pray for Martha
Meet Martha (not real name). She is a family friend, is about 24 and married with one child. Martha is a Muslim by birth and upbringing.
Growing up, Martha’s worldview of Christianity was informed by Islamic teachings and her interactions with catholic schoolmates. She thought of Christians as unclean (religiously), worshippers of idols and several gods (the cross, the image of Christ, Mary and the Trinity). Then she had the privilege of watching my family closely for a couple of years. For a while she complained that we were different, as her expectations were not met. We seemed religiously clean enough and she did not see all the moral vices she associated with the Catholics she knew (her observations). Then she dared to enquire why it was so with us. So we told her that if there was anything different, we only tried to do what the Bible told us, in obedience to the teachings of Christ. Besides we depended on the power of the HS to remain obedient to God.
Her interest was aroused. She asked for a Bible so she could see what was therein. She kept her Bible secret from her husband and family; it was not acceptable for her to even touch it. She has read large portions of the NT. Time and again she comes up with various questions. We try to answer her best as we can. Sometimes there are steps in the right direction, other times she moves backwards. As at now, it is hard to gauge how close she is to believing. Even though she seems convinced sometimes, we know she has to struggle with a number of issues:
- Pride – how could she have been wrong all this while, and her parents too
- Fear – what if her husband found out
- Isolation – what if her extended family found out
- Uncertainty – what if we were leading astray
We continue to pray for her. We continue to interact with her. Do remember her in your prayer times, and others like her. Pray for us too that we will have the right words and message for her at every moment.