Are you making progress in life as God has designed you to? Or are you frequently finding roadblocks on your way – hindrances not sanctioned by God? If the latter, then you may need to reform your character. In Proverbs 22:1 the Bible says that “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favour rather than silver and gold.” God also speaks to us in 1 Peter 3:3-4 about the importance of depth of character, which is very precious in His sight. Therefore, on November 17, 2024, the sermon “Reform Your Character – And Try Again was a most welcome one for God’s people in The Synagogue.

During the worship session, congregants sought pardon for their sins as they sang: “Son Of David, Have Mercy On Me!” They also asked the Holy Spirit to take more of them and give them more of Him. With God’s Spirit having been welcomed to their hearts, they proclaimed the sovereignty of the Almighty and sang: “We Love to Love You, Lord!”

Reform Your Character – And Try Again

“Are you running the straight race with God or have you chosen alternatives because of persecution, criticism …. or personal challenges? What is that situation in your life that is challenging your faith in God?” With those posers, Evangelist Shina introduced his sermon, which he anchored on Luke 5:4-5. He also cited 1 Kings 5:10, Amos 7:14, Genesis 41:52, Proverbs 19:21, 1 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 2:1-3 and Acts 16:6-10. “Many who are supposed to reform their character and change their attitude towards life,” he noted, “are busy pointing accusing fingers at others and rebuking satan.”

Having made this thought-provoking point, Evangelist Shina identified possible sources of trouble in people’s lives. While some cause trouble for themselves through their thoughts and tongues, he said, others face difficulty because of ignorance, arrogance or character defects. Using the story of Peter’s encounter with Jesus Christ on his fishing boat, he encouraged Christians to heed divine instruction while sticking to godly principles in the drive for material success and fulfilment in life.

Evangelist Shina therefore closed with the following words: “You need to amend your ways now, for you cannot bank on tomorrow. If the situation you are facing today seems to be contrary to your expectations, don’t give up; God always uses our negative situations to advance His cause.”

Touched By Hands Of Mercy, Favour And Goodness

Her heart full of gratitude to God Almighty, Pastor Evelyn Joshua greeted the people with a radiant smile and asked them to appreciate the Lord for His enduring mercy.

Before moving to the Prayer Section, the woman of God prayed: “Father, we bless You this morning; we thank You for who You are. Father, we thank You for the miracle of life. You have enabled us to share Your grace with others. Almighty God, we pray to be open to You in everything. We ask for Your power; we ask for the will to continue to demonstrate Your love in all we say and do, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Father Lord Almighty, let today favour us; let this service favour us. Touch us with Your hands of mercy, Your hands of favour, Your hands of goodness, in the name of Jesus Christ! Let our lives be testimonies for others to see. Let them see Your finger in our lives and praise You. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray!”

From all over the world, people of faith assembled in The Arena Of Liberty seeking divine solutions to issues of life. As relief flowed through their bodies, they declared: “Thank You, Jesus!”

Among the people were women with visible evidence of fertility who wanted divine cover for their growing treasures. Other women came with impediments such as bleeding and multiple fibroids. After prayer, the burden on each heart lifted – all for God’s glory.

Surely, the power of the Cross, which transcends barriers of time and distance, was more than enough to eliminate goitre, drug addiction, mental disorder, smoking addiction, urinary incontinence, breast cancer, skin disease, swollen scrotum, and anus cancer, among many other issues.

In the Main Auditorium that same power worked wonders in the lives of hundreds from the four corners of the earth. As Pastor Evelyn Joshua and The SCOAN Evangelists ministered, anointing flowed for healing, blessing and deliverance! 

And stubborn demons were defeated in the lives of those who had been in bondage!

And God Spoke Light Into Their Darkness!

“We will continue to rejoice in the presence of God,” said Pastor Evelyn Joshua at the start of the Mass Prayer session. “Get ready to walk into a new realm of glory,” she added.

Citing Psalm 121:1-2, she told congregants: “Ask God to give you His grace, favour and mercy in everything you are doing.” She prayed for the people: “Receive the future you desire, in the name of Jesus – a peaceful future, a glorious future.” She also asked them to declare: “Father, speak light into my darkness, in Jesus’ name! Thou power of freedom, healing, sanctification – fall afresh on me, in the name of Jesus!”

The woman of God continued to pray: “Every word that proceeds from your mouth today – receive anointing, in the name of Jesus! Be freed, in the name of Jesus! Let Your hand of power be upon Your children today, in the name of Jesus Christ! Be delivered, in the name of Jesus!”

To viewers all over the world, Pastor Evelyn Joshua said: “Begin to speak the good language to your life – the language of joy, peace, victory. Get rid of your doubt and look up to Jesus Christ.” She prayed for them: “Be delivered from everything that holds you down in bondage! Every spirit of stagnation – we command it to leave you now, in the name of Jesus! Be restored to your lost glory, in the name of Jesus Christ!”

Evangelist Ope told the people to pray: “Every spirit behind my situation – come out, in the name of Jesus!”

On his part, Evangelist James charged the people to decree: “You ancestral spirit frustrating my life, frustrating my family – I command you in the name of Jesus: Out!”

Taking over, Evangelist Joseph declared: “Spirit behind your affliction, causing you sickness and disease – anywhere you are: Out!” He told the people to pray: “You sickness in my body, you disease affecting my lungs, affecting my kidneys – Out!”

Evangelist Chisom asked the people to pray: “You unclean spirit tormenting my business – anywhere you are: Out! You spirit causing me limitation – anywhere you are: Out!”

In a Mass Prayer video, Prophet TB Joshua urged the people to pray: “Holy Spirit, contact my heart, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! You evil spirit, leave my life! Leave my career, leave my relationship, leave my finances!” The man of God prayed: “You are created to lead – begin to lead, in the name of Jesus! Your health – be restored, in the name of Jesus! Every organ – be healed, be restored, in the name of Jesus!”

Testimonies

30 Years Of Pain Ends In Praise!

Andrew, a Lagos resident, was one of those at the Prayer Line on November 10, 2024. He was suffering from difficulty in walking due to severe waist pain. Thirty years ago, he had gone to the village to see his mother. “I was trying to split wood for her when I heard a crack in my back,” he told the church on November 17. Since then, he had been experiencing intermittent pain. “The pain became so unbearable a few weeks ago,” he disclosed, “despite so many drugs I had been using.” However, after a touch sanctioned by Heaven during the service of November 10, Andrew saw the fire of vitality burn through his waist and legs. “God took pity on me and answered my prayer,” he said, showing proof of his healing by exercising his waist. He advised others to embrace God.   

Freed From 10 Years Of Asthma!

For the past ten years, Omoyemwense, a Nigerian living in the United Kingdom, had been burdened by asthma. “It caused me many issues and stopped me from doing many things,” she reported on November 17, 2024. A week before, she had sat for prayer as Pastor Evelyn Joshua ministered in The Arena Of Liberty. “I just felt different immediately she prayed for me,” Omoyemwense recalled. She advised others to exercise faith in God. Her husband, Sunday, confirmed the healing. “I feel so relieved,” he said. Sunday also testified about his own healing from waist pain. “Now I can drive for hours without feeling any pain,” he smiled. He advised others to seek God.

For Ujunwa And Steven, It’s Goodbye To Alcoholism, Gambling And A Strange Ailment!

Despite its stubbornness, the demon in Ujunwa finally succumbed to God’s power on November 10, 2024. Ujunwa’s father had been the custodian of an ancestral idol that constantly demanded the blood of animals. “When he died,” Ujunwa recollected on November 17, “there was no one else to carry on the duty.” Feeling slighted, the idol murmured many times before opting to get its pound of flesh. It picked Ujunwa as its target. “I became unruly and started to take alcohol right from junior secondary school,” she confessed. The demon also brought poverty to the family. Later in life, Ujunwa got hooked on gambling and lost millions of naira in the process. “I was equally uncooperative with my husband,” she admitted. Every now and then she would threaten him divorce. “But he was a patient man,” Ujunwa observed, even as she noted that the demon had afflicted her husband with illness.

To the glory of God, however, since getting her deliverance, Ujunwa has been living without fear. “I no longer have those dreams about marine spirits,” she said. The evidence of Jesus Christ being lives changed, Ujunwa can’t seem to get enough of her husband nowadays. “Now I can’t do without him,” she said, “and I’m quite free with my children.” For advice she said: “God can deliver us from any situation.” Her husband, Steven, narrated all the issues that he had faced with her. He also told of how God’s power healed him of a strange ailment, after having been swindled by several witch doctors. Following a touch in the name of Jesus Christ, Steven stopped feeling the itching and crawling sensations that had cost him so much money. “My swollen right foot is now back to normal,” he testified. “Come close to God,” he encouraged others.  

And The Master Surgeon Proves Himself To Edwin!

On April 7, 2021, Edwin was involved in a motoring accident. “The brakes of the vehicle failed,” he told the church on November 17, 2024. “Unlike most of the other passengers,” he explained, “I sustained what looked like just a minor knee injury. Later, however, he began to feel severe pain in the affected knee. As a baker, the injury prevented Edwin from doing his work effectively. “Doctors gave me medications and a knee brace,” he reported, “but the pain persisted.”

Eventually realising that God alone could do it for him, Edwin heeded his mother’s advice to visit The SCOAN. “I didn’t want to be shown on the screen at all, so I avoided the Prayer Line,” he said. Edwin recalled how the Master Surgeon had worked on his leg as an evangelist ministered to him on November 10, 2024. “The evangelist asked me to walk along with him,” he told the church, “and I did so.” Today, Edwin is free from all pain and can walk briskly. He advised others to believe in God’s power. 

At Last, Vivian Moves In Faith And Receives!

For her testimony on November 17, 2024, her voice quavering from suppressed tears, Vivian began thus: “I’m extremely happy about my deliverance last week.” She then went back in time, telling of her father’s procurement of a charm to ward off thieves. “The charm started to haunt our home,” she said, “and my father further consulted over it.” But the situation worsened. “We started to see skeletons at night,” she went on. To solve the problem, her father visited more witch doctors. “Still, there was no change,” she said, “and the demons tried to take my life after my first baby.” While in a coma, Vivian had been visited by the demons of her father’s household, who kept threatening to take her life.

Along the line, Vivian developed umbilical hernia. “I was also hearing strange voices that talked down at me and made me want to take my own life,” she went on. After having ignored her mother’s advice over the years, Vivian chose to visit The SCOAN for prayer on November 10. “God’s power fell upon me as Pastor Evelyn Joshua ministered,” she testified, “and now I sleep like a baby – no more nightmares.” For the glory of God, her umbilical hernia has also vanished. She advised parents never to give up on their children. “Look for a living church,” she advised others. Helen’s mother, Roselyn, confirmed her daughter’s total deliverance. “No matter what your children are passing through,” Roselyn began her advice, “never abandon them but always pray for them.”

Against Doctors’ Prediction, Esther Gets Healed Of Asthma!

It was an instant miracle for Esther on November 10, 2024. As Pastor Evelyn Joshua prayed for her, emptying a bottle of Anointing Water into Vivian’s mouth in the process, the young woman bent over to vomit the poison in her system. Fourteen years ago, she had collapsed while playing at school. “Doctors found that I had asthma and I began to experience crises at different times,” Esther disclosed a week later, during her testimony.

“At school they used to call me the asthma kid,” she remembered. On many occasions she skipped school because she didn’t like the nickname. When she became a media person, Esther continued to face the same issue. “I was forced to stay back in the office many times instead of going to the field,” she said. Since receiving prayer, however, Esther has become free from asthma. “I no longer need an inhaler and I can breathe easily,” she testified. She advised others to trust in God. “Although doctors told me I could never be cured, God has proved Himself in my life,” she stated.

Peace – Now Truly A Child Of Peace!

Although Peace didn’t realise it, the spirit of stubbornness had been running her life. It made her nasty and disobedient to her parents. “I never wanted to be close to my mother, much as she wanted it,” Peace said on November 17, 2024 – a week after her deliverance. During her secondary school days, Peace couldn’t live peaceably with her roommate. “People just couldn’t see the link between my name and my attitude,” she admitted.

At university, she was also impossible to live with. “I couldn’t accept my friends’ criticisms,” she carried on, “because I refused to see that I had a problem.” In the end, however, tired of isolating herself, Peace chose to make her way to The SCOAN for the prayer of deliverance. Since that day of grace, Peace has now become truly peaceable. “Ask God for guidance,” she urged others. Her older brother, Genesis, confirmed Peace’s former quarrelsome nature and glorified God for making her calm. Their father, Musa, advised parents to keep their children on the divine path.