Abandoned by his Muslim parents as a child, Ali grew up in northern Iran angry and bitter in a country ruled by a terrorist regime. Seeking a better life for his unborn child, he and his wife fled their homeland and boarded a boat filled with migrants headed for Greece.
A sudden storm rose up, lashing at the boat with wild waves. The frightened refugees threw everything overboard, but still the water rose over Ali’s wife’s pregnant belly. One of the refugees who had heard Jesus’ name suggested they pray to Him, but Ali refused, insisting he would fix the problem.
It didn’t take long for him to realize there was nothing he could do. The boat was sinking. They were going to die.
So, there in the midst of the raging storm, Ali and the other refugees joined hands together and cried out to Jesus—the Savior not one of them yet knew.
Within minutes, the storm quieted, the waves died down, and they were able to make it safely to shore.
But even that miracle wasn’t enough to turn Ali’s heart to Jesus.
Sometime later, another Iranian refugee in Thessaloniki, Greece invited Ali to a Bible study at a coffee shop. Ali agreed to go, not because he wanted to know about Jesus, but because he wanted coffee.
When they read the scripture about Jesus calming the storm, however, the memories flooded back. He did that for me! He’s the same today, he thought. At that moment, Ali knew this Jesus who once saved it from a raging sea loved him, and He chose to follow Him.
That’s not all. Jesus transformed Ali’s angry heart with oceans of His love. The former Muslim surrendered to full-time ministry and now leads Bible studies for other migrants seeking truth.
*Ali’s name has been changed for security purposes. See the full story at Novo.org.
Lord, we praise You for Ali and the hundreds of refugees throughout Greece and Europe who have gone through so much conflict and uncertainty, but now know Jesus because of the ministry of faithful Christians who prayed and reached out to them in love. Please miraculously provide for the needs of these new believers and lead many more to You through them.
Take down every leader in Iran who oppresses, and raise up leaders who will bless the people instead and bring freedom, especially freedom of religion. Meet the lost in dreams. Show them the truth of who You are. Give them a hunger so deep for Love and Truth that they search for You with all their hearts and find You. Guide them to Christians, Bibles, websites, social media or other sources where they can find the answers to their questions about You. And awaken every heart in Iran to Your love. Tear down walls of religion, tradition, fear, prejudice and persecution, and bring forth Your kingdom in every village, town, city, home and heart.
Multiply Your church by the tens of thousands this year, Lord. Hide house churches and Christians from those who seek to harm them, but open the doors to those who long for You and want to be saved. May Your Kingdom come to every heart in Iran. Whenever someone approaches a Christian with intent to harm, cause angels to visibly and gloriously appear as guardians for Your bride. Strike persecutors with such fear of the Lord they will drop their weapons and inquire about You instead. Anoint believers to speak the truth in love, even when facing great danger. Move their hearts with forgiveness toward those who rage against them. May their faith, hope, love and purity shine so brightly everyone around them will be struck with awe and place their faith in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Don’t Miss a Day of Prayer
Join the army! Pray through the news for God’s purposes to prevail. To get the daily posts delivered to your inbox in time for your morning quiet times, enter your email address in the space below:
Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:
For 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior, and other books for all ages on praying forth God’s purposes and breaking free from anxiety and other strongholds, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com
When you click on the above links to books I have authored, as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I may receive a small commission for certain purchases.
All proceeds this author receives from book sales go to shining Light in dark places of the world.
Thank you for your support! If you’d like to know more about how you can help the Vincents’ ministry, please contact Mikaela.
PRAYER WALL 