About 9 months ago I was locked up in the St. Johns County Jail for a lot of reasons.

The only person I had to blame was myself, but I decided to put the blame on God. I kept saying it was His fault that I was in the situation I was in. Even though I had given up on Him and stopped loving Him, He never stopped loving me.

It’s funny how things work out - especially prayer.

My mom and I know a lot of others were praying that I would come to love Jesus like I had before, but in my heart I wanted nothing to do with Him.

On May 30, I heard what I think was an angel speaking through my best friend’s mouth saying he had just prayed and felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders. I prayed that night (and I mean I prayed). I poured my heart out to God and asked Him back into my life.

And when I was done, I felt this relief from my addiction to drugs and the life I was living before.

I was reborn and it felt so good.

Soon there after, I got a bible and started reading it and reciting verses to others I was locked up with. One of the verses that stuck out to me was Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

That verse hit me so hard.

No matter what happened, I knew that God was going to protect me and guide me through whatever lay in my path.

About a month later, I was sent to a rehab instead of serving the county time, praise Jesus.

Well to make a long story short, I was kicked out of rehab and because of that I violated my probation. When I was locked up again I went into the jail a whole new person. I was a child of Christ.

While in jail, my mom told me about the fast and what I should do for the fast and what it was all about. I then began to fast even though I was locked up and I began the pray that God would have his way in the court room.

There were a lot of people praying for me and hoping I would get out on the 16 of January. When I went to the courtroom that day, the state attorney had other plans for me. They offered me another rehab and I didn’t take it so then they offered me 9 months in the county. I still didn’t want to take that so at the last minute I cried for help. I asked God to give me the courage to speak up for myself and He did.

I told the judge about my schooling with me being so close to graduating and she considered me for drug court which meant I got to come home in a week.

I trusted in God and he delivered just like He always does.

It may not be the way you want it to be, but God does answer prayers and my prayer was to come home to my family and friends at Celebration.

God is so amazing! God has really been speaking to me about the power of prayer and little did I know He was speaking it to those around me as well.

For some time now God has been telling me to start praying with those who I am working with here at OP, but I would ignore him saying, “God who am I to ask them to pray? God, I do not want to do that. God, please not me! Why me? I am not comfortable praying in front of people.”

Well, I am released! Praise Jesus.

On Friday I was called up to pray. That whole day God was speaking to me 2 Chronicles 7:14. I was drawn to this verse all day long.

That night I was asked to pray for world missions for the church. I did not know what to pray so I just began praising God, humbling myself before him. “Father use me, empty me, fill me with all that is you.”

God spoke through me and I was released of speaking in front of people. A perfect peace came over me. Then another breakthrough . . .

Saturday at the 7:30pm Midtown service was so amazing. Thank you God that we are able to worship so freely! I am so grateful to be a part of a church that allows us to worship God so intimately!

God is up to something big. He is just waiting for us to completely surrender all to him.

My prayer is that whatever it is that God has been tugging at you to do, DO IT! SURRENDER it to him. He is waiting to bless you. Step out in faith. Trust in God to carry you through!

And yes, another break through this morning.

On the way to work, I knew in my spirit something great was about to happen. Pastor Paul, myself and Jennifer Mac all met in the office and were sharing things God was placing in our hearts. Moments before that Amery, Pastor Paul and I had been doing the same.

I felt God telling me this was the moment and it was as if God was speaking the same thing to all of us. We began to pray and God just kept revealing to us more things to pray for.

As we were finishing the prayer time, the phone rang and it was my mom. She has been going through a very hard time and I have been encouraging her to come speak with Pastor Paul, but she kept postponing. Well, she was in the parking lot and wanting to speak with Pastor Paul. Praise Jesus!

Get this . . . just before we had begun praying, Pastor Paul had his morning appointment cancel! Now that is divine appointment!!

God is so amazing! And the power of prayer is unbelievable. The impact of our prayers just leaves me in awe!

As I shared with those that I prayed with this morning what I had been feeling, they shared they had felt it as well. We all had our reasons why we had not done so, but know that we have done this and been open with one another, watch out!

It has been revealed and nothing can stand in our way! The enemy had us in bondage and the chains are broken.

I challenge you where ever you are: take time today to grab a few people and pray, pray, pray.

The impact will be one that will effect eternity!

May you be blessed!