Prayer makes a difference

'Peter' - The Middle East

'Peter', a believer from the Middle East, was arrested earlier this year because of his faith. When his father visited him in prison, Peter told him that he had had a dream. In his dream he was surrounded by many people – he didn't recognise any of them but they all knew him – who were hugging him and calling his name and waving. He woke up and knew he was being prayed for by many people he had never met! When his father heard this, he wept, but Peter told him to dry his eyes as there was no reason to be sad. Peter said he knew he was free – it was just the walls around him that had changed. Praise God!

Maryam and Marzieh - Iran

Maryam and Marzieh were imprisoned without trial or charge in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran in March 2009. At one of their lowest points they met a stranger in the prison who told them that documents they had been shown apparently proving that they had been forgotten about were false. The stranger added, "Many Christians around the world are thinking, talking and praying for you." Then she disappeared from sight. Knowing that believers from around the world were praying for them enabled Maryam and Marzieh to stand firm in their faith despite their illnesses and mistreatment in prison.

Obe Agnes Olanike - Nigeria

Nigerian Christian Obe Agnes Olanike was consumed with sorrow and could hardly stop crying after her husband was murdered for his faith in 2008. Twelve months later she radiated a peace that passes all understanding. She testifies that it was because of the prayers of the faithful [referring to the letters she had received from around the world]. "I can see the hand of God in my situation," she said. "The joy in me is overflowing even to my neighbours. I now believe in prayer. I never thought I would overcome the pain of the death of my husband, but the Lord has done it."

Rinaldy Damanik - Indonesia

Rinaldy Damanik, an Indonesian Christian prisoner was miraculously healed of severe kidney problems after he heard the Lord's voice inside saying, "Don't worry: there are many people praying for you." On his release from prison Rinaldy said "I am doing very well in both body and soul. I believe this is because of the many prayers from many brothers and sisters all over the world. How am I aware of this? As of yesterday, since my detention at the beginning of the year, I have received 13,425 letters and postcards from abroad."

Prisoners - Mexico

As part of an Open Doors team, I visited 34 Christian men in a high-security prison in Mexico, where we handed out gifts of shampoo, soap and other toiletries as well as the many letters that had been written to them from supporters around the world. They were grateful for the gifts but it was when we told them that they were not forgotten and that people were praying for them that each of the men broke down in tears. They were grateful for the gifts, but much more grateful for the assurances that Christians around the world knew and cared about them and were praying for them.

Junas Naik - Orissa, India

Junas Naik from India, who was helped with his medical care by Open Doors after 2008 Orissa riots, said: "Only people of prayer, like you, have sustained me. I am alive today with so many bullets in my body because of your prayers. In fact, so many people could have died in attacks like this, but we have survived just because of the mercies of Christ. So please continue to shoulder us and stand with us."

Jamila Noma - Northern Nigeria

After Jamila started to follow Christ, her father forced her into an arranged marriage with a Muslim. After several rape attempts, Jamila managed to escape and went into hiding. With the help of her Christian uncle, she was put into the care of a lawyer, who courageously defended her case in the Sharia (Islamic law) court. When asked about how she keeps standing strong in her faith, Jamila said: "I must confess that your prayers give me joy.  You need to know that God is answering your prayers in my life!" Jamila's father has since admitted his error in trying to force her into marriage, and has agreed to let her live her life as she chooses.

Brother Jacob - Mozambique

Brother Jacob would hear the muffled gunshots coming from somewhere in the prison complex and think that it could be his turn tomorrow. He prayed "Father, please tell your children around the world to pray for me." He explains how one day he found a short message, hidden in a rice bowl by local Christians who visited him in prison. It said that brothers and sisters around the world were praying for him. He says "It was a tremendous assurance of God's faithfulness – to me and to my family. It encouraged me greatly. Oh, how I could rest in the knowledge and comfort of those prayers, regardless of what tomorrow would bring." Brother Jacob continues – "May I encourage you today with these words: Your prayers are heard -
Your prayers are answered. Your prayers are felt by us."