March 2012
Dear friend,
How do you keep encouraging people to pray if women continue to be “the least fed, the least educated and the least valued?” Worldwide, women comprise the majority of the poor. Poverty continues to have a female face! They work hard and long hours, but still remain hostages to the crippling lack of resources. Can our prayers make a difference; even a tiny indent in this widespread societal cancer?
Yes, they can! I truly believe that prayer is a powerful God-given resource to fight this evil. They can move God’s arm when we pray in his will. Do I feel powerless at times? You bet! But I believe that the Holy Spirit empowers our prayers, according to Paul’s counsel in Romans 8:26. Jesus prays for us! He advocates on our behalf before God, who deeply cares for the poor. Never doubt that your prayers are effective. Prayers do not evaporate into thin air. They are the most important thing we do for the poor, you see, because God promises that when we pray in Jesus' name, he will answer.
Valentina’s Kenyan husband abandoned her with five children. Suicide crossed her mind often. Lacking skills, how could she care for them? She heard Project Hannah’s Women of Hope programs on the radio. One day, she walked nine hours to come to a Project Hannah conference in Voi. We introduced her to Jesus and prayed with her. She believed in him, leaving despair and bitterness at his feet. She started sharing her faith with friends and began new Project Hannah prayer groups in her village. She became an evangelist. Like Paul, “being poor, she enriched many!”
On January 4, 2012, 400 people attended Valentina’s funeral. Many, inspired by her testimony, believed in Christ. Valentina is living in a mansion prepared for her by Jesus, and God himself is wiping away her tears. This very thought encourages me to keep seeking biblical justice through prayer. Honestly, I don't know how God does it, but prayer can clear away the injustices of this world.
I urge you, dear friend, to pray with absolute confidence so that we will see millions of “Valentinas” coming to Christ, breaking away the vicious cycle of despair and poverty by faith in him, and becoming beacons of hope!
Believing with you,
Marli Spieker
Global Ministry Director/Founder
Project Hannah
TWR