Rachel’s Story

For years, we were unable to successfully conceive. For years, I thought maybe it wasn’t God’s plan for us to have more children. For a time, I even became a little bitter. I numbed the part of me that longed for another child because I was convinced it would not happen for us. We had tried and prayed for so long. Then, I felt guilty for feeling so heartbroken about it because we already had a child. Some people long for children and have none at all. Still, I wondered why God would put such a strong desire in my heart and not fulfill it.

We had several “chemical pregnancies” over the years- pregnancies that began and ended within the same couple of weeks. That was the worst part. Getting excited just to be heartbroken again. I wondered what was wrong with me. I wondered if something had happened during the emergency C-section with Brenley that made me unable to be pregnant now.

I gave up hope. I was sick of hoping for something that seemed impossible. I convinced myself that maybe it wasn’t God who put the desire in our hearts for more children. It must have been God who caused us to stop having children for whatever reason He saw fit, and I had to learn to be okay with that. I thought I was good. Thought I was past it. Until our last community group service at the Prathers’.

I had just decided to stop hormone treatments that weren’t working. We needed to stop “trying” for a child because of the strain and stress it was causing. I was very emotional about it all. I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to share and ask for prayer. But I was on the verge of tears and didn’t want to draw attention to myself. I told God, “No. I can’t do this. Tell someone else to do it.” Wouldn’t you know that just as I said that in my heart, Alex spoke up and said something along the lines of, “This might sound awkward, but the Lord wants me to pray over the wombs in the room. Infertility is not from Him.”

I broke down. I mean, I ugly cried. I told them. I was still embarrassed crying like that. I knew there were others in the room who also had been praying for their first child, so again, I felt a little guilty since I already had one. But in that moment, I felt heard. I felt like my heartache really mattered to God, and He reminded me that I wasn’t alone. From that day forward, He began to restore my hope.

Another night at the Warehouse during a Prayer Night, God told me to give it all to Him. All of the hurt and anger and questions. He could handle it. He wanted me to be honest with Him. He wanted to heal me. I did. And I cried a lot. I felt so many emotions again that I had numbed over the years. He made me feel things I didn’t want to feel, but it was freeing.

My intimacy with God deepened immensely after that. I decided even if I never had another child, He was enough. What He had blessed me with was enough. Brenley is an amazing child, a blessing from Him. Mathew is the husband I couldn’t have even asked for. He’s more than everything I ever needed and wanted in a husband. I would be thankful for what God had already given.

But then, He started to tell me to get my hopes up. Specifically, I woke up with a song playing in my head I hadn’t heard in a while- Get Your Hopes Up by Josh Baldwin. He told me to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. He started highlighting promises in His word that spoke directly to my heart.

A close friend of mine (who also struggled with infertility for years and had recently become pregnant) gave me a book called The Hannah Anointing. I didn’t read all of it, but it turned my attention to Hannah’s story. I kept reading 1 Samuel 1 over and over. How God heard Hannah and granted the desires of her heart as she cried out to Him. I clung to that passage.

For weeks, every verse I opened to in my Bible pertained to the womb and putting hope in the Lord. May 1st, the Holy Spirit told me to write 1 Samuel 1:17 and put it on my mirror. So I did. Shortly after, I dreamt I was pregnant. The same week, I dreamt I was holding a son who looked just like Mathew with curly hair. A few times, wondered if I was making this all up.

Then, one evening walking to my mailbox (I had been expecting a package any day now), the Holy Spirit told me that I should be checking for the fulfillment of His promises as confidently as I checked the mailbox, knowing that it was surely coming. I froze in my yard and smiled. “Okay, Lord!”

A day or two later, He told me to praise Him as if I was already pregnant. So I did, not knowing if that meant it would be soon or in five years.

The following Sunday, which I believe was Mother’s Day, I was dancing with flags during worship. Ashley spontaneously started singing, “You’re in the middle of a testimony.” And I fell to my knees as the Spirit of God came over me. He was speaking directly to my heart. He was pulling together all of the verses, all of the promises. I wept. That was when I knew.

The next night I went home and a series of events caused me to take a pregnancy test. They all showed positives. No chemical pregnancy this time. We’re past that point. Now, I’m 6 weeks pregnant. I almost waited to post my testimony until later, “just in case,” but I can’t wait to give God glory for this. I refuse to live in fear of the “what ifs” when God so clearly gave us this child with His own hand. This is a promise He fulfilled. He took my hope which was dead, restored it, and fulfilled it. It’s a miracle that it is even happening, so I will praise Him and lift Him up.

I pray my testimony gives hope to others struggling to keep their hope alive. I just know in my spirit that there are so many others that He cannot wait bless with children, too. I believe He is more excited than we are to breathe new life into His children. Don’t lose hope. He is faithful. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.


“With your mouth You have promised and with Your hand You have fulfilled it—as it is today.”
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭6:15‬b

“Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5

- Rachel

(Testimony of healing from ministry time on October 27, 2019)

Last Sunday, at the end of service Pastor Gunter asked "Does anyone need prayer for neck , shoulder, or jaw pain?" I'm thinking, “Oh, yes! Me!!! He says, "Just head up to our prayer team and ask to receive your healing today!" That's exactly what I did. I struggle with recurring knots in my upper back. The pain alternates between my shoulder blades and neck on both sides.

That morning I definitely realized the tightness on my right side of my neck when I woke up. So when he was so specific with the need for prayer I knew this could be the time that I could be freed from this pain. Pastor Bethany led the prayer for my healing as others touched and agreed. I was claiming the victory as she prayed. She even said the area she was praying over what heating up so she was declaring my healing.

Here I am six days later with NO ISSUES! I haven't had to have my weekly massage and that in its self is such a blessing!!! Glory be to God!!! - Sha

Testimony from ministry time at the end of service. (Oct. 27, 2019)

I came forward for prayer because of TMJ and neck and shoulder issue. A young lady prayed for me and I had instant healing and have been doing well. Thank you for your prayers and much appreciation. To God be the glory! Amen! Amen! - Vonte’

Testimony from ministry time at the end of service. (Oct. 27, 2019)

I walked into service with a tightness in the right side of my neck the extended out onto my trap and down into my shoulder blade. Gunter stated that tight necks and tight jaws had been highlighted by some one on the prayer team. Well, I definitely fell into that category. I’m writing this on Tuesday morning and can say that I am no longer experiencing the tightness in my neck. What an awesome show of the Father’s goodness toward his children! - Jacob

“Freedom. Is there such a thing? I would have to say, yes, there is freedom. And with freedom, there is an inner peace.

I originally signed up for only the Men's Texting Connect Group. But my better half signed us up for the Spring Freedom Connect Group. I was not sure what we had gotten ourselves into, but as it turns out, Freedom was a great peace of mind. One of the scriptures that stuck with me was Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I have resisted God's work for a very long time, as part of the devil’s plan, without my knowledge or acceptance. Since attending The Dwelling, things have changed in my life drastically, and for the better. Then the Freedom Connect Group helped me open up to myself, to the group, to the church, and to God. I cannot continue to my life without devoting my life to God and his will.

The Freedom group and the conference helped me forgive all who have wronged me, and has helped me to release myself from my personal shame. All of the horrible things that a person could have go wrong with them, I could say I was about that a perfect example of wrong looks like.

 Since my reconnection with God and believing that Jesus is my savior and healer, I have been able to battle through my abandonment issues from both my mother and my ex-wife and kids. I’ve been able to experience God’s healing for my sodomization and rape from an unknown person when I was a young boy. I’ve also been able to let go of the adultery, addictions to the flesh, and the hurt, pain, and suffering I have caused others.

God in his own time and way has brought me closer to my wife and family through everything life has thrown at us. Walking with patience and seeking his guidance, I was directed to a job opportunity after being without employment for three long months. My financial obligations are slowly getting back under control. My faith in the Lord’s work has directed my life toward the exit of the valley in which I have been trapped in for a long time. Forgiving myself and my enemies have helped relieve the stressors in my life.

Trusting in God and his will is the best decision I have made for me and my family. I encourage anyone reading this to trust and walk with God, for he is a good Father and will steer you back to the path you were meant to be on.

Romans 12:17-21 says, “I do not repay evil for evil. I am careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on me, I will live at peace with everyone. I will not take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath, because God has promised he will handle it. On the contrary: If my enemy is hungry, I will feed him; if he is thirsty, I will give him something to drink. I will not be overcome by evil, but I will overcome evil with good.” 

In order to live up to those words, one must show courage and the strength to believe God is good and to follow in God’s foot steps to the healing and goodness that he has to offer us.Freedom, is there such a thing? I would have to say, yes, there is a freedom. Freedom of inner peace within myself. I originally signed up for only the Men's Texting Connect Group but my better half, signed us up for the Spring Freedom Connect Group. I was not sure what we had gotten ourselves into but as it turns out, Freedom was a great piece of mind. - Freedom Attendee

“As a believer of God, there aren't too many things that blow my mind. However, my mind is blown. 

Yesterday afternoon, my son wanted to get some batting practice in. While Shane was getting machine set up, I pitched to him to warm him up. Anyone who has ever watched him play ball knows he can slam that ball. I was comfortable pitching to him because he normally hits straight down 1st base line. Of course, he hits line drives every pitch. The first two, I was able to just duck as they weren't that hard hit due to him warming up. However, the 3rd line drive came hard and fast straight at my face. I instinctively put my arm up to protect my face and when I did, the ball hit my wrist bone on the side my pinky is on. The ball hit so hard on that bone that it busted the skin open over that bone. My wrist, pinky finger and ring finger immediately swelled. My hand and entire wrist immediately bruised. I knew it was either fractured or broken but also knew there was zero point in me going to urgent care or ER just to be told to see ortho. My husband finally got my rings off of my swollen fingers, we iced it and I decided to just hold my arm up (it throbbed all of the way through my fingers when I put it down) until morning when I would call and make an appointment to have it seen......but GOD!

As we said our nightly prayers, my husband and my sons prayed for healing over my wrist. I woke up this morning, reached for my phone to make an appointment and notify my office I wouldn't be in this morning. As I was googling the phone number to my doctor, I realized I was holding the phone and typing with my left hand and IT DIDN'T HURT!! I turned the light on and there was no bruising, no swelling and ZERO pain. The only evidence of my getting hit with a line drive is a little cut over my wrist bone.” - Amanda

“In May, I was told that the cause of my focal migraines (not the 2-3 milder seasonal migraines I get) was a misshapen optic nerve in my right eye. It was causing extreme pain. I was sent to a specialist and he said the optic nerve is like a donut and they like to see both openings about the same size and under a four. My left eye measured 3 and my right eye measured 6. Another specialist re-measured to make sure and she got 3 and 5.5. So they referred me to an optic nerve specialist. I went to church the following Sunday and several of you guys gathered around me and prayed. My husband and son have also been praying for me that I wouldn't have to take those glaucoma eyedrops for the rest of my life or have risky surgery. I went back for the follow up yesterday and she had to run the test twice because my right eye is down to a 3.5. Her words were, "I want to send you to the eye institute for two more tests because the optic nerve doesn't repair itself like that. I'm afraid I might have missed something.

And there you go!! Isn't that just like God!! And by the way, I haven't had a focal migraine since June!” - Kathi

Kim shares about the healing she received during prayer.