Inspirations and Triumphs

RONNIE JOHNSON TESTIMONY—Falling on My Knees

When it comes to faith, Washington D.C. native and Beacon House resident Ronnie Johnson knows that he wouldn’t be anywhere without prayer.
Ronnie was raised by two loving and prayerful parents, but at a young age struggled with self-esteem. The youngest of seven children, he didn’t feel like he fit in with his older brother and sister, so he turned to his friends. Surrounded by drugs, it wasn’t long before he became a user.
“My parents always went to church,” he said. “I remember at age 14 I got baptized and right after I got home I smoked some marijuana.”
Ronnie left his parents’ house at age 17 to sell drugs, and for ten years drugs became his god. He was in and out of rehabs, but nothing seemed to work. “I still had a void in my life,” he said. “I wanted what the world had to offer.”
One day as he was about to take some drugs, his cousin popped in a gospel song. Before he knew it, Ronnie was in tears. He left the drugs right there and went home to his parents, who prayed for him. “Just there and then a peace came over me,” he said.
Soon after, Ronnie went to Minnesota and participated in Teen Challenge, a national organization dedicated to breaking addictions in people ages 12 and up. Even after this, however, Ronnie still felt a void in his life. “I had grown head knowledge of God, but I had never let God in my heart.”
When Ronnie returned to D.C., he began using drugs again. But praise the Lord his family never stopped praying. Through their fervency, God started knocking on Ronnie’s heart like never before, and Ronnie started to pray. He soon heard about Beacon House through his cousin, and has since been on a road to recovery.
“Once I got to the Beacon House I knew the presence of God was here,” he said. “I have truly surrendered my life over to God.”
Ronnie still struggles, but today he knows he can get through the problems he faces. “God never said the road would be easy, but He said to trust Him,” he says of his hardships. “I pray that God will renew my mind and create a right spirit in me.”
Ronnie does not struggle with low self-esteem like he used to, as he rests in the words of Psalm 139: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made [in God’s image].”
Ronnie and his family talk on the phone and pray together constantly. “I truly believe in the power of prayer. Prayer helps me with my faith and trust in God.”
After graduating, Ronnie hopes to attend Frederick Community College by next summer, “God willing.”
“I thank God when I was in the world someone took the time out to pray for me when I didn’t pray for myself,” he said. “It was truly by prayer through my family I am here today.”

Bible Verse: Psalm 86:1-7
“Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.”