Saving the Cursed

“Let them curse, but do Thou bless; when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but Thy servant shall be glad.” Psalm 109:28, NAS.

Parameswari is a 27 year old Indian from Malaysia. She worked in a factory and lived with her mother in a nice house. They had a Malay woman as a neighbor who wanted to buy their land. The mother refused, and got into an argument with the neighbor. Parameswari walked in on the argument. The Malay woman looked at her for a long time, and then turned to her mother and said in a menacing voice, “You best be careful if you know what’s best for your daughter.”

Shortly after that argument Parameswari fell ill. When her mom took her to the doctor, they found that she had an advanced case of uncontrolled diabetes. The infection in her leg was advanced, and they had to amputate at the mid thigh. . After the amputation the daughter stayed home. She was so depressed she wanted to commit suicide. At that time a Christian ministry that helps handicapped individuals took her in. As she was waiting to see a doctor, she met a Christian pastor who told her about the healing that he had seen Jesus bring to other people.

At first she was resistant to hearing about Jesus or going to church. But Rev. David Barnabas was persistent. After he invited Parameswari over the course of several months, she agreed to attend worship services a few times. She was angry with God for not saving her leg. However, over time God softened her heart, and she prayed to receive Christ.

Some time after that decision, Parameswari’s mother called Pastor Barnabas at 1 a.m. asking him to come quickly. He rushed to the house and found Parameswari sitting up in bed manifesting a demon. She spoke with a man’s voice. The voice said, “I cannot leave her. I must kill this girl.”

The pastor bound the demon in Christ’s name and prayed to cast it out. In the course of struggling with the demon, he learned that the neighbor lady had placed a curse on the girl to kill her. Due to the religious practices of Hindus, they are very susceptible to demonic possession. Many Christians coming out of Hinduism will have struggles with demonic attachments. After praying for several hours, Parameswari calmed down and fell asleep. Pastor Barnabas thought the demon was gone. He later learned that he was wrong.

Shortly after this episode, Parameswari completely lost her vision. Pastor Barnabas was convinced that the attacks on the woman’s health were spiritual, and he led the church to pray. For months they prayed and asked God for a breakthrough. And in response to the prayers, her sight returned.

Parameswari got a job in a hotel, but one day at work she collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital and was admitted to ICU. Pastor Barnabas rushed to the hospital. He was allowed to visit her briefly in the ICU ward. The demon manifested again. It said, “You are forcing me to kill her quickly.”

The ICU doctor was a believer from a sister church in the city. He told Pastor Barnabas that Parameswari was clinically dead. Only the machines were keeping her breathing. He urged Pastor Barnabas to get the family’s consent to unplug the machines and let her go. Pastor Barnabas refused. He said, “Doctor, I believe God is going to give her life back.”

For 40 days he came every day to pray for her life. Just as everyone had given up hope Parameswari began to move her fingers and respond to people’s voices! Then she came out of the coma.

The Christian ICU doctor told Parameswari that she better thank her God. She continued to improve and was released from the hospital. After three years she is still healthy. She is also still paying for the hospital visit!

Shortly after being released from the hospital, Pastor Barnabas challenged Parameswari to go on a 40 day fast to seek healing from her diabetes. He was convinced that all her health issues stemmed from the demonic influence. She agreed, and after the 40 days, she was able to stop all her treatment for diabetes. After 3 years, she remains healed of her diabetes.

Even though the curse cast on her literally took her life, God gave it back to her. The Lord can even save the cursed!

Pray that:

God will give wisdom and power to His servants who are dealing with demonic possessions among the unreached peoples with whom they are sharing Christ.

God will show His surpassing power over curses and demons so that the lost may believe His Gospel and find salvation.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.