How to Find Strength Amid Overwhelming Sickness?

What do you do when life throws overwhelming burdens at you?

Liza Alarcon pondered this question many times.

Her world turned upside down when she learned that the veins in her heart were clogged. The chest pains and the constant feeling of tiredness she occasionally shrugged off turned out to be signs of an underlying medical concern.

However, due to financial struggles, Liza chose to take oral medicine at home instead of being admitted to the hospital.

Despite her condition, she continued to believe and have faith in God that He could heal her. In due time, her condition got better, and she started to experience comfort.

“In that moment, I saw the goodness of God. I recognized that God healed me,” Liza shared.

But after a few years, sickness started to creep in once again in Liza’s body. Her check-up results showed that she was experiencing heart enlargement. She was overwhelmed with fear.

When you can’t seem to catch a break in life, what do you do?

In her moment of worry and loneliness, Liza turned to The 700 Club Asia to gain courage and faith in God.

Through the program, she was introduced to the CBN Asia Prayer Center. Liza called and asked for a prayer for her health concerns.

Eventually, her condition got better.

But Liza’s faith was tested again when her check-up results showed she had stones in her gall bladder, “I was afraid because I felt like my condition got worse.”

Liza chose to hold onto God by constantly calling the CBN Asia Prayer Center to ask for prayers and encouragement. Praying and reading her Bible every day gave her the strength to press on and have faith.

Because of her boundless faith, God gave her a miracle!

“When I talked to my doctor, he told me that the stones in my bladder were gone. During my annual checkup, the doctor informed me that my heart and gall bladder are now in normal condition. I was so amazed!” Liza shared.

Through God’s help, Liza now has a second chance in life. She learned to be disciplined with her health and her faith in God increased greatly.

Do you feel overwhelmed by health challenges?

God healed and comforted Liza, He can do the same for you. Trust and believe that God can accomplish the impossible in your life. Hold on to His promise.

“Anything is possible if a person believes.” (Mark 9:23 NLT)

If you need prayers, our 24/7 Prayer Center is here to pray with you and for you. Call 8-737-0700!

If you are moved by this story and want to bless others through The 700 Club Asia and CBN Asia Prayer Center, you can partner with us today.
 

Pray Faithfully, Receive Victoriously!

When life gives you battles that make you feel helpless, surrendering in prayer is a move that never fails.

This has been true for Jennie Casaclang and her daughter, Raquel.

At 10 years old, Raquel lives a life that is silenced by her sudden hearing disorder.

She was only three years old when life surprised her with painful infected bumps on her scalp and ear trauma that slowly caused the loss of her hearing.

It was even more painful for her mother, Jennie, to see her child suffer at a very young age but couldn’t do anything about it due to a lack of financial resources.

“We really have nothing, we have no one to ask for help. Not even for her medical treatment,” Jennie lamented.

With only Php 80 as her daily salary from cleaning bagoong bottles, Jennie still did her best to take her daughter to the doctor. However, attending follow-up checkups became impossible.

With this, Jennie had to rely on pen and paper and exert extra effort so that she and Raquel could have clear communication.

Apart from the physical pain that Raquel is experiencing, nothing hurts more when society fails to sympathize with them. Because of her hearing disability, Raquel gets bullied in school and even in their community.

“I feel hurt when I see people avoiding her. They say, ‘Oh, she’s deaf, she’s crazy.’ Sometimes, they even hurt her,” Jennie recalled.

Do you also feel like there’s no one to run to when trials like this come?

Find peace in knowing that God meets us where we are suffering the most. He made a promise in Mark 11: 24 NIV, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

All you must do is pray faithfully, just like what Jennie did for her daughter, and believe that God is already in the works of it.

“I pray every night, hoping that my child will be healed and that we will receive a blessing.”

New hope is found in the household of Jennie and Raquel as they experienced God’s goodness through Operation Blessing’s outreach program in Lingayen, Pangasinan last March. Raquel was one of the individuals who were blessed with free hearing aids and food bags.

She prayed faithfully and received victoriously!

“She was so happy when we put on her hearing aid. She said, ‘It’s so loud, I can hear now!‘” Jennie shared.

This would not have been possible if it weren’t for the generous hearts of Operation Blessing donors like you! If you are moved to continue sharing God’s love with our kababayans, partner with us today! Visit cbnasia.com/give.

Is it Possible to Rise Above the Consequences of My Pride?

Secured in his job and not worrying about his family’s needs and their future—this was Ramon’s life. Everything worked out for him until the pride that was growing inside brought him down.

Ramon always thought that he was just too good for his job and that he deserved the financial ease he was experiencing. This changed when the project where he was working as a tunnel technician ended.

“When that project ended, I experienced God’s disciplinary hand upon me. I thought that I could do it on my own,” Ramon shared.

Coming out of the job, he was confident that he would be able to find another one quickly. But months passed, and his savings ran out. The pride he had in his skills quickly turned into despair and hopelessness.

With his pride broken and anxiety clouding his mind, Ramon feared for his family’s future.

Until one night, he came across an episode of The 700 Club Asia. The stories and prayer touched him so deeply, that he humbled himself and surrendered his life to Jesus.

“I felt the need to pray,” he recalled. “I challenged Him that if He was real, to make Himself known.”

The next day, Ramon found a job opening, applied, and was hired within hours. At that moment, he experienced God’s promise in Matthew 23:12 NLT:

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

He felt peace and relief from his fear of the future. Eventually, he was also blessed with an air conditioning service business that helped him support his family.

God redeemed him from the consequences of his pride as he humbled himself before God.

“When I surrendered to God, I slowly began to experience His provision. I was able to get my children through college,” Ramon shared.

God can do the same for you, even if you’ve messed up and sinned. God is gracious and kind, ready to redeem us from our downfall if we are willing to surrender our lives to Him.

As Ramon found freedom from depression and achieved career breakthroughs, he declared, “We will live fruitfully when we stay connected with God. Through Him, I found victory.”

Are you praying for a job? We are willing to be your prayer partner! Call our Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 or connect with us through Facebook.

If Ramon’s story moved you to bless others through the CBN Asia Family of Ministries, you can partner with us today.

God Answers Prayers in Unexpected Ways

Do you prioritize providing for your family’s needs, that you have given up on the possibility of being healed?

Don’t lose hope. God sees your heart and can answer your prayers in ways you never imagined.

Joel Bucay from Albay endured a lump in his neck for years. At first, it was just a simple pimple on his shoulder that suddenly got infected. Lacking the financial resources to remove the lump, his suffering persisted for nine years.

In addition to the pain he is experiencing, he suffered from bullying and had low self-esteem as a result. It came to a point where every time he went to crowded places, he would wear a scarf to hide his neck.

He also felt unproductive in his work as a construction worker due to the constant pain. He felt like it took so much time especially when he would lift heavy objects.

Joel tried different remedies to remove the lump or at least lessen his agony. He tried herbal treatments, but it was hopeless. He also tried going to the doctor, but he doesn’t have enough money because his priority is his family’s needs.

Until one day, God sent Operation Blessing to Albay where Joel lives. He did not waste any of his time and grabbed the opportunity to avail the free medical checkup.

The doctor explained the cause of Joel’s lump and told him that he needed surgery to remove it. He did not think twice and decided right there and then to undergo surgery to remove the cause of his suffering.

Joel was very grateful to the Lord for answering his prayers through Operation Blessing. After nine years of pain and feeling unproductive, he can now give his 100% to his work and can now face people with a big smile without wearing a scarf. (nyicff.org)

Joel’s life is a testimony of how God hears us and sees our hearts. Remember that God cares for His children, as 1 Peter 5:7 NLT says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

May this story inspire you to hope in God and trust that He can answer your prayers in unexpected ways.

Through the generosity of Operation Blessing donors, patients like Joel receive the medical attention they need for free. Hundreds of our kababayans were reached during the recent medical mission in Albay, and with your help, we can help more. To know how you can take part in changing lives, visit cbnasia.com/give.

How Can We Achieve Victory Over Trials?

“Why did God allow these things to happen in my life?”

Perhaps, you have asked this question yourself. The truth is trials are inevitable. All of us will experience going through obstacles at some point in our lives.

How can you rise above trials and sufferings?

Read Josephine Silabay’s story and discover how God can help you overcome.

Josephine is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who recently returned to her home province in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental.

One of her biggest hardships was when she broke up with her boyfriend and live-in partner for six years.

“I was very hurt. We had misunderstandings and conflicts that led to separation,” she lamented.

In addition, she had difficulty returning home to her province due to the lockdown caused by the pandemic. She had to rent a place in Manila for three months.

“During that time. I held onto God,” she recalled.

Josephine also shared how The 700 Club Asia helped her cope with her trials, “I was really blessed by the show. I also called the Prayer Center to pray for my concerns, and it helped me heal the pain in my heart. I also joined CBN Asia’s Bible study group.”

Josephine put her full trust in the Lord and believed in the power of prayer.

Like her, do you also pray to God whenever trials come your way?

Surprisingly, God answered Josephine’s prayer. She was finally able to return to her province. Aside from that, she was hired in a work-from-home job.

However, Josephine’s trials did not stop there.

Last December 2022, Josephine was diagnosed with Pneumonia and Angina Pectoris, a coronary heart disease.

“Again, I asked the Prayer Center to pray with me for healing. After months of medication and prayers, God healed me from the disease,” Josephine testified.

She thanked God for the gift of healing. During those times, she witnessed how faithful and powerful He is in her life.

Like Josephine, do you want to experience complete healing in every area of your life?

God can miraculously do that for you!

Just seek Him with all your heart and give your concerns to Him (Matthew 6:33, 1 Peter 5:7). Victory over trials starts when we have a surrendered heart to Jesus.

CBN Asia’s Prayer Center is here to pray for your concerns, too! Feel free to call us at 8737-0700.

Finding Hope When a Loved One Falls Ill

One of the most frightening experiences for any family is having a loved one fall seriously ill.

Monica Encenarial’s world turned upside down when her son was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. As a retiree with a husband who earns a modest income as a printing officer, the mounting medical bills quickly became overwhelming. Despite their efforts, they could only make partial payments, which meant their son couldn’t be discharged from the hospital.

“He had to undergo a series of laboratory tests and medical treatments, resulting in a bill of Php 150,000 that exceeded his HMO coverage,” Monica shared.

Are you also facing financial problems because a loved one is sick?

May this story remind you that God is our healer and provider.

During those anxiety-filled nights, Monica found comfort in watching The 700 Club Asia. She is an avid viewer of the show and a faithful donor.  Despite her own financial struggles, she never hesitated to give to the ministry.

“The testimonies and the people receiving help from Operation Blessing inspired me to give,” she said.

One night as she was watching, she was encouraged to reach out to the CBN Asia Prayer Center to ask for prayers for her son’s healing and for the financial provision needed to settle the hospital bills. She also prayed for her son to be home before Christmas.

In a leap of faith, Monica shared her family’s situation on Facebook. Little did she know, God was preparing to demonstrate His provision.

The mayor granted their financial request and people responded to her story with overwhelming generosity! Because of this, Monica was not only able to pay off her son’s hospital bills, but she also received more than they needed. What’s amazing is that her son was discharged just two days before Christmas!

In times of challenges, we can rely on God and ask Him for help. If you’re in the same situation as Monica, don’t lose hope. Trust in God’s provision and reach out for help—you are not alone. (https://www.luljettas.com/)

“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2 ESV)

If you need prayers, our 24/7 Prayer Center is here to listen to your story and pray for your situation, call 8-737-0700. Meanwhile, if you are moved to bless more people like Monica through The 700 Club Asia, partner with us today.

Is Success Possible Despite Growing Up in a Broken Family?

Abandoned. Rejected. Never enough.

Those were the thoughts of young Joanna Sedol when her father left their family for another woman.

At first, her young mind couldn’t understand why she had to grow up in a broken family and why she suffered because of her father’s mistakes.

It was unfair.

But as she grew to become a young adult woman, she concluded that every man on the planet was like her father—irresponsible, had no sense of commitment, and would always leave her alone in the end.

Joanna’s bitterness toward her father led her to find a sense of belonging and completeness in her friends and to turn to alcohol to escape the pain.

However, life always finds a way to force you to confront your reality.

Joanna was unable to avoid the reality of poverty. She realized this after graduating from high school—she was unsure if she could finish her studies because her family could not afford it.

But God works in mysterious ways, indeed.

When she was ready to accept that someone with a broken family and a poor background would never succeed, a friend invited her to a youth camp.

There, she heard for the first time that she wasn’t fatherless. Instead of being abandoned, she was chosen. Instead of being rejected, she was accepted wholeheartedly. And instead of not being enough, she realized that she had been made complete.

All because of Jesus, who died for her sins.

“I realized that all along, I was not alone. God was with me,” she said.

Because of her newfound faith and having received God’s unconditional love, Joanna chose to forgive her father and initiate contact with him. She was surprised when her father asked her forgiveness, too.

With her heart free from anger and bitterness, God awakened a strong passion in her to continue her studies and teach people God’s Word.

With the help of Operation Blessing’s Back to School Program, Joanna graduated Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree.

“I’m so thankful for Operation Blessing for helping someone like me without asking anything in return,” Joanna said.

If you know someone who is like Joanna—a child who felt hindered due to broken family situations and poverty—know that you can help change their lives for the better, too.

Partner with us today!

Are You Thinking about Ending Your Life?

When life’s challenges become overwhelming, suicide seems like the easiest way out. If you have thought about ending your life, hang in there—all hope isn’t lost for you. Read John Jerold Cartajena’s story and find out how God can meet you at your lowest point, like how He met him.

John met God when he was about to stab himself.

He lived with his mother since his childhood. She taught him to sell drugs in the streets of Quiapo. When his mother was arrested, John found himself falling into depression, using drugs to cope.

He became angry at the world, thinking he was bombarded with problems, while others had it easy. He wanted to take his own life.

When he was about to stab himself, a bright light flashed in the corner of his eye.

As he let go of the knife to inspect it, he saw the Bible placed on his table.

He took it and said to God, “Thank you! I know that You are there.” John saw it as an intervention.

As he hugged the Bible and turned on the television, The 700 Club Asia was featuring a story about suicide. That’s when John confirmed God was directly speaking to him.

His life changed after he was invited to a Christian church, where he devoted his life to the Lord.

It was in this season that he experienced the love and acceptance he had been searching for his entire life.

“God told me, ‘I love you. I am your father. You are my son. No matter what happens, I have a plan for you.’” John recalled.

As John’s faith grew stronger, so did his desire to overcome his past. He obediently waited until God healed the wounds of his broken life, even bringing his mother to Christ while she was in prison.

John was also able to find and reunite with his father. This quenched his longing to know his biological dad.

“The drugs, the women, the recklessness, it was all useless. It was Jesus that I really needed,” he says. “My life started to have meaning and direction.”

Today, John uses his experience and God-given opportunities to shine the light of hope for his loved ones and those who need comfort and healing.

Are you like John who wants to stop thinking of harming yourself? The Bible has a message of hope for you today:

“The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from them all.” (Psalms 34:18-19 GNT)

God sees what you are going through, and He desires to help you—right where you are. Allow us to pray for you and help you bring your concerns to Jesus, call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700.

If you are moved by this story and want to help more people know about God, partner with us today.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts and in need of immediate help, we encourage you to seek professional help and support from family and friends. Please call the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553, or contact 0966-351-4518, 0917-899-8726.

Can God Restore Broken Families?

Are you facing hardships in your relationship with your family today?

If you were told that there is hope, would you believe it?

Yes! Because of God, there is still hope for you and your loved ones!

He can make new beginnings in your family!

This is what Marilyn Tañada believed when her family faced challenges.

Marilyn’s marriage to Joseph suffered because he was unfaithful.

Infidelity is one of the toughest challenges for married couples. But how did they deal with it?

Marilyn did not easily give up their relationship. Every day, she was crying out to God to restore their marriage.

God heard Marilyn’s prayer. He fixed their broken relationship.

However, Marilyn’s daughter, Hannah, resented her father because of what he did.

“It was really painful to see my daughter lose respect for her father,” Marilyn said.

Thankfully, God taught Marilyn how to be a good parent through The 700 Club of Asia.

She watched a testimony about a mother asking God to heal her child from addiction. By God’s grace, her son was healed.

“Because of that story, I am convinced that God will do something for me and my daughter. I asked Him to soften my daughter’s heart,” she recalled.

Marilyn, her husband, and Hannah went to counseling, where they learned how to move forward in life.

“I am grateful that my mom did not give up on me. I realized that I am still valuable because I am surrounded by caring people,” Hannah shared.

Joseph also shared his experience asking for forgiveness from his family, “I told my family that I am sorry for what I did. I also told Hannah that this time, I would be a father to them.”

God not only restored Marilyn and Joseph’s relationship but also restored Joseph’s relationship with his children.

“God has given me hope to fix my broken relationship with my family,” Joseph shared.

The God who restored Marilyn’s family relationship is the same God who can restore your family, too!

Don’t lose hope and keep the faith. Great things happen when we put God at the center of our family!

Do you need someone to pray for you and your family? The CBN Asia Prayer Center is here to listen and pray with you! Call 8-737-0-700.

Giving Beyond Your Ability

Have you ever found yourself giving selflessly, even when facing personal struggles?

Meet Elen Cutamora, a dedicated grade school teacher of 16 years. When the pandemic forced classes online, she found herself without essential tools like a laptop and printer, making her job increasingly difficult.

“I had to rely on fellow teachers to help me with lesson plans since I did not have a laptop,” she recalled.

This added stress to Elen’s already challenging situation. Without a laptop, she had to frequent noisy computer shops, spend on transportation, and struggle to concentrate on her work.

Yet, her challenges extended beyond her profession. Having lost her husband, she is now the sole provider for her two children.

Financially strained and unable to afford the equipment needed for her job, Elen’s situation seemed hopeless.

Are you facing similar financial hardships?

Don’t give up! God is at work in your life.

Elen found solace in watching The 700 Club Asia. One day, she came across the story of a student grappling with school tasks due to a lack of a laptop. Empathizing deeply, Elen decided to give generously, despite her own limited means.

“Every time I give, The 700 Club Asia sends me audio teachings that uplift and encourage me,” she shared.

Three months after her donation, Elen received unexpected news: her aunt abroad gifted her a laptop, and soon after, she was able to purchase a printer.

“Truly, God understands our needs,” she reflected.

The new laptop not only eased Elen’s workload but also benefited her children, helping them in their school projects.

In gratitude for this blessing, Elen extended her generosity by offering free printing services to her family and neighbors.

The 700 Club Asia awakened a spirit of giving within me. God’s blessings are always abundant,” she shared.

Elen’s story inspires us that we can practice generosity even in times of need. Her story also reminds us that God knows our needs and is willing to provide for us!

In God’s Word it says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)

Encourage more people like Elen when you partner with us! If you’re facing financial problems, our 24/7 Prayer Center is available to pray for you! You may call 8-737-0-700.