Faith Under Pressure: Stories From the Persecuted Churchಮಾದರಿ

Leah, Nigeria - Don’t give up

Today, read about Leah from Nigeria and be inspired to keep going with Jesus when you face tough situations.

In March 2018, when she was just 14, Leah was kidnapped from her school with over 100 other girls.

Within a month, the Islamic extremists who had committed the attack released all the girls, except one, Leah. Her captors had discovered her Christian faith and would not let her go free unless she converted to Islam. She refused and wasn’t allowed to leave; she still hasn’t been released.

Leah chose Jesus over her freedom.

She managed to send this message to her mum:

“[Do] not be disturbed… My God... is showing Himself mighty in my trying moment… I am confident that one day I shall see your face again. If not here, then there with our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Leah didn’t give up. She could have said she wasn’t a Christian, but she didn’t. Choosing not to give up on Jesus was more important than her freedom.

Not many of us will face terrorists forcing us to make that same choice, but Jesus warns his disciples that following him will come at a cost.

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

As Christians, our life is with Jesus both now and forever. That may help us understand some of Leah’s decisions. She made a choice that has potentially cost her everything, but she hasn’t lost the most important thing – life with Jesus. Her decision is a challenge to us; how much do we value our relationship with Jesus? Is he worth everything to us?

Questions:

1. How does Leah’s faith challenge you?
2. Ask God to help you be like Leah and stick with him no matter what you face

Prayer:

Leah’s story is hard. She hasn’t been released, and we don’t know how she’s being treated. We told Leah’s story to inspire and challenge you, but also to ask you to pray for her. Spend 60 seconds now saying Leah’s name. Use her name as a prayer for her. Cheer her on. Pray she would keep going, no matter what she faces. Ask God to give her boldness, courage, protection, and, of course, her freedom.