MIDDLE EAST: The Cost of Conversion

16 October 2024

Source: International Christian Concern

After encountering Christ, Abigail’s life has totally changed. She joined a Bible study and a church, where she met other Christians and grew in her faith as part of a community of believers.

Outside of church, Abigail decided to keep her conversion from her family. She continued to wear a hijab so she would appear Muslim. Despite doing this, she would run into Christians who recognised her as she walked through her small Middle Eastern city. “Aren’t you Abigail, who attends church with us?” they would ask. “Why are you wearing a hijab?”

This made her afraid to continue going to church and meeting new believers. She worried that they would accidentally expose her. Eventually, Abigail’s mother noticed that she was not praying during the Islamic calls to prayer and accused her of disbelief. To punish Abigail, her mother withheld food from her and threatened to expose her to her family.

“After I met Jesus, I experienced that every step in my life proceeds with amazing planning and that God cares about every detail and always sends me help at the right time,” Abigail said.

Abigail started to attend a weekly discipleship group for former Muslims. She struggled to meet her needs for food and transportation. She sometimes would go days without eating because she was trying to save money to pay for transportation to church.

Abigail’s wish is to live freely for Christ and to preach the gospel, telling people about the miraculous ways Christ has revealed himself to her. With her church’s help, she found an apartment and lives with other church members. Fellow church members are assisting Abigail to find a job.

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    Pray for them

    Praise the Lord for Abigail’s new faith and the provision of her needs during this time. Thank the Lord for her strong commitment to Christ and His church.

    Pray for Abigail’s family, that they would see her faith and the Spirit would soften their hearts toward her and her God.

    Ask God to continue moving in the Middle East, strengthening the believers and equipping them for the good work He has in store for them

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