Prayer Stories from the Middle East – Part 1

By Rick McEdward

A Waldensian student in West Asia first studied the local language in order to start a Master's program. At the beginning of the term, one of her classmates saw her class notes and asked her if it was ok to take pictures of them because they were in English. She said “sure.” Since he was taking pictures of her notes every single day, she thought she should take advantage of this and be more intentional regarding her notes.

She decided to add Bible verses at the bottom of some pages of her notebook each day. At first she was afraid that he would notice the verses and stop taking pictures because of the Bible verses. After a couple of days he realized there was something included in the notes and when he read it he came to her and asked, “Is this a verse from the Bible?” Fearfully she said, “Yes,” trying to think of a good reason. He asked, “Is this the way you motivate yourself?” She responded, “Exactly, I write my favorite verses in my notebook. They are always really helpful and useful for my life.”

Since that day on he has been asking many questions about her religion and beliefs. Today he understands much of what we believe as Seventh-day Adventists. At the end of the term he asked for a full copy of her notebook, full of Bible verses. He asked her for permission to share the copy with his siblings because they needed the notes as well. Although their term is finished, they still keep in contact and he asks her for advice about life issues. She is praying for him and his family.

Another Waldensian student, Lee, decided to remain in his host country during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to build relationships with friends. He particularly grew deeper in his friendship with Batrum.

Batrum was worried about the coronavirus, so Lee invited him to come and stay at his house. He told Batrum that only God can protect us, and he suggested that they learn about God together. Batrum accepted Lee’s invitation. Together they meditated on the Word of God every day and, in the process, God changed Batrum’s life.

After reading in the Bible about the paralytic whose friends tore up the roof so he could be let down to see Jesus and watching the movie Hacksaw Ridge: The True Story of Desmond Doss, Batrum created an online chat group titled “People Who Enter Through the Roof.” He invited Lee and some of his co-workers to participate, saying, “Let us enter heaven through the roof and bring more people to God.”

“One more, one more” has become Batrum’s motto as he invites friends to a Friday evening prayer meeting. Recently, he talked with Lee about baptism. Batrum wants to be a pastor someday. He wants to deliver God’s love to those who are suffering and seeking God’s love. Lee is delighted for Batrum, and praises God, because it’s not about what he did, but what God did in Batrum’s life.

Rick McEdward is president of the Middle East and North Africa Union of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

World Church Prayer Requests

September 24 - 30, 2021

• Pray for the Waldensian students in West Asia, to continue to find practical ways to share the gospel.
• Pray for effectives ways to reach out in evangelistic ways through online means and social media.
• Continue to pray for the church membership in Iceland and for new baptisms. Pray for God to warm the hearts of Icelanders with the love of Jesus.
• Pray for the world church quarterly Day of Prayer (formerly the Day of Prayer and Fasting) that takes place next Sabbath October 2nd, 2021. The theme is “Sharing Three Final Messages of Love as we pray for Righteousness by Faith.” Access materials here!

To download this week's testimonies and prayer requests, click here.