In a previous “thought” I shared with you two of the stories Nigerian Christian women wrote down for us in the World Day of Prayer service. They shared information about their lives, and how their faith has helped them to overcome challenges. Today I am covering another story from a woman who lives in the North of Nigeria.
Jato’s story:
In some parts of Nigeria Christians and Muslims live together in harmony, but in Northern Nigeria some Christians are killed simply for their faith and Christian girls have been regularly kidnapped by Boko Haram. In February 2018 110 girls were taken from a secondary school. After a month of federal negotiations all were released except for 1 girl called Leah, who refused to convert to Islam.
Jatos daughter, Amina, is the same age as Leah, and Jato worries so much that her daughter could be taken too. Jato prays each morning with her daughter, before she leaves for school, remembering Jesus’ words, ” in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16 v 33. Jato believes that our strength doesn’t come from an expectation of an easy life, but is rooted in the knowledge that Christ walks with us through every hardship.
A small Christian community still gathers to pray for Leah’s return. Jato believes it is important not to harbour hatred and intolerance of those with different beliefs, but to let Christ’s love flow through us, even in the face of persecution. ” its a daily choice, a daily surrender”. She prays for her daughter’s safety, but also for her heart. She prays that her daughter, Amino, will have the strength to stand firm in her faith, but also that she will have the love to see the image of God in everyone she meets, regardless of their faith.
The prayer that follows Jato’s story:
” Loving Jesus, you too faced persecution. We lift up Leah, and all who suffer for their beliefs. Grant them strength and comfort in their darkest hours, inspiring us to stand strong in the face of adversity. Help us to take up your yoke of love and forgiveness”.
I found the forgiveness expressed by Jato quite remarkable as she lives out her life in such a dangerous society, facing daily fears for her daughter’s safety . The problem may seem a long way from us but how important it is to pray for the return of all the girls who Boko Harem have taken from their families, and for an end to these abductions.
In the words of Graham Kendrick, whose hymn was sung at the end of the service,:
Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair, Lord in your suff’ring world this is our prayer,
Bread for the children, justice, joy peace,
Sunrise to sunset your kingdom increase.
Shelter for fragile lives, cures for their ills,
Work for all people, trade for their skills,
Land for the dispossessed, rights for the weak,
Voices to plead the cause of those who can’t speak.
God of the poor, friend of the weak,
Give us compassion we pray.
Melt our cold hearts, let tears fall like rain,
Come change our love from a spark to a flame.