A Stranger Named Safar

Safar is the name of a person I have never met but whom I can’t forget. He is going through the most horrific hours of his life.

When All Hope is Gone

In my Sunday October 15th message I shared the story of two weeks of horror in the life of the apostle Paul. Luke records in Acts 27 the terror and despair of men who were hostages in the middle of a typhoon. “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” (Acts 27:20)

They gave up hope. All. Hope.

The storm was sucking the life out of the faithful and faithless. “We” includes the apostle Paul, Luke, and a friend, Aristarchus along with Roman soldiers and sailors. Terror levels the playing field.

However, an angel came and spoke to Paul and restored his hope. When all hope is gone we need someone sent from God to help us.

Hostages

The world is waiting to hear about over one hundred children, adults and elderly, hostages in Gaza. They’re facing the darkest season of their lives. Have they given up hope?

The evil carried out by Hamas terrorists led to 300,000 Israeli soldiers mobilizing in just a few days. Death counts in Israel and Gaza are soaring. Innocents suffering. Ripples of violent reaction throughout Europe and North America. God, where are you? Where were you?

In the Acts 27 account we see that God is in control. God is in control now.

Inscribed

Prayer can make a difference. Our friends in Jerusalem, Wayne, and Anne Hilsden, laid out a way you can pray to offer hope.

A group Wayne works with challenged people to pray for the hostages by name. They asked to inscribe one name of a hostage on our hands. Pray that God would free that hostage, release the prison chains and rescue those that are currently imprisoned. You intercession can have the effect of an angel’s voice.

Inscribe one name as a reminder to yourself that they are not forgotten. The action is based on how God reveals his faithfulness.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:15,16

Safar

I read the list of the names of hostages and the name “Safar” stood out. God knows Safar by name. I wanted to see if there was any background info on Safar. Searching for an online picture surfaced none. Safar is a boy’s name, likely Indian background, and Muslim by religion.

List of Names

Will you allow God to bring a name to your attention so you can pray for them?

Write the name of a hostage on your hand and commit to praying for them daily. List of names here.

1. Write a hostage’s name on your hand
2. Pray every time you see the name
3. Share it on social media. Tag me when you post.

Please share this post. Thank you.

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