WEST AFRICA: ‘The LORD FOUGHT FOR ME’
Open Doors Youth, PO Box 6, Witney, Oxon, UK, OX29 6WG
We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.
ALIMA IS 20. SHE’S a CHRISTIAN FROM A COUNTRY IN WEST AFRICA. HER STORY IS PRETTY TOUGH – SHE’S KNOWN REJECTION AND DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF HER FAITH FOR MOST OF HER LIFE. THIS IS HER STORY, PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR HER…
When Alima was born her mum and dad had split up. Her dad is a Muslim, whilst her mum believed in a traditional local religion. When she was born, her dad made it clear he wanted nothing to do with Alima as her mother wasn’t a Muslim, so Alima ended up being raised by her mum and grandmother.
When she was 10, she had regular seizures and migraines. Alima’s grandmother was a Christian and so took her to church where the pastor prayed for her, and, incredibly, she was healed. Back at home with her mother and grandmother, Alima started going to Sunday school and her love for Jesus started to grow and deepen.
Around the same time, Alima’s father resurfaced in her life and wanted to take custody of her. He convinced Alima’s mother and grandmother that he would take care of her, promising that he would not prevent her from going to church… Once she lived with him, he broke his word and soon forced Alima to learn the Quran. When she resisted, he would beat her and often deprived her of food when she didn’t memorise a Quran verse.
This continued for seven years until Alima finished high school. She remembers that one day he threatened her saying, “according to my religion, it is better if I kill you than letting you die and going to hell. If I kill you at least your soul will be saved”.
After that threat, Alima knew she had to leave or she could soon be dead. In December 2022, she fled to another city and managed to rent a room. Since then, she’s not had contact with her family, nor do they know how to reach her.
When local Open Doors partners heard her story, they came alongside Alima and since July they have been supporting her, providing her with food and some money to support herself. Alima has found a home in a new church, she is currently learning to sew to earn some income and hopes to start her university studies this year.
Alima shared two verses that have encouraged her through the last ten years, Exodus 14:14 and Psalms 23:1.
“It says: The Lord will fight for you. Just be still. Truly, the Lord has fought for me. While I was going through trials, the Lord fought for me, protected me against all I couldn’t do by myself. These verses encourages me a lot”.
Please join us in praying for Alima and her family. Points below…
PRAY NOW...
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Thank God for Alima's brave faith and perseverance in following Him
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For Alima's safety and that any future reunion with her family will be peaceful
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Pray for other young people in the region who loneliness and rejection because they choose to follow Jesus. Ask that God's Spirit will be their constant companion and comforter. Pray that they will find friends who know and love Jesus as much as they do. Pray for wisdom for churches and their leaders as they engage young Christians and look for ways to support them.
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That Alima will continue to grow in her relationship with Jesus Christ
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For Alima's father - ask that God will work in his heart and mind so that he will come to know Jesus Christ as his Saviour
DO SOMETHING…
11. TAKE ON THE CHOOSE TO LOOSE CHALLENGE...
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3. TRY THE RISK FACTOR QUIZ...
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