The number one request of persecuted Christians is “Pray for us.”
Please join us in praying for Christians living in persecution within the nation of Nigeria. Attacks on Christians continue. It is estimated that 6,000 Christians have been killed in recent attacks and approximately 20,000 have been killed since 2015.
Nigeria, Africa – Restricted Nation
Prevalent Religion: Christianity
Fastest Growing Religion: Christianity, Islam
Major Sources of Persecution: Boko Haram / Fulani Herdsman
Nigeria is constitutionally a secular state with freedom of religion. But the northern ruling elite give preferential treatment to Muslims and discriminate against Christians. Little has been done to stem the growth of violent Islamist groups or to stop persecution of Christians in the north, resulting in hundreds of churches burned and many Christians killed. Since 1999, Muslim state leaders have imposed shari’a law in nine northern states and parts of four others.
- Operation World and Pray For the World by Jason Mandryk
Nigerian Believers
Pray for Christians Recovering from Repeated Attacks on their Village
Fulani herdsmen attacked Miango, a village in Jos state on March 8 around 10 p.m. A family on the edge of town lost three boys when the Fulani came in wielding machetes and shooting. Their 4-year-old cousin, Chanka, remains in critical care. That night, the Fulani also killed Iliya Isa, a former Muslim who had accepted Christ. Five days later, the villagers wore black and marched silently to the government in Jos in protest for not being protected by Nigerian security forces. After that, they buried the three boys who were killed, but on the way home to the village, they were attacked again by Fulani men. The evening before, Fulani attacked a home where villagers had gathered to mourn someone’s death and killed 27 people. Pray for the people of Miango, who are angry with both the Fulani and the Nigerian government. Pray for comfort for those who have lost family members. And praise God that the 4-year-old boy who was injured is improving. - icommitToPray.com – April 12, 2018
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. – Psalm 119:49-50
Deborah
While preparing for a Bible study in their home, Deborah’s husband was killed and her two daughters were kidnapped by Boko Haram. Later, her youngest son was shot and killed while walking home from school. After moving to a camp for internally displaced people, Deborah learned that Boko Haram stole all of her possessions and burned her home. Pray with Deborah that she will be reunited with her two daughters, but if being reunited is not God’s plan, then may His will be done. – The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter, June 2018
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:9-13
Nigerian Sisters
Pray that our sisters in Nigeria remain faithful to Jesus and take comfort in knowing they are part of a global family of believers who stand with them in times of grief and joy despite their suffering. Pray that they know this world with all its troubles is not their eternal home. – The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter, June 2018
The body is a unit, though it is made up of any parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body…
But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:12, 24-27
For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Philippians 3:18-21
Boko Haram
Boko Haram is slang for “Western education is forbidden.” Their goals are clear: an Islamic nation created in the northern half of Nigeria where Sharia law is followed and every man, woman and child is Sunni Muslim.
They have systematically targeted Christians, bombing churches and killing pastors. More than 1,000 churches have been burned in Nigeria since 2009, when the group became increasingly violent. Boko Haram pledged allegiance to ISIS in March 2015. Even in the midst of such dangers, our courageous brothers and sisters continue gathering to worship the One who holds their eternal future. They continue their witness to Christ’s love, even as they reach out to radical Muslims who persecute them.
Pray that Boko Haram members would be transformed by the love of Jesus.
– Christians Facing Islamic Extremists by The Voice of the Martyrs
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. – Matthew 6:44
No comments:
Post a Comment