This list is updated daily.
| Persecution incident | Country | Prayer Request |
|---|---|---|
| Believers Arrested at Prayer Meeting | Saudi Arabia |
In SAUDI ARABIA, 35 Ethiopian Christians were arrested on December 15 during their weekly prayer meeting. Officially the men and women were accused of mixing (or being in the same room) with the opposite gender, but a Saudi official told a believer’s employer that they were arrested for practicing Christianity. Ask God to encourage them and bring about their release. “Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.”
|
| Pastor Attacked with Acid | Uganda |
In UGANDA Muslims threw acid on an a pastor who was on his way to a Christmas Eve celebration with his congregation and new converts to Christianity. Once an Islamic teacher himself, this outspoken evangelist has survived many attacks and threats on his life. Now his entire body is in continual pain from the acid. Pray for his recovery and continued ministry. “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation.”
|
| Former Muslim Comes to Christ |
Praise God for a former Muslim who came to Christ through our WEST AFRICAN ministry partner’s microenterprise program! She was taught how to run her own business and was also introduced to Jesus. Through her hard work she has been able to send her daughter to school and to pay off the small loan that the ministry gave her. She has introduced her daughter to Christ, and wants all of her family to come to know the Savior. Praise God for His salvation! “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.”
|
|
| Believer Imprisoned after Baptism | Iran |
A Muslim background believer in IRAN was sentenced to six years in prison for being baptized while he was in Turkey. Ask God to sustain this believer. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped.”
LEARN MORE: In Prison for Baptism |
| Woman Still Under Death Sentence | Pakistan |
UPDATE: A Christian woman under a death sentence for blasphemy in PAKISTAN is still awaiting appeal in prison. She asks for continued prayers. She testifies that she has forgiven the Muslims who put her in prison. Ask God to sustain her and her family. Pray for her release. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.”
|
| Persecuted Christian Worker Perseveres | Palestinian Territory |
Our ministry partner in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES faithfully perseveres in sharing the Gospel despite poverty, health problems, and the persecution he faces even from his own family. Pray for his daughter, who is not allowed to talk to him. Ask God to bless his work in evangelism and discipleship. “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.”
|
| Woman Martyred, Husband Wounded | Nigeria |
In December in NIGERIA a Christian man and his cousin were shot, and his wife was killed. He says, “I have been praying that these Muslims who attack us come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior, too.” He also says that he has forgiven the attackers and urges Christians to pray for their persecutors. Ask God to comfort him in his grief and to answer his prayers. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
|
| Church Building Destroyed | Ethiopia |
In a region of ETHIOPIA governed by Muslims, a judge ordered the demolition of a church supposedly built without proper authorization. The church has been operating for over 60 years and was built with a permit. Police destroyed the church’s roof, and days later Muslim students and police officials burned down the structure, with shouts of “Allahu Akbar” and “jihad.” Pray that the congregation will persevere. “O my God, in You I trust, let me not be put to shame.”
|
| Christian Prisoner Freed | Iran |
A Christian woman who spent nine months in prison in IRAN was recently freed. She suffered from poor health, months of solitary confinement, and later an overcrowded cell. Thank God for her release! Pray for the recovery of her health. “Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to You for help…”
|
| Martyrs’ Family Forced into Hiding | Egypt |
In EGYPT the family of two brutally murdered Christian brothers is on the run because Muslims have threatened to kill other family members. Following a conflict between a Muslim and a Christian whom the family did not even know, Muslims targeted the brothers for punishment because they were considered to be Christian elders in their village. Ask God to encourage, comfort, and sustain the family. “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”
|
| Church Elder Martyred | Philippines |
In the PHILIPPINES a church elder was shot and decapitated by a suspected group of Muslims. He had developed friendships with local Muslims. When they would try to convert him, he would not waver in his faith and would instead share the gospel. Pray for comfort for his widow and 13 children. “You have said, ‘Seek My face.’ My hearts says to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I do seek.’”
|
| Christian Charged with Blasphemy | Pakistan |
Following a dispute about rent between a Christian and his Muslim landlord in PAKISTAN, Muslims falsely accused the believer of burning pages of the Koran to prepare tea. These blasphemy charges are punishable with life imprisonment. Pray for courage for this Christian. Ask God for his release. “The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
|
| Baptisms in Bangladesh | Bangladesh |
Our ministry partner in BANGLADESH reports that between January and November of last year 2,560 people professed faith in Christ and 1,077 people were baptized through his ministry there. Praise God for His salvation! Pray for continued provision for this ministry. “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness…”
LEARN MORE: News to Rejoice! |
| Pastor’s Case Stalled | Iran |
UPDATE: A pastor sentenced to death for apostasy remains in prison in IRAN. A judge has reportedly stalled the case, possibly for another year, and ordered that continued pressure be put upon the pastor to recant. Ask God to give him boldness and peace. “Oh, save Your people and bless Your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
|
| Christians Accused | Malaysia |
Muslim leaders in MALAYSIA recently accused Malaysian Christians of trying to “Christianize” the country. Converting Muslims to Christianity is against the law. Pray that believers in Malaysia will persevere in their witness to the gospel. “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way.”
LEARN MORE: High Price for Obedience |
| Terrorist Plot Discovered | Turkey |
In December, Christians in the capital city of TURKEY learned that they had been the intended target of a plot by Al Qaeda. The Islamic group planned to bomb the city’s churches and also had lists of the names and home addresses of pastors and other church workers. Praise God that police discovered the plot in time. Pray that the believers in the region will remain bold in their faith. “According to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD!”
|
| Teen Forgives Persecutors | Iran |
UPDATE: A Christian teen who survived kidnapping, torture, rape, and death threats in northern SUDAN now declares that she is praying for the Muslims who abused her— that they will come to know Jesus and His forgiveness. Ask God to use her faith and testimony to touch the lives of many. “Remember Your mercy, O LORD, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.”
|
| Evangelist Receiving Death Threats | Pakistan |
An evangelist in PAKISTAN has received death threats after sharing the gospel with Muslims and making a statement to a newspaper condemning the assassination of a Christian leader. He and his family were forced into hiding. He says, “I trust in Jesus. If I die, it will be for Christ.” Pray for continued courage. “Blessed be the LORD! For He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.”
|
| Christians Summoned, Threatened | Iran |
Christians in seven cities in IRAN were ordered to report to security centers where they were interrogated and warned that they will be called in again. Authorities have also been collecting information on Christian-owned businesses in an effort to find those responsible for distributing the Bible. Pray that Iranian believers will stand strong in the Lord. “The LORD is the strength of His people.”
|
| Imprisoned Believers Released | Egypt |
UPDATE: Believers falsely held in prison in EGYPT were finally released, most pending further investigations. They were arrested after the Egyptian military fired on Christians and ran over them with armored vehicles during the protest of a church demolition. Believers are thankful for the release of the innocent, but disappointed at the lack of justice for the Christians’ deaths, which are being treated as accidents caused by “neglect.” |
| Churches Targeted | Indonesia |
Two churches in INDONESIA were targeted at Christmastime. Muslims yelled and threatened one congregation as its members attempted to hold a Christmas service. Another church was threatened with a cessation order just days before Christmas, and a Muslim group hung a banner near the church supporting a ban on church activities. Pray that the believers will not be intimidated. “Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!”
|
| Christian’s Hearing Postponed | Algeria |
UPDATE: A Christian appealing a fine and 5-year prison sentence in ALGERIA has had his court hearing indefinitely postponed. He was convicted last year after a Muslim initiated a religious conversation with him and tried unsuccessfully to make him recite the Islamic creed. The Christian was also accused of giving a CD about Christianity to a Muslim. Pray that his appeal will be heard and granted. “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.”
|
| Christians Attacked in the Night | Nigeria |
On November 18 in a village in NIGERIA, armed Muslims surrounded the homes of sleeping Christians. One believer awoke and managed to raise the alarm, saving most of his neighbors, but his daughter, wife, and two nieces were killed. Six others, including a 2-month-old, were injured. Pray for comfort and strength. “...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” |
| Converts Arrested, Beaten | India |
Seven baptized converts from Islam in INDIA were detained and beaten by police on accusations of accepting money to convert. The Muslim background believers say that they converted willingly and deny being bribed. They were released on November 2. Ask God to strengthen and encourage them in their faith. “He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” |
| Refugee Camps Bombed | Sudan |
The Islamic government of northern Sudan bombed two refugee camps in SOUTH SUDAN in November. Most of the refugees had fled from regions terrorized by the government of the north. A Christian ministry leader reports that one bomb fell in a schoolyard near hundreds of children, but failed to detonate. Praise God for His protection! “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…” |
| Couple Attacked, Driven from Country | Iran |
UPDATE: A Christian couple released from prison in IRAN last year was attacked, denied employment, put under surveillance, and forced to leave the country. Pray that God will use them and bless them in the country where they are refugees. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” |
| Blasphemy Charges Threatened | Pakistan |
Two Christian leaders who spoke out against the misuse of the blasphemy law in PAKISTAN have been threatened with blasphemy charges. They and their families have been forced into hiding. Ask God to be their strength and refuge. “...they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” |
| Churches Threatened with Demolition | Ireland |
Recently an Islamic group called for the demolition of five churches in INDONESIA. Pray that the congregations will persevere and not become discouraged. “And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” |
| Bible Translator Threatened | Kenya |
A Somali Christian refugee in KENYA has received threats from Muslims who learned that he did translation work with the Bible and a Christian film. His photo was recently posted in a mosque. He has been accused of being a threat to Islam. Pray for courage in the challenges he faces. “...he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” |
| Leader Martyred, Church Members Homeless | Nigeria |
Last fall Muslims killed a Christian leader, burned his home, and raided a village in NIGERIA. The local pastor reports that about five dozen of his church members were driven outside the village and are homeless. Ask God for encouragement and provision. “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice…. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” |
