Voices of the Middle East -A Deeper Relationship
Do you want to be closer to God? Do you want to hear his voice regularly? Do you wish you could trust him with every detail of your life?
If you answered yes to some or all of these questions, then the story of SAT-7 viewer Sarah might inspire you.
Sarah is a woman in her early 30s who lives with her husband in Egypt. She wanted to go deeper in her relationship with God but things felt complicated.
Certain questions she had about the Christian life were making her confused. For example, she was concerned that her work was getting in the way of her discipleship.
Sarah reached out to SAT-7 for support. She said:
“I want to be close to God and remain faithful without being influenced by earthly desires.... But I am confused. Am I supposed to leave my life behind and focus on Him, or should I live my life firmly in Him? I need to understand how to remain rooted in Him and trust Him while I am weak."
Our Arabic Viewer Support team encouraged Sarah by explaining that she does not need to choose between God and the things in her life but should include Him in all that she does. God delights to see her fulfil her roles faithfully and make Him the centre of her life. Our team discussed with Sarah how to have a close relationship with the Lord and be immersed in His Word.
After beginning a discipleship journey with our team, Sarah’s desire to grow in faith only increased.
"I want to change and be so close to Him that I understand every word He says,” she said. “I want to trust that He is beside me and hear His voice. I long to hear God's voice and to know what He wants me to do each day. I have a great passion to know and be with the Lord.”
Sarah’s mother, who had previously expressed her upset at some of her daughter’s life choices, even started being impacted by Sarah’s infectious faith.
Sarah said: “I shared with my mother what you talked to me about regarding the goodness of the Lord, and I had her read what you shared with me, and she was grateful.”
When our team sensed that Sarah’s mother could be open to the message of salvation, they encouraged Sarah to share the Gospel with her mother more directly and pray with her.
A little later, Sarah responded: "I would love to share with you that today, I prayed with my Mum and led her in the prayer of salvation. She accepted a relationship with the Lord.”
Let’s pause to consider what has happened in Sarah’s story so far.
First, the faith of our Viewer Support team inspired Sarah to greater faith.
Then, Sarah’s faith inspired her mother.
If you are struggling in your faith today, could there be some wisdom here for you? Rubbing shoulders with people who are following Jesus with real tenacity will strengthen your own faith. Could you spend more time with people whose faith inspires you?
Sarah’s joy and thankfulness are a reminder to us that when we seek God, and go deeper in relationship with Him, great rewards await – not just for us, but for the people around us.
“Thank you so much for all the light you are bringing into my life,” Sarah concluded. “I want everyone to know how kind the Lord is. I was so happy today talking about the Lord and what He has done. I now understand God's Word in a way I didn’t before. I am grateful for you and for the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. I am now committed to the church and I go regularly."
