I have been hearing about the testimonies coming from Miracle Centre cathedral, Lubaga, where the senior pastor, Robert Kayanja, has been presiding over a powerful revival codenamed 77 Days of Glory.
The prayer rally that ends this Sunday involves believers congregating at the church for a powerful overnight service littered with amazing deliverance sessions as well as testimonies from people who have received their miracles either on Channel 44 – the ministry’s TV station where services are streamed live – or at church.
My DStv subscription does not enable me to view the live screenings; so, I had been hearing about the 77 days from friends who turn up to their workplaces red-eyed from staying up till dawn.
Since I worship at a deliverance-centred church myself, I thought these were simply excited tales from Christians who had never witnessed true deliverance like I have.
But then a friend told me how, during one such service, a woman had stepped up to the pulpit and introduced herself as the person behind the smuggled liquor impounded a few years ago at a beach on Pr Kayanja’s Ggaba residence.
She was there to apologise and be prayed for, since her life and family had reportedly received inexplicable battering since the scandal that left media and the public convinced the pastor was a liquor smuggler.
As the woman spoke, a dumbfounded Kayanja reportedly broke down in tears. I remember how that story made headlines; sadly, no one is ever interested in reporting about developments such as this woman coming clean!
Anyway, it is partly what drove me to Miracle Centre last Friday. I wanted to be part of this amazing move that clearly came for our entire nation. I was there by 6pm and shocked to find the 10,500-seater cathedral completely full, with the tents outside filling up fast too.
It was so good to see thousands seeking true miracles (where you don’t pay to be prayed for) and with genuine thirst for prayer. Thousands more have given their lives to Christ during this period.
Seated in the tent, the presence of God was so strong; I feared I would suffer dehydration from my tears of joy and awe as God’s power manifested all around me. I know my life will never be the same.
I left at 6am, and Pastor Kayanja was still on the pulpit. His and his ministers’ commitment left me feeling challenged. Instead of the incessant bickering and unfair criticism, how about borrowing a leaf from this man of God’s level of commitment?
I cannot imagine how gruelling spending 77 consecutive nights on a pulpit – 10pm to 10am – must be. And he does this with a complete team of ministers, including a choir that stays on the pulpit that entire time. I imagine most of them have day jobs too. Now, when God rewards such people, the rest of us harp: “babbi! (They are thieves!)”
Guard your tongue, my sister, brother!
In fact, one of my prayers that night was that these 77 days leave the body of Christ in Uganda united, at last. I am so tired of the in-fighting, badmouthing and conspiracy theories, and hope I am not alone.
I pray that before Sunday – whether you are Pentecostal or not – you find time and partake of what God has released for all of us through these wonderful sessions.
malita@observer.ug
