Akeem* is a first-year nursing student. He is an excellent student and highly ambitious. However, he lacks one important thing: faith in Jesus Christ. In vain, I tried to share the good news of the Lord Jesus many times. He did not care about what I said to him and mocked all matters related to faith and prayer.

One day, I spoke with him about Jesus, and He asked me, “What is the benefit of those meetings and gatherings? They are a waste of time. They are entertainment, nothing more.”

But I answered, “How do you know? Perhaps the Lord will change your mind. Maybe He will open your eyes to see Jesus and your heart to receive Him as well.”

I shared how God had changed Paul from a church persecutor to a great evangelist. I explained how God is kind and merciful, and how God can make us his own. He does this with all sinners who repent and turn to Him. Then I turned in my Bible and read from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4).

Again, I told Akeem, “The door of repentance is always open, and the Lord is abundant in mercy. He desires to forgive our sins no matter how great they are.”

Akeem listened very attentively to the verses recited from the Bible. He began to wonder about some of them and what they meant. I tried as much as possible to answer his questions and sensed he was beginning to accept the Word of God. But I could see he was still not fully convinced. I suggested he attend at least one of our worship meetings and informed him of the place and time of the meeting. His reply was typical of most people, “I do not have time for these things.”

To my surprise, on the day of the meeting, he entered the room just five minutes after we had started. The Bible study was about prayer and its impact on the life of believers. I thank God for opening Akeem’s heart. Please pray the Holy Spirit will continue to work in Akeem’s heart and mind as he fully embraces the truth of the gospel.

*Name has been changed to protect the individual.