Praying for the Persecuted Church

[quietbloke]

'Faith of the father's,we still strive to win all nations unto Thee..' (F W Faber)

 

[musicalpilgrim]

18th Turkey. There are just 171,000 Christians in Turkey. The country’s population is 83.8 million and the majority are Muslim. Here religious nationalism is very strong and growing, putting enormous pressure on Christians. The atmosphere of increasing nationalism leaves precious little room for anyone to proclaim a different message, and Christians must take great care in sharing their faith with others, as it can arouse suspicion. Converting to Christianity from Islam is not illegal but converts are likely to face opposition from their family and the local community. The dangers mean some believers hide their conversion. Some years ago the owner of a Christian bookshop was shot dead by extremists. Christians have limited access to state employment, and experience discrimination in the private sector, especially where employers have ties to the government. Since religious affiliation is still recorded on old identity cards and the electronic chip of new identity cards, it is easy to discriminate against Christian applicants. Please pray for greater tolerance and for freedom to worship without fear.

 

[quietbloke]

18th Turkey. There are just 171,000 Christians in Turkey. The country’s population is 83.8 million and the majority are Muslim. Here religious nationalism is very strong and growing, putting enormous pressure on Christians. The atmosphere of increasing nationalism leaves precious little room for anyone to proclaim a different message, and Christians must take great care in sharing their faith with others, as it can arouse suspicion. Converting to Christianity from Islam is not illegal but converts are likely to face opposition from their family and the local community. The dangers mean some believers hide their conversion. Some years ago the owner of a Christian bookshop was shot dead by extremists. Christians have limited access to state employment, and experience discrimination in the private sector, especially where employers have ties to the government. Since religious affiliation is still recorded on old identity cards and the electronic chip of new identity cards, it is easy to discriminate against Christian applicants. Please pray for greater tolerance and for freedom to worship without fear.

Praying for Turkey

 

[quietbloke]

Be exalted in the hills and valleys

 

[musicalpilgrim]

22nd There are about 467,000 Christians in Mali, which is a small percentage of the population of more than 20 million. When Islamic extremist groups took control of the northern part of Mali in 2012, churches were burned down and Christians forced to flee. The displacement that happened still affects Christians who lost their homes and whose churches were destroyed. Although some Christians and congregations have returned to the north under police protection, they still live under the threat of attack by Islamic militants. Evangelistic activities in the north are especially risky and could lead to attacks from extremists. Christian missionaries operating in Mali also live under the constant threat of abduction and some have indeed been kidnapped by jihadists Even in the south of the country, where Christians enjoy more religious freedom, threats from Islamic extremist groups have increased. Additionally, the coup in late summer 2020 continued Mali’s political upheaval, leaving the door open for extremist elements to take root in places without strong leadership. Extremists have also used the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic to assert more control in some parts of Mali, one of Africa’s poorest countries. As these groups often particularly target Christians, this is a worrying trend, though it remains to be seen what the country’s interim leadership will mean for religious freedom. Please pray for those in charge of Mali – for tolerance and just government. Pray for Christians displaced and living in camps and for those under pressure from their families.

 

[quietbloke]

22nd There are about 467,000 Christians in Mali, which is a small percentage of the population of more than 20 million. When Islamic extremist groups took control of the northern part of Mali in 2012, churches were burned down and Christians forced to flee. The displacement that happened still affects Christians who lost their homes and whose churches were destroyed. Although some Christians and congregations have returned to the north under police protection, they still live under the threat of attack by Islamic militants. Evangelistic activities in the north are especially risky and could lead to attacks from extremists. Christian missionaries operating in Mali also live under the constant threat of abduction and some have indeed been kidnapped by jihadists Even in the south of the country, where Christians enjoy more religious freedom, threats from Islamic extremist groups have increased. Additionally, the coup in late summer 2020 continued Mali’s political upheaval, leaving the door open for extremist elements to take root in places without strong leadership. Extremists have also used the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic to assert more control in some parts of Mali, one of Africa’s poorest countries. As these groups often particularly target Christians, this is a worrying trend, though it remains to be seen what the country’s interim leadership will mean for religious freedom. Please pray for those in charge of Mali – for tolerance and just government. Pray for Christians displaced and living in camps and for those under pressure from their families.

Thank you for this helpful information about Mali

 

[quietbloke]

Our prayers are needed for the persecuted!

 

[musicalpilgrim]

26th Burkina Faso. (sub-Sahara Africa). Around a quarter of people in Burkina Faso are Christians – almost 5 million from a population of 20.9 million. After a brutal 2019, when Christians were targeted and murdered by militants, there were fewer high-profile violent attacks in 2020. However, the violence still continued – just not as visibly.

Open Doors estimates there are over a million internally displaced people in Burkina Faso, and many are Christians. Extremist attacks from IS affiliates have driven followers of Jesus from their homes and villages, with many being forced into refugee camps.

Open Doors partners in Burkina Faso report there are no open churches in parts of n-e Burkina Faso. Christians in this area have largely been forced to flee due to violence. Low rainfall and the Covid-19 pandemic have worsened the situation.

Christians who have converted from Islam also face significant pressure and opposition from their families and communities. Families may reject Christian converts, and new Christians may be pressured to renounce their new faith. This also means new converts from Islam are often reluctant to be public about their faith. Burkina Faso has long had a reputation for tolerance of various faiths, but that reputation is increasingly at risk.

Please pray for Open Doors partners serving those who’ve fled their homes, For the Government to get on top of the extremists.

 

[musicalpilgrim]

I pray for the persecuted Christians in Pakistan.

 

[musicalpilgrim]

Praying for the persecuted Christians in North Korea,

 

[musicalpilgrim]

Praying for the persecuted Christians in China, suffering torture.

 

[tturt]

praying for persecuted believers

 

[musicalpilgrim]

praying for persecuted believers

... kept weak through lack of food

 

[musicalpilgrim]

I pray for the persecuted Christians in North Korea, fill them with your love in Christ Jesus. Enable them to share your love in Jesus name.

 

[quietbloke]

'For You,O LORD' will bless the righteous with favor,You will surround Him as with a shield' (Psalms 5:12)

 

[quietbloke]

His love overflows forever!

 

[musicalpilgrim]

I pray for the Christians in India as they minister to the needy in the pandemic.

 

[quietbloke]

I pray for the Christians in India as they minister to the needy in the pandemic.

Praying for India

 

[rocknanchor]

I pray for the Christians in India as they minister to the needy in the pandemic.

Praying for India

Though flesh and blood may have had a hand in this, our ultimate conflict lay in the lower heavenlies of spiritual wickedness.

Lord, you are He who goes before us into battle and our ultimate foe seeks our undoing every hour across the globe. Praying you sweep this pestilence from God's people to walk anew.

 

[quietbloke]

God is Just and True despite all opposition!