I Have No Hope
Craig was enjoying the gorgeous weather in Dubai with his wife. It was cold back home, and they were glad to be in warmer temperatures. The highlight of this trip was being able to experience Expo 2020. The couple had been to several pavilions, some that were extravagant and others that were simple. They entered the Afghanistan pavilion. Craig saw an older gentleman and wandered over to speak to him. The man shook his head – no English, but he called over another man, Abed, to talk with him. Abed shared that he was from Afghanistan but felt that he would never return there. He grew quite emotional as he shared about the destruction he had witnessed.
“Have you ever visited Afghanistan?” Abed asked.
“No, but my son served there as a soldier.” Craig answered. “He made it back home but died later.” Craig continued to share how he had suffered a great loss when his son died.
“I have lost my country and you have lost your son” Abed replied.
“Abed, do you have any hope?”
“No, I have no hope.” He admitted.
Craig went on to share that he was a follower of Jesus and what Christ had done for him and will do for all who confess their sin and put their trust in Him. Craig then asked Abed if he wanted this hope that comes from Jesus.
“I have my own religion – Islam!” Abed vehemently responded.
“Jesus can give you hope,” Craig quietly replied.
“I have hope in my religion.”
The conversation ended, and Craig wished him well and walked on. Abed immediately called the older man over and they began to talk. Craig felt sad that the conversation had not resulted in a decision for Christ. As he walked and prayed, the Holy Spirit reminded Craig that he had been obedient and that a man with no hope had heard the truth that Jesus is the only true source of hope for the emptiness and sadness he was experiencing. Craig continues to think and pray for Abed, his people, and his country.
Pray Requests
Pray for Afghans living and working in the UAE. Pray that they will have encounters and conversations with believers who will share the Great News with them.
Pray for Christ followers to be obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and share the Great News with the people they meet, work with, and live around.