356 Nigerian soldiers have opted out of being a soldier, citing “loss of interest” as their reason. Many more have simply abandoned their duties, throwing away their military uniforms and running off. This poem is written to those men and women who are tempted to leave the Nigerian army when they seemingly needed the most. Please pray that these men and women would not give up in the face of such extreme adversity as Boko Haram and other militant groups (source). May Jesus be their inspiration, as He did all that He did for the joy set before Him: saving us.

You feel done,
finished,
and all you want to do is cry.

You’ve never faced anything
like this before.
They’re coming at you from all sides
and your life is in danger,
as evidenced by your heavy breathing
and scrapes and bruises.

Your friends have abandoned the cause,
took off their military garb
and walked off…

And now you want to, as well.

This is the breaking point.
Please, my friend,
don’t break
under the pressure.
Don’t let tears
muddle your sight of the situation,
nor your pounding heartbeat scare you into running away.

What will you do?
You have a choice,
you have a voice.
All I am asking is this:

Don’t. Give. Up.

(c) 2020 Annalee Hoover

Do you know Jesus?

Jesus did not quit His Mission in the face of death– dying for you and I. Learn more about His mission and why He died for us, here.

Please pray for…

• The Nigerian military. That their morale would increase, even as new enemies try to shoot it down.
• Those living in areas of unrest. For their safety.
• For an end to the Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen insurgencies.