This Charisma article was first published in April 2016. It is republished here in honor of Dodie Osteen’s passing yesterday, July 30, 2025, as the age of 91.
Joel Osteen is not the only minister with a story in his family. His mother, Dolores “Dodie” Osteen, releases her autobiography, If My Heart Could Talk, in stores today. In the book, she tells the story of her miraculous battle against liver cancer, her experiences raising five kids and how she dealt with the death of her husband, John. She currently describes herself as an “exhorter” at Lakewood Church.
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One way Dodie does that, according to the Houston Chronicle, was through praying for sick congregants.
/**/“About five or six years ago,” she said, “I was putting on my makeup, and God put it in my heart that He wanted me to have drive-by healing services for those who are too sick to leave their cars. I stand out by the church’s front door and just get into the car to pray.”
Dodie said she credits God with all the blessings she has received in life.
She said to the Houston Chronicle, “I could have died when I was 48. Now I’m 82, and I’m working for Him. I want people to know that God is a good God. He does want to answer prayers. All we have to do is have faith and hope. Sometimes life is hard, but God helps us get through.”
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Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
