Nigeria
Christians Attacked in the Night
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.”
Leader Martyred, Church Members Homeless
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.”
Former Terrorist Turns to Christ
Praise God for a former Boko Haram terrorist who repented and turned to Christ in NIGERIA! As punishment for his disloyalty to Islam, however, Muslims murdered his two children.
Pray for comfort in his loss and continued growth in his new faith. “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
45 Martyred in a Week
In a region in NIGERIA, approximately 45 Christians were killed by Muslims during a week in November. Many believers have fled the area, and churches have been forced to close or meet with only a fraction of their members.
Ask God for comfort and perseverance. “I will put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Churches Burned, Christians Displaced
On November 26 in a town in NIGERIA, members of the Islamist group Boko Haram and local Muslims burned five churches and destroyed Christian-owned businesses. Hundreds of believers have been displaced.
Pray that they will persevere. “...we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…”
Ten Churches Attacked
Ten churches were attacked in NIGERIA in early November. The Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram perpetrated nine of the attacks, and an Islamic gang was behind the other.
Ask God to give hope to the sorrowful and courage to the fearful. “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.”
Homes Burned, Believer Shot
In NIGERIA on October 20, Muslim students and other Muslims attacked Christians and burned their homes. Soldiers reportedly shot to death a Christian woman in her house.
Ask God to comfort her husband and five children. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.”
Family Murdered
In NIGERIA on September 4, Muslims broke into the home of a Christian family and murdered eight, including a four-month old baby.
Pray for comfort and courage for the grieving. “According to His great mercy, He caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Families Displaced
UPDATE: In NIGERIA, over 60 displaced families live in poor conditions after enduring Islamic violence this spring. They lack sufficient food and water and are in danger of being evicted.
Evangelist Martyred
A dedicated evangelist was martyred in NIGERIA earlier this year by members of the Islamic group Boko Haram.
Ask God to comfort his widow and children. “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
100 Christians Killed
In Islamic violence during recent weeks in NIGERIA, more than 100 Christians have been killed. Some were murdered in their homes at night. Several were killed during the day for refusing to recite Koranic verses.
Ask God to console the brokenhearted and strengthen the weak. “By His wounds you have been healed.”
Two Christians Killed
On August 21, armed Islamists aided by Muslims from Niger attacked a village in NIGERIA, killing two Christians and injuring others. One of the slain was a 10-year-old boy, and the other was a husband and father of four.
Ask God to comfort the grieving families and heal the injured. “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David.”
Two Dozen Martyred
Islamic terrorists attacked Christians in six communities in NIGERIA from August 11 through 21. Two dozen believers were murdered—nine from the same family. It is reported that members of the Nigerian army assisted in these attacks.
Ask God to comfort the grieving. “And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’”
Prayer Meeting Bombed
A bomb was thrown at a church in NIGERIA during a prayer meeting on July 11. An Islamic terrorist group is suspected. The bomb damaged the building, but no one was injured.
Praise God for protecting the Christians inside! “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far?”
Churches under Threat
Some churches in NIGERIA have recently been forced to cancel meetings because terrorists have killed members. Other churches have rescheduled their meetings so as to elude attacks. Islamic terrorists are believed to have plans to attack more churches in upcoming months.
Pray for wisdom, protection, and the courage to continue meeting. “The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way in which they should go.”
Explosives Intended for Church
Two members of an Islamic group were arrested carrying explosives into a church in NIGERIA. In order to get inside, they pretended to want to convert from Islam to Christianity.
Thank God for protecting the congregation. Pray that He will give them discernment and wisdom. “You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold Your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst.”
Church Bombed
On July 10 jihadists threw a bomb at a church in NIGERIA after a service had ended. Several church members were killed, and even more were seriously injured.
Pray for comfort and healing. Thank God that most of the church members had already left the building before the blast and were protected. “You in Your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness.”
Pastor and Family Homeless
A pastor and his family of 9 children have been homeless since February, when Muslims burned churches and houses in their village in NIGERIA. Now Muslims are using the destroyed village as a grazing field. They chased away the pastor when he tried to visit. The family is living with other believers.
Ask God to provide him with a permanent home. “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.”
Pastor Tortured and Murdered
In NIGERIA a group of Muslims posing as policemen stopped a van and asked if anyone inside was a Christian. A pastor said that he was. Despite torture, he refused to renounce Christ. They beat him, gouged out his eyes, killed him, and burned his body.
Pray for comfort and provision for his widow and eight children. “...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ…”
Mob Attacks Christian Village
Earlier this year in NIGERIA a mob of over 300 armed Muslims attacked Christians, torched their village, and contaminated their wells.
Ask God to provide housing and clean water for the hundreds of believers who have been affected. “...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share in His sufferings…”
Congregation Scattered
A pastor in NIGERIA reports that his congregation of 50 members is now scattered and cannot meet together. Muslims falsely accused them of stealing cattle. They burned believers’ homes and church buildings in March. Following the attack, the congregation began meeting in a school, but eventually the believers had to move away to find new homes.
Ask God to provide them with fellowship. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Pastor and Secretary Shot to Death
On June 7, members of an Islamic group shot to death a pastor and a church secretary in a city in northern NIGERIA. The same week they bombed a church, killing several people. Many of the city’s churches have stopped holding worship services, and Christians fear traveling around the city.
Pray for strength and wisdom for the believers. “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Believers Murdered, Survivor Forgives
On May 4 at midnight, Muslims in NIGERIA brutally murdered 16 believers, including a pastor’s wife and children. They mortally wounded his 13-year-old daughter and said they would see how her Jesus would save her. While dying, she replied that Jesus had already saved her, and that she would be with Him. The pastor has forgiven the attackers.
Pray for comfort for the grieving. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
Pastor and Church Secretary Murdered
On May 16 in NIGERIA, Islamic militants invaded a pastor’s home and shot him. They stabbed his wife, rubbed a painful substance into her wounds, and left her for dead. The wife survived, but the pastor died on the way to the hospital. The church secretary was also killed.
Ask God to comfort the grieving believers. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood...”
Homes, Shops and Church Burned
In NIGERIA on April 29, Muslims told a Christian music-shop owner that his music was disturbing their prayers. Although he turned off the music, a Muslim mob returned later and burned down the shop and houses belonging to Christians, including the house belonging to the local pastor. He is now homeless, and the congregation has no shelter from sun and rain.
Ask God to restore their belongings and shelter. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
