Pray for Immanuel

“Then it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass through, it will reach even to the neck; and the spread of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.” Isaiah 8:8, NASB.

Armed rebel forces roamed the province. Very few Westerners were allowed to live in this politically volatile Last Frontier city in the Pacific Rim region. Celeste* happened to be one of the few “exceptions to the rule.” Whenever she left the house, she was repeatedly warned by her local friends that she must have her paperwork in order at all times. Celeste tried to follow this advice, but she was running late to pick up her friends to go to a volleyball tournament in a neighboring town, and she forgot her paperwork.

Midway between her city and the location of the tournament, she was stopped in a random military sweep of the area. The soldier in charge asked to see her paperwork. Celeste said, “I’m sorry, but I left my paperwork at home.” All her local friends in the car groaned.

The soldier was angry at Celeste. As he was in the middle of scolding her, he got called away to deal with another situation. While he was gone a second soldier came up to Celeste’s car. He said, “Are you a Christian?”

Celeste said, “Why yes, I am.”

“Me too,” said the soldier. “It is hard and dangerous living up here dealing with the rebels. Please remember to pray for me.” The first soldier was coming back to deal with Celeste, but the Christian soldier waved him off. He then let Celeste and her friends drive on. As Celeste pulled away she saw the name on the Christian soldier’s uniform. His name was Immanuel! Celeste thought, “God is certainly with us!”

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

God’s grace and protection will surround Last Frontier workers in the Pacific Rim region.

Christian soldiers will live out their faith before their unsaved comrades.

Immanuel will experience God’s protection and blessings.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.