I was just reading this amazing story of a guard at Guantanamo, Terry Holdbrooks. He came from a background of drugs and alcohol and joined the military to try to find a different path than his parent's had taken. While he was there he witnessed the faith and devotion of the prisoners in very difficult conditions. He said "A lot of Americans have abandoned God, but even in this place, [the detainees] were determined to pray." One night in the middle of the night during a conversation with an English speaking (British) prisoner, Holdbrooks prayed the prayer that signifies a conversion to Islam.
This story makes me think about what is a compelling witness of faith, and how do we fail at it all the time. Is it only in extreme circumstances of struggle and pain that faith can be convincing to others? In what ways do we make our practice of faith irrelevant to those who don't share the same faith? How can the faith I have be shared or witnessed to?
I guess I just have to live with the questions for a little while, at least.
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