Ever since I was a young girl, I have loved loved LOVED Kenya.
The reason I fell in love is still unknown. I can’t recall how I first learned of Kenya or my first thoughts of Africa. This is how far my deep love goes back.
I was determined to save all of the African Elephants who were endangered! ;-)
Then as I grew up, became a follower of Christ and received His heart, I wanted to go to the people of Kenya.
God would orchestrate my life to pray for my beloved Kenya and one day marry a man who grew up as a missionary in Kenya.
While I’ve not technically lived there, I’ve spent about 4 months there in the past 3 years and if it were up to me, I’d be living there.
When devastating things happen there, it hurts my heart. Even though I’ve not lived there my whole life, I’ve loved Kenya most of my life.
Bloodshed of any kind is awful…I can’t think of anything more tragic than murder. Losing one’s life because of the anger and hatred of another’s soul.
Yet, for those in Christ there is hope.
Hope in this life. AND hope in our death.
While the way we might physically die could range from peacefully in our sleep to a horrific act of torture, followers of Jesus will leave this life and enter eternity with Christ forever!
To those who don’t know Jesus, there is fear in death and an eternity spent in separation from Him.
My heart absolutely breaks for the university students, the security guards, and policeman who lost their lives in Garissa Kenya yesterday. Those who died for their faith are incredible heroes of “whom the world is not worthy” (Hebrews 11:38).
Yet there is hope. In the midst of great sorrow and pain, there is an assurance. That the blood of the saints is a sacrifice that speaks louder than death.
I’m praying for the families, friends and loved ones of those who died.
I’m praying for the other students who witnessed and walked through such trauma.
I’m praying for Kenya, that she’d be united and for the Body of Christ there to move in God’s power and in His love.
I’m also praying for the Islamic terrorist’s families.
I’m praying that they see the light of Christ through this. That somehow they wake up out of the darkness they’ve given themselves over to and find real life in Jesus.
Praying that the sorrow of losing the ones they love would draw them to a sobriety of finding real unwavering love.
I’m praying for the leaders of Al Shabaab to be convicted of their sins. To have encounters with Jesus Christ. To surrender their lives to the way of the cross.
Why?
Because while my brothers and sisters were received by Jesus into Heaven yesterday, four radical Islamic gunmen went to hell.
Sparing a radical moment of salvation in Jesus in the last breath of life, these men vowed allegiance to Allah until the end.
They are now separated eternally from Jesus…
That breaks my heart!!!!
Yes, I’m grieved and deeply saddened over the loss of these beautiful Kenyans more than I could say. And again I’m praying for those effected by this horrific event.
But my prayers are also extended to the terrorists.
Those wickedly deceived into thinking their sacrifice of life was worth something “good”.
Two types of blood were shed yesterday.
One that pleased God, brought glory to His name through their martyrdom, and then those who gave their lives in vain without knowing Him.
I hate that this happened. I hate that there is pain and suffering in this world.
But I do not hate the terrorists.
They only killed the bodies of men, but they couldn’t kill their spirits.
These gunmen however lost their bodies AND their spirits.
I’m disgusted by the act, but moved in compassion over their souls…
The reality is that the devil doesn’t care about those serving his purposes.
The devil is not willing to preserve their lives eternally for any good purpose. There will be no reward, no end to the suffering faced on earth for those living for him and not for God.
He used these four gunmen to try to strike fear into a nation’s heart. To try and take out God’s people and to drive others away from accepting Jesus Christ.
But he must’ve forgotten one thing.
He played this card on Easter weekend.
Right before Good Friday, the day representing Jesus’ death on the cross where He died for the sins of the world. Right before resurrection Sunday where Jesus rose from the grave having DEFEATED the devil and death!!!
I am praying that Muslims across Kenya, Somalia, and the world would come to know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ this weekend! Praying for them to know real love. The deep life changing love only found in the one who died for their sins and sicknesses.
I am praying for the terrorists who are being used of an enemy who doesn’t care about their destruction and their end. Who have given themselves over to darkness of mind and action.
May their lives not be lived in vain and destruction.
May they not spend their eternities apart from the One who died for and loves their sinful souls…
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Matthew 5:44
Pray with me
1. That the revelation of Jesus Christ would be revealed in the terrorist’s lives and families.
2. That the love of Christ would replace shame and fear in their hearts. That His love would abound in their lives.
3. Pray for their forgiveness–that just like Jesus prayed “Father forgive them, they know not what they do”, that grace and mercy would be extended to these and that they would call upon the name of the Lord, be forgiven and saved.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”-Matthew 16:24-25
“Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” -Acts 21:13