7.Miracles, Signs, and Wonders 2024
A Miraculous Healing
by. V. Perry
Psalms 77:14 tells us, “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”
My God is still in the miracle business because he does not change. He is a God of the past, present, and future.
Allow me to take you back for a moment to November 2006. The things that happened preceding the event are equally important. It is a regular prayer meeting service, and my pastor asked those wanting prayer for healing to come to the altar. I had a fractured ankle in a cast and on crutches, so I went up without the need to share anything with the man of God since I believed it was clear why I came forward. He prayed for the healing of my leg. As he prayed for me, the prayer became more intense. Then he began to prophesy. "This is the word of the Lord. The Dr. will say there is nothing they can do; it is all in God's hands. But the word of God is you shall live and not die. They will ask your family to come in because things will not look good, But God says, daughter, you shall live and not die. I am the God of miracles." I was confused by the prayer and prophecy, which seemed unusual for a fractured ankle. I'm a little disturbed in my spirit. For days, I kept seeking God to clarify what all of this meant.
I continued to think about the word that came forth over the following weeks. While meditating during my quiet time, the Holy Spirit gave me some strange yet particular instructions. "You are to receive no gifts this Christmas. The gift God has for you, only I can give." The request seemed easy because my family members pulled names and only bought and received one gift. I told them I would participate, but whoever pulled my name could purchase something for someone in need. However, there was such a heaviness to obey whatIt is now Christmas morning, and my dear brother-in-law failed to comply with my request and still got something for me. As he tried to present it to me, I had a heaviness in my spirit. I remember being very emotional, and I broke down into an uncontrollable cry because my soul was overcome with sorrow. My family became concerned and asked if something was going to happen to me. I assured them I was OK but didn't know how to explain it. I calmed them down and shared a scripture that kept repeating in my head. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. After Christmas day, I continued thinking about the prophecy but was at peace.
It is now seven months from the original prophecy, and all was well until the morning of Wednesday, June 13, 2007. Someone told me that I suddenly blacked out, slumped over in my chair, and stopped breathing while talking to a manager at work. They started CPR but could not get a heartbeat; they shocked me twice and could not get a heartbeat. All of this was unfolding in front of my coworkers. The paramedics arrived, and they shocked me again two more times, only to get a flat line. They were ready to determine clinical death imminent because I was pulseless. I had some prayer warriors in the group, and we had prayed many days in that office. Everyone cleared the immediate area except those five persons who stood respectfully out of the way and called on the name of Jesus. As they worked on me, one of my good friends cried out Lord, don't let this happen here. Instantly, she was relieved when she heard the paramedics given instructions to transport me.
Upon arrival at the hospital, they performed post-cardiac arrest hypothermia, a procedure to deliberately reduce my core body temperature to a range of 31- 34C. By now, they were only able to get a useless quiver from the lower chamber of my heart, and it was not able to pump blood to my body or brain. This procedure was performed to reduce the risk of brain damage and improve my neurological outcome. After working diligently on me and placing me on life support, the doctor gave the prognosis to my family.
Just as the prophet of God had stated, the doctor told my family that I was in a coma and there was nothing else they could do. It is all in God's hands, and we needed a miracle. If her heart is going to beat again, God has to do it. Then, he prayed with my family and friends. He further explained that I had been without oxygen for so long: at best if I survived, I would probably be a vegetable. For every minute you are without oxygen to the brain, you lose a 10% chance of survival and an increased chance of permanent brain damage. It was well over an hour since my heart stopped.
After 24 hours, they began to rewarm my body slowly, but I was still heavily sedated. Friends and family came, some to say goodbye, others to support, pray, and believe God for a miracle. On day 3, they were preparing me for an EEG to determine brain activity. But to the nurse's surprise, they had to call my family back into the room because I opened my eyes. They say I tried to say something over the next few days. My sister finally realized I was asking, "Where am I?" I did this at least 40 times and would close my eyes again and not seem to comprehend any of their responses. It was unclear how much brain damage I suffered.
On Monday, five days after the cardiac arrest, my sister came over to my bed. Leaning over me, she told me you are in ICU at St. David's Hospital. You were at work and had a cardiac arrest. Your heart stopped, and EMS transported you here. Tears began to roll down my face. It was clear a person dies when their heart stops, like my mother, who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and passed in her sleep. I could hear them talking, so I knew I was still alive. Then, in my spirit, I hear, "You shall live and not die." I was overwhelmed but unable to communicate with anyone. My mind is racing, trying to put it all together in my head. I think back to Christmas day and why my heart was so heavy, and I had to obey the will of God. I thought about what the heaviness must have been like for Christ when he went into the garden the night before his crucifixion as he submitted to the will of God. I began to praise God in my spirit. My son asked if I was in pain. I was completely OK and nodded no. I wasn't sure of all that was going on with my heart or body, but I knew God had his hand on me and was in control.
The prognosis after my release from the hospital was that my heart might not improve, which meant living like a 90-year-old person; it may eventually fail permanently or could get stronger; only time would tell. I remember looking at my doctor during my follow-up appointment. I told him God did not bring me this far to leave me. My doctor replied that he had to advise me of all the possibilities from a medical perspective. I told him I refused to believe anything except that I would pull out of this. I needed a doctor who had the faith to believe with me.
I was very humbled by this life-changing experience. The journey was long, God was faithful, His grace sufficient, my prayers unceasing, and my faith increased. There were months of physical therapy to strengthen my heart, occupational therapy to work through neurological challenges, and spiritual warfare against depression. Through it all, I remember telling God I wanted Him to get the glory whenever I or someone else told my story. God has granted that request many times over the years as my testimony has been shared internationally.
There was one morning I felt extremely grateful now, one month after being released from the hospital. As I prayed that morning, I thanked God for my life and told him I was willing to be a living sacrifice for him. I was still fragile but strongly wanted to attend church that day. There was no live streaming then. I insisted my best friend take me to church, although they kept pleading with me to wait until my heart was stronger. Reluctantly, she helped me dress, and we went to service. During the service, my pastor acknowledged me and began to share my testimony on how God had raised me from the dead, then asked to pray for me. Many were overjoyed to see me, and the spirit, praise, and thanksgiving were high because they had been to the hospital and knew the report. I even got caught up in the spirit, thanking and praising God for what he had brought me through. Unfortunately, it was just too much for my heart too soon. I went into another fatal heart rhythm; my internal defibrillator shocked me, but it could not regulate my heart. By the 3rd shock, I knew I was in a life-threatening situation. A doctor friend was sitting with me and called 911. The people began to pray as I received a 4th, then a 5th shock. I'm scared my heart will stop again. The Holy Spirit reminds me of my morning prayer as I'm praying for God to help me. I cried, Lord, this is not what I was thinking, but I submit to your will. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
As the EMT was working on me, they could not understand how I was still conscious. But God! Meanwhile, I could hear my pastor say, I saw the faces of many of you when I was telling you this woman was clinically dead and lifeless just days ago. Some of you looked like you didn't believe what I saw, what God had done and the miracle that stood before you. You looked at me like this was an act or TV evangelism hoax. By now, they are rolling me out, and I can't do anything but raise my hand to praise God. I decided that if he was going to take me like this, I wanted to honor him unto death.
The church I attended had 2 locations. By evening, word got back to me that my pastor changed his sermon that day and spoke on Ephesians 3:20, "God Is Able." He spoke on what God can do in your life. There was a record number of people, 32, who came to Christ or joined the church at the location where I was. Then another 24 just heard what happened and came forth at the 2nd location. Clearly, this was not about me but for our God to be glorified; I was just a vessel God used.
Listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and obeying was indeed a faith journey. It wasn't just one thing. It was all things that worked together for good. As I lay there in the hospital for the 2nd time, not able to have visitors, it was just me and God having endless conversations. I recalled everything to which our all-knowing God already knew the answer. Would I receive the prophet's word from God when it didn't make sense? Would I trust and obey Him even if I don't know what He is doing? Would I be a vessel willing to be used by God even if it cost me? Would I bless the Lord at all times? Would I tell of His goodness and all He has done for me? My answer then and still is today: yes, Lord!
Our God can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask or think. There is absolutely nothing too complicated for God. The Bible records many miracles; Jesus healed many people, including the blind, paralyzed, and the sick. That was not just then; I am a living testimony that miracles and healing still happen today. If you need a miracle today for yourself, a loved one, or a friend, have faith in God. Do not look at the situation, but trust Him; believe in what you cannot see or may not understand.
Psalms 77:14 tells us, “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” This scripture is a source of hope, encouragement, and faith for believers. By acknowledging God as the God who does wonders and who declares His strength among the people, believers are reminded of His faithful presence and His ability to intervene in miraculous ways.
To God be the glory both now and forever. Amen