Displaying items by tag: Praise
Omar found the truth after watching forbidden video
After Omar, from Morocco, risked watching a video entitled 'The Koran is NOT the Word of God', he found himself questioning the authenticity of Islam. After weeks of research, he became convinced the Bible was the true Word of God and embraced Christianity. He shared the videos with his coworker Ali, and both men eventually accepted Jesus into their hearts. Though his newfound faith brought joy, it also led to hardship: his brother-in-law, an extremist, separated him from his wife, Fatima, labelling him an infidel. After a year, Fatima, disobeying her brother, returned to Omar. However, she remained unconvinced about Christianity. When she needed surgery, it was the local church that cared for her, not her friends. Over time, seeing the love of Christ in action led her to accept Jesus. Christianity in Morocco, despite societal pressures, continues to grow as more people seek truth in Christ amidst disillusionment with Islam and its institutions.
Basketball star quits NBA to follow Jesus
After two years in the NBA, former Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin Jr announced his retirement to follow Jesus full-time. Griffin, 21, shared his decision in a heartfelt YouTube video after being released by his current club following the NBA Summer League, where he averaged 11.6 points per game. Griffin expressed excitement for this new season, saying, 'I’m not here to please man but only my Father in Heaven’. Quoting Hebrews 11:6, he hopes his decision inspires others to trust God fully. Griffin’s family, including his father (who also played in the NBA), has supported his faith journey. His walk with Christ deepened after the tragic passing of his two-year-old nephew Jayce a year ago. During a worship service, Griffin prayed with his family as they mourned. Now, feeling called to leave basketball, he looks forward to sharing the Gospel and pursuing God’s plan for his life.
Street preacher shot in the head, not expected to live
Hans Schmidt, a street preacher and military veteran, was shot in the head while sharing the Gospel in Arizona. Unaware of the gunshot, he drove to his church, Victory Chapel, with blood streaming down his face. On the way to the hospital, he suffered a seizure and became unconscious. Doctors gave little hope, telling his wife Zulya that the outcome looked grim. They expected death, and detectives even spoke of an autopsy. However, prayer warriors across the nation began interceding for him. Hans was placed in a medically-induced coma and remained unresponsive for a month. Then, miraculously, he woke up and spoke. His wife was astonished and overjoyed. Against all odds, he fully recovered, returned to his family, and resumed playing the drums at church. He has also forgiven his assailant, who was never found. Now, he continues preaching the message of God’s love, focusing on the importance of forgiveness.
Boy's life support switched off, but now 'thriving'
A four-year-old boy, whose life support was withdrawn after doctors at King’s College Hospital in London declared he was certain to die, has miraculously improved. Despite his Christian parents’ pleas to continue treatment or transfer him to a Vatican-backed hospital in Italy, the High Court ruled in favour of ending life support. However, contrary to medical predictions, the boy has returned home, breathing on his own, no longer reliant on life-sustaining machines. He is 'thriving’, smiling, and enjoying life with his family. The judge who had initially authorised the withdrawal of life support reversed his decision after visiting the boy and reviewing his remarkable recovery. The case has raised complex ethical and legal questions, with doctors and the court acknowledging that medical science does not fully understand every case. The boy, who was born deaf and blind, survived despite two heart attacks caused by a brain infection. His story highlights the unpredictable nature of medicine and the resilience of the human will to live.
USA: victory for pastor arrested for public Bible reading
Pastor Damon Atkins was arrested earlier this year while reading Bible verses aloud on a sidewalk outside a Pride event in Reading, Pennsylvania. A police officer confronted him, accusing him of trying to provoke the crowd. Despite Atkins asserting his First Amendment rights, he was quickly handcuffed and removed from the scene. The charges against him were later dropped, and he received a full acquittal in court along with compensation. His legal defence was taken up by attorneys who argued that his arrest was a clear violation of his constitutional right to free speech and religious expression. 'Police have been put on notice that, if someone is speaking peaceably, you need to acknowledge those rights,' the attorney said. Atkins remains resolute in his mission to share God’s truth, viewing this experience as part of the growing hostility toward biblical values in society. His story has become a rallying point for Christians concerned about freedom of religion and speech in America.
Global Day of Prayer for America - 22 September
The Global Day of Prayer for America is scheduled for 22 September, with the goal of sparking a nationwide revival. Participants are invited to join an online prayer meeting from 7:00 to 10:00 am (EST), featuring leaders from around the globe. This event focuses on uniting believers to seek a Christ-awakening, where the Holy Spirit ignites a passion for Jesus and spiritual transformation sweeps across the country. Dr Jason Hubbard emphasises the urgent need for revival in American churches, communities, and families, highlighting the spiritual stagnation and division currently present. The call is for extraordinary prayer and intercession, recognising that true revival brings societal transformation and comprehensive change. The event underscores that revival is not merely a series of meetings but a deep, God-driven movement marked by humility, repentance, and a hunger for God's presence. It is a call for America to be saturated with the power and glory of God, bringing revival from coast to coast.
Starting small, now global
Born to a Hindu father and Christian mother near Chennai, Mohan committed his life to Christ while in the tenth grade after grappling with spiritual questions about heaven and salvation. Baptised in 1990, he received the gift of speaking in tongues a few months later. He soon felt called to plant churches and began evangelising in a nearby village. Despite having a career as an engineer, Mohan used his earnings to support pastors and plant churches, leading to the establishment of ten churches in India. In 2012, he moved to Connecticut, where he continues to support global church-planting efforts. During the Covid lockdown, Mohan spent time in deep prayer, leading to the creation of Universal Apostolic Ministries, which focuses on planting churches in Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and communist countries. His ministry has expanded from India to include Myanmar, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, Mexico, and beyond.
USA: Russell Brand prays publicly
At an event in Phoenix, US media personality Tucker Carlson talked at length to actor Russell Brand about his recent conversion, then asked him to close the event in prayer. Dropping to his knees, Brand declared: ‘I call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly Saviour. I pray … that the dark and demonic forces which appear to operate in the corporate and global world experience your light, Lord.’ After asking God to guide everyone's words and hearts towards grace and forgiveness, he continued: ‘Thank you, Lord, for the many gifts that you have bestowed upon us. Thank you for the glory of consciousness itself, in which we can experience you and live for you. Thank you for the beauty of nature, in which we see your wisdom and your creativity and your infinite glory. All of us are fallen, but in your holy name we are forgiven by your act of redemption. By your sacrifice in your name, we pray. Amen.’ ‘Amen’, Carson responded, prompting cheers from the audience.
Holy Spirit forced Muslim to the ground after he left church
A powerful testimony shared tells the story of Abdu Murray, who had a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit after visiting a church. Curious about Christianity, he decided to attend a church service with no intention of becoming a believer. As he left the service and began walking home, something extraordinary happened: he was suddenly forced to the ground by an unseen power. He described the experience as overwhelming, realising he was being confronted by the presence of God. In that moment the Holy Spirit spoke to him, revealing the truth of Jesus Christ. Abdu immediately repented, embraced Christianity, and has since become a committed follower of Jesus. His testimony serves as a reminder of God's relentless pursuit of the lost, even in the most unexpected circumstances. This remarkable encounter with the Holy Spirit not only transformed his life but has also inspired others in his community to seek God’s presence.
Man born blind now serving as a pastor
A remarkable story from God Reports shares the miraculous healing of Pastor John, who was born blind and later healed by Jesus. Raised in a devout Christian family, John’s parents never gave up on their prayers for his sight. At the age of eighteen, John experienced a divine encounter during a church service. As he was being prayed for, he suddenly felt warmth in his eyes and gradually began to see for the first time. This miraculous healing not only restored his vision but also strengthened his faith and commitment to Christ. He dedicated his life to serving others and sharing the Gospel. Today, he leads a congregation and uses his testimony to inspire and uplift those facing their own challenges. His journey from darkness to light is a testament to the power of faith and God’s miraculous work in our lives, showing that no situation is too hopeless for God to transform.