Mourning with Chibok

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Today, as I sat in my seat in church, my pastor said something that stuck with me:

“Jesus hurts for the things in our life that hurts us.”

And it reminded me of why I started this blog…

It was born out of a great realization of these young women’s hurt, and great need to see the Chibok school girls released and made whole.

You see, I would have given ANYTHING in the world in 2014 for even one of those girls to be saved. Now, as only about 100 of the girls remain in captivity, I have lost my first love and loyalty to these precious women.

Things have changed. But what my pastor said reminded me of a verse in Romans: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

(Romans 12:15)

Just as Jesus wept when Lazarus died in John 11, I want to mourn with those who mourn– especially those loved ones of the captive Chibok girls, who are still waiting to see their beloved girls (now young ladies) again. At the same time, I want to celebrate every victory these girls celebrate.

Jesus, give me the heart I once had for these girls. Give me the passion to see the rest of these young women released. Let me pray with new found fervor for their freedom, and celebrate every precious young woman who goes through victory and healing.

Question: Who do you need to invest in and help out?

Please be praying with me over these young girls in the days to come. A practical way to do this is to look at the Chibok Girl of the Week, where I post a new Chibok girl to pray for over the week.

Thank you, friends and followers, for loving these young women through your prayers and support.

Love in Christ,

Annalee, ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY

I Think I Waited (A Poem)

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People gathered together in Nigeria.

I think I waited for you.
Waited to hear news full of hope–
news about redemption,
about freedom.

The news rung out in headlines:
“Around 100 kidnapped women and children rescued in Nigeria.”
A win! A victory! A glimpse
at the work of God, whose might and compassion
No one can fathom.

Let’s dance. Let’s hug. Let’s celebrate
whenever freedom and truth ring out.
Life is too short not to.

At the same time,
let’s remember…
remember those
still hugging pillows at night,
tears in their eyes as they
hold their loved ones in their hearts.

Let us never forget the pain,
the anguish,
the waiting
that happened
all so that
these people
could be free
once again.

(c) 2021 Annalee Hoover

While we must celebrate every victory, we cannot lose sight of the huge epidemic of kidnappings happening in Nigeria over the past couple of months. Many kidnappers are bandits, holding people captive for ransom. While these captives were reportedly released without a ransom being met, others have not been so lucky, and spend another day in capitivity.

Please continue to pray:

  • For these people held captive.
  • For their families and loved ones, as they wait for their loved ones to be released.
  • That nearby Christians would help those in need.

    Please also think of giving to those nonprofits that work directly with Nigeria. Thank you.

Nigeria Under Attack

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People in Nigeria have been struggling for awhile now. The pain and anguish, the instability and violence, never seem to let up. I wish I could say that things are getting better, but they seem not to be…

Nigeria is being attacked by both Boko Haram and COVID-19. You might say that they are being attacked on both a physical and mental, spiritual level. How can we help a country that feels so helpless?

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Always Loved by a Beautiful God

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This post is not really related to the Chibok girls or Nigeria, but I wanted to share what Jesus is doing in my heart and mind. Please keep the Chibok girls in your heart and mind.

“Do you love God because He is useful, or because He is beautiful?”

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