Hey friends,
I wrote this poem after seeing a news headline about Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, declare that “no territory is controlled by Boko Haram.” Let’s pray for those still being held captive by their own strongholds.

Muhammadu,
you say
that your enemy has no stronghold,
is close to being defeated.

Have you looked into the eyes
of those affected
by such enemies?
They are haunted–

because there are
strongholds that are not physical.
While Boko Haram may or may not
have physical strongholds,
there are spiritual ones,
ones that make the bones shake
with fear.

Mr. Buhari,
you need to know
that Jesus is near.
Holy Spirit,
may Your presence
be found in utter darkness,
in places where it seems impossible
for You to come in.

Fill victim’s haunted eyes
with Joy again, Jesus.
Tear down these strongholds.
Set the captives free.

For we know it is something
only You can do.
Buhari can declare all he wants
about his victories;
we know they belong to You.

Declare victory and freedom, dear Jesus.
The beautiful part is, You already have;
on the cross, dying and humiliated,
You and You alone came back from the dead.

Breathe Your Life into this situation, Jesus.
May Buhari boast of You–
and may haunted eyes be full of hope again.

(c) Annalee Hoover 2019