Sunday, July 23, 2017, was the beginning of a time of prayer and fasting at Redemption Church in Knoxville. The pastor’s message that morning focused on the power of fasting. The church would be participating in corporate prayer in groups during the week as well.

My sister invited me for lunch that afternoon. We had coffee after the delicious meal she had prepared and then walked outside to look at the yard and her flowers. We prayed together before parting, and I returned to church that evening for an hour of praise and prayer.

Pastor King was prophesying over the church body, and I sensed God was speaking to me. “The things lost in the past can be restored. Time lost in the past can be returned.” I listened in silent awe. He said the things we have seen God do, the times He has worked in our lives, will be replaced by new and bigger movements of God. He specifically said, “Your life will be more than a story in a book.” There will be greater things than we have seen, greater works, moves of God, more revelations, growth, things of God. My spirit was stirred at these words as I left church that night.

I stopped at a Wi-Fi café in Clinton, Tennessee, to work on Legacy files. This was a volunteer project I was involved with at church. I finished editing one file at 9:20 and decided to head home. Lightning was flashing across the sky as I entered I-75 North. The strikes appeared high up in the night sky, spread out like a blanket in the clouds. Sudden torrential rain poured down with strong winds. I began praying Psalm 91 and put on the armor in Ephesians, and then I started singing. The traffic had slowed to about 40 mph, crawling on the interstate from 75-80 mph. Wipers racing on high could not keep the windshield clear of the rain, and the wind continued to buffet my vehicle. My voice rose louder. When I crossed from Anderson County into Campbell County, the lightning changed.

Now thin white spindly lines, in vertical bundles, resembling twisted tree branches, were flashing ferociously in front of my hood and along the sides of my vehicle as I drove. They were so intense that I was ducking at times or flinching at the constant repetitive flashing that appeared close enough to strike my vehicle. I began to pray the Lord’s Prayer back to back, and I was emboldened as I prayed. I pictured myself at home. I prayed loudly without stopping, while this fierce storm raged around me for many miles. I could almost sense the adversary throwing darts at me through this weather. When the intensity increased, my prayers got louder. I was strengthened as I rebuked the enemy and praised the Lord. It was as though I was pushing steadily onward through enemy territory as I drove. I received an inward assurance from the Holy Spirit that no harm would come to me or my vehicle.

This battle continued through Campbell County until I crossed the Scott County boundary on Highway 63. I let out several shouts of joyful triumph to God and continued singing praise songs until I arrived home. The storm had passed and only soft rain fell on the remainder of the journey. I was bursting with glee from God’s protection and love, and I wanted to yell from the mountaintop what God had done!

The Lord’s presence through the storm strengthened my faith and my trust in Him. I revisit that night when doubt tries to rear its head and I remind myself of God’s faithfulness. He is holy. He is righteous. His Word is true. His character will never change.