1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:04,840 As the prayer was ongoing, suddenly the pain disappeared 2 00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:12,440 and I really felt peace in my heart, which is something that I've never felt since I was born. 3 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:17,680 As I was growing up, I've always had this in my heart to say - 4 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:22,440 it seems like it's really not me who's living; I’m living someone’s life. 5 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,640 Since that Interactive Prayer, that's when 6 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,480 I felt like I'm being connected to the real me. 7 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:31,240 That's when I had control of my heart. 8 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:42,720 You devil, wherever you are operating in their lives, 9 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:46,000 your time of deception has come to an end. 10 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:52,280 Your time of stealing, killing and destruction has come to an end. 11 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:56,280 I command you devil, to leave right now! 12 00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:58,240 Leave with your bondage! 13 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,000 Leave with your sickness! 14 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,880 Leave with your nightmares! 15 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:03,480 Leave with your pain! 16 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:05,080 Leave with your depression! 17 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:13,120 My name is Lonwabo and I'm connecting from South Africa. 18 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:19,040 The person next to me is my lovely wife, Tumediso. 19 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:25,960 And the reason I joined the Interactive Prayer with Brother Chris was that 20 00:01:25,960 --> 00:01:29,600 I had a problem with excessive anxiety. 21 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:35,880 I was suffering from this problem for over 18 years. 22 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:42,840 Back in the days when I was still in tertiary school, 23 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:48,320 one thing that I remember vividly when I had this challenge - 24 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:53,680 I stopped going to church. 25 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:59,040 And that was because I had a fear that I just could not control, 26 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:05,760 over losing my bursary because my studies were funded by a bursary scheme. 27 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:11,280 So there came a point, when I was going through my studies, 28 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:19,120 I felt like the time that I spent going to church, attending church services 29 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:27,000 was actually taking much of my time and I wasn't focusing enough in my studies. 30 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:33,000 And therefore, I was afraid that I was going to lose my bursary 31 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:37,520 and that would have meant I wouldn't be able to continue with my studies. 32 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:44,040 So that’s just how the problem affected me from when I was back at the tertiary school. 33 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:48,640 And also, this problem persisted because 34 00:02:48,640 --> 00:02:55,960 by the grace of God, when I completed my studies, after five years of study, 35 00:02:55,960 --> 00:03:01,440 I was ready to begin a new job. 36 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:06,880 So one thing that was strange with my situation - 37 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:11,960 I think for anyone, when they start their new job, 38 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:21,400 there is excitement of getting a new job, sustainable means of making a living. 39 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:32,160 But my situation was a little bit different in the sense that I was overwhelmed by fear. 40 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:40,480 What would the people I’m joining in this new job think of me, of my competency? 41 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,400 Am I competent enough? 42 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:45,520 Am I the right fit for the position? 43 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:51,320 So I was just overwhelmed with questions that I couldn't really answer. 44 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:53,760 And that added a lot of frustration. 45 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:58,040 The focus wasn't really on me starting the new job. 46 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:02,520 I felt uneasy with the whole situation of a new job. 47 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:11,560 As I was gaining experience over the years, I got promoted to a management position. 48 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:15,680 So the position itself obviously brought additional demands 49 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,400 in terms of accountability and responsibilities. 50 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,440 And I was still having this problem. 51 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:27,080 So it actually made it more intensive with the additional load. 52 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:29,880 Because there was so much expected at work 53 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:33,720 and I was still battling with this excessive anxiety. 54 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:38,240 So it got worse around 2023, last year. 55 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:43,520 I was having a lot of headaches that I couldn't control. 56 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:49,200 And then I started taking some general pills to try and ease the pain 57 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,680 and to just get me going through the days. 58 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:57,160 But really, that didn't seem to be a permanent solution. 59 00:04:57,160 --> 00:05:01,480 And then I got to a point where I was referred to a specialist, 60 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:05,120 a psychiatrist by our family doctor, 61 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:12,920 That’s where I was actually diagnosed for the first time with excessive anxiety. 62 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,560 That was around April 2023. 63 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:20,200 And then, in that process, I was put on treatment, 64 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:23,600 three weeks of treatment where I was taking some medication 65 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:31,360 that was aimed at helping me to try and recover from this anxiety. 66 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:37,680 But I did not really end up finishing this treatment session 67 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:41,920 because there were side effects. 68 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:47,240 I used to feel dizzy at work and it used to change my mood. 69 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:52,680 And I was not myself. I would react very awkwardly, 70 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:56,960 especially if I was in front of or among people. 71 00:05:56,960 --> 00:06:01,320 So I decided to discontinue the treatment, 72 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:07,080 and I was really looking for a solution that would help me 73 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:10,560 and I didn’t have any at the time. 74 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:19,080 This problem really impacted not only my career but also my family as well. 75 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:24,800 Because when I was going through the phases where I was being frustrated 76 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:29,240 by the work demands and I couldn't really find solution, 77 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:32,600 even a professional solution to the problem, 78 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:39,560 I ended up drinking and in the process, I was also fornicating, 79 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:49,080 I was thinking that this would alleviate the situation and help but that really didn’t help. 80 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:52,880 But instead, it really threatened my marriage with my wife. 81 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:59,800 And I wasn't really playing the role of father-figure to my kids as well. 82 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:03,560 And I wasn't really supportive to my wife during this time. 83 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:11,920 Really, it broke trust between myself and my wife - that my wife couldn't trust me. 84 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:19,560 It was a very devastating situation that the problem put us through. 85 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:26,840 Every area of my life was not stable, in a sense that I couldn't even make 86 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:29,760 and sustain good friendship with people. 87 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:31,480 I was in isolation. 88 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:38,720 So by the grace of God, I joined the Interactive Prayer on May 6, 2023. 89 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:47,200 During the prayer session, I had a painful sensation right at the back of my neck. 90 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:50,920 In my heart, I really asked God for His mercy. 91 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:54,560 I asked God to see me through as Brother Chris was praying. 92 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,040 I asked God to forgive my sins. 93 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:02,880 And, as the prayer was ongoing, suddenly the pain disappeared 94 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:10,480 and I really felt peace in my heart, which is something that I've never felt since I was born. 95 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:15,720 As I was growing up, I've always had this in my heart to say - 96 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:20,480 it seems like it's really not me who's living; I’m living someone’s life. 97 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,680 Since that Interactive Prayer, that's when 98 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:26,520 I felt like I'm being connected to the real me. 99 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:29,640 That's when I had control of my heart. 100 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:31,880 And I really thank God for that. 101 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:36,080 There has been a significant change in my life, 102 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:38,960 not only in my family, but also in my career. 103 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:44,200 Because around June, I was demoted. 104 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:54,920 Going through demotion at work was really a devastating situation, 105 00:08:54,920 --> 00:09:00,240 where I was asking myself, as young as I am, with my wife and the kids, 106 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:02,000 what are we going to do? 107 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,760 That was really when we had no options. 108 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:10,240 We didn’t know what to do but we soldiered on in that period. 109 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:14,000 So as I was demoted and signed a letter in June, 110 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:18,440 by the grace of God, in October of the same year, 2023, 111 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:22,640 I was actually promoted to a more senior position 112 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:28,720 than the previous one where I was demoted, so really I thank God for that. 113 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:33,680 The other issue I used to battle with - I used to feel in isolation, 114 00:09:33,680 --> 00:09:40,400 even when I walked around the mall, even when I had to deliver a speech. 115 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:44,400 Because my position is very demanding and at times, I deliver speeches 116 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:48,560 to the directors, and more senior people. 117 00:09:48,560 --> 00:09:54,840 So the problem really affected me as well - from self-esteem, self-confidence. 118 00:09:54,840 --> 00:10:00,920 That was an issue and really dimmed the performance 119 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:03,800 or effort I could bring to the table 120 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:09,640 But after the prayer, I really gained control. 121 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:18,040 I can really deliver a very informative and well-received presentation 122 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:22,280 with the directors and management in my company. 123 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:24,880 I’m now even walking around more. 124 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:28,640 Before the Interactive Prayer, when I went with my wife to the town, 125 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:31,800 I would always rush to get back home 126 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:36,680 because I felt like everyone was just looking at me and there's something wrong I was doing. 127 00:10:36,680 --> 00:10:40,400 And now all of that is a thing of the past. 128 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:45,800 Because I’m myself. I'm in control of my heart, by God's grace. 129 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:50,040 So even going to the mall, that is no longer a problem for me. 130 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:54,720 I can express myself freely and I really thank God for that. 131 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:58,560 My relationship with my family has improved. 132 00:10:58,560 --> 00:11:04,400 Most importantly, we are going to church - with my wife and kids, 133 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:10,360 and I’m really taking the responsibility as a father. 134 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:13,960 I am there for my kids. 135 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:16,680 I am supporting my wife with the kids. 136 00:11:16,680 --> 00:11:22,960 And our marital life has really improved. 137 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:29,240 I'm there for her when she needs me and support her in every area of her life. 138 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:34,080 My name is Tumediso and I’m connecting from South Africa. 139 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:37,480 The man beside me is my husband, Lonwabo. 140 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:41,960 I can attest to this testimony he has just shared. 141 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:46,800 For the past years, he has suffered from anxiety. 142 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:50,920 He has experienced episodes of anxiety. 143 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:57,960 He always used to stay isolated, showing a shame-based nature, being antisocial. 144 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:02,800 And when we walked around town, he didn’t feel comfortable. 145 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:07,400 He always wanted to go home as soon as we were done in town. 146 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:11,400 So it was a big problem for me. 147 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:16,800 Now, he is a ‘perfect husband’ that I always knew before all these changes came. 148 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:20,520 My advice - let us have faith in God. 149 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:26,440 And we must believe that God is in our lives; He’s there for us. 150 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:28,320 There is always power in praise. 151 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:34,680 When you are in a spiritual battle, you must normalise using the weapon of praise always. 152 00:12:34,680 --> 00:12:36,760 God is good all the time. 153 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:46,840 My advice to the viewers all over the world is really for us to ask for God’s grace 154 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:53,520 to help us to learn not to put our fears above Him. 155 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:58,840 And in reference to Proverbs 3:5, 156 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:04,080 we need to trust God with all of our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. 157 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:08,520 So really, that's my advice to viewers all over the world.