Prayer Tips

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), designated by some as a terrorist group, has vowed to continue its fight to overthrow the Ethiopian government. The ONLF claims it killed 3,000 military troops in 2010. Pray for peace in this troubled region. Pray for the ONLF and the Ethiopian government to work out their differences with diplomatic means rather than violence. Ask the Lord to draw key members of each group into relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. Pray for the Gospel to be preached boldly throughout Ethiopia. Ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit on Ethiopia and bring a great harvest of souls.

A missions group working in Myanmar reports a number of breakthroughs among tribal people groups. However, there remain "large numbers of unreached Muslim people."  Pray for the Gospel to be preached throughout Myanmar, to every people group, tribe, and tongue. Pray for a great spiritual awakening in which Muslims see and put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Ask the Lord to send workers into this waiting harvest field. Petition Him to raise up leaders in the Church of Myanmar who will teach the Word and train disciples. Pray for God's Kingdom to come to Myanmar as it is in heaven.

The United Nations is calling for the countries of Central Asia to join together in the fight against terrorism. Turkmenistan will play a key role in the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, partnering with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Pray for these nations to work in harmony, forming a united front against extremists. Ask the Lord to give the government of Turkmenistan new and inventive strategies for keeping their borders secure and their people safe. Pray for the Gospel to be preached and demonstrated throughout this nation and for multitudes to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Observers are concerned the unrest that has been spilling across North Africa and the Middle East may result in a street revolt in Libya. "The wealthiest North African country has begun to dig deeper into its pocket to address social grievances which might spark similar unrest at home." Libya currently has the highest unemployment in North Africa. Pray for the Lord to stir hearts in Libya, setting the people free from Powers of darkness and introducing them to salvation in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to send His Holy Spirit throughout this nation, drawing hearts to Christ. Pray for the salvation of Muammar al-Qaddhafi. Plead for the souls of the many unreached Arabs in Libya. Pray for a great harvest.

According to a missions organization active in this nation, Malaysia "has witnessed a resurgence of Islam." However, they also report, "The Church in Malaysia is one of the most vibrant and growing in the region." Give Thanks to God for what He is doing in Malaysia. Pray for the strongholds of Malaysian Government to be torn down and for the Lord to build His Church in this nation. Pray for continued revival and for Christian Believers to be bold in sharing the Gospel. Ask the Lord for a great harvest of souls. Pray for multitudes of Malaysians to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad was recently ranked as one of the six worst African political leaders. Pray for this man and his administration. Ask the Lord to give them wisdom, discernment, and the humility they need to serve the people of Chad. Pray for the Church in Chad to arise and boldly declare the Gospel. Ask for the Lord to exalt the Name of Jesus in Chad and draw multitudes of Non Christians into relationship with Him. Pray for the tearing down of the strongholds of this Country and for the Kingdom of God to come in great power to Chad.

As one missions organization recently reported, "Cambodia is experiencing a wonderful work of God's grace at this time." Praise the Lord for this good report and pray for His work to continue in this nation. Pray for the growth of the Church and for Christian Believers to be strengthened and encouraged. Plead for the salvation of leaders and for the Gospel to reach every people group. Ask for a great harvest of souls in Cambodia.

According to an Associated Press report, "Rival day camps by the United Nations and Gaza's Islamic militant Hamas rulers compete for the hearts of the next generation, the roughly 700,000 children under 15 who make up nearly half of the Gaza Strip population." The Hamas camps teach children "anti-Israel doctrine and military-style marching," while the UN camps use games and fun to "try to instill hope in a better future." Pray for the hateful propaganda and deceptions of Hamas camps to be exposed and for parents in the Gaza to refuse to send their children to them. Ask the Lord to open new and inventive ways of reaching these kids with the Gospel message. Pray for their hearts to be softened, their eyes opened to the Truth that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and rose from the dead. Plead with the Lord for multitudes of souls – Hamas members, parents, and children – to be drawn into relationship with Christ.

Members of terrorist group Hamas were arrested in July 2010 for the murder of a police officer in what was described as an ambush on his vehicle. Authorities said Hamas is "continuing to try to reestablish its terror infrastructure in the West Bank… Hamas attempts to send its terrorist claws to every corner." Pray for peace in this troubled area. Ask the Lord to establish good relationships between Palestinians and Jews. Pray for an end to Hamas and their evil attempts to destroy, murder, and manipulate through the use of fear tactics. Lift up Believers in the West Bank. Ask the Lord to protect them and provide for them, giving them boldness in sharing their faith. Pray for many in the West Bank to put their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Adding to the tragedy of homelessness and orphanhood, many street children in Nigeria are being accused of witchcraft. They are usually albinos, the disabled, or the infirmed, often boys between the ages of eight and 14. As punishment for their perceived crime they are beaten, burned, and have gasoline poured into their eyes and ears in an effort to exorcise them. They are sometimes even killed. Pray for this barbaric practice to end immediately. Ask the Lord to send human rights groups and humanitarian aid organizations to help these children and to alert the government to their situation. Intercede on behalf of these precious ones whom the Lord considers dear to His heart. Pray for Christian families and orphanages where these kids can find refuge and learn about the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Pray for the Lord to be a Father to them, protecting them and providing for them. Pray for Believers to rise up and rescue these children. Cry out for God's Ki...

The military forces of Senegal took part in a joint exercise in April 2010 involving the armies of Mauritania, Mali, Burkna Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad. The aim was to bolster defenses and border security in West and North Africa. "Terrorists live in the seams between countries," one observer noted. Praise the Lord for the development of these exercises and for the cooperation between nations. Pray for this training to be effective in stopping terrorism in this region. Pray for the Lord to protect Senegal and its people from the violence and oppression of extremist Islam. Plead with the Lord for the freedom of the Senegalese people. Pray for the Gospel to be proclaimed in this nation and for members of every people group, tribe, and tongue to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Population: 10,543,464 Political Leader: President Lt. Gen. Idriss Deby Itno Christians: 13.1% Dominant Religion: Sufi Islam Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked Number of Terrorist Groups: 3 Acts of Terrorism: 12 (1,015 casualties) Percent of Corruption: 80% Percent of People in Poverty: 80% Chad is a landlocked nation located in north-central Africa. Due to its distance from the sea and its desert climate, it is sometimes referred to as the "Dead Heart of Africa." Terrorists have been active in Chad since its independence from France in 1960. The current president, Idris Deby Itno, has launched a war against Islamic extremists, targeting insurgents and the Janjaweed militia of Sudan. Many Muslims have been recruited as mercenaries to attack and kill Christians in Nigeria. Like that nation, Chad is roughly divided into a Muslim north (which is politically powerful) and a Christian/tribal-religion south. PRAISE Despite ongoing persecution and the constant threa...

Population: 6,461,454 Political Leader: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar al-Qadhafi Christians: 0.3% Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam Persecution Ranking: 22nd Number of Terrorist Groups: 13 Acts of Terrorism: 13 (casualties not reported) Percent of Corruption: 50% Percent of People in Poverty: 7.4% Libya, officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, is located in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea between Algeria and Egypt. In 2006, Libya was removed from the list of nations that sponsor terrorism. The government has ended its weapons development program and is complying with international efforts to fight extremists. Almost all Libyans are Arab Muslims. Col. al-Qadhafi is a zealous promoter of Sunni Islam and most of the population follows this school. PRAISE Libya is a "white-for-harvest" nation. The entire population is considered unreached and few citizens have even heard the Gospel. Thank God for His desire to draw ...

Population : 26,160,256 Political Leader : Prime Minister Mohamed Najib bin Abdul Razak Christians : 4.1% Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked Number of Terrorist Groups: 7 Acts of Terrorism: 13 (110 casualties) Percent of Corruption: 50% Percent of People in Poverty: 5.1% Malaysia is a federation of thirteen states divided into two distinct regions by the South China Sea. Among these states are nine sultanates, two led by governors, and two federal territories. New laws have helped define and combat terrorism and related crimes. The nation has responded to international efforts to capture suspected extremists and police are engaged in ongoing counterterrorism investigations. Over half of the population of Malaysia is Muslim. Sunni Islam is the official religion and there is a growing movement insisting that the nation introduce harsher Islamic laws. PRAISE Thank God that young East Malaysians attending universities in Europe and the West a...

Population : 10,589,025 Political Leader: President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali Christians : 0.00% Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam Persecution Ranking: 43rd Number of Terrorist Groups: 2 Acts of Terrorism: 16 (31 casualties) Percent of Corruption: 54% Percent of People in Poverty: 3.8% Tunisia is situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Nile Valley. The country's law enforcement organizations carefully monitor the activities of Tunisian extremists, both in Tunisia and abroad. The government has prevented the formation of terrorist groups, as well as religious-based political parties that could pose threats to the nation's security. Although Islam is the state religion, the government wants the country to be secular. As a result, many of the citizens have become more materialistic. This presents a unique challenge for evangelism. PRAISE Thank God that in 1999 Christians gathered to pray for Tunisia. God answered their...

Population : 22,757,275 Political Leader: Kim Jong Il Christians : 1.5% Dominant Religion: Juche (idolatry of Kim Il Song) Persecution Ranking: 1st Number of Terrorist Groups: None Listed Acts of Terrorism: Not Listed (casualties not listed) Percent of Corruption: 90% Percent of People in Poverty: Not Ranked The Democratic People's Republic of Korea occupies the northern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. North Korea is not known to have sponsored any terrorist acts since the bombing of a Korean Airlines flight in 1987. However, it is ruled by a highly repressive regime that is ranked as the worst persecutor of Christians in the entire world. The North Korean Constitution contains a provision for the "freedom of religious belief." However, the government severely restricts religion and has arrested, imprisoned, and tortured thousands of Believers. PRAISE Even as they suffer violent persecution, Christians continue to stand strong for the Lord Jesus C...

The three main rivals in the upcoming presidential election have boycotted a debate with President Goodluck Jonathan. Pray for fair elections in Nigeria, free from rigging, fraud and manipulation. Ask the Lord to raise up men and women who will lead the nation with integrity. Pray for corruption to be rooted out. Pray for the people to accept the results of the election without resorting to violence. Pray for the Gospel to be preached in all of Nigeria. Ask the Lord to strengthen Christians as they face persecution. Pray for Muslims in this nation to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Invite God's Kingdom to come in Nigeria. (Psalm 25:21)

The government of the Maldives has joined Sri Lanka in a cooperative plan to crackdown on terrorism. Both nations are considered "transit hubs" for terrorists. Pray for this plan to be successful in identifying, capturing and prosecuting members of extremist groups. Pray for the Maldives to be free from terrorist organizations. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself in this closed nation. Pray for citizens to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Petition the Lord for a great harvest of souls in the Maldives. (Ephesians 1:13)

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) was originally made up of Islamic insurgents rebelling against the Algerian government. The group then became affiliated with al-Qaeda and began terrorist operations. It now operates throughout West and North Africa, and is becoming increasingly active in Senegal. Pray for the government of Senegal to take immediate and forceful action against AQIM. Pray for this group to be wiped out. Ask the Lord to protect the people of Senegal from extremist groups. Pray for the Gospel to be preached throughout this nation and for multitudes to respond, putting their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Psalm 5:10)

Protests in Jordan have led to clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Although not as severe or violent as the unrest in nations such as Libya and Egypt, they have nonetheless threatened the stability of Jordan. Pray for the Lord to work in this nation during this time. Pray for Him to pour out His Spirit on the people of Jordan, setting them free from the bondage of this nation. Ask the Lord to encourage Christians and give them boldness to share their faith. Pray for the Gospel to be preached throughout the region. Pray for God's Kingdom to come to Jordan as it is in heaven. (II Corinthians 4:4)

Bhutan: Christian sentenced to three years for proselytizing Singh Gurung, an ethnic Nepali Protestant Christian, was arrested in June for projecting a film about Jesus in two rural villages. Accused of trying to promote civil unrest. Timphu :A Bhutanese court has sentenced to three years in prison Prem Singh Gurung, an ethnic Nepali Protestant Christian, for having shown a film with Christian content. He is charged with "attempted promotion of civil unrest." The ruling dates from October 6 and the national newspaper Kuensel only reported the news October 18. Originally from Sarpang (South Bhutan), Gurung was arrested four months ago, when some villagers from Gonggaon and Smikharkha (Jigmecholin district) reported him for showing them movies with a Christian theme.

Rawalpindi: Christian chapel at Gordon College attacked The place of worship, which is separate from the main college building, was closed for eight years. As soon as it was reopened in April, a group of fanatics tried to destroy it from the inside. Yesterday, a new attack was carried out, fortunately, without serious consequences. However, the attackers locked themselves inside the church. Rawalpindi : A group of about 20 Muslim fundamentalists last night attacked the Christian chapel at Gordon College, a Presbyterian founded university level educational facility in Rawalpindi. Shooting their way into the building, they got inside chapel, which they did not destroy because the police arrived. However, the latter did not intervene and has allowed the attackers to stay in the building, this according to Ms Robinson Ashgar. “The security guard, Imran, was wounded,” she told News Media. Her husband and other Christian leaders from the Robinson Asghar Community Development Min...

Iranian Protestant pastor, held in prison for months, risks death penalty for apostasy Youcef Nadarkhani's wife was released a few days ago after four months of detention. The arrest comes as evangelical Christians complain of increased pressure against them, an unprecedented persecution since the advent of the ayatollahs' regime. Teheran :- The pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was charged with "apostasy" last month from the 11th Chamber of the Assizes Court of the province of Gilan, northern Iran. His lawyer is going to appeal after finding "serious procedural errors." Nadarkhani was arrested for having questioned Islamic education in schools. "We are a Christian family – he is reported to have said - I want my children to receive a Christian religious education, not Islamic. " Fatemeh Passandideh, the wife of a famous Iranian Protestant clergyman, was released a few days ago after four months in prison, but her husband is still in jail, and c...

Arunachal Pradesh: Bible goes on “pilgrimage” house to house The Word of God is celebrated in the new diocese of Miao (founded in 2005) by bringing the Holy Scriptures directly to the homes of the faithful, surrounded by flowers, incense and songs. Manmao: – The Church of Our Lady of Pilar in the diocese of Miao, a northeastern region of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, has organised Bible reading classes for the month of October in order to help Catholics become better acquainted with the Word of God. “We wish our faithful to be close to God,” said Sister Filicita Kispotta, who runs the programme. For this reason, “we have decided to organise Bible reading for a month.” The holy book goes house to house. At each stop, it is placed on a table surrounded by flowers, lighted candles and incense. The travelling priest who brings the text reads some passages from the Holy Scriptures, explains the Word of God, and together with the host family reads a prayer and sings a so...

Chinese Christians banned from attending Protestant World Congress Beijing stops delegates from 200 Protestant house churches from leaving for South Africa, where the 3rd World Congress of Lausanne begins today. Experts: China does not want to recognize these churches, but the state Three-Self Church organization does not represent the 100 million Protestants in China. Beijing : Beijing has prohibited a delegation of approximately 200 Protestant churches from travelling to Cape Town (South Africa) to attend the 3rd World Congress on Evangelization in Lausanne, which runs until October 25. They are all churches that refuse to become members of the Patriotic Three-Self Church, the religious organization headed by the State to gather together all Protestant denominations. According to reports, in the last 2 months, police warned them not to attempt to attend the Congress and many of them were prevented from leaving even though they had regular visas for South Africa, while...

  Inundated, marginalized, hapless Pakistani Christians are still in dire need of help Karachi / Pakistan : Despite the claims of many governmental and none governmental organizations (NGOs) to have helped all of the flood stricken people of Pakistan, irrespective of their faith, ANS has discovered that in the country’s devastated Sindh province, food and help is still being sought by a large majority of its Christians. This news was given to ANS by the Rev. Khadim Bhutto, head of Global Vision Gospel Ministries (GVGM) in Pakistan, in an interview in which he said that his team of workers had visited many flood-stricken Christian villages and had found that Christians were still living in "appalling conditions" although flood waters had started to recede. The Rev. Bhutto went on to say that “flood waters have swept away Church buildings, Christian residential areas, and crops worth thousands of Pakistani Rupees,” and now these Christians “were compelled to ...

Pakistan: parents of Christian rape, murder victim will not press charges To the consternation of some Christian organizations, the Christian parents of a rape and murder victim have accepted one million Pakistani rupees ($11,636) in return for abandoning charges against the perpetrators of the crime. Lubna Masih, 12, was going to a store to buy milk in the northern Pakistani city of Rawalpindi when five Muslim young men forced her into a car and raped and murdered her. Terrified by the prospect of reprisals, her family initially decided not to press charges. Later, as the parents began to consider charges, “several members of Parliament” stepped in to obtain the money for the impoverished family in return for the abandonment of charges, according to the Fides news agency, which did not report on the money’s source. “If the parents do not even have the strength to defend the memory of their daughter, nobody can do anything,” commented one Christian organization.

Malaysian TV Station fined over "Christmas-Like Ramadan Ads. A Malaysian TV station has been fined after airing an advertisement marking the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr which was accused of insulting Muslims by using a Christmas-like theme. TV3 apologised and pulled the commercial off the airwaves after an outcry over imagery including a "Santa-like" character wearing an Islamic skullcap who took children on ride through the sky on a magical trishaw. There was also criticism that the ad, which marked the end of the Ramadan fasting month last month, featured a lotus flower which is linked to Buddhism. Deputy information, communications and culture minister Joseph Salang Gandum told parliament that the private channel had been ordered to pay a fine of 50,000 ringgit (16,000 US dollars). He said he was "happy to say" that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had slapped TV3 with the maximum fine possible "in regards to the ...

Bible Club workers go to court in Karnataka - Special Prayer India : On October 21, there was hope that a judge would throw out a Karnataka case that has been hanging over the heads of eight Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India partners in India. However, Mission India's Dave Stravers says that was not what happened. "More than a year later, the trial dates have been postponed time after time. In the meantime, these eight workers have to report monthly to the court," until the next trial date, December 14. It's frustrating and disappointing because it means travel, lodging and food overnight each time their team has to report to court until December. "It's not so unusual in India for trials to be postponed," Stravers notes, "but in this case, where the charges are obviously without any factual basis, we're pretty confident that the charges will be dismissed. But it's like: ‘Let's make as much trouble for these Chris...

India Briefs: Recent Incidents of Persecution - Pray Karnataka, India, October 13 :  – Hindu extremists belonging to the Bajrang Dal on Oct. 3 stormed into a Christian worship service, beat those attending and confiscated Bibles in Emarakuntte village, Kolar district. The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reported that nearly 25 extremists barged into the house of a Christian identified only as Manjunath, where Pastor Daniel Shankar was leading Sunday worship. Verbally abusing those present and falsely accusing them of forcible conversion, the extremists dragged them out and photographed them. Pastor Shankar managed to escape. Police arrived – after the extremists called them – and confiscated the Bibles and a vehicle belonging to the pastor. A GCIC coordinator told that Shankar, accompanied by area pastors, went to the police station the next day, and officers made him give a written statement that he would stop Christian activities in the village. Only then...

Population : 77,804,122 Political Leader : President Abdullah Gul Christians : <1% Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam Persecution Ranking: 35th Number of Terrorist Groups: 27 Acts of Terrorism: 1,239 (560 casualties) Percent of Corruption: 62% Percent of People in Poverty: 17.1% Officially known as the Republic of Turkey, this Eurasian country stretches across the Anatolian peninsula of southwest Asia and the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. Kurdish separatists, Marxist-Leninists, radical Islamists and pro-Chechen groups have all operated in Turkey. The most active in recent years has been The Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK). Despite the efforts of Muslim extremists, Turkey has managed to remain a secular state. The majority of the population is Muslim and Christians must often endure intense persecution. The nation ranks 35th on the Open Doors World Watch List 2010. PRAISE Thank God the number of Christians in Turkey has grown from only a handful in 1960 to s...