Potency Of A Mother's Prayers

The Potency of a Mother's Prayers

"Toluwanimi Davis, Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you shall fear no evil; For the Lord is with you. His rod and His staff shall comfort you..."

This was the daily ritual of Mrs Davis, a widow whose only child was Tolu popularly called Tee-famous.

Slowly, Tolu's eyelids fluttered open and it took him a moment to realize his mother was at it again.

"Hey!" he half-screamed. His mother stopped abruptly.

"What in the world do you think you're doing?" he yelled.

"My son, I am praying for you", she replied passionately.

"I dreamt. I saw you in a fire accident. And the Bible says you shall live to declare..."

"Abeg! Abeg!" Tolu cut his mother off.

"Can't you pray in your room? Must you come here to disturb my sleep? Abi will the walls block your prayers?"


"I have things to attend to and please close the door on your way out". He screamed.


Tolu threw his legs to the floor and staggered sleepily into the bathroom. He rinsed his mouth with a mouthwash, splashed a handful of water on his face and ran a comb through his hair. His personal hygiene was minus zero and he only took a proper bathe whenever he deemed fit. He crumpled some naira notes into his back pocket and left the room. He passed by his kneeling mother who was singing and speaking in tongues in the sitting room.


Merely approaching, one would have inhaled the heavy stench. The place itself smelt of smoke and weed and strong alcohol. It reeked badly of vomit too. This was where Tolu was headed. It was already his second home. Here he'd smoke and drink and waste away his time. This was his new hobby.


"Hey, Tee-famous, come try this new shit. It's hotter than cocaine; one drag and you're gone", someone shouted over the noise and senseless chatter of intoxicated boys.


"Nah man. You know I don't do drugs", Tolu responded.

"Come on bro", the voice insisted.

"I have to empty my bladder. I'd be right back. We can discuss that when I return".

Tolu stumbled outside. He needed to get a clear head first before jumping at Jimi's offer.


He was grovelling on the floor, clutching his stomach tightly when he heard loud noises and sounds. He couldn't place a direction but he knew all was not well.

Slowly, just slowly, he turned his neck and his life flashed before his very eyes. Sharply, Tolu turned to Grandpa Flash. He began to run as fast as his legs could carry him. Omolomo japa.

When he got home, he was out of breath. He landed on the floor with a loud thud that alerted his mother.

"Tolu, what's wrong? Why are you on the floor? Talk to me! kiloshele?" She asked, agitated.

"Mummy...see" he stuttered

"Talk now!you're scaring me!"

"See where I use to smoke, I just went out to urinate oh and before I looked back,the place had already caught fire'

" Eeeeiiiii!"Mrs Davis jumped, her wrapper coming loose and her head head almost touching the low ceiling

Tolu let out a deep breath after some minutes of rumination and began to decree with hot tears trickling down his cheeks

"Tioluwanimi; I am of the lord

And even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I fear no evil

For thou art with me

Thy rod and thy staff 

They comfort me

Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies

Thou anointeth my head with oil

My cup runneth over

Surely!

Goodness and mercy shall follow me,

All the days of my life,

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord,

Forever and ever!

Psalm 23:4-6

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