Paulwat said:

At work today I noticed the entire office has been covered in pride flags and banners everywhere over the walls and ceilings, even outside the building. There's even an upcoming day where everyone has to wear something rainbow coloured into work for the day and everyone must do this according to managemnet

What would you do if your workplace does this?

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Isn’t this present world supposed to be “enemy territory” for Christians?
(ETA: I’d personally draw the line at “mandatory clothing”.)

Please pray that God will make my son Jakeb feel better if it is His will and that I can hear him laugh tonight. Thank you and God bless you. I ask in the name of Jesus. Carmen.

A medical examiner has ruled the death of a Haitian asylum seeker after being released from federal custody a homicide. An attorney representing her family said he expects her relatives to sue Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with her death.

Continued below.

In a post on social media, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, would be "open to all" once the deal is agreed.

Pakistan, a key mediator, also said the deal was expected to be finalised within 24 hours and they were "preparing for the electronic signing".

Before Trump's comments, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei expressed caution over the timeline, saying: "We will have to wait and see about the exact date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding, although it will not be tomorrow."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL."

In an apparent reference to Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles, Trump said that "at the appropriate time, when all is calm, we will go in and get the Nuclear Dust", adding it would later be destroyed.

Continued below.

Clare73 said:
Including what Paul was taught by him in the third heaven (Gal 1:11-12, 2 Co 12:1-9),
and what he authoritatively teaches us in Ro 13:8, that the one who loves has fulfilled the law.

HIM said:
Will not has.

Mark Quayle said:
Why would you change what the Bible says? — "has", not "will"

HIM said:

go and sin?

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I don't follow what—or maybe why—you are saying this. Did you, or did you not, change what the Bible says? If you did, what did you intend, by doing so? Don't make me guess.

In the Pentecost service our preacher reminded us that His presence with us does not need to be invited by us. Because in the Spirit He is always with us. We need to accept the gift and just get on board in obedience. Great stuff, so I thought about the various gifts of God in Jesus and spelled them out for the preacher's pleasure afterwards.
Prophecy of His coming, Incarnation, Miracle-working, Cross, Atonement, Resurrection, Ascension, Intercession, Return, Judgement, Shared Glory. All greeted with audible approval, APART FROM ONE. Silence, then slight embarassment and clear discomfort.
Because like most preachers on the rota he dislikes or certainly downplays the atonement of Christ, by which the justified anger of God towards rebellious man was turned aside in Christ's death. This wonderful truth that gives assurance of God's acceptance and love (and makes sense of all those bloody animal sacrifices in the OT) and enables us without guilt or soul-searching or insecurity to follow Him in brotherhood and in freedom.
Why is this such a stumbling block?

Delvianna said:

Great post! But I'd to add that idolatry is also putting something equal to or above God. That doesn't just mean sins in general, but can also include your spouse being an idol. A spouse becomes an idol when a person values that relationship more than God Himself. This happens when pleasing a husband or wife becomes more important than pleasing God, when fear of losing the relationship causes a person to compromise God's commands, or when their identity, security, purpose, and happiness become rooted primarily in the spouse rather than in the Lord.

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Thank you! Yes!

1 Corinthians 12:1-3 NKJV


So Much Fakery

In our world today, among so much of what is being called “Christian,” there is so much fakery, lies, false gospels, false gifts of “The Spirit,” and false teachers of “The Word.” So many people are creating their own “God” in their own minds for their own purposes. So many of them are adding on to or they are taking away from the Scriptures in order to justify their own lifestyles. And so many are falsely attributing to The Spirit of God what is not of The Spirit at all, but that which is of the flesh, and/or which is of Satan.

So we have a lot that is being done in the name of God, and in the name of Jesus Christ, and in the name of the Holy Spirit which is of the flesh and/or of the devil. So we need to know the gifts of the Spirit and how they are to be used, and we need to know the fruit of the Spirit, which includes “self-control.” So if you are being led to do something that makes you or your body do something over which you have no control, that is not of the Holy Spirit. And if what you do is contrary to the will of God, it is not of God.

But here we have another issue. Since so many people are abusing the “gifts of the Spirit” or they are creating their own “gifts,” claiming that they are of the Spirit of God, when clearly they are not, we have a group of people who are denying some of the primary gifts of the Spirit, teaching that they no longer exist. And they use some Scripture references out of context to try to prove their point, but it is not valid. For in the last days God’s daughters and sons will prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions. But we must test them.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NKJV


Discerning The Gifts

“Spiritual gifts” is clearly a controversial topic, for things which are of the Spirit of God are not always easily discerned. And so many of the gifts are being abused and misused. And I believe that is one of the reasons why a certain group of people at some point in time decided that certain gifts no longer exist, because they are not things which they can control or easily explain or discern. So many, thus, have stayed with ones which they can control, like gifts of teaching, giving, mercy, serving, and leading others.


So, we are neither to deny all which are being called “gifts of the Spirit,” nor are we to embrace everything being called “gifts of the Spirit” or “prophecy.” But honestly, I believe many people stay away from such things as these because it is so much work to test everything, to take the time to search the Scriptures to see if something is or is not of God, and to see if it contradicts the Scriptures or if it supports the teachings of God. So they “play it safe,” by just ignoring what they regard as just “too hard” to understand.

Applying This to Today

Now, what was written here in the Scriptures was during a time in history when people did not have television, radio, and the internet, like we do. So, what was written to them was to be applied to them and to the people who were in their inner circle, i.e. in their Christian fellowships. So this is not saying that we have to try to discern every “prophecy” we hear people speak in the name of Jesus if they are on television, radio, or on the internet, and if they are not in our inner circle, unless they are influencing our inner circle.

But if there is someone who is very popular among the people of my nation or in the world, and if the masses appear to be following after them and what they are teaching, and if the Lord leads me to do so, I will take the time to search out what they are teaching, and to compare it to what the Scriptures are teaching, and then to share what the Lord has taught me in the hope that it will keep at least some people from being deceived and from following after the lies, lies which might send them to hell, especially.

But please do not deny the gifts of the Spirit just because a group of people are denying them or are abusing them. The Lord gave us these gifts for a reason, that we might help one another to grow to maturity in our walks of faith in obedience to our Lord and to his commands. In what I write each day, I am exercising, in the power of The Holy Spirit who lives within me, the gifts of God within me which I am to use for the salvation of human souls from hell and for the encouragement of the body of Christ, his church.

Gifts, Ministries, body life, Ministers of the Gospel Scriptures:

[Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:18-20; John 4:31-38; John 13:13-17; John 14:12; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:14-18; Acts 26:18; Romans 10:14-15; Romans 12:1-8; Romans 15:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:11-27; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:9,21; 1 John 2:6]

Love Never Fails

Based off 1 Corinthians 13 NIV
An Original Work / August 20, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

If I speak with tongues of men and angels,
But do not have love, my speech is but noise;
It sounds like thunder from above.
If I have the gift of preaching,
Knowledge, faith and prophecy,
But I do not love my brothers, oh, what vanity!
If I give all I possess to help a neighbor who’s in need,
But I do not love my sisters, I gain not a thing.

Love is patient; love is kind; it does not envy;
Is not proud. It is not rude; not self-seeking;
Selflessly gives out. Love does not delight in evil,
But rejoices with the truth; Protects always;
Hopes and trusts, and always perseveres.
Love is not easily angered; keeps no record of the wrongs.
It forgives when wrong’s intended; returns hate with love.

Love will never fail when it is God’s love
Reaching out through us, selfless in its care for others;
Yielding to the cross. Prophecies and tongues
And knowledge, wisdom, teaching, miracles,
Gifts of healing, helping others – these will all be stilled.
When perfection comes the imperfect will surely disappear.
Faith and hope and love remain; the greatest of these, love.

Login to view embedded media
Discerning The Spirits
An Original Work / June 13, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

The Liturgist said:

Well to be fair, John Calvin also practiced Infant Baptism; the Synod of Dort, where the Five Points first appeared, likewise was not an Anabaptist synod. In the 16th century only the Anabaptists subscribed to the idea of Believer’s Baptism and were viewed unfavorably by the other Protestants and were not treated graciously, which is unfortunate; I am descended from an early Baptist pilgrim to the US, but I have also never subscribed to Baptist theology; I was baptized as an infant and I agree with Orthodox and Lutheran views on Baptism and Baptismal Regeneration.

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I agree with that, as I said above, that is a reformed position, but it is separate from Calvinism. Calvinism is strictly a soteriology theology.

However, we are somewhat off-topic. My original post was to speak to the very biased POV of the OP, who feels that people who believe they are saved again subscribe to cheap grace.

Actor Tim Allen recently opened up about the role faith has played in his life and the lessons he has learned after three decades of sobriety, and what it means to be part of the “Toy Story” movies, a franchise that has connected with multiple generations of families.

During an interview with Us Weekly, the actor and comedian said he remains amazed by the lasting appeal of "Toy Story," which debuted in 1995. The actor noted that few people involved with the original film anticipated the cultural phenomenon it would become.

“When we first saw 'Toy Story,' everybody was in the room going, 'I don't know what to make of this.' [The] powers-that-be were very unsure it would [translate]. [They] thought, 'Maybe we just go right to DVDs,'" Allen said.

Three decades later, the franchise is preparing to release its fifth installment. Allen said he was particularly struck by the film's willingness to address children's relationship with technology.

“They’re into tech, and yet they’re putting a light on their own tech,” Allen said.

At a screening of “Toy Story 5,” Allen, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, said the room became quiet during a scene depicting children absorbed in their phones. The actor praised Pixar, calling it courageous to re-encourage kids to play."

Beyond "Toy Story," Allen has built a career that includes starring roles in the "Santa Clause" film series and the television sitcoms "Home Improvement” and "Last Man Standing.” Allen now stars in the ABC comedy series "Shifting Gears," playing the lead character Matt Parker.

Continued below.

reddogs said:

AI has picked it up pretty straight forward it appears...

The Seven Last Plagues in Seventh-day Adventist Teaching​

In Seventh-day Adventist eschatology, the seven last plagues are described as the final judgments of God poured out on the unrepentant before the Second Coming of Christ. They are introduced in Revelation 15:1 and detailed in Revelation 16, symbolizing the “wrath of God” that is “filled up” (Rev. 15:1) EGW Writings+1.

Timing and Purpose​

Adventists teach that these plagues occur after the heavenly sanctuary work is completed and the final judgment is sealed (Rev. 15:8; 22:11–12) cutsdasm.adventisthost.org. They follow the plagues of the seven trumpets, which are mixed with mercy and aimed at bringing repentance Sabbath School Net. The last plagues, however, are without mercy and mark the end of probation for those who have chosen the mark of the beast or worship its image (Rev. 16:2) Ellen G. White Estate.

Who Will Be Affected​

The plagues will strike the men who have the mark of the beast and those who worship his image (Rev. 16:2) Ellen G. White Estate. Those who have “victory over the beast, his image, his mark, and his number” (Rev. 15:2) — such as the 144,000 sealed saints — will be protected and will not suffer these judgments Sabbath School Net+1.

The Seven Plagues (Revelation 16)​

1. A grievous sore (Rev. 16:2) — a virulent, incurable disease.
2. Blood from the sea (Rev. 16:3–4) — oceans and rivers turn to blood.
3. Fresh water turned to blood (Rev. 16:4–7) — God’s true people receive fresh water.
4. The sun given to the beast (Rev. 16:8–9) — symbolic of the beast’s power over the sun.
5. A great darkness (Rev. 16:10–11) — spiritual darkness over the earth.
6. The Euphrates dried up (Rev. 16:12–16) — withdrawal of support from spiritual Babylon; Armageddon near.
7. Judgment on Babylon (Rev. 16:17–21) — earthquake, lightning, and hail; the Second Coming of Christ occurs under this plague Ellen G. White Estate+1.

Symbolism and Connection to Egypt​

The seven last plagues are often compared to the Egyptian plagues (Exodus 7–11) in purpose: both are divine judgments showing God’s power and holiness, separating His people from the unrepentant Sabbath School Net.

Key Adventist Beliefs​

• The plagues are future, poured out before the resurrection and transformation of the saints (1 Cor. 15:51–54) EGW Writings+1.
• They are successive and rapid, with some interpreting “her plagues come in one day” (Rev. 18:8) as either literal or prophetic time cutsdasm.adventisthost.org.
• The righteous are hided with Christ until the plagues are over absg.sspmadventist.org.

In summary, the seven last plagues are the climactic divine judgments in Revelation, marking the end of God’s patience and the final confrontation with the unrepentant, with the righteous protected and the Second Coming occurring under the seventh plague.

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Which AI did you use?

Please pray that if it is God's will my daughter will not be upset, angry or let down by me not going to an event tomorrow. I ask in the name of Jesus. Thank you and God bless you. Carmen

DaisyDay said:

They did it first!! Therefore pointing out the error is moot!!! How is running with something you supposedly know is wrong a good decision?

You objected to the "gestating" and "non-gestating" language on the documents and said that "mama" and "dada" are the first words everyone says. You are correct that you did not specifically say that the first words everyone says should be used instead of the more clinical and inclusive language that you mocked.

I did not mock you - I mocked the idea.

I have not attacked you but the idea that "mama" and "dada" should be used instead of "gestating" and "non-gestating" - and I stand by this. Also that if one doesn't understand what pronouns are maybe shouldn't pontificate on the importance of them.

If "snarky jabs" on ideas are too upsetting, then use the ignore function. Or - here's an idea! - treat others how you wish to be treated. Post with respect and good faith and that will more likely be returned to you.

Sorry, bud, attacking then crying victim describes your routine; there have been several posts about you doing this from which you seem to be cribbing.

Is it possible to stick to the contents of the post and stop making personal remarks about me? TIA.

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What a leanthy load of nonsense.

Sansue Bee Vang, 58, was found guilty of eight counts of child molestation and three counts of rape following a seven-day trial in February. As part of his sentence, Vang is also required to register as a sex offender, the Butte County district attorney’s office said in a news release.

At the sentencing, Judge Philip Heithecker heard testimony and statements from five of the six named victims that Vang was convicted of abusing.

Vang is the founder, creator and leader of a Hmong religious organization called Kev Ntseeg Leej Niam Kee Tiam Vaj Lis Thum, which can loosely be translated to “belief in the mother.” The organization was originally founded in Appleton, Wis., where it gained a following, and was moved to Fresno in 2015. In 2020, Vang selected families from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Carolina and Fresno to relocate to Oroville to build a temple at the base of Table Mountain, according to the release.

All of the victims in the case were members of the religious organization. Vang was referred to as the leader or “prophet” of the organization and created the readings, songs and the requirements for the movement, authorities said.

On March 15, 2019, Ksor Ruk, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the People’s Court of Gia Lai Province. Ksor was accused of being allegedly involved with FULRO, an exiled group in America, and charged with ‘undermining the state’s unity policy’, Article 116 of the 2015 Criminal Code.

Ksor Ruk, a Montagnard (Jrai) Christian, was first imprisoned in 2007, charged with ‘undermining the state’s unity policy’. However, after being released, he continued his missionary work in his local area. He is married with five children. His youngest child was just one month old when he was arrested in October 2018.

Charged with undermining unity policy.

Please read our writing guidelines before writing to prisoners​

Writing Guidelines

Prison Address:​

Gia Trung Prison,
Mang Yang district,
Gia Lai Province
Vietnam

On April 10, 2018, Montagnard Church of Christ leader Y Pum Bya was arrested during a police raid at a church member’s home during an unregistered church meeting. He was accused of spreading false information about Vietnam’s violations of minority rights, and religious freedom, in order to convince people to join efforts to establish an independent state.

At the police station, he was interrogated, tortured, and forced to sign a statement agreeing to stop worshipping in a group while belonging to the Gospel Missionary Church.

Y Pum Bya had previously been threatened with arrest for his religious activities. On March 15, 2017, he requested permission to register unregistered religious activities in Ea Dron Commune, but his request was rejected and police threatened him with arrest and imprisonment if he continued to engage in his religious activities.

On January 31, 2019, Y Pum Bya was sentenced to 14 years in prison and four years probation, for ‘undermining national unity policy’ under Article 87/1999. He is currently imprisoned at Gia Trung Prison in Gia Lai Province.

Family Situation​

Y Pum Bya is married with children

Charged with:
"undermining national unity policy"

Click to expand...

Please read our writing guidelines before writing to prisoners​

Writing Guidelines

Prison Address:​

Gia Trung Prison,
Mang Yang district,
Gia Lai Province
Vietnam

Saturday 13 June 2026 – Algeria​

Pray for the 6,000 Algerian Bibles still held up in the port of Algiers after more than three years. Pray that the Bibles will be released and distributed and be a source of blessing for all who read them.

Friday 12 June 2026 – Algeria​

Algerian Christians face discrimination in many aspects of daily life, whether registering a birth, marriage or death, opening a bank account, applying for a job or running a business. Pray that they will be treated fairly.

Thursday 11 June 2026 – Algeria​

Pray that our partner’s wife’s ministry among Algerian women would flourish, despite the pressures they face.

Wednesday 10 June 2026 – Algeria​

Lift up in prayer our partner, Pastor ‘Yuba’, and his wife, who continue to minister to Algerian Christians in these difficult times. Pray for God’s protection over them, their family and their ministry.

Tuesday 9 June 2026 – Algeria​

Pray for the 50-plus church leaders who have been convicted. Some have already been jailed and released while others are held in legal limbo by suspended sentences and long appeals. Pray that they and their families would know God’s grace and patience as well as the energy to continue with their ministries.

Monday 8 June 2026 – Algeria​

Pray that the Supreme Court of Algeria (which can overturn convictions and suspend sentences of pastors and can order the re-opening of closed churches) would act with courage, integrity and wisdom and would deal swiftly with church cases and appeals.

Sunday 7 June 2026 – Eritrea​

Pray that exiled Christians, who are often homesick, would be able to settle in their new communities and have fellowship with other believers.

Aussie52 said:

While you are praying, include the 62,000 Palestinians that Israel killed, amongst them,20,000 children.
And also pray that God would bless and strengthen the IDF as they rape, pillage, displace and kill Palestinians in the West Bank.

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Opinions may differ regarding political and military strategy in the Middle East, but accusing an entire army of systematic crimes does not lead to an objective discussion.

My prayer expresses a clear intention. It is for the protection of soldiers, the defeat of Hamas’s terror, and the establishment of justice, not for the suffering of civilians. The Bible teaches us to pray for victory over evil and for the protection of those who fight against terror
(2 Sam 22:28).

The concerns you mentioned regarding injustice and violence are already included in the prayer. The prophetic context in Isaiah clearly shows that G-d is a G-d of vengeance in the dispute over Zion, and His judgment strikes the powers that seek to destroy Israel
(Isa 34:5 .8). At the same time, however, He is a holy G-d before whose face no human wrongdoing goes unpunished. By praying that His will be done, we entrust the final judgment to Him: He will break evil powers such as Hamas, but He sees, hears, and judges every injustice on this earth with absolute infallibility in stark contrast to us humans, who often perceive things only selectively.

Praying for His will therefore automatically entails the exposure and end of all injustice. It never involves taking pleasure in the suffering of the innocent, for every human being is created in His image. I therefore pray specifically that Muslims in Gaza may find peace and salvation through Jesus Christ, as I wrote in my post.

What does persecution look like in Burkina Faso?​

Burkina Faso has experienced a broad collapse in state authority. This insecurity has led to Islamic extremists being able to dominate areas of the country and freely commit violence. These groups are able to rule as a form of quasi-government with little opposition. Extremist religious leaders encourage communities to be hostile towards Christians.

Due to this, churches have been forced to close and have been burned, and Christian homes and businesses have been destroyed and looted. Christian communities can face threats, violent attacks and displacement from their homes. Anyone who leaves Islam to follow Jesus is especially vulnerable to threats and violence.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?​

Burkinabe Christians in rural areas controlled by Islamic extremists are most vulnerable to targeted attacks, harassment and discrimination. They are also often expected to follow strict religious rules. Those who deviate from these rules, especially converts from a Muslim background, risk the most serious persecution from their families and communities.

Meet Pastor John​

"I couldn’t pray, because when I prayed, I wept. But when I wept, I prayed with tears."
PASTOR JOHN, WHOSE SON WAS KILLED IN AN ATTACK BY ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS. HE RECEIVED TRAUMA CARE THROUGH OPEN DOORS’ LOCAL PARTNERS.

Click to expand...

What has changed this year?​

Burkina Faso has risen four places on this year’s World Watch List. Violence has increased, as well as pressure on church life. Christians in Burkina Faso face ongoing threats, instability and displacement. On top of persecution, believers face deepening poverty and a worsening human rights’ crisis. Burkina Faso is one of the least developed nations in the world. Its problems are heightened by geopolitical rivalries playing out in the region, along with the rise of extremist groups, organised crime and corruption.

In areas under their control, extremists increasingly exploit the poverty and anti-Western sentiment among local clans to exert pressure on Christians. They attempt to indoctrinate young people, enforce strict religious codes and justify violence against Christians as being divinely mandated.

This year, brutal attacks by extremists on Christian communities have claimed more lives, destroyed churches and homes, and displaced an estimated two million people. Converts from Islam face significant pressure to return to the faith. They can be ejected from their communities or face violence.

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Burkina Faso?​

Open Doors serves the church in Burkina Faso through persecution-awareness training, relief efforts, spiritual care and trauma care. Behind these is the vision to see the church respond biblically to persecution by spiritually empowering her members and caring for those most affected.

How can you pray for Burkina Faso?​

• Pray for stability and that the people of Burkina Faso would be cared for by the authorities. Since the 2022 military coup, Burkina Faso has been led by a military government. Promises to return to civilian rule have so far not come to pass.
• Pray these extremists would encounter the truth of Jesus and put aside their violent aims. Islamic militants continue to carry out periodic attacks.
• Ask God to help Christians who have been displaced or have lost loved ones in the violence. Pray they would be comforted and experience the true peace of Christ.
• Pray for Open Doors partners as they care for displaced believers. Pray that God would bless these efforts and ignite a gospel fire that spreads across Burkina Faso.

DOWNLOAD SUMMARY REPORT

A PRAYER FOR BURKINA FASO
Lord, we ask You to bring Your peace, wisdom and strength to Your people in Burkina Faso. So many face such difficult situations: losing their homes, their communities and even their loved ones. We ask that You protect them, provide for their needs, and that they would feel and know they are supported by their worldwide church family. We thank You for their willingness to serve You and to build Your kingdom, even in the face of such hostility. Amen.

President Trump announced late Friday that U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) launched a strike that killed the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

A “swift and lethal kinetic strike” killed Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. Tren de Aragua is a U.S.-designated terror organization.

“This action was coordinated closely with our friends in Venezuela, with whom we are working very well,” Trump’s post reads. “As a result, Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else and, under my leadership, we will find these vicious murderers and drugs lords anytime, anyplace, and send them to the depths of hell where they belong.”

Continued below.

What does persecution look like in Burkina Faso?​

Burkina Faso has experienced a broad collapse in state authority. This insecurity has led to Islamic extremists being able to dominate areas of the country and freely commit violence. These groups are able to rule as a form of quasi-government with little opposition. Extremist religious leaders encourage communities to be hostile towards Christians.

Due to this, churches have been forced to close and have been burned, and Christian homes and businesses have been destroyed and looted. Christian communities can face threats, violent attacks and displacement from their homes. Anyone who leaves Islam to follow Jesus is especially vulnerable to threats and violence.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?​

Burkinabe Christians in rural areas controlled by Islamic extremists are most vulnerable to targeted attacks, harassment and discrimination. They are also often expected to follow strict religious rules. Those who deviate from these rules, especially converts from a Muslim background, risk the most serious persecution from their families and communities.

Meet Pastor John​

"I couldn’t pray, because when I prayed, I wept. But when I wept, I prayed with tears."
PASTOR JOHN, WHOSE SON WAS KILLED IN AN ATTACK BY ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS. HE RECEIVED TRAUMA CARE THROUGH OPEN DOORS’ LOCAL PARTNERS.

Click to expand...

What has changed this year?​

Burkina Faso has risen four places on this year’s World Watch List. Violence has increased, as well as pressure on church life. Christians in Burkina Faso face ongoing threats, instability and displacement. On top of persecution, believers face deepening poverty and a worsening human rights’ crisis. Burkina Faso is one of the least developed nations in the world. Its problems are heightened by geopolitical rivalries playing out in the region, along with the rise of extremist groups, organised crime and corruption.

In areas under their control, extremists increasingly exploit the poverty and anti-Western sentiment among local clans to exert pressure on Christians. They attempt to indoctrinate young people, enforce strict religious codes and justify violence against Christians as being divinely mandated.

This year, brutal attacks by extremists on Christian communities have claimed more lives, destroyed churches and homes, and displaced an estimated two million people. Converts from Islam face significant pressure to return to the faith. They can be ejected from their communities or face violence.

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Burkina Faso?​

Open Doors serves the church in Burkina Faso through persecution-awareness training, relief efforts, spiritual care and trauma care. Behind these is the vision to see the church respond biblically to persecution by spiritually empowering her members and caring for those most affected.

How can you pray for Burkina Faso?​

• Pray for stability and that the people of Burkina Faso would be cared for by the authorities. Since the 2022 military coup, Burkina Faso has been led by a military government. Promises to return to civilian rule have so far not come to pass.
• Pray these extremists would encounter the truth of Jesus and put aside their violent aims. Islamic militants continue to carry out periodic attacks.
• Ask God to help Christians who have been displaced or have lost loved ones in the violence. Pray they would be comforted and experience the true peace of Christ.
• Pray for Open Doors partners as they care for displaced believers. Pray that God would bless these efforts and ignite a gospel fire that spreads across Burkina Faso.

DOWNLOAD SUMMARY REPORT

A PRAYER FOR BURKINA FASO
Lord, we ask You to bring Your peace, wisdom and strength to Your people in Burkina Faso. So many face such difficult situations: losing their homes, their communities and even their loved ones. We ask that You protect them, provide for their needs, and that they would feel and know they are supported by their worldwide church family. We thank You for their willingness to serve You and to build Your kingdom, even in the face of such hostility. Amen.

On Friday’s broadcast of HBO’s “Real Time,” host Bill Maher and Eurasia Group and GZERO Media Founder Ian Bremmer stated that OPEC’s cartel has effectively been ended, which is beneficial, and that the region building pipelines will help undercut Iran’s power.

Bremmer said, “OPEC is over. The Emiratis have pulled out. And that means that they want to produce as much oil as humanly possible because they don’t want that to be a stranded asset. They know it’s not going to be worth so much over time. They want to become a global node as a city-state. That’s — by the way, that’s a monopoly, it’s a cartel over energy, over fossil fuel energy that is not good for anybody. Glad to see them go. The Americans are the largest producer in the world right now. … That’s a big thing that has happened, not because Trump was planning it, but it matters.”

Maher responded, “Yeah, well, also, they’re building pipelines now.” Which Bremmer agreed with.



Continued below.