My daughter, Alex is back home for thanksgiving break after three months in college. We were very nervous about her visit since when she left only three months ago, her mental state was very alarming and scary to witness. Days leading up to her coming home both Howard and I were tense and edgy. My son, Evan was dreading her visit too.

She’s been home for a few days now. I am truly marveling at her transformation. My Alex is back – kind, sweet, considerate, easy to spend time with. Jesus truly sent His word out and set her free from whatever demonic stronghold she was under the influence of. I received my miracle for my daughter as the SyroPhoenician woman did in Mark 7. Holy Spirit gave me her story to hold onto and I did with the help of many good friends in the church community. As I look back in 2021 when this greatest battle started in my family, I marvel at the victory because it happened so suddenly. It’s a true miracle.

Yesterday I spent the entire day with Alex, shopping for her first business suit, eating Korean lunch and getting her haircut. She told me about her friend, Samantha who keeps on inviting her to a college Christian group meetings. She hasn’t gone yet but I will be praying for her friend Samantha to not give up and to keep on being a good friend to Alex. Believing children can be an answer to another mom’s prayers for her children. This is why I pray for the Christian children often.

I even told Alex that I formed a new prayer group on Facebook for IU parents to pray together for our children and the college. She was pleased to hear this! Wow! Three months ago, she would’ve hated to hear this. I snuck into her room to see what she’s doodling in her sketch book, her drawings are cute and sweet again. They are no longer disturbing and demonic.

Despite this miracle transformation, my husband hasn’t acknowledged the power of prayer to God through Jesus Christ. Once when I mentioned it couple of weeks ago, he gave me a nasty look and comment. Right now he’s suffering from painful hemorrhoids. I can’t help but wonder if he invited this suffering by his lack of acknowledgment to God’s miracle. I don’t know. Anyway I don’t want him to suffer so I’m praying for his healing and I’ve stopped sharing that a miracle happened so he doesn’t sin more with his mouth.

I was disappointed to see that Alex’s binge eating is still happening at night. It’s not as bad as three months ago but it’s still there. As I was praying about this situation, the Holy Spirit reminded me of this Bible verse: “And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.” – Deuteronomy 7:22 (NKJV).

Her eating habits will be an area that she will need to control and discipline herself in little-by-little. Desserts and sweet foods are her weakness and so like someone who is weak to alcohol; I need to clear my pantry with foods that she is weak to in order to help her. I’ll also be praying that she finds the strength and strategies to keep her eating urges in control. It seems that in college, she tries to not eat at night by not having junk food in her room.

As I see the power of a praying parent, I have greater desire to share this information with parents who are greatly suffering and don’t know what to do about their suffering children. Having experienced the greatest pain in 2021, and now I want to draw, comfort and encourage other parents more. Many parents give up too easily in praying together and go after secular counseling and medication that don’t work as well. I’m not saying this is not needed but without continual prayers in a church community, I see their children dragging on year after year with their mental struggles.

I’ve been praying about stepping up to lead the region 4 of NJ moms-in-prayer group. Region 4 covers Somerset, Middlesex and Mercer counties. In the past six years, I have not seen any growth in our region of praying mom groups. In fact, I think there were fewer names of group leaders in our prayers for our region few weeks ago. I reached out to the NJ state leader to ask her what the responsibilities are for region 4 leader. It seems doable. I’ll be given responsibility to pray for region 4 regularly, follow up with current leaders, recruit other moms, help them set up their new group, have a monthly meeting with the NJ leader, Karen. I’ve been praying about stepping up and I do believe I’m given the green light to go for it. I’ll talk to Karen after thanksgiving break.

Praying together with other parents is a powerful blessing. Our faith is greater to ask bigger, believe for more and have hope with endurance while waiting for victory for our children. We truly become stronger together. It’s no wonder why Satan hates corporate prayers. After six years of praying for Christian leadership at the schools, the high school has a real believer as a principal! Also my inside source told me that the new superintendent is also a real believer!! It was all worth the effort and many years of praying together for this amazing blessing for our children’s school district. Now I’m praying for them regularly since leading in such secular environment in NJ is very difficult and hard. They are like sheep amongst the wolves. They have to be wise as a snake and innocent as doves as Jesus told his disciples before sending them out. I feel like a Jonathan to these Davids. I just want to encourage and support them both since they have been set apart and anointed for their assignments.

Thank you Jesus for letting me know without a shadow of doubt that “praying parents make a difference.” I’ve seen so many victories in the past six years of mom’s receiving their victories for their children through consistent and persistent prayers for their children. And now I have my own award plaque on display too! Praise the Lord! Now if only these moms will stick around and pay it forward by serving in prayer more…that’s a blog post for another time.

One more thing, my in-laws came over yesterday to take my daughter out for lunch and my mother-in-law said what a delightful lunch and conversation they had together. I told my mother-in-law that there is power in prayer and that we received a miracle for Alex. She was quiet and didn’t say anything back. Her heart is warming up more towards prayer and God. I pray that she will open up more to Jesus Christ too.

Last night, Alex picked up Evan from school after his wrestling practice. He seems to be less guarded towards her. They talk a little more too. I’m praying for Evan’s healing and forgiveness from the hurt that he has experienced.