“Mother, how are you doing today?” “I am much better. We are just busy burying children and people almost every week. I am in the garden and can hear gunshots”.

This is a regular conversation I have with my beautiful mother who lives in the heart of a conflict she does not desire like so many families who have lost loved ones. She has an elderly uncle she takes care of and refuses to abandon him to flee.

A strong Christian woman, she prays and puts everything into God’s hands as so many do. Though far from her and wishing to have her close by, we join her in prayers because God asks us to bring everything to him in prayer, and we are tired of bloodshed. Our nature has always been to maintain peace and abide by the law.

After our adoption into God’s family, our new nature requires us to honor God in our words and actions. To be honest, it is easier thought than done; we have asked God to end the conflict and restore the peace we once had.

Though no response has come through yet, we will not lose faith. Our hope is built on him wjo has fulfilled his promises over and over. His word says that he never changes, which means he hears us, and he will be the one to set us free.

In the midst of unanswered prayers, I will lift up my eyes to the hills, and cry to him who provides for all our needs.