While on social media, Raul* saw an advertisement for a free Bible in Azerbaijani, his native language. He clicked on the ad and was connected to OM’s social media team in the Caucasus. He wanted a Bible because he was afraid of demons and curses. Coming from a Muslim family, he had looked for help and answers in the Qur’an, but he had not found them there. He hoped to find them in the Bible, so the team sent Frank* and Christina* to give him a copy.
Raul invited them for tea in the restaurant where he worked as a chef. They sat where his colleagues could listen to their conversation, and he put the Bible on the table for all to see. Raul was eager to learn about this book, and he agreed to study it with them.
When they met the next time, Raul had already read many pages and wanted to find out more. He had even brought a friend, Ibrahim,* with him. Together they read from Genesis 2, where it says that a man will leave his family and become one with his wife. Raul was complaining that everyone wants him to marry. Ibrahim stopped him and said, “Don’t be upset with us. We did not talk about marriage, but God’s Word does!” Even though it was Ibrahim’s first time studying the Bible, he already recognised it as the Word of God.
Later Raul told Frank and Christina that he had been disappointed and hurt by many people. Eight years earlier, he had distanced himself from his family. His fear of demons and curses stemmed from a previous relationship: his ex-girlfriend was deeply involved in the occult, and he was afraid that demons would attack him. Frank and Christina taught him that Jesus has defeated all powers of darkness, and that people in the Kingdom of God do not need to fear anymore. Although Raul is not yet part of the Kingdom, this gave him hope. Frank and Christina prayed for Raul, and he was deeply touched. He asked God to speak to him through His Word and was directed to Genesis 12, where Abram was called to leave his country and become a father of many.
A couple weeks later, Raul reconnected with his estranged family. After almost a decade of no contact, his parents reached out to him.
At another meeting, Raul came with an injury. While drunk, he had gotten into a fight and badly hurt his right hand, which was painful and covered with a dark violet bruise. Frank prayed for healing in the name of Jesus, and the pain disappeared immediately. The bruise even changed to a light violet colour!
Even though Raul has seen God’s power in his life, he has not yet decided to follow Jesus. Please pray for Raul to continue to read the Bible and seek Jesus. May he believe and experience reconciliation and freedom from fear!
*name changed
