Prayer Tips

According to a leaked security document, "Eritrea trained over 30 rebel groups... near the Sudan border and graduates infiltrated into Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia to enhance instability." Pray for this secretive terrorist training post to be dismantled and for the government to stop participating in this activity. Ask the Lord to rally other nations and leaders to pressure President Afworki to quit supporting terrorism. Pray for Christian Believers in Eritrea who are suffering under the oppressive government. Ask the Lord to be present with them, comfort and strengthen them. Pray for a great spiritual awakening in Eritrea. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to this nation, as it is in heaven.

Over the past 30 years, more than 85,000 Tibetans have crossed the border into India. According to one estimate, 2,500 to 3,500 refugees arrive from Tibet in a typical year. Yet instead of trying to settle in India, "most return to Tibet `after receiving an audience with the Dalai Lama.'" Pray for the freedom of this nation and its people. Ask the Lord to give them a hunger for His presence — a desire to seek an audience with Him. Pray for the salvation of the Tibetan people, especially the Dalai Lama. Plead with the Lord for a great harvest of souls in Tibet that will spill into China and India. Invite God's Kingdom in this nation.

People smuggling is a major problem in East Timor. Even the trafficking of children, reports say, is increasingly common. Pray for an immediate end to this destructive and illegal practice. Ask the Lord to expose all those involved in human trafficking. Pray for the government of East Timor to take this problem seriously and act decisively to capture and prosecute those involved in it. Pray for the safety and freedom of slaves — especially children. Ask the Lord to be present with them, comforting them and protecting them. Pray for Him to heal their minds, hearts, and emotions. Petition the Lord to give Christian Believers opportunities to share the Gospel with slavemasters and slaves, as well as be instrumental in bringing justice to these situations. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to East Timor and all of Southeast Asia.

President Yahya Jammeh recently called for "urgent action" in response to the rapidly growing problem of drugs and drug trafficking in the Gambia. The target of these illegal activities, he noted, is "mainly the youth population." Pray for the Lord to intervene in the Gambia, protecting young people and drawing them into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the disruption of the drug trade — for smugglers to be caught and sellers to be arrested. Ask the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit on the Gambia. Pray for a great harvest of souls in this nation.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has launched an investigation into allegations that terrorists are hiding out on Cambodian territory, training and plotting attacks against neighboring Thailand. He has also agreed to begin joint military work with Thailand to secure the borders. Pray for the terrorists operating in this region to be exposed and defeated. Ask the Lord to dry up their sources of financing and cause their recruiting efforts to fail. Pray for Christian Believers in Cambodia to stand firm in the Lord as they face persecution and be bold in sharing the Gospel. Ask the Lord for a great harvest of souls in this nation.

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU) are reportedly working with two powerful Pakistani terrorist groups (Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi) and have "stepped up" suicide attacks and increased the number of deaths in the region. Pray for this demonic network to be broken and each organization defeated. Pray for the government of Uzbekistan to go after IMU and IJU, bringing an end to their reign of destruction and intimidation. Pray for the funding for these groups to be cut off and for recruiting efforts to fail. Ask the Lord to expose their training bases and empower security forces to find and arrest leaders and members. Pray for the Gospel to be preached in Uzbekistan, offering hope to the hopeless. Pray for the eyes of Muslims to be opened and for multitudes to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The referendum vote in South Sudan resulted in the birth of a new nation. South Sudan has chosen to become independent. But political independence will only come if the North allows it. And if it is achieved, South Sudan must still deal with the daunting challenge of building schools and medical facilities to support their people. Pray for the Lord to guide leaders in North and South Sudan, giving them wisdom and discernment in moving forward. Ask Him to prevent a civil war and bring an equitable solution in dividing this nation. Pray for Christians to be strong and courageous, not fearing the threats and taunts of extremists. Pray for the Lord to provide the resources needed to construct schools and offer medical care. Invite the Kingdom of God to come in glory in Sudan, as it is in heaven.

"Resolving the problem of terrorism in Afghanistan is impossible without dealing with the issue of drug production in the country," a Russian official recently stated. "Drug production in Afghanistan causes the spread of terrorism…." Afghanistan is the leading producer of opium in the world and it is believed to be a principle source of funding for al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. Pray for the Lord to bring an immediate halt to the drug industry in Afghanistan. Pray for the crops to fail and for drug production and smuggling networks to be discovered and destroyed. Ask for the salvation of the people of Afghanistan — common citizens, leaders in government, members of terrorist groups… Pray for the Gospel to be preached and demonstrated throughout this nation and for a great harvest of souls.

A suspected al-Qaeda suicide bomber killed 21 people and injured 97 at a New Year's Day service in Alexandria. It was "the deadliest attack against Egypt's Christian minority in more than a decade." This was quickly forgotten as protests erupted against the government, demanding that President Hosni Mobarak step down after 30 years in power. Pray for the Lord to comfort Christians who lost loved ones in the New Year's Day blast and bring swift healing to those who were injured. Pray for the Lord to restore order in Egypt. Ask Him to root corruption and manipulation out of the government. Pray for Christians to share the love of Jesus Christ with their Muslim friends and neighbors during this time of instability. Pray for the Lord to bring lasting peace — political and spiritual peace — to this nation. Invite the Kingdom of God to come in great power.

Discrimination against Christians continues in Orissa. In October 2010, Hindu extremists prevented a family from cremating the body of a Christian man and chased them out of their village. "News of the incident has raised concerns among Christians in Kandhama District," says Spero News, "the same who suffered during the 2008 anti-Christian program that left hundreds dead." Christians in Orissa say the attacks on their faith are not only dangerous and stressful, but are keeping some interested Hindus from converting. Pray for the Lord to glorify His Son, Jesus Christ in Orissa, and throughout India. Petition Him to protect His people and give them courage to stand against the schemes of the enemy. Ask for the salvation of the most radical Hindus and that this would be a testimony to the Lord's great power and love. Pray for multitudes of people in India to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

According to recently leaked security reports, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is "gaining a foothold in the Sahel, a lawless region in the Sahara desert." Trying to defend against AQIM and stop their growth is a top priority for the government of Mauritania. "This al-Qaida affiliate and kidnapping activity is very worrisome," an international observer said, "because it has turned into a significant revenue stream, and millions and millions of dollars have been paid in ransoms. …This results in the group being able to keep operating, continue the kidnapping and possibly even move money to either other parts of [AQIM] or to other parts of the al-Qaida network." Pray for an end to this cycle of terrorism, violence, and extortion. Ask the Lord to intervene, giving the Mauritanian government wisdom and new ideas to fight this threat. Plead for the salvation of AQIM members. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in their hearts and draw them ...

It will soon be illegal to proselytize in the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. An "anti-conversion" law has been endorsed by the legislature and will penalize violators with five-year prison terms. Pray for the people of Bhutan to be set free from the lies and bondage of Buddhism. Plead for their salvation. Intercede on their behalf, asking the Lord to demonstrate His love to them and draw them into relationship with His only Son, Jesus Christ. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to Bhutan with great power, bringing forth a tremendous harvest of souls.

Members of the Iraqi National Coalition have accused Saudi Arabia of financing and supporting terrorists operating in their nation. "Some religious authorities in Saudi Arabia," the coalition added, "issued a fatwa that permits killing the Shia people, who make up the majority of the Iraqi population." The statement also charged Saudi Arabia with trying to overthrow the Iraqi government. Pray for Saudi Arabia to stop supporting and funding terrorists. Ask the Lord to expose those in the government who are engaged in these activities. Pray for this Islamic stronghold to be penetrated with the Light of the Gospel of Christ. Plead for the salvation of the Muslims in Saudi Arabia. Invite the Kingdom of God to come in great power, with signs, wonders, dreams and visions.

Guinea and other nations of West Africa are quickly becoming "user" nations, according to a recent news report. Latin American cartels are using them as a "corridor" to transport drugs into Europe — and many of the citizens are getting addicted. Pray for this demonically-inspired industry to be exposed and brought to an immediate halt. Ask the Lord to arise and protect Guinea from the cartels, as well as the terrorist groups who often depend on drug money for funding. Pray for this corridor to be shut down and for the people of Guinea to be set free from drugs. Pray for them to be set free from false religions also. Petition the Lord to make the Gospel known throughout this nation and for multitudes of Guineans to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The nation of Guinea-Bissau is now considered a key nation in a huge drug smuggling operation that is helping fund al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. Drugs flown in from South America (especially cocaine) are moved through Guinea-Bissau into Europe. Pray for this gateway to be shut and for Guinea-Bissau to be set free from the violence and destruction of terrorism. Pray for the government to act decisively to stop the flow of drugs and money. Ask the Lord to make the Gospel known throughout Guinea-Bissau and for multitudes to respond, putting their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Not only are "huge amounts of weapons of all kinds" being smuggled from Albania into Europe, the nation has also become an important link in the illegal drug trade. It is estimated that 37% of the heroin and cocaine produced by Afghanistan is trafficked through Albania. Pray for the Lord to give government officials wisdom and new strategies in severing this illegal trade route. Intercede for the salvation of the drug and arms smugglers. Pray for the money from these operations to be confiscated before it can be used to fund terrorism. Ask the Lord to move in the hearts of the Albanian people, setting them free from the lies of Islam and atheism. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in this nation, drawing multitudes into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

With riots erupting in Egypt and protests taking place in Lebanon, the nation of Kuwait finds itself in a precarious position. The entire Middle East is being shaken. Pray for this time of instability to be a catalyst in Kuwait, causing citizens to consider death, God, sin, and other matters of eternal consequence. Ask the Lord to move throughout this region, maintaining peace but bringing change to hearts and minds. Pray for a great harvest of souls in Kuwait as Muslims put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Petition the Lord to establish His Kingdom in Kuwait as it is in heaven.

A new report estimates that "nearly a million Iranian children are married due to provisions in Iran's Islamic marriage laws which allow the existence of child wives." It is legal for girls as young as nine years old to be married. "Instead of enjoying their youth," one source notes, "the country's girls who are married are forced to play the role of wife and accept all its difficult responsibilities." Pray for an immediate end to this barbaric and abusive practice. Ask the Lord to arise and deliver the girls of Iran from this oppression. Plead for a change of laws and hearts in Iran. Petition the Lord to make the Good News known throughout this nation, drawing Muslims into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

In late 2010, Benin experienced "some of the worst floods of its history. Homes were destroyed and in many villages "most of the crops have been ruined." UNICEF stated that "the consequences could be dreadful." Pray for the Lord to provide the people of Benin with shelter, clean water, and food. Ask Him to use Christian humanitarian agencies to meet both physical and spiritual needs. Pray for this disaster to be used to bring honor to the name of the Lord and to make the Gospel known in Benin. Petition the Lord to draw men, women and children into relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Iraqi government is calling upon neighboring nations to help "control the borders and improve security." They are also concerned that Saudi Arabia is financially and morally supporting terrorism in Iraq. "Some religious authorities in Saudi Arabia issued a fatwa that permits killing of Shia people, who make up the majority of Iraqi population." Pray for the safety of the people in this troubled nation. Ask the Lord to guard the borders and keep terrorists from training, operating and hiding in Iraq. Pray for the salvation of Iraqi leaders and of the Shia majority. Pray for peace in Iraq — peace between warring ethnic and religious groups and, more importantly, peace between men and their God.

According to a high ranking officer, the Sri Lankan Navy is "continuously monitoring and gathering intelligence from the Indian Ocean to curb human trafficking." The United Nations estimates that somewhere between 700,000 and 4 million women and children are trafficked throughout the world each year. Pray for an end to this abusive practice. Ask the Lord to guide the military forces of Sri Lanka as they fight this criminal activity. Pray for those who have been kidnapped and forced into prostitution and labor. Plead for their safety and freedom. Petition the Lord to make the Gospel known throughout Sri Lanka and for a great harvest of souls.

Although unwilling to allow foreign troops to assist in the effort, Yemen continues to renew its commitment to combating terrorism. "Fighting against terror in Yemen is a Yemeni pure task carried out by Yemeni forces courageously," one security source said. Pray for the fight against terrorism in Yemen to be successful. Ask the Lord to reveal the hideouts and training grounds of al-Qaeda and its affiliate organizations. Pray for the Yemeni government to have the resources they need to defeat these groups. Intercede for the people of Yemen, inviting the Holy Spirit to move among them. Ask for multitudes of Muslims to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Vietnam was one of the nations listed on International Christian Concern's "11 Countries to Watch in 2011." According to that report, "Vietnam has established government approved' churches for worship, but those who meet in non-authorized buildings for worship face perpetual discrimination and hardships." Pray for Christian Believers in Vietnam. Ask the Lord to remind them of His presence and His love for them. Pray for Him to comfort and encourage them, driving out fear and strengthening their faith. Pray for the hearts of their persecutors to be softened to the Gospel. Invite the Lord to pour our His Spirit on Vietnam, bringing a great harvest of souls.

The government of Nepal is working with officials from India to combat the "growing cross-border terror activities" between the two nations. The Nepal Army stated that the open border was being used by terrorists and criminals and needed to be a top priority for both governments. Pray for the Lord to give leaders in Nepal and India great wisdom, discernment, and inventive ideas for stopping terrorism in this region. Ask Him to guide them in working together and show them ways to keep their people safe. Pray for terrorist groups operating in Nepal to be exposed and defeated. Plead with the Lord for the souls of the Nepalese people. Pray for them to be led out of darkness, into the Light of Christ.

After a report showed the United Arab Emirates to be among the top terrorism- financing sources in the world, the government recommitted itself to "fight against money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism." Praise the Lord for this and pray for leaders in the UAE to keep their promise. Ask the Lord to guide them in effectively stopping money from being used for terrorism. Pray for the People of UAE to hear and respond to the Gospel. Ask the Lord for multitudes to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

According to observers, "There are signs that the [Chinese] government tolerates Christianity more than before." However, the nation was ranked 16th on the Open Doors World Watch List 2011 of the world's worst persecutors of Christians. It was also on the list of 11 countries to watch in 2011 by International Christian Concern. Pray for Christian Believers living in China. Ask for the Lord to be present with them, encouraging and comforting them. Pray for them to grow in the Lord, stand strong, and boldly share the Gospel. Petition the Lord to draw members of government into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the revival taking place in this nation to continue and expand.

Djibouti was recently described as a "beacon of relative stability and prosperity, which has contributed to mediation and peace-making efforts in and outside the Horn of Africa." Pray for the Lord to bless Djibouti and continue to give this nation favor with its neighbors. Ask Him to protect the residents from the threat of terrorism from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (to the north) and from al-Shabaab (an al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia). Pray for Djibouti to be a peacemaker in East Africa. Petition the Lord to spread the Gospel in this tiny Islamic land. Plead for the hearts of Djiboutis to be drawn to Jesus Christ.

A ministry working in Southeast Asia writes, "We have yet to see a breakthrough among [the] majority Brunei Malay." Despite being the majority, the Brunei Malay are a least-reached people group. Pray for the long-awaited breakthrough among the Brunei Malay to come. Ask the Lord to move powerfully among them, softening their hearts and making them good soil for the Word of God. Pray for the Gospel to be proclaimed boldly throughout Brunei. Petition the Lord for a great harvest of souls. Pray for God's Kingdom to come in Brunei as it is in heaven.

The government of Lebanon is in the process of passing legislation that will prohibit human trafficking. Though there are laws currently in place to cover these crimes, this comprehensive law is expected to curb the abuse and trafficking of women, children, and foreign workers. Pray for the successful passage of this legislation and for it to be effective in stopping these illegal practices. Ask the Lord to protect and provide for those who are at risk of being trafficked. Pray for an end to terrorism in Lebanon as well. Petition the Lord to bring peace to this nation — lasting peace between the Lebanese and the Most High God. Pray for their hearts to be open to the Gospel and for a great spiritual awakening. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Lebanon as it is in heaven.

The nation of Tajikistan is considered to be at high risk for terrorism. "Vigilance and measures that have tightened security in Central Asia have helped keep the threat of terrorism at bay," reports the United Nations, "but extremists, criminal groups and instability in the wider area mean that the region is still vulnerable." Pray for the government of Tajikistan to work with neighboring nations to combat terrorism and keep the region from becoming a hideout and training ground for extremist groups. Pray for the people of Tajikistan to turn toward the Truth of Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to soften their hearts and open their blind eyes. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead them into relationship with Christ as Savior and Lord.