MY ANGRY ASK

What makes you angry? REALLY mad-at-the-devil angry? Maybe God will use that holy anger to help guide you to your purpose.

When I was a 17 yr. old high school senior, I came home from school one day to find out that my older sister Lynne had tried to commit suicide. She was in a psychiatric hospital under close supervision, and thank God, she would be okay. Lynne was 13 years older than me and had two precious little boys. For as long as I could remember, I adored my older sister—she was beautiful, sweet and generous. She was also an alcoholic whose lifestyle kept my parents in constant prayer. My dear Lynnie was a prodigal.

Upon hearing the news of her suicide attempt, I went for a run. I needed to think. What just happened? How could my beautiful sister think her life was not worth living? I cried as I ran. And then I got mad. I started speaking to the devil. “Satan, you’ve gone too far. You’re going to pay. For this one life you tried to take, I’m going to take 10,000 from you. You’re going to be sorry you messed with my sister!”

Next I began to cry out to God, “Lord, give me 10,000 souls! I don’t know how you’re going to do it, but I know you will! I want to help save people who are going to hell—give me 10,000 lives for this one life!”

Did God answer my prayer? Yes! I believe that through my work at CBN, the Lord answered my audacious ask. Twenty plus years after I prayed that prayer, I was hired to work at the Christian Broadcasting Network. The first story I pitched was my sister Lynne’s salvation testimony. She was actually saved while watching The 700 Club! When her story aired, it became one of the 3 biggest salvation stories of the year. Thousands of people called our prayer line to receive Christ after watching her testimony. Since then, I’ve pitched, researched, and produced many, many segments that have led viewers to salvation.

Now, to my REALLY BIG ask. In 2011, I found out that my 17 year old son no longer wanted the Christian life he was raised to live. He wanted to leave us to live a lifestyle that was contrary to God’s word. We begged him to rethink his decision, but nothing we said or did made a difference. He left home the summer after his senior year, and once again, I got VERY ANGRY at the devil. I’ll never forget the day I served notice on the enemy: “Satan, you’re really going to regret this. Because you’ve tried to take my son, I will take 100,000 souls from you!”

Next, I took my son’s 8 x 10 framed senior picture off the wall and held it up to heaven. I cried out, “Lord, this is my son! And I’m asking that you will use his story to lead 100,000 souls to Jesus! What the enemy has meant for evil, I know you will turn it into something good!”

It’s been 7 long years. I’m still angry at the devil, but I can already see God bringing beauty out of the ashes. Over the years, I’ve collected promises from God’s word to pray over my son. Those promises have given me incredible peace and encouragement. The Lord led me to turn those 100 promises and Biblical declarations into books to help other families in our similar situation.

I believe in a big God. A big God who smiles on little sisters and moms who pray bold prayers and make audacious asks. I believe my God can do ANYTHING.

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. Matthew 21:22

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14