The Traveler's Prayer

Two weeks before Christmas, Mr. John's house was a flurry of activity, and the kids were running around excitedly, not knowing what kind of evil awaited them. This was not the first time they had visited the village, but every year they would return home for Christmas, and it was the only time they saw their family. The kids loved it because there were lots of trees, cousins to play with, and fresh air, but they had no idea that this year would be different and painful. While Mrs John was busy preparing meals and packing clothes for the trip, she usually made sure everything was ready days in advance. However, she was constantly concerned about one thing, which Mr John never prayed for: John, please allow us to pray for After just two minutes, Mr John waved his hand as if he were chasing a fly, telling her to quit bothering me while she folded her things into a bag.

He laughed and said, "God knows I'm traveling, so he doesn't need me to remind him to protect us." She stared at her husband and shook her head, saying, "Why won't you understand?" The children weren't doing any better. When the older ones would kneel down for prayers in the morning, they would complain and drag their feet, saying, "Mama, why do we have to pray every day? It's boring." They had begun to mimic their father, and even when they made fun of her, she continued to pray for her family, pleading with God to keep them safe. However, she secretly hoped that Mr. John would accompany her, even if only for a little moment, when the children were discussing their plans for the village and the house was a hive of activity.

Mr John smiled at their Joy but uu sat quietly watching her family she held her breath and prayed silently Lord Keep Us Safe this Christmas as the days to Christmas grew closer the family didn't know that something was waiting for them on the road ahead something that would test their faith and change their lives forever one evening Mr John was driving home from work his mind on the journey ahead as he turned the corner he saw an old woman standing by the roadside waving her hand for help her wrapper was tied tightly around her waist and she carried a small basket in her hand Mr John slowed down and stopped beside her mama where are you going….

he asked leaning out of the window my son the old woman said her voice tired I'm going down the next street can you take me there Mr John nodded get in Mama the old woman climbed into the car settling herself quietly on the seat for a while they drove in Silence the only sound coming from the engine and the faint choing of crickets outside then the old woman cleared her throat my son she began sof L I hope you won't be angry with what I'm about to say

Mr John glanced at her curious what is it Mama the old woman took a deep breath this Christmas you should not travel to your village and if you must go you and your family must pray and fast before the journey there is danger ahead her words hung in the air like smoke Mr John laughed a loud hearty laugh that made the old woman's face tighten mama you want me to stop my family from going to the Village this is not the first time I've traveled for Christmas nothing will happen he said shaking his head the old woman looked at him her eyes dark and serious I've said what I came to say the rest is up to you my son when they reached her destination Mr John stopped the car and the old woman got out she turned to him one last time thank you for the ride remember my words pray and fast if you must go Mr John waved her off smiling thank you Mama take care as he drove away he thought to himself why do people like to scare others with these stories

he convinced himself that she was just being superstitious or trying to sound wise after all he had made this trip many times before and nothing had ever happened but as the car disappeared into the evening the old woman stood still watching her face unreadable her words had been spoken but what lay ahead was no longer in her hands it was 2 days to Christmas and the house was buzzing with excitement bags were packed and stacked by the door filled with clothes gifts and snacks for the long journey the children danced around talking about the village and all the fun they would have with their cousins uu as always was the calm one before they left she called everyone to the living room let's pray before we go she said her voice gentle but firm Mr John frowned uu what is it with you and prayers we are not going to the moon it's just the village let me go and warm the car he said waving her off uu sighed and knelt to pray alone with the children she whispered her usual plea to God protect us Lord and guide my family outside Mr John got into the driver's seat turned the ignition key and waited but instead of the usual har of the engine there was silence he tried again and the car coughed weakly but refused to start what is this now.

Mr John muttered he got out opened the Bonnet and stared at the engine as if it would explain itself he jiggled a few wires and tried again still the car wouldn't start frustrated he went back inside to tell uu the car won't start I don't know what's wrong with it he said scratching his head uu looked at him calm as ever maybe God doesn't want us to go she said softly Mr John snapped stop saying that what does God have to do with a car engine I'll call the mechanic the mechanic came quickly his TOS clanging as he inspected the car after a few minutes he stood up and shook his head ogre the engine has knocked this car isn't going anywhere until it's fixed.

Mr John's mouth fell open knocked how I drove this car yesterday and there was nothing wrong with it the mechanic Shrugged sometimes these things just happen sir it's beyond me uu smiled faintly God knows why she said her voice steady but Mr John wouldn't hear it God knows why he mimicked sarcastically so now what are we just going to stay here and cancel Christmas uu said nothing only watching as her husband paced the room like a Restless lion after a while Mr John clapped his hands and said we'll go to the park and take a commercial bus it's not ideal but we'll still get to the Village uu frowned maybe we shouldn't go at all she said gently don't start again uu Mr John snapped I've made up my mind and with that the matter was settled the bags were repacked for the bus and the children still excited prepared for the journey but uu's heart was heavy and she prayed silently Lord take control however what Mr John and his family didn't know was that not everyone was happy with the yearly.

Christmas visits far away in the The Village the air was quiet but Mama amaka's heart was full of noise she sat outside her Mud House staring at the dusty road her face Twisted with bitterness every year Mr John and his family arried like kings their shiny car drawing All Eyes his wife uu and their children look so wellfed and happy meanwhile her four Sons could barely afford to return home and when they did it was on old bicycles or on foot Mama amaka cleansed her fist why must every Christmas be about John she muttered her heart boiled with jealousy and she made up her mind that this year would be different she called for her closest friend Mama ay sister she said her voice low I cannot take it anymore this year that boy and his family will not come here to show off their wealth Mama ease whose tongue was sharper than a knife nodded you are right amaka it's time you did something about it without wasting time Mama amaka and Mama e went deep into the forest where the village witches lived the path was dark with trees bending low like they were listening when they reached the witch's Hut a cold wind blew through making their skin crawl the leader of the witches an old woman with a face as wrinkled as a dry Leaf greeted them why have you come her voice echoed like thunder Mama amakan knelt on the ground her head bowed I need your help my stepson John must not reach this Village alive his success has shamed me and my children for too long….

The Witches laughed the cackle sounding like breaking glass is that all the leader said her eyes glowing consider it done they gathered around a pot bubbling with thick black liquid one of the witches threw in a piece of cloth mama amaka had brought a piece of John shirt from his last visit another added ashes muttering words that Twisted the air the leader raised her hand and the room went silent they will not reach this Village alive she declared a deadly accident awaits them on the road Mama amaka's heart swelled with dark Joy she handed over some coins as payment and the witches laughed as they prepared the final curse it is done the leader said her voice cold as Stone Mama amaka returned home that night her face calm but her heart dancing she could already picture it John's car smashed his family gone and the villagers mourning finally there would be no one to overshadow her sons back in the city early the next morning Mr John and his family arrived at the park the place was busy with Travelers vendors shouting and selling bread sachche water and roasted corn the children clung to their bags their excitement bubbling as they watched buses being loaded with luggage, Mr John holding the tickets LED his family to a bus it wasn't as comfortable as their car but it would get them to the Village as they settled into their seats uu's voice broke the chatter please let us pray before the Journey Begins she said standing up and looking at the passengers some people nodded and closed their eyes while others ignored her whispering to themselves…

Mr John's face turned red with embarrassment uu sit down he hissed you're embarrassing me this is public transport not church but uu didn't listen she closed her eyes her voice firm and steady Lord protect us on this journey cover this bus and everyone inside it amen amen some passengers mumbled While others rolled their eyes…

Mr John shook his head muttering she will never change the bus soon roed to life and took off the city gradually Fading Into the distance the children chattered and laughed pointing out sights along the road Mr John feeling the gentle sway of the boss dozed off his head resting against the window for a while everything was peaceful the road stretched ahead and the hum of the engine filled the air but as they approached the middle of their Journey things changed suddenly the driver's voice cut through the calm the brakes the brakes are not working he shouted his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly Panic erupted in the bus passengers screamed as they both began to Swerve uncontrollably veering from one side of the road to the other uu held her children close her lips moving in silent prayer ahead a tanker truck loomed its massive size filling the road the driver struggled to control the bus but it was no use the bus raced toward the tanker the sound of screeching tires and terrified screams filling the air in those moments time seemed to slow uu's voice, Rose above the chaos crying out Lord save us and then with a deafening crash the bus collided with the tanker metal crunched glass shattered and the world went silent far away in the village the wind carried the news of the accident Whispering it into waiting ears but what no one knew yet was who had survived news of the accident traveled fast like wild fire blown by the wind it reached Mr John's Village before the sun set people gathered in small groups murmuring and shaking their heads did you hear John and his family were in a terrible accident Mama amaka heard the news too she fell to the ground wailing loudly her rapper flying as she beat her chest oh my son my stepchildren what have we done to deserve this she cried her voice Rising for all to hear but deep inside her a wicked Joy danced she thought her plan had worked now no one will come and overshadow my sons she told herself her tears nothing but a mask at The Crush site help finally arrived among the wreckage uu and her children were found shaken, but untouched not a single bruise or scratch marked their skin skin it was as if an invisible hand had shielded them from harm Mr John however was not so lucky he had been sitting in the front seat and the force of the collision had crushed his legs he was alive but his legs were gone The Rescuers rushed him to the hospital his family following close behind their hearts heavy but grateful he was still breathing at the hospital U kned beside her husband's bed her children huddled around her she prayed with tears streaming down her face Lord you saved us from the accident please don't take my husband let him leave

Mr John broke down his tears flowing freely I was foolish he said his voice “trembling I didn't listen I didn't pray the old woman placed her hand on his shoulder let this be a lesson never underestimate the power of prayer never ignore the warnings of God” from from that day Mr John changed once he was discharged from the hospital he became a new man every morning he was the first to call his family for prayers kneeling beside uu and thanking God for his Mercy on Sundays he was always the first in church his voice loudest during worship as for the village

Mr John never returned for Christmas again the memory of what had happened happened and the knowledge of his Stepmother's betrayal kept him away it wasn't until years later after Mama amaka passed away that he visited the village again this time with a humble heart and a grateful Spirit the story of Mr John's accident and miraculous survival spread far and wide it became a lesson for many a reminder that prayer is the strongest weapon against unse dangers and that not everyone rejoices in your success