Open Doors Prayer Thread

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Day 7 - Turkmenistan

The law on the rights of the child states that 'parents or the legal representatives of the child are obliged... to bring him up in a spirit of humanism and the unshakeable spiritual values embodied in the holy Ruhnama.' Pray against the influence of this 'spiritual guidebook' written by President Saparmyrat Niyazov and pray that God would open the blind eyes of the Turkmen people to see the light of His Glory in Christ.

 

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Day 8 - Tajikstan

Pray for those rejected by their large family networks for the sake of Christ. Ask God to put them in 'families'. Half of the population is under 20 years old - pray that creative ways will be found to share the Message with young Tajik people.

 

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Day 9 - Yemen

In this Muslim soceity it is hard to live without a safe background of family and Musilm brotherhood. Pray for micro-business oppurtunities to enable local believers to be financially independant. The biggest fear for a Christian convert comes from their closest circle of family and friends so please pray for whole families to turn to Christ.

 

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Day 10 - Iraq

Continue to pray that the violence will miraculously come to an end. Due to the difficult circumstances, including the recent bombings outside churches, many Christians are leaving Iraq so pray that they will have courage to stay in their home country.

 

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Day 11 - Iran

Iranian Christians are frightened. "Persecution has worsened since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took office," said an Open Doors staff worker. "I heard that all amyors have been given the order to crack down on all Christian cell groups. I fear more Christians will be murdered for their faith." Muslim background believers face tremendous risk. Please pray for their potection, them to 'be patient and stand firm, for the Lord's coming is near' (James 5:8).

 

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Day 12 - Saudi Arabia

Many believers are isolated and therefore seperated from fellowship with other Christians, causing feelings of loneliness and abandonment. Pray that Christ would encourage their hearts and strengthen them (2 Thessolonians 2:17) and bring many more into His Kingdom.

 

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Day 13 - Afghanistan

Praise God for all the Christian radio work that is being done here. The complete New Testament in Dari is now available in dramatised format, as well as testimonies of new believers and praise and worship programmes. As many people in Afghanistan are illiterate, the spoken word is an ideal tool to reach their hearts.

 

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Day 14 - Pakistan

Please continue to pray for our brothers and sister reaching out to victims of the October earthquake. Pray that they would be zealous in sharing the love of Christ with their Muslim and Hindu neighbours. Pray that many more would be praising the one, true God because of their good deeds.

 

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Day 15 - Middle east region

Open Doors is setting up a women's project; please pray for wisdom while we are developing plans and launching pilots. Pray that the needs will become clear and solutions will be found. Please also pray that the right people will become involved in carrying out the project.

 

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Day 16 - Turkey

Praise God for giving Kamil Kitoglu strength to help him not to deny Jesus in the shadow of death; while he was being beaten and threatened by knife-wielding attackers. Pray that this strength would be a great witness to those who attacked Kamil, causing them to seek Jesus for themselves.

 

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Day 17 - Egypt

Give thanks that two young Coptic Christian women whose father had converted to Islam when they were babies have won a court battle to retain their official religious identidy as Christians. Iman, 18, and Olfat Malak Ayet, 19, will be issued national identidy cards matching their Chritian birth certificates.

 

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Day 18 - Lebanon

It has been a year since ex-Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was brutally murdered. Since then a number of other murders have been committed. Many people have to count the cost if they want to continue to speak their minds, others stay silent or leave the country. Please continue praying for a way out of the uncertainty that Lebanese citizens face.

 

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Day 19 - Israel/Palestinian areas

Pray for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Their world is set to change following elections when the islamic group Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian parliament. Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors, has often met with Hamas leaders over the years and has told them that the only hope for peace comes through belief in the one, try God and his Son Jesus Christ. Pray that they would come to faith in Christ.

 

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Day 20 - Syria

Praise God for a prayer and worship meeting held in the largest indoor stadium in the country. The whole programme was broadcast on Syrian TV, both nationally and on setellite. Christians saw this amazing oppurtunity to pray for the leaders and the people of Syria and a tremendous answer to prayer. Pray for a continuing openness to the Gospel.

 

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Day 21 - North Korea

In september, Christians in South Korea sent baloons with Bible texts over the border. Thank God for the spreading of the Gospel, in whatever way. However, there is a danger of false teaching, there are already a number of leaders of sects, such as Falun Gong and Mr Moon. Thank God for the people who preach the gospel despirt the danger and pray that people will not believe in false prophets.

 

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Day 22 - North Korea

There are members of the Communist Party who have come into contact with the Gospel and so have become Christians. If it becomes known that they are Christians, they risk the death penalty. Please pray that they will have a beneficial influence on policy and that their lives may be a positive witness to the other part members. Pray also for the protection of these vulnerable Christians.

 

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Apologies for the 3 day break, i've been very busy.

 

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Day 25 - Indonesia

When our co-workers celebrated Christmas with Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Prangesti and Ratna Bangun in prison in West Java, the ladies shared that following their failed appeal in November, a new Christian lawyer has brought their case to the Supreme Court. None of them knows how long it will take before a verdict will be handed down - pray for God's will to be done. Ratna shared, "Even though I personally prefer to be with my husband and children, I know that here is where the Lord wants me to be. I am content." Please pray for their witness in this prison.

 

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Day 26 - India

Pray for Christians living in the central State of Madhya Pradesh where Hindu extremists have led a spate of attacks on Christians. Please pray for the physical and emotional recovery of the pastors and believers. Pray that they would not be put off meeting together and ask the Lord to protect them from the extremists and authorities.

 

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Day 27 - India

In Orissa State, in the east of India, extremists encouraged Hindu villagers to attack Christian residents, leaving at least 10 believers injured with two requiring hospital care. One of the missionaries at the house did not regain consciousness until three days later. Please pray for the Hindu extremists to be full of remorse and seeking forgiveness and salvation from the Lord Jesus.