Alagwa of Tanzania: Please pray for Mama S, a long-time friend among the Alagwa. Mama S has struggled for many years with physical and spiritual difficulties connected to her family’s history. Her father was a well-known and influential witch-doctor. Recently, Mama S came to the Pastor and I asking for prayer. She willingly offered a strong prayer of repentance herself, welcoming Jesus and renouncing all inherited spiritual powers connected with her family history. Yet later, she admitted that her desire was actually to be physically healed. She didn’t intend to follow Jesus or surrender her life to Him. This is a difficult reminder that knowing about Jesus is not the same as surrendering to Jesus. Following Christ can challenge the deepest loyalties, fears, relationships, and beliefs that have shaped a person’s life.
Please pray: For Mama S to genuinely encounter Jesus and recognize Him not simply as the One who can heal her, but as Lord and Savior. For true repentance and surrender, that she would willingly turn away from the spiritual practices and beliefs that have held influence in her life. For freedom from spiritual bondage, and that every influence opposed to Christ would lose its hold as Mama S comes to faith in Him. For wisdom and perseverance for those discipling her, that they would know when to speak, when to listen, and how to walk patiently alongside her. For other Alagwa who are wrestling with similar decisions, that they would understand the cost of following Jesus and yet discover that He is worth everything. Pray that Jesus would not simply become part of Mama S’s life, but that He would become Lord of her life.
