Day 28

Priscella Awwad | Re:Hope West End

At a time when I did not have the motivation or strength to do anything, I had an important choice to make about my upcoming summer project topic. Although it was extremely hard for me, I was able to submit my choice list but I didn’t have a chance to check the locations and other factors given the fragile state I was in at that time. 

A month later, when it was time to receive the result, I was praying to God; that whatever the choice was, let the location be near my accommodation — because I cannot handle the finances or the stress related to commuting for three months.

Indeed, God answered my prayer. Not only was the building near my flat as I had asked, but I also got my first listed choice and the whole experience turned out to be my most fulfilling learning experience I had this year. I received personalised daily supervision, contrary to what my peers have described with their own projects. My supervisor was very supportive and encouraging to me throughout this project. That led me to finish my intended work in a minimal period, and even get extra work done! The topic turned out to be very interesting and fun to me, and my overall experience was very fulfilling.

God guided me to make the best choice when I couldn’t choose for myself. He helped me through my toughest moments when I would crash and cry throughout the project, strengthened me to excel in my performance, and turned this into the most wonderful experience.

When God answers a prayer, he answers with great generosity. He nurtures, heals, and strengthens with his abundant love and grace. Praise the Lord.

Emma Lolo | Re:Hope Southside

At the beginning of 2024, I committed to praying for friends struggling with prolonged fertility issues as part of Fasting Week, and was overjoyed that my prayers for them were answered with the arrival of their son in September. However, 2024 was also a time of deep sadness and confusion for myself and my husband as we ourselves experienced multiple pregnancy losses – our first baby was due to be born one week before our friend’s was. We learned in a big way last year that joy and grief can co-exist.

After our first loss we turned to friends and asked them to pray, when all we could do ourselves was ask God (sometimes angrily) for a reason why. We believed that something was to be learned from the experience, knowing that perseverance would build character and ultimately hope (Romans 5:3-4). I clung to God through the pain and in the waiting, investing more time with Him than I ever had before. My hope for a healthy pregnancy grew and my faith deepened. After our second loss it became more difficult to understand what more there was to learn. 

Faced with the possibility that parenthood (on earth) might not be possible for us, I found my hope and comfort in knowing that one day I will meet my children in heaven because of the faith I have in Jesus. Despite my dashed hopes and unanswered prayers, Jesus was still infinitely worth investing in. With hindsight, I believe God used our experiences to deepen my faith in Him beyond my own understanding. Now when reading the Gospels, I’m struck that the point of the miracles that Jesus performed were not the miracles themselves, but the faith that grew as a result of them.

At the beginning of 2025, I was praying for our own miracle as part of Fasting Week, and it seems that many of our friends were too. I'm 27 weeks pregnant at the time of writing this and expecting a healthy baby in October. Praise God! And thank you friends for committing to pray for us as part of Fasting Week. 

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Think back to Fasting Week (or another time of intentional prayer) and bring any yet unanswered prayers back to God, with faith that He will hear and answer.