Lazarus is a member of our congregation in Tamale, Ghana and a convert from Islam. His father, now dead, was a leading imam in the town of Tamale. So, his family is strongly dedicated to this false religion. Lazarus is a man who needs our encouragement, frequently. He lost his friends because they are Muslims. He has lost the previous relationships he had with his family because there are Muslims. He even lost his means of making a living; formerly, he was a teacher of Arabic and a teacher of the Koran. He is now living day-to-day by selling items from a pushcart.

 

He told me of conversations he has had with two of his older brothers. They are upset that he has left Islam, and they have said they will do anything to get him back. Among the Dagombas (their tribe), that can mean the employment of dark forces by seeing a shaman. They set these very real forces against someone to harm them in some way. I reminded Lazarus of St. John’s encouragement: Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 ESV) He received those words with joy. But still he asked for prayer, that he might be protected and that he might remain faithful. We ask you, dear brothers and sisters, to pray for Lazarus at this critical time and ask God to protect him with His holy angels and that through their ministries the demons would be put to flight.