A Prayer for Tasmin Jahan Tisha

I have a friend who lives in Bangladesh who was my former trainee. It's been three years since Mustafijor (that's his name) and I last worked together but he never forget to say hi or greet me whenever he sees me online on Skype. Although we never really had the chance to have a long talk because of time difference, this guy has always been close to my heart. He's very humble and hardworking man. His weird and cute English never failed to make me smile.

Today, I woke up at 1:00 AM, Manila time and thought of writing a few chapters of my book when a colleague from India messaged me on Skype. I used to work with this guy and Mustafijor. Haven't been skyping for a long time and maybe because it's the same time of day when the three of us used to work before, I found them both online. So this colleague of mine told me about the new project he would be handling and asked me if eventually I could make a team for him. It was a good project and definitely something to consider about.

After we talked, I saw three messages from Mustafijor. He was asking about how I was and the places I had been to and I said it was good. I'm good. Travelling was good but nothing could be better than being with my daughter and husband. I told him I'm with my family now and that life is good. I even told him about the new baby that's coming three months from now. He wished me "the best of luck and prosper in life". That made me smile again. Although he was not very good at speaking English, he always says something nice. 


I told him I always see him as my brother since I don't have one. He told me he doesn't have a sister, anyhow, he's happy to have found a sister in me.

Then I asked him how his life was. He told me he was working for a child. At first, I didn't get it so I asked if this is his own child. I knew he isn't married  (three years ago). He told me he's still single and what he's doing now is not actually a job but rather a charity work for someone, a girl who is ill. He said he has been collecting money for the girl's operation who lost her two kidneys. 

What surprised me was the fact that this girl is not even his relative. She's a sister of his college friend. He said he's working on a banner right now to post on his facebook to collect more money for the girl's operation.

I suddenly felt the need to donate or something. I knew there was something I needed to do. I suddenly wanted to check the rates for western union.  But then, one side of me was stopping me from doing so because of the charge and the hassle of sending money abroad. Besides, what if he's just making this up?

Somehow, my heart was telling me that this guy was not lying. I could feel his sincerity. I was not sure if it was out of guilt or what not, but I promised him immediately that once my current project becomes a hit, I would not forget him. 


His unexpected reply to me, however, broke my heart. He said in his not so good English with all sincerity: "JUST PRAY FOR THE LITTLE GIRL WHO'S JUST 8 AND ABOUT TO DIE"

He didn't ask for money or donation. He just said "JUST PRAY."

JUST PRAY FOR THE LITTLE GIRL.

I felt like I was hit in the face with a hard brick and I could tell maybe that's even better than to be embarrassed like this. This guy, who's not Christian was not asking anything from me but a PRAYER. I was so ashamed of myself.   I realized that this guy might be poor, worldly speaking, but so rich in faith. Then here I am, a self-proclaimed Christian who thought that this guy might just wanting money from me.

I pity myself. I've never felt so poor and unworthy. So I immediately asked for the name of the little girl and right at that moment, I prayed humbly. I prayed to the Great Healer, to God, to the God that makes things happen to heal the girl according to his will. That Tasmin Jahan Tisha may be free from pain and illness. That she may feel comfort and that she may be well.

After the prayer, he said "THANK YOU" but the truth is I should be thanking him. He had no idea what he did to me. Maybe it's about time to look back and assess my spiritual life and relationship to God again. It's about time to renew my faith and have a change of heart, for the better.

If you're reading this right now, please don't forget to pray for the little girl Tasmin Jahan Tisha. Please pray that God will provide her financially and strength, so that her operation may become successful and that she may fully recover from her illness.

Here are the lessons I learned today that I want you to reflect on too. 

1. A change of heart for the better. I want you to ask yourself if there's a need for you to have a change of heart? Are you being too judgmental or righteous to listen and understand? May this bible verse remind us to always have a heart like Jesus.

Matthew 7:2 "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

2. No amount of help can be too small. We frequently doubt ourselves if we are capable of helping. Sometimes, we even doubt people in need if they are even deserving to be given a hand. Things just don't simply happen by accidents. This person or that person asked you for some help because God led them to you. Let God use you. You may be challenged financially to help but you can always pray for the friends and family who are going through some rough time. Never underestimate the power of prayer with FAITH.

Mattew 17:20 He replied "Beacause you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible to you." 

3. Be humble AT ALL TIMES. If you want a less-stress-life then maybe it's about time you tried to live a simpler life. (See that I used less-stress instead of stress free for there's no such thing as that) How about a little reassessment in your lifestyle? How about a quick reality check? Do you feel you are better than this or that person just because you have a higher paying job or maybe more cash in your bank account? Maybe it makes us feel good about ourselves to think that some people are less than what we are (or at least seemed to be). I just prayed that you realized sooner or later how important it is to be humble before God humbles you deliberately. 

Matthew 23:12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Hope this inspires you. Thank you for reading. Keep the faith and be blessed! Good morning.





Yours,
boykape

Pssst!

Dear Young Sir,

I know what you're feeling right now. You're disappointed and want to give up.

I know you're tired and sick. I know your dreams seem distant. I know your hopes

are all fading. I know you're not satisfied. 

Please don't give up!

Take a deep breath.

Pray.

Realize your dreams.

You're getting there everyday.

See all the little and big things that inspire you.

You can't stop now.

God didn't give you your talent just to give up. Keep this in mind. NO BELIEVER REMAINS AT THE BOTTOM. When you feel you're at your lowest point--- smile calmly. There's no way but up.

Held your head high and prepare. The best is yet to come.

Sincerely yours,

Sir 2.0

Answered Prayers

Verse of the day:

And all things ye shall in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 21:22

Application:

In some NIV (New International Version), it says "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

This is just amazing. I was marveled and blown away. Jesus gave us a clear and easy steps in getting what we ask for. The first thing is to ask in praying, believe that God will provide it and then lastly, receive it.

Asking through prayer is easy--- claiming and believing was actually the hard part. If you ask for something, you should be confident that God can do it. I know it's easier said than done. 

When I was young, God never failed me. Even the most selfish and petty prayers were answered. I wondered what happened as I grow up.

In Matthew 19: 14, Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

That's when I realized what happened to me. As a child, I didn't really care so much if this or that was impossible. All I did was ask them at night in prayers, and trusted that God would give it to me, regardless how impossible it might be. As a young girl, I believed that God was too big and powerful, overflowing with goodness that nothing could ever be impossible when I asked. I believed that God loved me enough, that He had a big widescreen tv and was watching over me. When I wanted something, I just asked for it.

I never worried that it was impossible. I was confident that there's nothing my good Lord could not do for me.

But as I grow up, I realized that life wasn't easy. I realized I have to work hard for something if I want it. I still pray. But it never made me less worried. Then it suddenly hit to me why my sincerest prayers seemed to not work anymore. Here are some tips you might find helpful:

1. Pray like a child. When you want something, ask for it. You don't have to justify or defend why you want it. What I used to do was pray and tell God all my good intentions. But God sees my heart. God knows my intention. He sees my real motives. So next time you want something, just ask for it. You don't have to sugar coat it. Just ask God through prayers and believe He'll do it for you.

2. Do not bargain. I am guilty of this because I often tell God that if He'd answer my prayer, I would be a better person or I'd promise to do this and that in return. God doesn't need my promise. God doesn't ask anything in return. God doesn't need anything from me aside from one thing--- FAITH.

3. Leave up all your worries. When I was a child, when I was afraid of something, I will pray. And right after I prayed, I instantly felt good because I knew He'd answer it. I would feel good because I trust in Him. I became confident after every prayer because I knew that God would give it to me. Leave up to Him all your worries. Trust that God will do it because He loves you.

4. Be specific. "Lord, I leave up to you everything." this is the common prayer I often hear. There's nothing wrong with it. But if you want for something, you have to be specific. Tell God what it is that you want. You are having a quality time with God when you pray. You are having your most intimate moment with Him. Don't waste it by being too hesitant. Tell exactly what you want and ask for it.

5. The Joy of Receiving. Act like you already receive it after praying. Be joyful. Forget all the worries and trouble. When you pray, you don't only ask for something. You leave up to God all the negative feelings you are feeling. It could be stress, worries or fear. Be confident that God will take care of it. Go on with your life and be as joyful as possible. 

So that's about it for now. Keep the faith and be blessed!

Boykape