arms up in the air as if I could fly. I knew that my life was changed and that I am a beloved child of God.
A man in Massachusetts wrote:
I can testify that I am a new man since Saturday! Since I have returned to work on Monday I have been able to just do my work without feeling this terrible sense that I am doing the wrong thing or spending too much time or obsessing about getting my quota of billable hours in the day. Oddly, I have had moments when I have had a twinge of a familiar old feeling of being on the wrong track, and then it "disappears." I don't really have to do or say anything to make it go away.
I thought of another example of the self-justification spirit I have lived with at times in the past. When I started my current job, 10 years ago, I had a very clear plan that no one would ever be able to say I hadn't tried hard enough. I would fill Monday through Saturday working so I wouldn't feel any guilt that I wasn't doing enough. Of course I was exhausted and filled with bitterness and I had a big chip on my shoulder. I stopped doing that about 5 years ago after my first taste of healing. But, as you saw on Saturday, there was a lot left.
TESTIMONIES
A woman from Philadelphia:
I recently read your book Unbound. I was tremendously blessed by it… I feel there is such a need for this ministry in our churches and in my own life.
A woman from Tennessee wrote:
Thank you for UNBOUND. That book really allowed my faith to grow stronger. Even though it was very hard I forgave the man that killed my ex-husband and best friend…
A woman in Pennsylvania wrote after prayer: What a great night's sleep! The chain-smoking stopped immediately. I am SO much better. For the first time, I don't feel weighed down at all!
A man who attended a training seminar wrote: As an encouragement, I learned from seeing you engage w/ others using your model in an effective manner. The book is great but like a good CD, nothing beats seeing a live performance in person… On a more personal note I really do believe something in my spirit broke an un-Godly hold on me as a result of our abbreviated prayer time together. I feel a liberty and internal peace I've not know for years and I know it's God and not a glass of red wine and a good night's rest.
A young woman in college wrote: Through a set of odd circumstance I came across your book UNBOUND. I have struggled my whole life and I just thought that I had a problem. When I picked up your book I began to learn things I never knew before. I was raised a Christian in a conservative protestant home. I did not know about spiritual bondage. I am 21 and attend a Christian college. The last few years I have started to have a deeply personal relationship with the Lord and He has started to heal me. I have only told one other person what I told you, and I am so thankful that I did. I am free. I am now aware that I am in a spiritual battle, but now I have the weapons to fight my enemies. Once you broke the power of all the spirits I renounced and then I renounced doubt and unbelief and told them to go I felt such release. I remember repeating "release" over and over as I attempted to describe to you what had happened.
A woman in Pennsylvania wrote:
Thank you, thank you, and thank you for giving to the Lord...I am a life that was changed!!!! Your book and meeting with you for prayer have been such a blessing to me. I talked to my friend this morning and she could tell what a difference my time with you made and she is very excited for me. My husband actually cried when I told him that for the first time ever in our marriage he would be alone with just me in the bedroom last eve. Being set free from my own pain is just now allowing me to see all the pain I have inflicted on others in my messed up confused state, but the lines of communication and healing are there in place of the walls and barriers. To GOD be the glory for ever and ever...Amen
A woman in Massachusetts wrote: I have been in therapy off and on most of my adult life trying to find peace and contentment but never quite getting there. I tried every church imaginable afterward and dabbled in the occult and new age religions in my search for myself. I have been told since I can remember that I wasn't wanted and I lived in a home that was devoid of and emotional feelings except my mothers control and my father's absence. Most of my childhood is wiped out from my memory except for a few horrors – like at five trying to drown myself in the bathroom sink. I continued the cycle of wanting to die (and how to do it) most of my life. I was unloved, unwanted and untouched except for the many incidents, which no little girl should have to endure. I was never believed or protected from sexual predators that came in and out of my life and in some way I think I came to accept that. I truly believed that I was so evil I could even tempt the men of God. I could go on and on about abuses that happened to me and sins committed by me in my search for love. I always knew Jesus was my Lord and savior but I still could never believe that he could LOVE ME and many times I turned my back on him. A few years ago though I opened my heart and soul and let him sneak in, but I still never found that true feeling of love and forgiveness because I was so focused on my sin. After reading "Unbound" I felt that so much in the book touched my heart and soul and signed up to be part of the upcoming conference at our church. I was asked if I wanted prayer. Next thing I knew my life came pouring out as I told my story. Without going into detail of the things I renounced one by one freely and without reservation, I felt a freedom come over me that I cannot begin to explain. One of the things I have always been able to do is numb my body whenever I can't deal with something that is happening. All of a sudden I felt this strange feeling of blood flowing in my legs with a feeling of electricity, not pins and needles, something I don't think I ever experienced before, it rose up throughout my entire body. I felt as if my body was coming alive for the first time in a very long time God was showing me I was free, FINALLY FREE and how much HE LOVED ME. I walked out of the church that day with the feeling of wings and I actually held my arms up in the air as if I could fly. I knew that my life was changed and that I am a beloved child of God.
A man in Massachusetts wrote:
I can testify that I am a new man since Saturday! Since I have returned to work on Monday I have been able to just do my work without feeling this terrible sense that I am doing the wrong thing or spending too much time or obsessing about getting my quota of billable hours in the day. Oddly, I have had moments when I have had a twinge of a familiar old feeling of being on the wrong track, and then it "disappears." I don't really have to do or say anything to make it go away.
I thought of another example of the self-justification spirit I have lived with at times in the past. When I started my current job, 10 years ago, I had a very clear plan that no one would ever be able to say I hadn't tried hard enough. I would fill Monday through Saturday working so I wouldn't feel any guilt that I wasn't doing enough. Of course I was exhausted and filled with bitterness and I had a big chip on my shoulder. I stopped doing that about 5 years ago after my first taste of healing. But, as you saw on Saturday, there was a lot left.
UPDATE JANUARY 2004
SOME EMAILS FOLLOWING THE MINNESTOA CONFRENCE:
Thank you so much for the time you spent with us at Coming King. For someone who truly hadn't spent much time considering deliverance from spirits/strongholds--it was a profound and even overwhelming experience. I am especially grateful that in both your talks and in your book you gently remind us that this is usually a process and not necessarily a "one time" event; and, that we can learn and practice the skills necessary for our own deliverance.
The whole weekend was above and beyond all I could have asked or hoped for. We were all touched and changed in many ways by the Lord through His people. So thanks bunches and bunches!
A 72-YEAR-OLD WOMAN SHARED HER STORY:
When I was a little girl I got separated from my mom and dad in the crowd at the state fair. I searched for them in a panic and was almost hit by a train. I was scared to death! That is when a fear entered me, a fear of "getting lost", "left behind", or "being alone in a strange place, a new place, or a big place." This panic would returned to me when I was at the mall or similar place. Now I feel more calm and peaceful and understand how this fear ties into things that have happened to me through my life.
Janet asked me about my childhood. I didn't have any brothers and all of us girls helped my dad with the farming. My dad always had to have things done just a certain way. When I was plowing one time I found myself out of the furrow and started to panic since I didn't "do it just right". I felt like I had to do everything "just right", which eventually made me become a perfectionist.
My dad was a very loving father, but strict. He and my mom were very proud of their girls, so I felt like I could never disappoint them. Through prayer I learned that it was just too much for a child to live up to. I believed the lie, "I can't do anything wrong." "I can't make a mistake." I know now that I don't have to be perfect!
Through the healing presence of the Holy Spirit I came to believe it was these memories from long ago that kept me bound to fear and worry. The hurt was deeper than I realized.
I want to thank Neal and Janet for the opportunity to be prayed for, and helped through their ministry. Janet was so loving and kind and I felt so much at ease. I have been reading the book and it makes so much more sense now, than before the conference. The weekend was just perfect, and that is from a healed perfectionist!
SOME EMAILS FOLLOWING THE MINNESTOA CONFRENCE:
Thank you so much for the time you spent with us at Coming King. For someone who truly hadn't spent much time considering deliverance from spirits/strongholds--it was a profound and even overwhelming experience. I am especially grateful that in both your talks and in your book you gently remind us that this is usually a process and not necessarily a "one time" event; and, that we can learn and practice the skills necessary for our own deliverance.
The whole weekend was above and beyond all I could have asked or hoped for. We were all touched and changed in many ways by the Lord through His people. So thanks bunches and bunches!
A 72-YEAR-OLD WOMAN SHARED HER STORY:
When I was a little girl I got separated from my mom and dad in the crowd at the state fair. I searched for them in a panic and was almost hit by a train. I was scared to death! That is when a fear entered me, a fear of "getting lost", "left behind", or "being alone in a strange place, a new place, or a big place." This panic would returned to me when I was at the mall or similar place. Now I feel more calm and peaceful and understand how this fear ties into things that have happened to me through my life.
Janet asked me about my childhood. I didn't have any brothers and all of us girls helped my dad with the farming. My dad always had to have things done just a certain way. When I was plowing one time I found myself out of the furrow and started to panic since I didn't "do it just right". I felt like I had to do everything "just right", which eventually made me become a perfectionist.
My dad was a very loving father, but strict. He and my mom were very proud of their girls, so I felt like I could never disappoint them. Through prayer I learned that it was just too much for a child to live up to. I believed the lie, "I can't do anything wrong." "I can't make a mistake." I know now that I don't have to be perfect!
Through the healing presence of the Holy Spirit I came to believe it was these memories from long ago that kept me bound to fear and worry. The hurt was deeper than I realized.
I want to thank Neal and Janet for the opportunity to be prayed for, and helped through their ministry. Janet was so loving and kind and I felt so much at ease. I have been reading the book and it makes so much more sense now, than before the conference. The weekend was just perfect, and that is from a healed perfectionist!
