“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.” Daniel 6:22a-b (NIV)

Editor’s note: Burkina Faso is a country torn by political chaos and religious extremism. Christians often live in extreme distress, knowing they could be killed or kidnapped at any moment. In the last year alone, Christian villages have been raided and burned, and a baptism service was even bombed — all resulting in numerous martyrdoms of those who follow Jesus. Three years ago, some of these terrorists kidnapped Miriam (35) and her two daughters, forcing her into a marriage with a terrorist. This is the story of her captivity and miraculous escape.

My name is Miriam, and I live with my family in Burkina Faso. My story begins when my husband fell sick.

Our pastor bought us a house close to his, where he could pray for my husband. Despite the sickness, we were like any other Christian family who went to church together. After one Sunday service, I told my husband and son to return to our old home to prepare the fields, saying my daughters and I would soon join them.

It was because of this that my husband and son avoided being kidnapped.

At about 5 p.m., some of us were sitting on the steps of the compound where we lived, and the terrorists came. A few pointed guns at us and brought us inside. The others surrounded the yard with guns in their hands, threatening to shoot if anyone fled. They kidnapped eight of us, including the pastor and my two daughters.

I prayed in my heart to the Lord, You are life. May Your will be done. Now we are in a problem, and we don’t have a Savior except You, God. If we are going to stay alive, it’s You, oh Lord. If we survive, it’s You, oh Lord.

On the day they distributed us as wives to the terrorists, I was so troubled I fainted. And then when I realized I was pregnant by the terrorist, I was very sad.

But the prayer I liked to say is based on the story of Daniel in the lion’s den: “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight” (Daniel 6:22a-b).

I focused on that story, saying, Oh Lord, today I’m also in a lion’s den, as Daniel was, but You saved him. I know if You want to save me, You can save me.

One day, I finally had an opportunity to escape with my daughters. Because I was pregnant, I knew that if I left right away, it wouldn’t be easy.

We left in the dark at about 9 p.m. and walked all night. We were afraid of being caught and killed like others who tried to escape. So we relied on the Lord for all that could happen. For five days, we walked day and night. At last, we arrived in a village where we found someone to transport us home.

That first day home, my husband and I celebrated, as we had thought we would never see each other again. By the grace of God, we were reunited with great joy.

To my surprise, my husband and my family-in-law accepted my pregnancy. My husband and his family treat my daughter like theirs. And now I put my confidence in God and wait on Him, waiting to see what He’s going to do with her because she is here for a purpose.

Please pray for me, my children and my husband — he suffers from mental illness, which makes it hard for him to provide for our family. When you pray for us, please ask God to provide healing so that he may recover. I trust that God, our Protector, Provider and Savior, will continue to work in my life and in yours.

Lord, there is no situation or circumstance that is too big for You to conquer. Help us to see You through all the darkness when times are tough. Thank You for remaining so close to Miriam during her trial and giving her the boldness to escape. We ask for Your hand of love to bring healing to Miriam in the deepest places of her heart. Restore her faith as it was before, and give her hope in the future that will not disappoint. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Persecuted Christians like Miriam ask you to pray with them to stand strong in their suffering. Will you commit to pray with them through Global Christian Relief? Download The Global Christian Relief Prayer App to receive real-time notifications and prayer requests straight from persecuted believers. You can also download GCR’s 52-week Prayer Guide and pray with believers like Miriam who are from some of the most dangerous countries for Christians.

ENGAGE

Because Miriam is at risk of further persecution, she cannot provide her last name for publication. Global Christian Relief is publishing this devotion on Miriam’s behalf to help protect her from further persecution. Learn more from Miriam and other persecuted Christians at GlobalChristianRelief.org.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV).

How has God delivered you in the past? What do you need to do in order to trust Him now? Join us in the comments today.

© 2023 by Miriam from Burkina Faso. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Global Christian Relief for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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