Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: February 15, 2020
“He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” Isaiah 61:1b
We look to the hope-filled words in Isaiah 61 as we prepare to mark two years since Leah Sharibu was abducted from her school in Dapchi, Nigeria.
Leah was one of 110 schoolgirls who were abducted from their school by ISWAP, an offshoot of Boko Haram. The next month, following negotiations by the government, the other girls were put in vehicles to go home. Leah wasn’t among them. She refused to convert in exchange for her freedom.
Leah has been held captive ever since, with her captors declaring that she will be kept as a slave for life.
On Wednesday 19 February at 3pm we’ll be protesting outside the Nigerian High Commission in London. Eritrean gospel singer Helen Berhane (who herself was incarcerated for two and a half years) will share and lead us in song. Like Leah, Helen’s situation looked utterly hopeless, but we continued to work on her case and pray, and today she lives in freedom.
On Leah’s 16th birthday we spoke to her mother Rebecca, and promised her that we wouldn’t rest until Leah is free.
Help us to keep that promise. Join us in prayer, either in person or wherever you are, and encourage your church to pray too, with this downloadable prayer sheet.
We join together in prayer for Leah and her family…
Lord Jesus, we claim your promise of release for the captives and freedom for the prisoners for Leah and all those who are being held captive with her. Bestow on them a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair, and protect them from the terror of their surroundings. Move quickly Lord to deliver them from the hands of their captors, and restore them to freedom. Grant comfort to Nathan, Rebecca and Donald Sharibu and every family like Leah’s, awaiting the return of their loved ones. Amen