TESTIMONY TO THE POWER OF PRAYER

Though Angel had grown up with a strong spiritual family who taught him right from wrong, He had forsaken them and God for drinking, drugs, and a lifestyle that drove him away from God.

Angel said, “The world told me I was gay, that my new identity was in the LGBT community, but at my heart, I missed worshipping the Lord. I was so consumed with drugs, alcohol and, most of all, homosexuality, that it took one of the worst massacres in U.S. history—and the power of a praying mother—for me to repent of my sin.”

June 12, 2016, changed his life in a way he never expected.

“I headed to a friend’s housewarming party, where we all decided to head to Pulse nightclub in downtown Orlando.

I remember love and laughter until 2:02 a.m., June 12, 2016. I was on my way back from the bar with my final drink for the night to bid my friends farewell with hugs and kisses.

That’s when we heard the “big pop.” We know now Omar Mateen opened fire with a machine gun. We were like fish in a barrel.

I tried to run, but it was too late. The moment I realised it was a gunman, he was only a few feet away from me and took aim at my body. Shots riddled my frame.

As I struggled to my feet, I felt a foot step behind my left leg and heard a loud snap. My left femur shattered.

The only thing I could do was cover my head and pray that stillness would overtake my body. That last part wasn’t too hard given I couldn’t even feel my legs.

With chaos all around, I could hear the shots, the screams, the glasses and bottles all shattering.

I looked up and all I saw was bodies falling down one by one. I couldn’t believe what was happening.

Shots began again, but this time they were slow, methodical. Mateen didn’t want to leave anyone alive.

I begged my neighbor to pretend she was dead, but the closer the shots got, the louder she shrieked.

The footsteps were practically on top of us now. I held my breath and covered my face with my hand.

“Pop!” Her eyes closed slowly. I couldn’t believe I’d just witnessed this beautiful lady die in front of my face.

I was petrified knowing I was next. I heard the shooter behind me, gauging his next move.

That’s when I asked the Lord for forgiveness, to forgive me for failing Him, for turning my back on Him. I wanted to be at peace with God, but at that moment, my prayer changed to prophecy.

I prophetically claimed my life for the Lord. I told Him I would not leave that building dead, that I had a purpose and He would fulfill all the promises He made over my life. I knew in that moment that I was chosen and God had something big for me.

I promised Him I would worship Him for the rest of my days.

The very moment I said, “amen,” I felt the bullet. Heat swelled through my abdomen, and I was certain I was dead. But when I opened my eyes, I knew the Lord spared me.

The most traumatizing night of my life also revealed that God had answered the heartfelt cries I’d prayed for years.

Every night, I would ask the Lord, “Please, God, make something happen in my life that will make me return to You, that will make me leave this life of sin, leave the life of homosexuality that I know is not right in your eyes.”

And all the while I prayed, my mother prayed, too. For eight years, she faithfully asked the Lord for the return of her prodigal son.

Two years later, I’m still recovering, but I know beyond the shadow of a doubt what true love, true happiness and true peace really is.

I wake up every morning and say, “I am good with God.”