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Possession and Deliverance

July 21st, 2009 No comments

Mark 5:8-14

Her possession probably resulted from attendance at seances, drug usage and an insatiable interest in rock music. She carved tattoos into her flesh with a knife. She drew pictures depicting suicide, death and horror. Her favorite topics of conversation were those dealing with the macabre. At times she was charming, docile and sweet. At other times her possession was evident to all who knew her well. Counseling sessions and the prayers of many friends seemed ineffective. Her parents were at the point of despair.

For quite some time a small group had been praying and fasting for her. They read much about possession and exorcism. Finally, they decided it was time to do spiritual battle. They gathered at her home to pray. Her closest friend persuaded her to come out of her room. Those on their knees pled the blood for their own protection. They commanded the demons in Jesus name to state their identity. One by one the demons gave their names. As long as each demon was present and resisting, the girl could not bear to have the Bible touch her. Each time a demon departed she was temporarily at peace and the Bible rested on her with no resistance.

This warfare continued throughout the night until finally no more demons declared their presence. There was now no more resistance to the touch of the Bible. Immediately the prayer group led the girl to pray for her salvation. It was important that she be forgiven of her sinfulness.

Only through the power of God can people be delivered from sin. Whether it be the smallest sin or the greatest possession, deliverance only comes through Jesus.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Categories: News

Praying Your Prodigal Home by Richard A Burr

July 21st, 2009 No comments

A Book Review

By Dr. Gayle Woods

Those who have prodigal sons or daughters understand the feeling I had when I was given “Praying Your Prodigal Home” as a Christmas gift. Hope surged. Maybe there was some secret hidden in the book that I had missed. Maybe my prayers for my own son would be more effective after I read the book.

I also opened the book with some sense of skepticism. What did this person know about my heartache? Was the author really involved? You have to face this situation from a stance of experience. Mere research is not enough.

As I began to read my heart soon melded with the Richard Burr. He and his wife had suffered my heartache. They sat where I sat. Their son Jeff, showed great promise as a teen. He appeared to live for God. He was involved in Church work. Attending Baylor University, however, Jeff was assigned a homosexual roommate. Later his parents were to learn that Jeff’s pastor in Waco, Texas was also a homosexual. The parents were devastated in 1984 when Jeff flaunted his own homosexuality and told them he never wanted to see them again. He was so adamant in rejecting his Christian past that he changed his surname.

For 15 years they prayed. During this time they learned valuable lessons about praying for a prodigal. They discovered that this is not something that is to be hidden. You must share your burden with other concerned Christians. You also must not chase after your prodigal. You have to learn to let go. The prodigal’s father, in Luke 15, only went to the edge of his property and longed for his son. He did not follow him to the place of sin in order to stage a rescue. The prodigal must be released to God.

Richard Burr emphasizes the importance of praying the Word of God. He states, “The underlying combination of God’s Word with the ministry of prayer releases the divine power of God to produce unfathomable results.” (p. 33) Throughout the book he gives examples of how he and his wife prayed the Word of God as they interceded for their son. As he says, “. . . prayer without the Word leads to mysticism and false religion, and the Word without prayer leads to legalism and dead orthodoxy.” (p. 36) In urging the parent to intercede for their children, Burr underscores the point that prayer must go beyond a supplemental activity and become a foundational, fundamental ministry. (p. 48)

The author deals with the work of the Holy Spirit in His convicting and drawing power. He also points to the absolute necessity of true repentance and active faith.
I can confidently encourage parents of prodigals to digest this book. It will it be a source of encouragement in seeing how Jeff, dying with AIDS reconciles both with his parents and with God. A spark of hope will be ignited for your own personal situation. In addition, you will receive elementary instruction in the work of praying your prodigal home. It is my prayer that we will see a large crowd of prodigals rushing home as a result of our renewed hope and revitalized intercession.

Richard A Burr, Praying Your Prodigal Home, (2003). Christian Publications, Inc., Camp Hill, PA. ISBN: 0-87509-956-4.

Categories: News