“Please, whoever you are, please,” he cries out.
Up at 3 o’clock in the morning, a man prays to be able to see his family again. Desperation fills his voice as tears run down his cheeks. He hangs his head low. “Do you even care?”
This is the situation countless Nigerians have found themselves in. After their families and loved ones have been attacked and kidnapped by Boko Haram, all those left behind have are pictures and prayers.
The God who Hears
This is the exact place many of the Chibok girls’ parents find themselves in, along with the parents of Leah Sharibu. While some are strong Christians, others have no idea who to pray to—so they cry out to whomever is listening, hoping that their cries are somehow heard.
Some pray to Mary. Some pray to Allah. Some pray to the Universe.
But none of these figures will listen.
Why? Because they don’t have ears to hear—they are false gods, offering false hope and false comfort (Psalm 135:15-18).
It is Jesus Christ who hears every cry, every sigh, and every whimper. More than this, He is the only One who can do anything about it— for He and He alone is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace.
The God who Cares
Sometimes, as we pray, we feel as if God is not hearing us—and that if He is, He doesn’t care. In such desperate times, we must remember who our God really is.
He is the One who says,
“See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.” (Isaiah 49:16)
Isaiah, a Prophet for the Lord, spoke this during a time when the Jerusalem had been decimated.
It was filled with people who had gone through immense suffering, wondering if and when things would ever become whole again.
It is these people that God seeks to comfort with His Words in Isaiah 49. “You and Your anguish is always on my mind,” to paraphrase Isaiah 49:16. But He not only feels for us; as said before, He is powerful enough to do something about it.
“This is what the Lord says:
“’In the time of my favor I will answer you,
and in the day of salvation I will help you;
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people,
to restore the land
and to reassign its desolate inheritances,
9 to say to the captives, “Come out,”
and to those in darkness, “Be free!”’”
(Isaiah 49:8-9, NIV)
God did good on His Promise; Ezra and Nehemiah brought a remnant of Israel back, and Israel was rebuilt. But what does all of this have to do with those in Nigeria—and those suffering in general?
- God has been, is, and will always be in complete control. (Isaiah 40:12)
- God has always heard and will always hear those who seek Him out. (1 Peter 3:12)
- God LOVES us—and cares for us, in all we are going through (1 Peter 5:7)
Wherever you are, I encourage you to seek Jesus while He may be found. He longs for you to come to Him with your pain and anguish, because He cares for you!
Just as Christ is hearing the prayers of those crying out for their families and loved ones attacked by Boko Haram, Christ hears your cries. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to You; as You give everything to Him, watch how He moves.
Do you know Jesus?
“’He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’”
(John 20:15, NIV)
When Jesus died, those closest to Him did not understand that He would rise only three days later. Filled with pain and grief, Mary Magdalene searched for her Lord—in an empty tomb!
Jesus did not stay dead for long. Learn more about Jesus, His death and resurrection, here.
Please pray for…
- Those family members who are waiting and praying for their loved ones to come back.
- Those in captivity, including the rest of the Chibok girls (around 100 of them are still in captivity), and Leah Sharibu.
- For those who find themselves in desperate situations, that Christ would come through and be glorified in helping those who need it most.
- For the God of All Comfort to comfort and strengthen the Nigerian military in their fight against Boko Haram.
Thank you for your prayers!
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 