Pastor (Mrs) Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the Bishop of the Living Faith Church (L.F.C) a.k.a Winner Chapel. F or about nine months, she battled for her life due to an unexplainable illness. In one fell swoop, from the last week of June to the first week of July, the ‘unimaginable,' happened to her, a role model to woman hood. Her body "succumbed" to the illness and the Oyedepos began a battle, running from pillar to post. The situation was made worse with malicious

publications that Oyedepo suffered stroke, had pregnancy complications, had paralysed legs andthe worst, she was dead! Nine months of pain was like nine years in her life. How did it start? What went wrong? Why is it that a woman representing faith would be attacked in a manner that defied medical explanation? Where was she and when did the battle end?

PRECISELY, between the last week of June and the first week of July, 2004, my husband and I, in company of some other ministers in our ministry took off on the first mission outreach for the year within the country; and of course we were aboard the new ministry aircraft. On the particular trip, we were scheduled to cover about five cities within the nation­ Kaduna , Jos, Kano , Abuja and Ilorin .

It was in the midst of all these that the devil violently attacked my body but Hallelujah Jesus, as usual and always, triumphed gloriously. On one of the nights, I slept and woke up the next morning with a pain on my left shoulder.

Being that we were on a mission trip, I did not want to cause any form of distraction for my husband. So, I kept bearing the pain, though he prayed for me when I first mentioned it. By the time we got to the last station, on the last night, during the evening service, the pain became so intense that everything I had on suddenly became so heavy on me. Infact I had to remove my wristwatch in the course of the service. I could hardly sleep that night. I again prayed about it, kept anointing it and managing it.

Medical Scrutiny
Having taken control in the spirit, my husband and I agreed to call a doctor who immediately administered a pain reliever. This was a Saturday night, expecting that the pain reliever would help in at least relieving the pain pending the time when necessary medical examinations would be carried out the following Monday.

Surprisingly, I began to notice some sudden and rapid changes in my body. A strange kind of radiating pain began first, from my shoulder. It immediately began to spread from the shoulder to the neck, then to the back, and from my back to the left side of the body and subsequently to other parts of the body. As if that was not enough, my body became numb.

At this point, my husband immediately made arrangements for another sets of medical professionals, refusing to take chances. At the end of all the tests, I was given some medications for malaria, typhoid fever as well as pain reliever, but the real cause of the excruciating pain was not yet identified.

As time went on, in addition to all the preliminary tests, more comprehensive and extensive medical examinations were carried out just to be sure-that no stone was left unturned and of course to fulfill ail righteousness. Tests such as BCG and blood sugar were conducted, y blood pressure as well as cholesterol level were examined and several others. The results were all satisfactory. I also had some more x-ray done.

* "My son saw a snake close to the door of the room. Its head was smashed..." * "A big, black, ugly bird was found completely dead..." * "A long, winding, poisonous live snake was found. It was eventually kille

The climax
Things came to a head months later, when during service on a Sunday morning in the church, I was to lead the congregation in worshipping God with our offerings, suddenly, as I walked towards the altar, I noticed some strange feelings all over my body. I got to the altar, picked up the microphone and was about to speak when suddenly my body became terribly weak. As soon as that happened, the microphone dropped from my hand on to the podium.

Miraculously, all in a moment, as I stood there, wordless, God came on the scene. I regained consciousness and instantly, strength came into me as my husband and two pastors stood there with me and I was still able to minister that day.

Physical conditions getting worse
After this incident, I began having some strange experience. Shock waves began radiating all over my body. As time went on, things that I could easily do before, became far-fetched. Several times in church when I sat down I became so weak that I couldn't stand up without support.

As things progressed, physical changes also began to take place in my body. My eyes got affected; I could hardly read any more. Different parts of my body swelled up. The neck became stiff and every attempt to turn it resulted into terrible crisis. Also, one of my hands from the shoulder downwards became stiff. It was a terrifying experience.

More medical examinations
More medical examinations and tests were conducted. The result? Really, nothing significant, except that one of the results of those tests queried "tendonitis". All the medical professionals and experts handling my case were surprised as there were no acceptable medical explanations to what could be the root cause.

One of the professors handling my case asked in despair one day: "What are we really treating?" Much later, after God rescued me, about three of them confessed that all along, they knew it was a completely spiritual case that required divine intervention and not medical treatment.

Further examinations abroad
I had MRI of the spine and the shoulder, CT scan of cervical spine and others as well. Every imaginable test was carries out: name it, I had it! All these were normal and in perfect shape. My respiration was tested; my blood pressure and my pulse were taken again and were declared normal.

My skin was checked, and the conclusion was that it was negative for rash. My lymph nodes were checked and were found normal. My Chest, nose and mouth were examined and were said to be well. I was in the hospital for over one week, not for treatment, but just running all these tests.

Finally, the coordinating specialist made it clear that it was important to look up to God with whom all things are possible for a final solution, he being a very vibrant Christian. At this point, it was abundantly clear that this situation was not an issue of a sickness or disease that required healing, but was an outright attack of the devil from the pit of hell.

Facing the battle.
Until you become violent in the spirit, you cannot take what belongs to you. In order, to spiritually overcome, I used the following tools, the word of God, the name of Jesus, the communion, the anointing oil, the blood of sprinkling, the mantle usage, feet washing, the prayer of faith, embarking on sacrificial giving, wearing a joyful disposition and employing gratitude attitude. I did all with absolute faith and confidence in God. Though they are not a comprehensive list of what I did.

Roles of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Dr T.L Osborn and other faithful
Nobody can successfully live life in a vacuum, we all need each other; there were prayers of the saints. My husband and I discovered the importance of spiritual parents years ago. During this time of crisis, my husband and I were constantly in touch with our spiritual father in faith and mentor, Pastor E.A. Adeboye and his wife. They stood strong in prayers on my behalf.

"... My husband and I discovered the importance of spiritual parents years ago. During this time of crisis, my husband and I were constantly in touch with our spiritual father in faith and mentor, Pastor E.A. Adeboye and his wife..."

Dr. T.L Osborn walked into the room where I was, one day, knelt down and prayed fervently for me. On another occasion, as soon as he entered, he looked at me straight in the eyes and said: "They wanted you dead; but you fooled all of them". Then he pointed his finger at me and declared, "But you shall not die but live and declare the works of God".

I had other prayer support and helpers. These people were with me and around me, serving one purpose or another. Support from the home front my dear husband and all our wonderful children were there and indeed helped me a great deal during this period. It is a great privilege to be married to my husband, Dr. David Oyedepo, a man of courage and great boldness in God. Several times, he saw my secret tears, especially when no one else was there, but in it all, he refused to give up, boldly and confidently declaring that all shall be well.

I specifically remember one time when I was gasping for breath, pinning away: everything seemed to be coming to a stand still. He had to be sent for. He rushed in to the place where I was. I was with our first daughter on this particular occasion, who on seeing my condition immediately began praying in the spirit. Pacing up and down, shedding tears and crying out to God for mercy.

On this particular occasion, naturally all hope seemed to be lost. But when my husband was called, he immediately left what he was doing and rushed to where I was. When he saw my condition, he knelt down beside my bed, held my hands and prayed fervently, asking God to prove himself in my life.

I remember him saying "Lord, prove that you sent me!" And sure enough, he did. Our children, David (Jnr), Isaac, Love, Joy were all wonderful. They were always there speaking or writing faith-filled words to me throughout this period.

The turning point
After undergoing a procedure for my shoulder, I had to start exercising that shoulder and different parts of my body because at that time, mobility was near zero. I had to start learning how to walk again.

Then one morning, my husband instructed me to read Luke 10:19. He also said that I should ensure that I walk around as often and as far as I could. In obedience to his instruction, I would get up several times again with my walker, and move around confessing the scripture.

My son and one pastor were standing just by the door of the room where I was. My son lifted up his eyes, and suddenly saw a green snake close to the door of the room. Its head was smashed and killed. After this incidence, I began to notice progressive improvement in my body.

In our home in Nigeria , a big, black, ugly bird was found completely dead: knocked down by the power of God, right at the entrance to our private sitting room just before the bedroom. That was a strange thing to happen, especially because no one was in the house, and all the windows and doors were locked. Thereafter, I began to notice certain land mark changes.

"Eventually I returned home victorious. There was a reception at our home, Lighthouse... Finally, an end came to all malicious publications. All my mockers were put to shame, or as my husband says, "shamified."

One day in my husband office, a long, winding, poisonous live snake was found. It was eventually killed. That was also very mysterious more so because that particular office is on the second floor of the building and the windows are never opened.

When gradually, I was able to walk again, my eyes began to function effectively. I regained my appetite. I could easily get in and out of bed by myself without assistance.

Now completely rescued
It was a long, tough and deadly battle but an end finally came to it. Those ten months looked like ten years. I became spiritually alert, mentally alert, physically active and emotionally healthy.

Home coming
I had been away from home for many months and had missed home, church and fellowship while I was away. So naturally, I was eagerly looking forward to coming home. And God did it.

Eventually I returned home victorious. There was a reception at our home, Lighthouse. Later, there was another at the mission lodge, the Faith Tabernacle, Covenant University, Faith Academy and a lot of visits from individuals and groups.

Finally, an end came to all malicious publications. All my mockers were put to shame, or as my husband says, "shamified."

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