“Prayer Gave Me Comfort” Said American Journalist Beheaded By Jihadists

oge okonkwo

August 20, 2014 3:48 PM

The beheading of the American journalist was recorded as a message to President Obama

James Foley whose life came to a tragic end in the hands of Islamic state jihadists spoke about the comfort prayers gave him when he was imprisoned in Libya in 2011.

40-year-old Foley, a free lance photojournalist was taken hostage in 2012 and was brutally murdered by the ISIS organisation, the killing was captured in a recording as 'a message to America' and President Obama which was released this week in retaliation to U.S airstrikes on the organisation.

Foley spoke of his mother’s strong faith and the prayers of his friends and family when he was held hostage in Libya.

"It felt energizing to speak our weaknesses and hopes together, as if in a conversation with God, rather than silently and alone.

"If nothing else, prayer was the glue that enabled my freedom, an inner freedom first and later the miracle of being released during a war in which the regime had no real incentive to free us. It didn't make sense, but faith did," he wrote to his alumni magazine.

This week Foley's mother Diane wrote a moving tribute to her son on a Facebook page campaigning for his release. "

"We implore the kidnappers to spare the lives of the remaining hostages. Like Jim, they are innocents. They have no control over American government policy in Iraq, Syria or anywhere in the world.

"We thank Jim for all the joy he gave us. He was an extraordinary son, brother, journalist and person. Please respect our privacy in the days ahead as we mourn and cherish Jim."

oge okonkwo