Maryam cannot believe her ears. These kinds of things only happen to other people, don’t they? She leaves the doctor’s surgery feeling numb; a formidable choice is before her. Words ring in her ears: “No hope of recovery...It would be better to terminate.” As she heads home, a different message comes to her remembrance, from a women’s conference she attended a few months ago. The child in her belly is a person, and her life is precious to God, Down’s syndrome or no Down’s syndrome. Maryam and her husband grapple long and hard: they cry with and listen to trusted friends. One day Maryam notices a card on the pavement as she is walking. She picks it up and sees Psalm 31:3 “You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger” A few steps ahead she notices another small card with another Bible verse. This time it’s 1 Tim. 2:5-6: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people." The Lord is speaking to them, but how can they possibly raise a disabled child? The day of decision dawns. You are my rock and my fortress. At the surgery, the doctor awaits Maryam’s answer. You are my refuge. She takes a deep breath: “We are keeping our daughter,” she says as the doctor shakes his head. Months of anguish, desperate prayer, and regular trips to the doctor follow. The doctor is highly concerned, but Maryam is steadfast. Lord, I have trusted my baby into your hands. You heal her! I trust you and you alone. A cold morning in November, Maryam’s baby comes into the world. The doctors are completely dumbstruck: the child is perfectly healthy and happy. Maryam and her husband are overjoyed, pouring out their praise to the Lord and naming their daughter Elisa, which means ‘consecrated to God’. Maryam later reflects that even if God had not healed Elisa, she would have no regrets about her courageous choice: “I can boldly say that with disability or without disability I love her and am thankful to God for this amazing gift”. Pray for: •Jesus to heal the many Iranian women who have had abortions, and for Him to lead them to Himself •Many women like Maryam to make brave choices •God to speak his love and guidance to women who are currently considering abortion