Spiritual Experiences
Was I just set free from a demon?!
As I write, it’s Saturday evening and the second day of the London Kickstart event with Torben Sondergaard is coming to a close. I had travelled accross London to the event yesterday, stepping out in faith, hoping for some clarity around theological and spiritual issues related to baptism, demonic possession, and Christian spiritual experiences in general.
Arriving at the event, everyone had the kind of peaceful and vibrant energy that I associate with authentic Christianity. There was a warmth and love that you generally only find in people who are grounded in their faith in God. After registering, I took a seat in the auditorium a couple of rows from the front and had some warm conversations with those seated around me.
Following a short worship session, Torben began to speak and shared about his time in prison being persecuted for his faith. His energy was spirited and animated, and his testimony was gripping. A little later he asked whether anyone would like to come to the front to be prayed for, and I jumped at the chance, having felt curious about whether I needed deliverance for some time. To my surprise, I felt very little anxiety.
When Torben prayed for me, he asked me to repeat some phrases asking Jesus to set me free and for the Holy Spirit to come, and before long I was collapsed on the floor and experienced what was apparently the manifestation of a demon. My legs were agitated and after a short while I let out a kind of scream which was apparently the moment when a demon left me. I was pulled to my feet and I felt a greater peace and Torben gave me a hug, before saying the next thing I should do in this spiritual process would be to get baptised.
For the rest of the evening I felt a peace and groundedness that I don’t think I had ever felt before, and several people commented that I seemed transformed. I felt truly joyful and wondered whether this was a permanent spiritual shift and that I was healed.
As the first night of the event drew to a close, I was chatting with some people and met a couple of ladies from Switzerland who were offering their advice around what I could do to remain grounded and at peace. After I explained that I was considering sleeping outside to avoid a long journey home, they kindly offered to pay for me to stay in a hotel for two nights. What incredible generosity! We chatted for some time and prayed for a while outside the hotel, then they left to go to their hotel and I went to my hotel room feeling very happy and thankful, both for the blessing of a warm and comfortable room and for the deliverance experience. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought about how my eyes looked clearer, and after a little prayer time I went to bed.
If you’d like to know what happened on day two of the event, check back soon!