All my siblings and siblings in-laws are not Christians and they know very little about Christianity. In fact, many of them have been very much confused with what Christianity is. Therefore, being in a family such as this, it is very hard for a lone Christian convert like me to minister because I know any signal, no matter how subtle are not welcome. And I do understand and never want to impose it on them.

Today, it is the first time, I put my Christian faith above everything. I went to church, more to give myself some confidence rather than anything. I know God is with me, anywhere, any time. But before I do something like this, I know I need some affirmation. Let’s say it is like going there to charge my batteries.

Surprisingly, the short evening mass turned out very comforting and it reminds me of my reasons why I choose the faith. The hymn, Yes, I Thank You, Lord has always touched a chord in me, no matter under what circumstances. It is one of the most painful hymn because it says so much about my life.

Then, I went to do what I am supposed to do. One of my nephew embraced Christ recently. He is getting married next month. Two days ago, the doctors have given the family the bleak prospect of his very ailing grandpa not being able to pull through.

So, I told my nephew to bring his wife-to-be back for a visit and also a tea ceremony. He is back today and after some persuasion, his father is fine with the idea. As I said earlier, the whole family is not in Christ.

I am going to help them do the tea ceremony but first, I wanted to say a little prayer for the grandpa. I had said it at other times when I visited him but usually, it is done so discreetly, no one notices. I do not want people to feel their faith being ‘invaded’.

So, I prepared this little prayer because I know I am going to be loss for words when I am in that big ward, with so many ill people and the relatives looking on.

I wrote down this in a tiny piece of paper and I am going to keep it because this is my first ever Christian prayer in my family of non-believers. I asked my nephew and his wife-to-be to pray with me.

Heavenly Father

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We call on you today to send Your Holy Spirit to bless us here.

Today, we pray for your mercy to give strength to the family and all the people here to face their trials as they care for their loved ones who are sick.

We also pray that you will bless KW and J who are getting married next month.

Please shower your blessings to J as she offers this cup of tea to her grandfather-in-law.

If it is Your will, Lord, please heal grandpa here and give him health and the joy to witness the wedding next month.

In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.

Oh wow, is that tough or what? Here I am, with a family who probably have never seen how Christian prays. And I have to watch my words because I want it to sound very positive. I believed I have done well. Thank you, Lord Jesus. May this be just the beginning of my journey to share Your love.