| While in church on a Sunday back in February, 2009, the congregation was actively singing, waving their hands and praising God in spirit, and some with tongues. DeLana was singing at at times preaching, or calling out certain thoughts that inspired her. I don't recall exactly what she was saying, but she was calling out to God in a meek and almost trembling voice, with much reverence that she loves Him very much. She was not really addressing the congregation. She was talking and singing to God. But then, out-of-the-blue, she looked at me; directly at me, right into my eyes and she said, "Don't put me in a box." Then she broke away and resumed singing and praising God.
I thought this was so odd and out-of-place. Incongruent.
(my new word)
I tried to understand what she meant. I said to myself, "I do put her in a box, but it's a very large box. I have judged her, but it's a very forgiving judgement. Beside all of this, how could she possibly know what I was thinking? I've never even spoken to her before."
Regardless, this would not explain why she would be inspired to say something so specific to me right in the middle of her praise to God.
A short time passed during this celebration with several more songs of praise. DeLana was singing and preaching, and then again she looked straight into my eyes. This time she also pointed at me and said, please come up here." She was referring to both Tonya and I.
I tried to somewhat hide behind the back of the head of the man in front of me; to break eye contact with Delana, but it did not work. When I moved to look at her again she was still looking at me. And so I pointed with my finger at my chest and said, "Me?" DeLana knodded yes.
I had no intention, or desire to participate in any alter call, but since she invited me directly, I felt a chuckle, and then walked up to her; in front of the church at the base of the platform.
As DeLana began to pray for me, she placed her hands on my forehead, urging me to submit to God. She was saying something about "I have a great work to do ... I have personal struggles to give to God.." something like that, and I felt pursuasion to fall back. I did not want to do this. I knelt down on one knee as she continued to pray. She said there was a great work that God had for me and that there were some things in my life that I needed to give to God.
Although this is true; I felt her words were somewhat generic in description and could apply to almost anyone. I was not emotional, or passionate as she prayed for me. I was calm. Someone reached down. I saw a hand, and a tissue; in case I wanted to cry? I took the tissue and just stared at DeLana's shoes as I knelt, while she continued to pray. It seemed as though I was supposed to fall back or something; I did not.
But then as I stared at her shoes, in a knelt prayer position, I felt the sensation of danger; not for me, but for DeLana! I thought how her position in the church, as well as her husband, Myles, and his position, carried so much weight and responsibility. And I sensed danger for both of them, and direct danger for her; so as she prayed over me, I began to pray for her; that God would shield her from the devil.
As I did this, I began to cry. I felt the prayer was so powerful, and I knew when it was done. (the prayer)
As I stood up, there was someone behind me who was speaking in tongues. I could hear him clearly. I stood face to face with DeLana and I whispered into her ear. I said, "The writing is on the wall." I was still suppressing a cry.
As I heard the man behind me, (still speaking in tongues) I saw a picture. There was a short, dark, thin, kind-of-middle-eastern man, crouched like a predator ready to pounce; however, he was pointing aggressively with his finger; ferociously shaking his hand while he pointed. He was addressing a devil, and yelling at him. He was demanding that this devil "leave me alone".
I could see the devil through the corner of my eye; so-to-speak. He was tall, very tall; maybe ten feet tall. He was very thin, brown, gnarley brown and somewhat silohette. He was standing there looking at, or facing the middle-eastern man who continued to yell at him; all the while demanding that this devil leave me alone!
I realized that the voice of this middle-eastern man was actually coming from the church member who was behind me, and speaking in tongues! As I came to this realization, I saw the devil turn and walk away. I could no longer wee him. He walked away in the distance. The middle eastern man remained.
I turned around to see who it was, still speaking in tongues. It was the man who stood in front of me before I walked to the alter' the one I his behind to break eye contact with DeLana. He was still speaking in tongues and had the palms of his hands toward me. As I looked at him, I spoke, "You are telling the devil to leave me alone, aren't you."
The man made eye contact with me, stopped speaking in tongues and replied, "I'm telling the devil to leave you alone."
I hugged him and said, "Thank you."
Once I left the alter and went back to my seat in the congregation, Tonya came with me. She had been up there at the alter praying for me. DeLana resumed her service of praise and singing. And during this sermon, she mentioned, (referring to me) .. "and that man who came up here? I was compelled to invite him to an alter call. But then I had my reservations. 'Leave this man be. Do not invite him to an alter call..' But then I realized that there must be a powerful purpose in this man's life for the devil to attempt to discourage me from praying over him.. Well, I am not going to give in. I will call this man to the alter."
And she did...
Later, when I described my experience to DeLana, and Tonya, Tonya told me that she too was "praying for the devil to leave me alone!" I am a fortunate man. I would not survive without such loving people.
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