Mother and Girl Claim Bible Promise in Prayer

Rebeka fears a bully, and Mother worries about work in Norway.

By Andrew McChesney

Eight-year-old Rebeka Emma Keresi enjoyed her summer vacation in Estonia. She and Mother visited grandparents and other relatives. They swam in lakes. They didn’t have to close the curtains to make the bedroom dark at night.

But soon the summer ended, and they returned to their home north of the Arctic Circle in Norway.

Rebeka was happy to be back in Sortland, a small island town of 10,000 people where the sun never sets during the summer. It can be hard to sleep without closing the curtains when the sky doesn’t grow dark at night.

With the end of the summer, Rebeka’s thoughts turned to school, which would soon begin. Then she remembered the girl.

At the end of the previous school year, a classmate had said something very unkind to Rebeka. The words had hurt Rebeka deeply. Now Rebeka was afraid to see the girl again. Maybe she would say something unkind.

Rebeka told Mother about her worries. Mother tenderly wrapped Rebeka in her arms.

“I’m also worried about something,” Mother said, softly. “In a few days, I will start a new nursing job. I’m afraid that I don’t speak the Norwegian language well enough to do my work.”

Mother, who was born in Estonia, had been studying Norwegian since before the family moved to Norway four years earlier. But she found the language difficult to learn.

Looking at Rebeka, Mother said, “God is almighty. God has a way for us, and He is preparing the way for us. Let’s pray about it.”

Rebeka and Mother closed their eyes and folded their hands.

“Thank You, God, that You are preparing a way for Rebeka and me,” Mother prayed.

In her prayer, Rebeka thanked God for helping her at school and for helping Mother at work.

“Let’s claim God’s promise in Isaiah 41:10,” Mother said.

Mother had memorized the verse, and she suggested that Rebeka repeat after her.

“Fear not, for I am with you,” Mother said.

“Fear not, for I am with you,” said Rebeka.

“Be not dismayed, for I am your God,” Mother said.

“Be not dismayed, for I am your God,” repeated Rebeka.

“I will strengthen you,” Mother said.

“I will strengthen you.”

“Yes, I will help you.”

“Yes, I will help you.”

“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Rebeka felt better after talking with Mother, and she went off to play with her favorite plush bunny.

That evening, however, Rebeka remembered the girl as she lay in bed. Mother sympathetically patted her on the head.

“I’m also worried when I think about my new job,” Mother said. “But God is almighty. God has a way for us, and He is preparing the way for us.”

Rebeka and Mother closed their eyes.

“Thank You, God, that You are preparing a way for us,” Mother prayed.

“Thank You, God, for preparing a way for us,” Rebeka echoed.

Afterward praying, Mother and Rebeka recited Isaiah 41:10.

“Fear not, for I am with you,” Mother said.

“Fear not, for I am with you,” said Rebeka.

“Be not dismayed, for I am your God.”

“Be not dismayed, for I am your God.”

“I will strengthen you.”

“I will strengthen you.”

“Yes, I will help you.”

“Yes, I will help you.”

“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

In the morning, Rebeka and Mother prayed and claimed the Bible promise again. They also prayed about school and the new job the next evening and at breakfast, lunch, and supper. They prayed this way every day. Sometimes in the middle of the day, when Rebeka felt worried about school or Mother felt worried about her new job, they also prayed.

Before long, Rebeka memorized Isaiah 41:10, and she and Mother prayed the promise in a new way.

“Fear not,”Mother said.

“For I am with you,” said Rebeka.

“Be not dismayed,” Mother said.

“For I am your God,” said Rebeka.

“I will strengthen you,” Mother said.

“Yes, I will help you,” said Rebeka.

“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand,” Mother and Rebeka said together.

Rebeka wasn’t scared on the first day of school. To her joy, the girl didn’t say a single unkind word. In fact, the girl was kind and friendly. Rebeka was so happy that God had heard the prayers!

Mother, meanwhile, started her new job. She didn’t have any difficulty speaking Norwegian. She loved caring for patients.

Rebeka and Mother were so happy that God had heard the prayers!

Rebeka Emma Keresi and her mother, Marion, reciting their prayer promise, Isaiah 41:10. In Estonian with English subtitles. (Andrew McChesney / Adventist Mission)

Part of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering for second quarter 2020 will help open a youth community center in Rebeka’s hometown, Sortland, so people can learn about the Almighty God who answers prayers. Download a list of fast facts from the Trans-European Division (PDF).