This testimony was written on 30th March 2006. At the time of writing, I was still experiencing some pain in my lower back although it was much lesser after the healing. Today, I am glad to say that I am completely healed by the power of God!
When I first came to Church of our Saviour (COOS) more than a year ago, I have been hearing lots of testimonies about the miracles God did in people's lives through divine healing over the pulpit. I am always amazed and grateful for what God chose to do for them and each time, I wished He'll do the same for me.
I have been suffering intermittently from lower back pain for the past 10 years. Before and during that stretch of long years, I did a fair bit of strenuous exercises in school activities as well as in many mission trips. In 2004, my back pain started to worsen one day and it never did leave me since. I have had severe lower back pain for more than a year. It was about that time too that I came to COOS and started to worship in the church.
The x-rays and hospital's diagnosis shown that I had a mild slip disc and recommended me to do physiotherapy. I completed the weeks-long sessions and was discharged since there is nothing else they can do for me. I was pretty discouraged initially. It is a pain that people cannot see with their naked eyes, and yet a pain that is excruciating and real to me. My job basically requires me to sit for 8 hours in the office and that was a real torment to me. My weight started to drop as I began to suffer pain incessantly everyday. It has also affected my sleep in the night and my appetite. The most frustrating thing is I was not able to do my daily chores as effortlessly as before. It hurts me to see that my mother has to start carrying stuff for me. Even to carry a bag of groceries from the supermarket has proven to be challenging on my lower back. My fiance would also come to my house to help me with household cleaning in order to ease me from the physical pain. Whenever the pain becomes so unbearable, I would need to lie down on the bed to rest. This pain becomes somewhat a “thorn in my flesh”. It never goes off but continue to hurt me quietly and affects my lifestyle. I couldn't even cope with window-shopping as before. Sitting, standing or walking for more than an hour has becomes very difficult for me.
For the first time in my life, I have to grapple with the realities of living with physical pain and the feeling of being a “handicapped”. I even felt so useless and worried over my future. I am still a young person. Many doubts and thoughts came to me particularly in the initial phrase of my pain. Subsequently, I decided to lean on God's grace for every new morning. The words in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 has been very significant to me - “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest in me.” I reckoned that nothing is impossible with God and He can heal me if He wants to. But even if He choose not to heal me (for His own reasons), I can depend on His abundant grace daily. It wasn't that easy then, although my mind was set. I literally bore the intense pain in my body everyday and for a long time, I have to abstain from sports. The joy of backpacking for mission trips seems to be a thing of the past also. I really long to be well once again and enjoy all the things I used to do.
Just 2 weeks ago, a friend called me to visit an Anglican church in Tampines on Sunday morning. She told me about a visiting pastor from the States is in town to preach there. He is “specialised” in praying for the healing of those with back pain and people who have leg-length difference. She shared to me how she has personally witnessed the instant healing of a woman with a shorter leg when this pastor prayed for her. When I first heard that, I find it too good to be true. But I can certainly trust this close friend of mine. I was reluctant to go to that church that Sunday morning. Incidentally we do have a healing service in COOS that same morning. The other church was too far for me too and the service starts at 9am! I have learnt to live with this pain by now and I was getting better anyway. But my friend said that getting better is still not good enough, I should be completely well. I felt very obligated to go and finally on Sunday morning, I woke up very early to make my way to that quiet church in Tampines with my fiance. The church service was somewhat quieter compared to COOS, and I was feeling rather uncomfortable there. Unknown to me, God is there in the quiet church.
For the next few moments, I constantly reminded myself to focus on God only and not on men. I shall put my trust in Him alone. The visiting pastor; Raymond Davey, was finally called to the pulpit to preach. He shared that he was a missionary in Taiwan for some years, and often God would heal those with leg-length difference when being prayed for. As a result of the miraculous healing, many Buddhist gave their lives to Christ in Taiwan. Then in the midst of the service before the traditional holy communion service started, Pastor Raymond began to call out people (through word of knowledge) with different ailments to step forward to be prayed for. I waited and waited to be called for, but apparently he did not mention about people with slip disc and back condition. I was disappointed and told God not to miss me out. I reminded Him repeatedly that I came all the way there that morning... and He must not missed me out! To my delight, Pastor Raymond said that many of us were still not being prayed for and he will do so after the entire service for about 30 minutes.
By the time the service ended, the next group of people were beginning to step into the sanctuary for the next service. My fiance and I promptly went to the front to stand in line for the pastor to pray for me. I was in the midst of about 15 people waiting to be prayed for. Pastor Raymond came to me half-way through and I told him that I have a mild slip disc and I also needed prayers for my family members who were not well that week. To my surprise, he immediately 'summoned' the rest of the people all around me to watch me as he sat me on the front wooden pew. I wondered what was going on. I had merely asked for prayers like those before me and they were being quietly prayed for. He specifically instructed me not to close my eyes throughout our time of prayer. I agreed and was still wondering what he is up to. I sat down and was feeling very nervous with all the people watching me. (Imagine I'm a visitor to that church first time!) Without warning, Pastor Raymond held up both of my legs and I was asked to push myself all the way back as I sat back leaning against the chair. I was shocked when it became so evident (for the first time in my life!!!) that my left leg was about 2-3cm shorter than my right. My fiance looked at me with shock as well. I was wondering why no one ever tell me or notice that my left leg is actually shorter than the other. He told the crowd and me that usually people with slip disc/or back problem has this leg-length difference. Wow, he knew more than and what I didn't know personally about myself. I just can't believe this.
Pastor Raymond went on to pray quietly for me and told me not to close my eyes. Nothing happened for the first few minutes. But soon there after, I felt something happening in my body. It is a sensation that is causing my left leg to grow slowly. It was so clear to my eyes and I was totally dumbfounded. My left leg continued to grow in length as the sensation flows in my body till it becomes the same length as my right leg. This was when he told me he could feel the anointing of God going in my body. Yes, I can certainly feel it too. It's the anointing to heal! I can't describe this fully in words but I know something was taking place wonderfully in my body. The crowd was dumbfounded as well.
When it was all done, Pastor Raymond put his hand on my lower back and prayed for a second. All these were just a matter of few minutes. He went on to pray for the others who were still waiting to be prayed for. My fiance and I were too stunned for words and we quietly left the church. As we were walking out of the building, we began to give thanks to God. During this exciting episode, no one clapped, no one said "amen" but everyone (who like me) were simply too stunned for words. My fiance told me thereafter, that some people were saying "hallelujah" softly behind him as they saw my left leg growing. This is a miracle that cannot be denied. I want to give God all the glory and honour due to Him alone. Pastor Raymond merely told me and the crowd to give God the glory and he continue to pray for others like nothing spectacular has happened. I'm amazed......... The way he prayed for us is as though it is only rightful for God to heal and perform such wonders.
Now I am enjoying the new length that God has added to my left leg. I asked my mother if she ever knows that I have a shorter left leg and she didn't know anything about it. But God knows. I've read up a little about leg-length difference thereafter and learnt that leg-length difference usually caused people to experience both back problem and various kinds of feet problem.
Many doubts came in that same day especially when my back pain returned. The same friend who encouraged me to go to the church told me a few days later, not to lose my faith. She said that I am like a sick person who have just gotten well and still need time to rest. Till today, I can testified that my lower back has improved and most importantly, I cannot deny what I have witnessed with my own eyes. Yes, my fiance and the rest who were there in the church can testified to the miracle God has performed in my body. My fiance was deeply moved by God's love and grace. He reminded me that I must share this testimony and give God the glory.
What a turn-about and what amazing grace to me! Who can be compared to our God who is the great Healer. Through this miraculous encounter, it becomes somewhat easier for me to contemplate how God created us supernaturally from the mere dust of the ground. That anointing which flows in my body at that instance and that power which stretched my left leg is marvellously unforgettable and sweet to me. I remember and I will not and cannot forget. Now I know that my Redeemer lives. He has done what man cannot do.
This healing has been a long wait for me. Now I can walk, sit and stand longer. God has healed me in His own time and ways. To Him alone be all the glory and praise!
I was healed on 19th March 2006 from a shorter left leg of about 2.5cm.
My lower back pain has subsided and I am now able to cope better
with daily chores and lead a normal lifestyle. - Jean
