Joanne’s story is now featured in Angel Studios’ new streaming series "Miracle," hosted by Bear Grylls
Nothing is too hard for God
Author and minister Joanne Moody endured nearly 15 years of chronic, nerve-searing pain and countless failed surgeries before her breakthrough came in the most unexpected way—a single prayer in Jesus’ name. Today, as founder of Agape Freedom Fighters, she travels the world equipping churches in prayer and compassionate ministry, pointing people to the Jesus who saves, heals and sets captives free.
Her book, "Minute by Minute," chronicles those years of suffering and the hope she found in God when healing seemed impossible.
Hear the full conversation with Crystal Thornton and Joanne Moody on the K-LOVE God Stories Podcast below
“You can go with Me… or you can stay.”
Joanne’s battle began after the birth of her son in 1999. Complications left her with severe pelvic nerve damage and relentless pain. Over the next several years, she endured multiple surgeries, heavy medication and sleepless nights.
During a 2005 surgery in France, she says the unthinkable happened—she bled out on the table.
“I left my body and for the first time in six years I had no pain,” Joanne recalls. “The Lord came into the surgical suite and said, ‘I have seen your suffering… the prayers of the saints have given you a choice. You can go with Me, or you can stay.’”
Thinking of her husband and their six-year-old son, Joanne chose to stay. Healing, however, did not come immediately.
“Minute by minute, breath by breath—I held on to who God is, not to my circumstances.”
Holding on in the waiting
For nearly 15 years, Joanne says she lived “face-down with the Word open,” filling hundreds of journals with Scripture and the whispers she sensed from the Lord. The pain was so intense she could seldom sit or stand.
She’s candid about the darkness too: “I battled thoughts of ending my life, but when I confessed that to God, His love would meet me—enough grace for the next breath.”
Those journals later became the foundation for "Minute by Minute," her first book, which tells the story of learning to hope when healing felt impossible.
“In Jesus’ name…”
Exhausted and out of options, Joanne sensed God nudging her to attend a healing conference. With special accommodations from her doctors and the airline, she flew on her knees to get there. On the final night, a businessman prayed a simple prayer over her.
“He put one finger on my friend’s hand over my abdomen and said, ‘In Jesus’ name…’ The pain of almost 15 years left my body. I was in shock.”
That moment became a turning point—physically and spiritually.
Freely received, freely given
Back home, Joanne began praying for others the way someone had prayed for her—simply and in faith. Doors opened and Agape Freedom Fighters was born: a ministry of ordinary believers who love like Jesus and pray for the sick, discouraged and searching—in churches, neighborhoods and nations.
“We’ve watched the Lord do what medicine cannot,” she says, careful to add, “and we keep praying when healing doesn’t come right away. Scripture calls us to ‘pray without ceasing’—with thanksgiving—trusting God with the outcome.”
And she never forgets the motivation behind it all:
“Love is the catalyst. If you don’t love, don’t pray for people.”
Miracle on screen
Joanne’s story is now featured in Angel Studios’ new streaming series "Miracle," hosted by Bear Grylls. The project pairs powerful testimonies with medical and theological insight—including reviews from the Global Medical Research Institute—so that skeptics and believers alike can consider the evidence.
“Media is discipling a generation,” Joanne says. “It’s time the Church tells these stories with excellence, humility and truth.”
A prayer for you
If you’re reading this in pain—physical, emotional, or spiritual—Joanne offers the same prayer she prays over people everywhere she goes:
“Jesus, You are the God of the impossible. For the one who feels hopeless, let Your hope rise. In Your name, we declare relief where there is pain, strength where there is weakness and freedom where there is fear. ‘Who the Son sets free is free indeed.’ Amen.”
If you’re waiting on a miracle
- You’re not alone. God sees you, loves you and is near to the brokenhearted.
- Keep talking to Him. Bring every request before God “with thanksgiving” (Philippians 4:6–7).
- Invite community. Ask trusted friends, pastors and your church to pray with you.
- Seek wise care. Prayer and medical care are not opposites—use every good resource God provides.
Watch on Angel Studios
Watch Joanne’s episode in "Miracle," hosted by Bear Grylls, now streaming on Angel Studios.
