This is a miraculous story that begins with a dream, prayer, and God.
Jake knew there was one thing he couldn’t miss in his daily life, now that he and his wife were living in a country where Christians were scarce: prayer.
He came up with a prayer plan, deciding to spend at least one hour a day praying during the first month, and each following month, he would increase the time by 10 minutes. At the end of each month, he would record all his prayer requests and all the miracles that happened during those weeks. He would then count how many prayers were answered during that time.
Every day of the week, Jake and his group would gather to pray together, reserving one of those days to fast. They knew that prayer is important, and intercessory prayer is powerful. Each member of the group was responsible for discipling one or two locals who were part of the house church they attended every Sabbath. The battles of faith these locals faced each day were unimaginable for Western Christians.
A Miraculous Introduction: Omar
One morning, at a small gathering of their house church, a local member introduced Jake to Omar, a local cook who had discovered Jesus many years ago but had lived his faith mostly in secret, careful not to risk his life. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Jake started a conversation with him, and soon they exchanged numbers, with the promise of meeting to continue sharing their stories.
A few days later, Omar visited Jake, and in their conversation, Omar shared his testimony of discovering Jesus through the Bible. For the past 15 years, he had followed his newfound faith carefully and cautiously, avoiding too much contact with other believers. His family and friends didn’t know about his faith, and his daily life was one of quiet faithfulness. Jake listened intently as Omar expressed a desire he’d held for years—to be baptized, though he had no idea how to go about it.
Feeling both honored and moved by Omar’s declaration, Jake offered to guide him through a Bible study, explaining that although he wouldn’t be able to baptize him, he could guide him and connect him to a pastor who could. Omar’s eyes brightened, and he surprised Jake by asking if they could meet every day. “There is so much I want to learn,” he said. From that moment on, Jake and Omar began meeting almost daily, and Jake was grateful to see Omar’s dedication and his desire to grow in faith.
A Godsend Connection: Wassim
During that same month, another miraculous encounter happened. Jake had the privilege of meeting Wassim, a young local who had lived as a refugee in a Western country for almost five years. Having left his homeland disillusioned, he had wrestled with questions that led him further away from his past beliefs. For the first time, Wassim began exploring Christianity on his own, finding a sense of peace he had never known. Upon his return to his country, he searched online for other local believers, hoping to connect with someone who shared his new faith, and eventually, he was introduced to the house church where Jake was a leader.
Upon meeting Wassim, Jake saw another miracle unfolding. As they spoke, Jake learned of Ismail’s dream to be baptized. With an excitement that only comes through the Holy Spirit, Jake offered to lead him through Bible studies. Wassim’s gratitude was evident, and he agreed eagerly. Since then, Jake and another friend have been meeting weekly with Wassim, discussing scripture, sharing stories, and diving into questions about faith, Jesus Christ, and eternity.
As Jake completed the first month of his prayer journey, he was overcome with a profound sense of admiration for God’s response. His request to the Lord had been for Bible studies, and now he had the privilege of sharing two regular studies with two eager individuals. Reflecting on the month, Jake saw clearly that God had orchestrated these encounters, transforming his plan into something much larger than he could ever imagine.
For Jake, it felt as if he were living in a moment where miracles felt close at hand, and every moment of fellowship, prayer, and study of the Bible felt like a precious gift from God. And now, as Jake prepares to step into the second month of his prayer journey, his heart is filled with both amazement and anticipation. He knows that his journey has only begun, and he feels the strength of God leading him forward.