Prayer Tips

An international watchdog organization has ranked Iraq as one of the top nations in the world in terms of the threat of terrorism. Along with Somalia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the report says Iraq is at extremely high risk for terrorist attacks. Pray for this troubled, war-torn country. Ask the Lord to expose and root out terrorist groups, and give the government of Iraq wisdom and new strategies for defending against them. Pray for the safety of the people and for the Gospel to be preached and demonstrated throughout the nation. Petition the Lord for a great harvest of souls in Iraq as the Kingdom of God comes in power.

"Although Djibouti is a nation of less than 900,000 people," reports one news source, "it sits in a location critical to potential terrorist training. The region is pretty unstable since it's right across the Red Sea from Yemen." Pray for this strategic nation to be used of the Lord to fight the threat of terrorism. Ask the Lord to give leaders in Djibouti the wisdom and insight they need to protect their people and effectively counter attempts by extremist groups to operate in the region. Pray for the Gospel to be proclaimed throughout East Africa and for many Muslims to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Chinese military forces participated in joint counter-terrorism training with Singapore in November 2010. The exercises focused on responding to chemical and explosive threats. Praise the Lord for this program. Ask Him to protect China and the other nations of East Asia from terrorism. Pray for the people of China to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and look to the Lord for their protection and security. Petition the Lord to continue working powerfully in this nation, bringing an even greater harvest of souls. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to China in power and glory.

The government of Tajikistan is joining with Afghanistan in a campaign to reinforce their common border. The goal is to combat both drug trafficking and the movement of terrorist groups. Praise the Lord for bringing this threat to the attention of the government and for the efforts they are making to fight these problems. Pray for the Lord to give leaders in Tajikistan and Afghanistan wisdom in keeping their nations safe. Pray for the people of Tajikistan to see the effects of Islam, turn away from false religion, and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Tajikistan as it is in heaven.

A new United Nations report shows that the Vietnamese government consistently "uses excessive force on religious groups." It also states there are many ongoing, "significant problems," including harassment and violence against Christians. Pray for the Lord to strengthen Christian Believers in Vietnam, enabling them to remain faithful in the midst of persecution. Pray for them to have opportunities to share the love of Christ with their words and actions. Ask the Lord to move powerfully among the leaders of the Vietnamese government, drawing them into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the transformation of this Communist nation as the Kingdom of God comes.

If terrorism is not defeated in Yemen, observers say, the stability of the entire Persian Gulf is at risk. "The Arab countries now must move before it is too late." Pray for leaders in the Arabian Peninsula to take this threat seriously and move decisively to counteract terrorism in Yemen. Ask the Lord to root out and bring defeat to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and other extremist groups operating in this region. Pray for the people of Yemen to hear the Good News that Jesus Christ died for their sins. Ask the Lord for a great harvest of souls in Yemen as the Kingdom of God comes in power.

President Pratibha Patil of India visited the United Arab Emirates in November 2010 in an effort to develop greater cooperation between the two nations – especially in the area of counter-terrorism. Give thanks to the Lord for this attention to international security. Pray for the plans and policies they institute to be effective in keeping the United Arab Emirates safe from terrorism. Ask the Lord to make the Gospel known throughout this land. Plead for the hearts of the Muslim residents. Petition the Lord to give expatriate Christian Believers opportunities to share the love of Christ and the boldness to declare His Name. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to the United Arab Emirates with great power, signs and wonders.

Maoist extremists in Nepal are now believed to be linking with Naxalites (Maoists militants in India) and members of Pakistan's Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Together, these groups are reportedly planning increased "armed resistance" in South Asia. Pray for the Lord to bring confusion to this movement and keep these groups from carrying out their evil plans. Plead for the people of Nepal – for their physical safety, as well as for their spiritual freedom. Ask the Lord to move in this Hindu land, setting the captives free and leading multitudes into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Following the example of terrorist group, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has spread across West and North Africa, using drugs to fund their operations. A key part of this "vast array of connections" is the nation of Senegal. It is a main channel for the drug trade that reportedly helps finance both Hezbollah and AQIM. Pray for the leaders of Senegal to take action against this immoral and illegal operation. Ask the Lord to disrupt this network and bring an end to the flow of drugs, the flow of money, and the support of terrorism. Pray for the hearts of the drug smugglers and militants to be convicted by the Spirit of God and for them to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the protection of the Senegalese people and for them to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Plead with the Lord for a tremendous harvest of souls in Senegal.

According to a recent report, "Jordan's firm stand against terrorism, ectarianism and chaos [has made it] an easy target to hostile groups, states and individuals." The report noted that threats to Jordan's stability come not only across international borders but also through satellite and internet. "Modern battles are fought through the media…" and "Jordan has been on the receiving end of a vicious and hostile media campaign to tarnish its image and reputation." Thank the Lord for the stand the government of Jordan has taken against terrorism. Pray for Him to help these leaders continue to combat this ongoing threat. Pray for greater cooperation between countries in the Middle East in the war against terrorism. Ask the Lord to pour His Spirit out on this mostly-Muslim nation, leading the people out from the darkness into the light of Christ. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Jordan in righteousness, peace, and joy.

Maldives has been called an "important South Asia democratic success story" because in a single generation, it went from reporting the lowest to the highest per capita income in the region. A new constitution was drafted in 2004 and in 2008 the first democratic elections were held, followed by a peaceful transition of power. Praise the Lord for blessing Maldives. Pray for the eyes of the people to see He is the giver of all good gifts. Ask the Lord to open the door for the Gospel to reach this closed, Islamic nation. Plead for Muslims in Maldives to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord – and for the Christian Believers to stand firm in the faith and be bold witnesses. Pray for a great harvest as the Kingdom of God comes in power.

The House of Representatives asked the attorney-general of Nigeria, along with the minister of justice and several security chiefs to take part in discussions about a newly proposed anti-terrorism bill. The House wants to expand the bill to include kidnapping, abduction, and hijacking, all of which are serious problems in this region. Pray for the Lord to give these leaders wisdom as they attempt to combat the threats against Nigeria. Pray for them to consider the safety of the people above their own selfish desires and agendas. Ask the Lord to root out corruption in this nation and raise up leaders who will serve in humility and integrity. Pray for a great spiritual awakening in Nigeria – for the Gospel to be proclaimed throughout the land and for men, women, and children from every people group, tribe and language to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

After being suppressed by the Communist Party for decades, the people of Mongolia are reportedly reclaiming Buddhism as "an integral part of their national identity." One religious scholar notes, "Now more people are coming to temples and visiting monasteries. There is also a new interest in meditation among the general public." Pray for this resurgence of spiritual interest to be used by the Lord to lead people to the truth of Jesus Christ. Ask Him to show the people of Mongolia the futility of Buddhism and the life and salvation He is offering in the gift of His only Son. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Mongolia as it is in heaven.

Twenty-three Shiites were charged with terrorism in Bahrain in October 2010. Hundreds of other Shiites have also been arrested and detained by the Sunni government. Although the majority of the population in Bahrain is Shiite, they continue to face discrimination. Pray for peace between these groups and for all Muslims in Bahrain to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Ask the Lord to prepare their hearts to receive the Word of God and for many to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to Bahrain and spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

Tibet is considered unique because, though occupied by the Chinese, the region has not seen major outbreaks of terrorism or insurgent violence. But that may change as tensions rise and the people of Tibet continue to seek independence. Pray for a peaceful resolution to this conflict. Ask the Lord to reveal His plans and purposes for the nation of Tibet. Pray for leaders to exercise patience and wisdom as they seek answers. Petition the Lord to spread the Gospel throughout this dark region, revealing the glory of Jesus Christ and setting free those held captive by Buddhism. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Tibet with signs, wonders, and powerful miracles.

A new report from International Christian Concern says the persecution against Christians in Eritrea is growing more severe. In October 2010, 11 Christian Believers were arrested after the governor of the Southern Zone issued an order to crackdown on followers of Christ. It is estimated that the government has arrested more than three thousand Christians, detaining many of them under horrible conditions. Pray for these human rights abuses to end. Ask the Lord to speak to the hearts of the leaders of Eritrea. Pray for their salvation. Plead for those who are being held in dungeons and metal shipping containers. Ask the Lord to be present with them, encouraging and strengthening them. Pray for those who have had family members arrested and ask the Lord to comfort them. Petition the Lord for a great spiritual awakening in Eritrea that will result in multitudes of people putting their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The government of Mauritania recently announced an 11-point anti-terrorism plan that includes action in the areas of "education, religion, legal reforms, international co-operation as well as military methods to undermine terrorist networks." Pray for this new strategy to be effective in countering al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and other extremist groups. Ask the Lord to give leaders wisdom and discernment in defeating terrorism and keeping their nation safe. Pray for unreached people groups in Mauritania to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Pray for many Muslims to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Officials in India are concerned about terrorists and terrorist acts spilling over the border from Pakistan. They are also very interested in what is taking place in Afghanistan because they consider it a strategic common interest. The government of India wants "peace, prosperity and an independent Afghanistan." Pray for the Lord to guide Indian leaders as they seek to keep their nation safe. Petition Him to give them wisdom in dealing with terrorists and the war in Afghanistan. Plead for the multitudes of people in India who are still waiting to hear the Good News. Pray for Christian Believers to be bold in sharing the Gospel and to take a strong stand for the name of the Lord, even as they face persecution. Invite God's Kingdom to come to India with great signs and wonders.

The war in Afghanistan is being credited with helping to fight terrorism worldwide. "Without NATO boots on the ground, the plot against Europe might never have been uncovered," one observer noted. "Without [a] military presence, the subsequent predator-drone strikes that wiped out more than a half dozen al-Qaeda assets involved in the plot would have been impossible. The wilds of Afghanistan and Pakistan are al-Qaeda central." Winning the war in Afghanistan, many believe, is the "key to foiling terrorist plans." Pray for the Lord Himself to move powerfully in this nation, defeating the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and all other extremist groups. Ask Him to keep the Allied troops safe, give them effective strategies of war, and rid the Afghan government of corruption. Pray for His plans and purposes for this nation to be fulfilled and for the Name of Jesus to be glorified throughout this nation. Intercede for the spiritual freedom of Muslims and ask...

If leaders in Sudan "choose a path of peace and successfully conduct the proposed referendum" (scheduled for this month), international groups have agreed to remove the nation from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The referendum will decide the fate of South Sudan – whether it remains part of the North, or becomes an independent country. Pray for accurate and fair voting. Ask the Lord to accomplish His plans and purposes for Sudan. Plead for peace and a smooth political transition. Pray for an end to state sponsored terrorism. Plead for the heart of President Omar al-Bashir – that he will respond to God's free gift of forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ. Ask for a great harvest of souls in this largely Muslim nation.

Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal recently stated that Yemen (Saudi Arabia's neighbor to the south) represents a security threat to Saudi Arabia. "Terrorism emerges from Yemen and crosses into the kingdom," he said. "Refugees fleeing the conflict there flood across our border." Pray for the Lord to give the government of Saudi Arabia wisdom in defending against this threat. Ask Him to provide strategies for combating al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP - the Yemen-based affiliate of al-Qaeda). Pray for the salvation of Saudi leaders, as well as key members of AQAP. Plead for the hearts of the Muslim people of Saudi Arabia. Ask the Lord for a great harvest of souls in this Islamic nation.

International observers say the nation of Bhutan is successfully making the transition from hidden kingdom to member of the global community. "The Wangchuck dynasty faced ethnic violence, terrorism and political conflicts. Yet, as Bhutan gradually emerged from its self-imposed isolation and began to modernize, its political institutions started to evolve without disturbing its traditional culture." Pray for the Lord to use this time of change and transformation to bring a great spiritual awakening. Ask Him to tear down the strongholds of Buddhism and set the hearts of the Bhutanese free to know and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to the Kingdom of Bhutan with great signs and wonders.

The foreign ministry of Thailand dismissed a new international study which "ranked the kingdom as among the extreme risk nations" in terms of terrorism. The study found that Thailand was one of 16 countries in the world considered very vulnerable to attack. Pray for the government of Thailand to take this assessment seriously. Ask the Lord to give leaders wisdom in dealing with the growing threat of terrorism in this region. Pray for the safety of the people and for their hearts to be open to the Gospel. Intercede on behalf of those in Thailand who have never heard the Good News that Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin, and was raised back to life. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to Thailand, tearing down the strongholds of Buddhism and providing true life and freedom.

Guinea is part of a coalition seeking to defend against and defeat al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Leaders believe cooperation between nations in West Africa is essential in this battle. Thank God for this strategy and pray for it to be highly effective in countering AQIM. Ask the Lord to give the government of Guinea vigilance in combating this threat. Pray for greater cooperation between nations and for members of al-Qaeda to become discouraged and give up their plans to cause fear and destruction. Ask the Lord to spread the Gospel throughout Guinea and to bring a multitude of people into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

In November 2010, the government of Kyrgyzstan sponsored anti-terrorism training for its military forces. According to the Kyrgyz Defense Ministry, the army played a critical role in stabilizing the nation after the ethnic clashes in the summer of 2010 and is now being counted on to keep Kyrgyzstan safe from terrorist attacks. Pray for the success of these operations. Petition the Lord to expose and root out terrorist groups hiding in Central Asia. Pray for their funding to be cut off and for members to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Invite the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit on this nation and draw multitudes into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Recent reports have linked Tuareg tribesmen of Niger to the activities of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Though Tuareg communities have denied these allegations, leaders have admitted that some "'black sheep' are to be found among all peoples." After a series of unsuccessful rebellions (2007-2009) Tuareg rebels began turning to "banditry and criminality as a means of economic survival." Pray for the efforts of AQIM to recruit members from this disenfranchised, struggling people group to fail. Ask the Lord to spread the Gospel among the Tuareg (an unreached people group). Petition Him to send workers who will faithfully share the love of Jesus Christ in this dangerous, remote region of the world. Pray for the government of Niger to take swift and strong action against the tactics of AQIM. Plead with the Lord for a great harvest of souls in Niger.

The government of Burkina Faso has agreed to continue a United Nations program aimed at distributing water and electricity to rural regions. So far, the program has impacted 600,000 people in 441 villages. Praise the Lord for the success of this program and pray for it to continue helping to meet the needs of the people in this poverty-stricken nation. Ask the Lord to send Christian humanitarian workers to take part in providing villages with water and electricity. Pray for opportunities for the Gospel to be shared and for a multitude of souls to be saved. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Burkina Faso in great power, with signs, wonders and miracles.

In November 2010, Iran asked the nations of the world to join them in a coordinated effort to fight terrorism, stressing the need for a "fair and non-discriminatory approach." The Foreign Ministry also called for an elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Pray for the leaders of this Islamic, terror-sponsoring nation to realize their hypocrisy – the difference between what they are saying and what they are doing. Pray for an immediate end to their support of Hezbullah and other terrorist groups, as well as their quest to obtain nuclear weapons. Ask the Lord to move powerfully among the people of Iran, setting them free from the bondage of Islam and leading them into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the great awakening and revival underway in this nation to continue, grow, and spread throughout the Middle East.

The United Nations recently urged Benin and other West African countries to step up their efforts to promote peace and keep the region secure. The UN called for greater cooperation and agreement among these nations to combat "violent conflicts, political instability and terrorism" that "continue to impose untold hardships on millions." Pray for this warning to be heeded by the government of Benin and for the Lord to provide the resources necessary to defend against terrorism. Petition the Lord to give Christians opportunities to spread the Gospel throughout West Africa, capturing the hearts and minds of leaders, citizens, and even the members of terrorist groups. Pray for the Lord to pour His Spirit out on Benin and for His Kingdom to come with righteousness, peace and joy.

In November 2010, officials from the government of Azerbaijan met with members of the Pakistani government to discuss "urgent issues of cooperation in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism." Praise the Lord for the alertness of these governments and pray for theirefforts to be guided by and blessed by Him. Pray for an end to al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups operating in Southwest Asia and for the leaders of Azerbaijan to remain vigilant in defending their nation. Ask the Lord to give Christian Believers strength and boldness to share theGospel. Pray for more workers to be sent into this harvest field and for multitudes ofMuslims to find the salvation available only in Jesus Christ.

The government of Mali is joining with Mauritania in a campaign to fight al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. "The Mauritanian forces (have) committed to combat terrorism since mid-September in northern Mali with joint patrols… in search of AQIM bands." Give thanks to the Lord for this cooperation. Pray for the success of this effort – for AQIM to be soundly defeated in West Africa. Ask the Lord to reach key members of this terrorist organization and turn them from a life of death and destruction to a life of joy in Jesus Christ. Pray for the people of Mali to hear and respond to the Gospel and for many Muslims to put their faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.