GBADURA (A short Story)

“What’s your impossible? Your “I need a miracle”

What’s got you barely hanging by a single thread?” Matthew West’s “Don’t Stop Praying” filled the self-contained room.

Serah turned to look at her phone.

Mummy Ejigbo.

She hissed.

The last time they spoke, it had been one of those conversations: “Your cousin gave birth to twins, your younger sister is getting married soon… so, when are you getting married?”

Serah turned on her bed for what felt like the hundredth time, her Bible lying open beside her, its familiar pages whispering comfort and questions.

“I will restore the years the locust has eaten.”

The verse stared back at her. She shut her eyes. The words echoed again, gentle but firm. Still, her life remained unchanged. The waiting had stretched thin.

She furrowed her brow. “Father, what is happening? Why does your word still feel so distant?”

Five months at home had taught her the heaviness of silence. Retrenched for a reason no one explained, she had packed up her desk and dreams in quiet confusion. As if that wasn’t enough, the ulcer that disappeared three years ago made an unwelcome return—burning, gnawing, mocking.

To top it all, Tiara—her prayer partner and closest confidante—had gone silent. Calls unanswered. Messages ignored.

“Tiara, this is not the right time to go AWOL on me,” she murmured.

But Serah wasn’t one to surrender to despair. She pulled the blanket over her legs and shut her eyes once more. “God, you are faithful. You’re not a man that you should lie, or the son of man to change your mind.”

Then it came. Not loud, not forceful—just sure. A voice within that stilled the unrest:

“Produce your cause. Bring forth your strong reasons.”

She froze.

“I see what you desire for your life. But will you not pray? I will yet be inquired of by the house of Israel.”

It clicked. Prayer wasn’t just comfort—it was strategy. She couldn’t stay grounded. Not tonight.

She rose from her bed with resolve burning in her chest.

“It is written, ‘It shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck.’ In the name of Jesus, I break every chain of stagnation and affliction.”

Her voice strengthened. Scripture became sword.

“Psalm 102:13—’Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.’ Lord, this is my set time. Let your mercy speak. Let your favour rain.”

She paced the room like a soldier reclaiming territory.

“I declare restoration—of health, of time, of abundance. I break through. I break forth. I soar. Faithful are You who promised. You will do it.”

Read How you know it’s time to refuel?

Her hands trembled, not with fear, but with fire.

“Your word says, ‘He that defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy.’ Anything defiling this body—go, in Jesus’ name. I call down your judgment on all that steals your glory in my life.”

She cried out, spirit roaring with faith, “I break off everything holding me to the ground by the fire of the Holy Ghost!”

That night, Serah prayed like a woman reborn.

Two weeks later, her former boss called: she had been vindicated. The real culprit had been caught.

Read this short Story: WERE IT NOT FOR A BURDEN BEARER…

Another call came shortly after—from a company she’d interviewed with during that same period. She got the job.

Her health? Restored. The ulcer vanished.

Favour? Rekindled. Old connections began to return, one by one.

Three Months later, her phone rang again.

Mummy Ejigbo.

Serah smiled this time.

“Hello, ma.”

“Serah! My daughter, God has done it o! We just heard the news—your job, your wedding preparations… Ah, I told them, don’t count Serah out!”

“The wedding is still nine months away oo”

“See this child, I have called your mother to discuss the family asoebi”.

Serah laughed, warmth rising in her chest. This call was different.

“My dear, God is faithful oo.”

“Yes ma, God is truly faithful.”

….

Beloved, don’t stop praying.

Don’t stop holding on to God’s Word.

He does not lie. His promises do not fail.

Your breakthrough is not just coming—it’s here. So child of God, PRAY.

Focus on God’s Words. Feed on his Promises.

Pray, Pray and Pray Again.

If there is a man to pray, there is a God to answer.

Listen to BRO Gbile Akanni on Prayer