Prayer Tips

Israel has been asked by India to "enhance cooperation in combating terrorism." The request comes as India faces an increasing threat from Maoist extremists. Indian officials say their nation could "benefit from the Israeli homeland security systems which are based on advanced technology." Praise the Lord for protecting Israel and providing them with technology that is sought after throughout the world. Pray for the government to use wisdom in partnering with other nations and for this cooperation to give strength to their efforts to prevent and end terrorism. Ask for the hearts of the Israeli people to be softened, their minds open to the Gospel. Pray for a great harvest of souls in this nation.

Reports surfaced recently about the possible resurrection of the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam (LTTE). Though defeated by Sri Lankan military forces in 2009, "certain ex-cadre of the LTTE, who escaped the wrath of Sri Lanka's Security Forces [are] attempting to regroup in India." Pray for a complete end to the LTTE. Petition the Lord to give the government of Sri Lanka wisdom in fighting this terrorist group. Pray for the salvation of LTTE leaders and members. Ask the Lord for a great outpouring of His Holy Spirit in Sri Lanka. Pray for people from every group and religion to receive the Gospel message and put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

"Since the horrific siege at a church in Baghdad in October," writes Barnabas Aid, "murderers have continued their relentless campaign against Christians, targeting them in their homes and workplaces." Hundreds of Christian families have fled the country in this new wave of violence. Those who remain, one church leader reports, "are living behind locked doors... It is as if they are in prison... Fear rules over all situations and in all places." Pray for the spirit of fear and intimidation to be bound and for the Christians in Iraq to be strengthened with the spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Pray for the peace of God to rest on them and for the Lord to guard their hearts and minds. Ask for a great spiritual awakening in Iraq as Christians share the Gospel and love their enemies. Pray for the salvation of those who are committing acts of violence. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Iraq as it is in heaven.

The government of Morocco rejected a call for an independent United Nations probe into the violent attack by Moroccan security forces against a Western Sahara refugee camp. Officials refused "any role by the UN mission in the territory in the question of human rights." Pray for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to come upon the leaders of Morocco. Pray for them to repent of their mistreatment and abuse of the people of Western Sahara, as well as their denial of wrongdoing. Ask the Lord to move powerfully in bringing peace between these two nations. Pray for the people of Morocco to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Pray for a great harvest of souls as multitudes put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

"Huge amounts of weapons of all kinds" are reportedly being smuggled from Albania into Europe. The buyers are criminal rings, drug barons and terrorists. Pray for this illegal operation to be shut down immediately. Ask the Lord to guide security forces in Albania to the places where these arms are being shipped. Pray for the apprehension of all those involved in smuggling the guns, as well as those receiving them. Pray especially for terrorist groups in this region to be discovered and dealt with swiftly. Plead for the hearts and minds of the Albanian people. Pray for a great spiritual awakening in which multitudes of men, women and children put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

A report by a Western news source found that the United Arab Emirates is among the top terrorism financing sources in the world. Pray for the Lord to expose the trail of money being used to fund militants and extremists. Pray for it to be severed and for the terrorist organizations to wither and die. Ask the Lord for the salvation of terrorists in UAE, as well as bankers, government officials. Petition the Lord for a great move of His Holy Spirit in UAE. Ask Him to give expatriate and Muslim Background Christian Believers the courage to endure persecution and the boldness to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Invite the Kingdom to come to the United Arab Emirates as it is in heaven.

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 land, setting the captives free and leading multitudes into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Demonstrators took to the streets of Madrid, Spain on November 13 to protest the November 8 massacre of Sahrawis in Laayoune, Western Sahara. Moroccan security forces reportedly killed dozens and injured more than 4,000 people. Pray for the Sahrawis to be liberated — allowed to return to their homeland and live in freedom. And Intercede for their spiritual freedom, Inviting the Lord to move powerfully among them, pouring out His Holy Spirit and drawing many into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to Western Sahara and for the Lord's plans and purposes for this nation to be accomplished.

Three people were arrested recently as they attempted to enter Laos using fake passports. Security forces at the border "found a link to terrorism and also to credit card fraud, arms trafficking, human trafficking and illegal immigration." Give Thanks to the Lord for this discovery and arrest. Pray for the government of Laos to continue carefully and diligently guarding its borders. Ask the Lord Himself to protect the people and be their refuge. Pray for a great spiritual awakening in Laos. Petition the Lord to pour His Holy Spirit out on this nation, leading the people out from the darkness of communism and false religions, into the light and life of Jesus Christ.

A radical Muslim imam was recently charged with inciting terrorism and could face the death penalty. He is accused of helping to build a training camp for jihadists in Aceh, and is believed to be linked with Jemaah Islamiah — an affiliate of al-Qaeda. Praise the Lord for the capture of this criminal and pray for the demise of Jemaah Islamiah and al-Qaeda. Invite the Lord to move in Indonesia, ridding the nation of terrorism and freeing the people from false religions. Ask Him to strengthen and encourage Christian Believers and use them to preach the Gospel throughout Indonesia. Plead for a great harvest of souls in this nation.

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.

After forcibly shutting down a church service, a member of the security forces explained, "You don't need a license to talk about chess or football, but you do [to talk about] religion." Pray for Christian Believers to remain bold and strong in the Lord, refusing to fear or give up. Pray for the Lord to give them favor with the government. Ask for the Gospel to be proclaimed throughout Azerbaijan and for multitudes to respond, putting their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The dramatic surge in crime in Mali is being called "terrorism's new front." The nation has become a supply route for cocaine, arms and illegal migrants being shipped to Europe, as well as a haven for al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The AQIM operation in this region is described as "agile, well armed and well financed." Pray for the Lord to expose this hive of evil and sin, bringing criminals and terrorists to justice. Pray for the government to deal with these threats swiftly and decisively. Ask for the salvation of the members of AQIM, along with drug and human-traffickers. Pray for the victims being taken advantage of by these groups. Intercede for the people of Mali, asking the Lord to keep them safe and reveal to them how they can be set free from the lies of Islam and enter abundant life in Jesus Christ.

President Blaise Compaore, who seized power in a violent coup in 1987, was re-elected in November with 80% of the votes. The opposition, however, claims the election was rigged. Pray for peace in this nation. Ask the Lord to raise up leaders who will rule with integrity and humility. Pray for an end to the violence, accusations and corruption. Pray for the Lord to accomplish His plans and purposes for Burkina Faso. Plead for the souls of the people, petitioning the Lord to pour His Spirit out on this nation and draw multitudes into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

According to human rights groups, "Iran is second only to China worldwide in the number of people it executes every year." Most of the executions take the form of hanging and are the punishment for such crimes as political opposition, drug-trafficking, homosexuality, and adultery. Even juveniles have been executed. Pray for an end to Islamic law in Iran. Ask the Lord to continue moving in this nation, transforming lives through the Gospel. Pray for justice and mercy to reign in and through the government. Petition the Lord to protect those who are being persecuted — especially Christian Believers. Invite God's Kingdom to come to Iran with signs, wonders, dreams and visions.

According to a new United Nations report, "Vigilance and measures that have tightened security in Central Asia have helped keep the threat of terrorism at bay, but extremists, criminal groups and instability in the wider area mean the region is still vulnerable." The UN is attempting to help Kyrgyzstan establish a regional counter-terrorism plan. Pray for the government of Kyrgyzstan to take the threat of terrorism serious and be vigilant in defending against it. Ask the Lord to give them wisdom and new strategies for an effective regional plan. Pray for the people to look to the Lord for their defense and seek Him for deliverance. Invite God's Kingdom to come to Kyrgyzstan and all of Central Asia, setting hearts and minds free from Islam and other false religions and leading them into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The kidnapping of expatriate (usually Western) workers is becoming more and more frequent in Niger. Observers believe this is because the nation is strategically located "where commercial interests intersect with banditry and terrorism." Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is said to be growing in influence and power in the region. Pray for the leaders of Niger to take action against these crimes. Ask the Lord to give them the wisdom and resources they need to not only combat, but defeat AQIM and other terrorist groups operating in the Sahel. Pray for the salvation of the members of these organizations, as well as the salvation of the people of Niger — most of whom are Muslim and quite poor. Ask the Lord for a great harvest of souls in Niger.

A state of emergency continues in Thailand in the aftermath of violent clashes between Red Shirts (supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra) and government troops in May 2010. The government has also issued arrest warrants for five Red Shirt leaders on charges of terrorism. Pray for the Lord to bring peace to this very volatile situation. Ask Him to intervene, drawing leaders from both sides of the political conflict into relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for the people of this mostly Buddhist nation to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come during this time of instability, bringing righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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.

A new report states that "donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide." The news source also found that "militants often slip into Saudi Arabia disguised as holy pilgrims then proceed to create front companies that can launder money from government-sanctioned charities." Pray for the leaders of Saudi Arabia to take action against these criminal activities. Ask the Lord to give them strategies for stopping the funding of terrorist groups and to keep extremists from entering their nation. Pray for the light of Christ to shine brightly throughout this dark, stronghold. Pray for expatriate Christian Believers and Muslim Background Believers to be bold witnesses and for the Gospel to also be preached in Saudi Arabia by way of satellite television, radio, the internet, dreams and visions. Petition the Lord for a great spiritual awakening in this nation as the Kingdom of God comes in power.

"Religion is very much a part of Bhutanese life," writes one missionary. "It rules and governs how they live. From childhood, young boys are trained and taught the teachings of the Buddha...." Anyone offering an alternative to the false religion of Buddhism is dealt with swiftly and severely. As an example, a Christian missionary was recently sentenced to three years in prison for "attempting to promote civil unrest" after he showed a film about Jesus Christ. Pray for the freedom of this nation and its people. Ask the Lord to destroy the stronghold of Buddhism and liberate the Bhutanese, leading them out from darkness, into the light of Jesus Christ. Pray for Christian Believers to continue to stand firm in the faith, preaching and demonstrating the Gospel. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to Bhutan with great power, signs and wonders.

According to an international assessment, the drug trade in Guinea-Bissau is "becoming institutionalized." It is well established, growing, and is believed to be a means of funding for terrorist groups in the region — especially al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Ask the Lord to give the leader of Guinea-Bissau great wisdom in defending against this threat. Pray for the links between drugs and terrorism to be broken and for the funding of AQIM and other organizations to be cut off. Invite the Lord to move powerfully in Guinea-Bissau, setting the people free from drugs, crime and false religions. Pray for Christian Believers to be bold in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

he government of Japan issued a new defense policy in December 2010. The National Defense Program Guidelines took into account the rise of China's military power, North Korea's threats of using nuclear weapons, and global terrorism. The new policy is expected to improve the nation's ability to respond to security challenges. Thank the Lord for this effort to protect the citizens of Japan and pray for its success. Ask for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on this nation and for people to look to the Lord for their security. Pray for a great spiritual awakening in Japan. Plead with the Lord for a tremendous harvest of souls.

The Harakat-ul Jihad al Islami ("Islamic Struggle Movement") of Bangladesh was recently designated a terrorist group because it has "committed various terrorist acts, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians." Banned from Bangledesh in 2005, it has continued to operate in South Asia, and is believed to have had direct assistance from Osama bin Laden, as well as an affiliation with the Talban. Pray for an immediate end to the Harakat-ul Jihad al Islami. Petition the Lord to bring leaders of this organization into relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for members to experience the conviction of the Holy Spirit and repent from their evil thoughts, plans, and actions. Pray for the protection of the people of Bangladesh. Ask the Lord to give Christian Believers boldness in declaring the Gospel in this Islamic nation. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Bangladesh as it is in heaven.

In December 2010, the government of Kuwait deployed security forces to disrupt a "diwaniya" (informal political gathering). "Kuwait's brutal breakup of a political meeting that included parliament members and professors is a new low in the government's refusal to respect the right to peaceful assembly. Kuwait has grown increasingly comfortable throwing international protections out the window...." Ask the Lord to move in the hearts of government officials, leading them to Jesus Christ and giving them a desire to serve and bless the people of Kuwait. Pray for freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and for religious freedom in this nation. Plead with the Lord for the Gospel to be made known throughout Kuwait and for the stronghold of Islam to be torn down. Ask for a great harvest of souls that will draw Muslims from all over the Arabian Peninsula into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

While Western forces have had some success in their fight against insurgents in Afghanistan, the opposition continues to grow — especially in the northern regions of the nation. "You have the whole fabric of the militias," the Red Cross reports. "There are groups that collect money, and they collect it from civilians and by doing kidnapping and bold actions against internationals." Known as "arbekais," these militias also protect the drug trade. Living in fear of these groups, and having given up hope in the government, many citizens are turning to the Taliban for help. Pray for the Lord to give the allied forces wisdom and new strategies for liberating Afghanistan from the hands of terrorists. Ask Him to protect the people from the intimidation of the arbekais, as well as from the Taliban. Pray for them to look to the Lord for hope and help. Petition the Lord to lead members of these violent groups into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lor...

The government of Sudan has been called a "terrorist smuggler" and a "puppet of the nuclear rogue Iran." One report found that a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps recently went to Sudan to supervise the transportation of weapons into the Gaza Strip. Pray for the terrorism, manipulation, and corruption present in the Sudanese government to be exposed. Ask the Lord to bring a halt to the smuggling of arms and the support of groups like al-Qaeda and Hezbullah. Pray for the salvation of Omar al-Bashir and other key leaders in Khartoum. Petition the Lord to maintain peace in Sudan — especially between North and South — and to draw Muslims into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Seven activists who called for the release of two young girls (9 and 13) from slavery have been arrested. They were charged with conducting a violent protest and attacking security forces. The leader was reportedly injured by authorities. Although Mauritania officially outlawed slavery in 1981, it continues to be a serious problem. Pray for an immediate end to this barbaric practice. Ask the Lord to arise on behalf of those who are being abused and oppressed by slavery. Pray for the hearts of the "slavemasters" to be convicted by the Holy Spirit and for them to repent of their sin. Pray for leaders to uphold the laws of Mauritania and protect those who are being bought and sold as property. Intercede on behalf of the Muslims of this Islamic nation — plead for their salvation. Pray for a great harvest of souls in Mauritania.

Although more than two years have gone by since Hindu extremists brutally attacked Christians in Orissa, India — burning homes and churches, raping women, and assaulting and killing Christians — the situation has not improved. "There is no sense of relief among survivors in India's Orissa state," "Many [Christians] are still ostracized and pressured to `return' to Hinduism." Pray for healing and reconciliation in this region. Ask the Lord to give His people the ability to forgive those who are persecuting them. Pray for His love and kindness to be demonstrated through them and for the Hindus to be drawn into relationship with Jesus Christ. Petition the Lord to give Christian Believers throughout India boldness and wisdom in sharing the Gospel. Pray for the great spiritual awakening already taking place to spread and grow. Invite the Kingdom of God to come in India as it is in heaven.

The governments of Uzbekistan and several other Central Asian nations are  concerned about the growth of a terrorist group known as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). "The IMU is a radical Islamist military group that formed shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the populous and strategic region of the Fergana Valley in Central Asia." Their goal is to create an Islamic state and they have attempted to overthrow the Uzbek government to achieve this. Pray for an immediate end to this demonically-inspired organization. Petition the Lord to infiltrate their ranks, drawing key members into relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for the leaders of Uzbekistan and other affected Central Asian nations to be vigilant in fighting the IMU. Pray for the Uzbek people to see the violence inherent in Islam and turn away from it — toward the light and life of Christ. Ask for a great harvest of souls in Uzbekistan.