Alagwa of Tanzania: Please pray for Mama H, a long-time friend and disciple among the Alagwa. Recently, a conversation about her faith became difficult when she was challenged about two areas of her life: the charms she continues to wear and the decision to send her daughters to an Islamic school. Mama H became upset and felt that the questions were going too far. She indicated that if her children’s choices were going to be challenged, she was not interested in continuing to study together. For those serving among the Alagwa, moments like this are both painful and discouraging—especially when they involve people who have been close friends and long-standing disciples. But they also reveal an important reality of discipleship: the Gospel does not simply ask us to learn about Jesus. It calls us to surrender every part of our lives to Him. For Mama H, the areas being challenged are deeply connected to family, community, and identity. These can be some of the most difficult things to surrender.
Please pray for Mama H, that this difficult conversation would ultimately draw her closer to Christ rather than push her away. For courage to follow Jesus, even when doing so creates tension with family, community, or cultural expectations. Ask for wisdom for those discipling her, that they would speak truth with both courage and love, while continuing to demonstrate patience and friendship. For Mama H’s daughters, that they would encounter Jesus for themselves. For many Alagwa believers, that their faith would grow beyond knowledge of Jesus into wholehearted allegiance to Him. Pray also for the many others who are studying Scripture and learning about Jesus. Pray that when the Gospel confronts deeply held loyalties and practices, they would choose Christ—even when the cost is high. May the Lord break every stronghold that keeps people from surrendering fully to Him, and may Jesus receive His inheritance among the Alagwa.
