WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:04.840 As the prayer was ongoing, suddenly the pain disappeared 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. 00:00:12.440 --> 00:00:17.680 As I was growing up, I've always had this in my heart to say - 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. 00:00:22.440 --> 00:00:25.640 Since that Interactive Prayer, that's when 00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:28.480 I felt like I'm being connected to the real me. 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:31.240 That's when I had control of my heart. 00:00:37.760 --> 00:00:42.720 You devil, wherever you are operating in their lives, 00:00:42.720 --> 00:00:46.000 your time of deception has come to an end. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:52.280 Your time of stealing, killing and destruction has come to an end. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:56.280 I command you devil, to leave right now! 00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:58.240 Leave with your bondage! 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:00.000 Leave with your sickness! 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.880 Leave with your nightmares! 00:01:01.880 --> 00:01:03.480 Leave with your pain! 00:01:03.480 --> 00:01:05.080 Leave with your depression! 00:01:06.600 --> 00:01:13.120 My name is Lonwabo and I'm connecting from South Africa. 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:19.040 The person next to me is my lovely wife, Tumediso. 00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:25.960 And the reason I joined the Interactive Prayer with Brother Chris was that 00:01:25.960 --> 00:01:29.600 I had a problem with excessive anxiety. 00:01:29.600 --> 00:01:35.880 I was suffering from this problem for over 18 years. 00:01:35.880 --> 00:01:42.840 Back in the days when I was still in tertiary school, 00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:48.320 one thing that I remember vividly when I had this challenge - 00:01:48.320 --> 00:01:53.680 I stopped going to church. 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:59.040 And that was because I had a fear that I just could not control, 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:05.760 over losing my bursary because my studies were funded by a bursary scheme. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:11.280 So there came a point, when I was going through my studies, 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:19.120 I felt like the time that I spent going to church, attending church services 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:27.000 was actually taking much of my time and I wasn't focusing enough in my studies. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:33.000 And therefore, I was afraid that I was going to lose my bursary 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:37.520 and that would have meant I wouldn't be able to continue with my studies. 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. 00:02:44.040 --> 00:02:48.640 And also, this problem persisted because 00:02:48.640 --> 00:02:55.960 by the grace of God, when I completed my studies, after five years of study, 00:02:55.960 --> 00:03:01.440 I was ready to begin a new job. 00:03:01.440 --> 00:03:06.880 So one thing that was strange with my situation - 00:03:06.880 --> 00:03:11.960 I think for anyone, when they start their new job, 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:21.400 there is excitement of getting a new job, sustainable means of making a living. 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. 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? 00:03:40.480 --> 00:03:42.400 Am I competent enough? 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:45.520 Am I the right fit for the position? 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:51.320 So I was just overwhelmed with questions that I couldn't really answer. 00:03:51.320 --> 00:03:53.760 And that added a lot of frustration. 00:03:53.760 --> 00:03:58.040 The focus wasn't really on me starting the new job. 00:03:58.040 --> 00:04:02.520 I felt uneasy with the whole situation of a new job. 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:11.560 As I was gaining experience over the years, I got promoted to a management position. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:15.680 So the position itself obviously brought additional demands 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:19.400 in terms of accountability and responsibilities. 00:04:19.400 --> 00:04:22.440 And I was still having this problem. 00:04:22.440 --> 00:04:27.080 So it actually made it more intensive with the additional load. 00:04:27.080 --> 00:04:29.880 Because there was so much expected at work 00:04:29.880 --> 00:04:33.720 and I was still battling with this excessive anxiety. 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:38.240 So it got worse around 2023, last year. 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:43.520 I was having a lot of headaches that I couldn't control. 00:04:43.520 --> 00:04:49.200 And then I started taking some general pills to try and ease the pain 00:04:49.200 --> 00:04:52.680 and to just get me going through the days. 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:57.160 But really, that didn't seem to be a permanent solution. 00:04:57.160 --> 00:05:01.480 And then I got to a point where I was referred to a specialist, 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:05.120 a psychiatrist by our family doctor, 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:12.920 That’s where I was actually diagnosed for the first time with excessive anxiety. 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:15.560 That was around April 2023. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:20.200 And then, in that process, I was put on treatment, 00:05:20.200 --> 00:05:23.600 three weeks of treatment where I was taking some medication 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:31.360 that was aimed at helping me to try and recover from this anxiety. 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:37.680 But I did not really end up finishing this treatment session 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:41.920 because there were side effects. 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:47.240 I used to feel dizzy at work and it used to change my mood. 00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:52.680 And I was not myself. I would react very awkwardly, 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:56.960 especially if I was in front of or among people. 00:05:56.960 --> 00:06:01.320 So I decided to discontinue the treatment, 00:06:01.320 --> 00:06:07.080 and I was really looking for a solution that would help me 00:06:07.080 --> 00:06:10.560 and I didn’t have any at the time. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:19.080 This problem really impacted not only my career but also my family as well. 00:06:19.080 --> 00:06:24.800 Because when I was going through the phases where I was being frustrated 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:29.240 by the work demands and I couldn't really find solution, 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:32.600 even a professional solution to the problem, 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:39.560 I ended up drinking and in the process, I was also fornicating, 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. 00:06:49.080 --> 00:06:52.880 But instead, it really threatened my marriage with my wife. 00:06:52.880 --> 00:06:59.800 And I wasn't really playing the role of father-figure to my kids as well. 00:06:59.800 --> 00:07:03.560 And I wasn't really supportive to my wife during this time. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:11.920 Really, it broke trust between myself and my wife - that my wife couldn't trust me. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:19.560 It was a very devastating situation that the problem put us through. 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 00:07:26.840 --> 00:07:29.760 and sustain good friendship with people. 00:07:29.760 --> 00:07:31.480 I was in isolation. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:38.720 So by the grace of God, I joined the Interactive Prayer on May 6, 2023. 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:47.200 During the prayer session, I had a painful sensation right at the back of my neck. 00:07:47.200 --> 00:07:50.920 In my heart, I really asked God for His mercy. 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:54.560 I asked God to see me through as Brother Chris was praying. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:57.040 I asked God to forgive my sins. 00:07:57.040 --> 00:08:02.880 And, as the prayer was ongoing, suddenly the pain disappeared 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. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:15.720 As I was growing up, I've always had this in my heart to say - 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. 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:23.680 Since that Interactive Prayer, that's when 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:26.520 I felt like I'm being connected to the real me. 00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:29.640 That's when I had control of my heart. 00:08:29.640 --> 00:08:31.880 And I really thank God for that. 00:08:31.880 --> 00:08:36.080 There has been a significant change in my life, 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:38.960 not only in my family, but also in my career. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:44.200 Because around June, I was demoted. 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:54.920 Going through demotion at work was really a devastating situation, 00:08:54.920 --> 00:09:00.240 where I was asking myself, as young as I am, with my wife and the kids, 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:02.000 what are we going to do? 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:04.760 That was really when we had no options. 00:09:04.760 --> 00:09:10.240 We didn’t know what to do but we soldiered on in that period. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:14.000 So as I was demoted and signed a letter in June, 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:18.440 by the grace of God, in October of the same year, 2023, 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:22.640 I was actually promoted to a more senior position 00:09:22.640 --> 00:09:28.720 than the previous one where I was demoted, so really I thank God for that. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:33.680 The other issue I used to battle with - I used to feel in isolation, 00:09:33.680 --> 00:09:40.400 even when I walked around the mall, even when I had to deliver a speech. 00:09:40.400 --> 00:09:44.400 Because my position is very demanding and at times, I deliver speeches 00:09:44.400 --> 00:09:48.560 to the directors, and more senior people. 00:09:48.560 --> 00:09:54.840 So the problem really affected me as well - from self-esteem, self-confidence. 00:09:54.840 --> 00:10:00.920 That was an issue and really dimmed the performance 00:10:00.920 --> 00:10:03.800 or effort I could bring to the table 00:10:03.800 --> 00:10:09.640 But after the prayer, I really gained control. 00:10:09.640 --> 00:10:18.040 I can really deliver a very informative and well-received presentation 00:10:18.040 --> 00:10:22.280 with the directors and management in my company. 00:10:22.280 --> 00:10:24.880 I’m now even walking around more. 00:10:24.880 --> 00:10:28.640 Before the Interactive Prayer, when I went with my wife to the town, 00:10:28.640 --> 00:10:31.800 I would always rush to get back home 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. 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:40.400 And now all of that is a thing of the past. 00:10:40.400 --> 00:10:45.800 Because I’m myself. I'm in control of my heart, by God's grace. 00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:50.040 So even going to the mall, that is no longer a problem for me. 00:10:50.040 --> 00:10:54.720 I can express myself freely and I really thank God for that. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:58.560 My relationship with my family has improved. 00:10:58.560 --> 00:11:04.400 Most importantly, we are going to church - with my wife and kids, 00:11:04.400 --> 00:11:10.360 and I’m really taking the responsibility as a father. 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:13.960 I am there for my kids. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:16.680 I am supporting my wife with the kids. 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:22.960 And our marital life has really improved. 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. 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:34.080 My name is Tumediso and I’m connecting from South Africa. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:37.480 The man beside me is my husband, Lonwabo. 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:41.960 I can attest to this testimony he has just shared. 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:46.800 For the past years, he has suffered from anxiety. 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:50.920 He has experienced episodes of anxiety. 00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:57.960 He always used to stay isolated, showing a shame-based nature, being antisocial. 00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:02.800 And when we walked around town, he didn’t feel comfortable. 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:07.400 He always wanted to go home as soon as we were done in town. 00:12:07.400 --> 00:12:11.400 So it was a big problem for me. 00:12:11.400 --> 00:12:16.800 Now, he is a ‘perfect husband’ that I always knew before all these changes came. 00:12:16.800 --> 00:12:20.520 My advice - let us have faith in God. 00:12:20.520 --> 00:12:26.440 And we must believe that God is in our lives; He’s there for us. 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:28.320 There is always power in praise. 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:34.680 When you are in a spiritual battle, you must normalise using the weapon of praise always. 00:12:34.680 --> 00:12:36.760 God is good all the time. 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 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:53.520 to help us to learn not to put our fears above Him. 00:12:53.520 --> 00:12:58.840 And in reference to Proverbs 3:5, 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. 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:08.520 So really, that's my advice to viewers all over the world.