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“The extremists are against the Gospel,” says Pastor “Gabriel” in Mozambique. “If they find that you are a Christian, they will kill you.” The pastor and his family are among the tens of thousands who escaped the brutal insurgency being waged by Islamic State terrorists in the north. The church Pastor Gabriel planted in a settlement camp for displaced people further south reverberates with singing and dancing, as the congregation gives thanks to God for their survival (Psalm 18:48). They have little food, little income, but are rich in their trust in the Lord. Give thanks for their steadfast faith and pray that their needs will be met (Philippians 4:19).
Two Christians were captured and killed by Islamists in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique in late February. The pair were taken as they travelled along the road towards Congreso in Cabo Delgado’s Macomia District. The execution-style killings were claimed by Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M) in a social media post. In the months leading up to this attack, IS-M activity in Macomia District had forced many residents to flee their homes. Ask the Lord to bring peace to northern Mozambique. Pray that the Church in this troubled region will be comforted with the knowledge that the Lord’s people share in His victory over all evil.
Father God, thank You that through the finished, saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ, You have become “the Rock of our salvation”. We pray that even as we experience hardship and sorrow, we will be enabled by the Holy Spirit to “sing for joy to the LORD”. We ask this grace also for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, that the joy of the Lord will be their strength as they are counted worthy to suffer for the Name of Christ, in which we pray. (Psalm 95:1; Nehemiah 8:10; Acts 5:41)
At the time of writing, Iran remains at the centre of an armed conflict that is spreading across the Middle East. Our brothers and sisters in Iran are cautiously optimistic that the country may move to a place where there is greater freedom for them to live out their faith, worship without fear, and share the Gospel with their neighbours – yet there is also concern that the instability resulting from the war and the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may lead to an even more extreme and repressive system of government. Pray that the Lord will draw near to His people in Iran, and across the wider region, at this time. Praise Him that no matter the events of this world, His Word “is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).
Many Iranian believers were among the dead and wounded after a government crackdown on the protests that took place in January. One sister in Christ, a paramedic, went to help the injured in Tehran and was left in critical condition after being shot in the head. Doctors gave her “no chance” of survival, but praise God, just a few weeks later, Barnabas Aid contacts shared that she had woken, was responsive, and was beginning her recovery. Please pray for our sister’s continued recovery from her injuries, as well as four other Iranian believers left wounded and injured.
Pray for the Church in Iraq, where believers have grown from an estimated 250 in 2010 to 3,500 today, yet Christians remain less than 1% of the population. Ask God to break through hearts hardened by longstanding divisions and intense rivalries. Pray for the successful registration of evangelical churches in Federal Iraq. Pray for growth, maturity and unity among Kurdish and Yazidi believers in the north, and that local churches will continue to shine for the Gospel.
Praise God for His sustaining presence over the Church in Syria amid ongoing conflict and social instability. Many believers continue to face displacement, economic hardship and insecurity. Give thanks that local churches remain a place of refuge, fellowship and hope. Pray for protection, provision and encouragement for families and leaders, especially in areas still affected by violence. Ask God to strengthen their faith, provide opportunities for witness, and bring healing to communities scarred by years of conflict. Pray for unity among believers and for the Church to shine as a light of Christ’s peace and compassion.
Give thanks for the testimony of “Amira”, a displaced Syrian Christian. Despite hardship, displacement from Syria, and separation from her family, God has sustained Amira with perseverance, deep trust, and the support of prayer and the Christian community. Praise God for the flourishing ministry she leads in Lebanon and for the lives strengthened through her witness. Pray that her story will encourage other believers with hope and courage in times of trial. Ask the Lord to guide Amira, granting her strength, protection, comfort and wisdom as she continues to serve Christ faithfully (Psalm 32:8). Pray also that through testimonies like hers, many Syrians will encounter God’s love and grace and be drawn to the hope found in Christ.
Pray for Lebanon as parliamentary elections have been postponed for two years following the 2025 election of President Joseph Aoun. Ask God to grant wisdom, integrity and restraint to political leaders, security forces and local authorities amid ongoing tensions and uncertainty. Pray for vulnerable Christian communities – especially those once again displaced from their homes – asking that believers will remain courageous and faithful despite social and political pressures. Ask the Lord to strengthen His Church to shine as a witness of hope, justice and reconciliation, and to guide the nation toward stability, fairness and lasting peace. Give thanks that God remains sovereign over every nation. (Psalm 22:28)
Lord God, we praise You for the greatness of Your power and the extent of Your sovereignty over all times and places. We praise You also for Your tender care and compassion, seen most clearly in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Please enable Your people in every part of the world this Lord’s Day, and every day, to praise You as You deserve and as is Your right, for we ask it in Christ’s holy and precious Name. (Psalm 95:3-5; Ephesians 1:11; John 10:11)
A new criminal code introduced by Afghanistan’s Taliban government in early 2026 strengthens legal discrimination against religious minorities. The code recognises only followers of the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence as “true Muslims”, labelling the followers of any other religion or belief as “innovators” or “heretics”. The code prescribes death for those who share or hold “beliefs contrary to Islam”, reinforcing the likelihood that Christians (among others) will be killed if their faith is discovered. Pray that the Lord will strengthen the spirit of His people as they endure such severe opposition.
Praise the Lord that two Pakistani Christian nurses have finally been acquitted of “blasphemy”. In April 2021, Maryam Lal (then 52) and Newosh Arooj (then 19) were accused by a senior doctor at the Civil Hospital in Faisalabad of committing “blasphemy” by removing from a cupboard a sticker that had a Quranic text written on it. Both women spent five months in prison before being granted bail while extremists issued threats on their lives. The judge ruled in November 2025 that the allegations were groundless and the deadline to appeal this decision has now passed. Pray that God will continue to protect Maryam and Newosh and their families and guide them as they seek to follow Him. Ask that any future cases of unfounded “blasphemy” allegations against Christians and other minorities in Pakistan will be dismissed more swiftly.
“Through this help God made a way for us. It has strengthened my faith and reminded me that the Lord never forgets His children.” This grateful sister in Christ spoke for many after 150 vulnerable Christian families in Lahore, Pakistan, received food parcels containing essential staples. Beneficiaries included those working in unstable daily-wage jobs, widows, elderly individuals living alone, the chronically ill and families caring for loved ones, and families suffering through unemployment. Give thanks for the provision of this vital aid and pray for the continued spiritual encouragement and practical support of the Christian community in Lahore and throughout Pakistan.
Pray that suffering and persecuted believers around the world will take heart that our Lord Jesus Christ is now at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us (Romans 8:34). Praise God that He also uses our prayers of intercession by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray that Christians suffering discrimination, hostility and marginalisation will draw strength from the realisation that no situation is beyond the reach of the prayers of our Lord or those of His people.
Praise the Lord that nearly 19 tonnes of dried soup mix have been successfully delivered to impoverished Christians in Cuba. At the time of writing, an oil blockade has led to a deepening crisis in Cuba, which was already suffering from several years of economic downturn and persistent hyper-inflation. “This [shipment] is, quite literally, manna from heaven,” said a Cuban pastor. “It will be an immense relief for our churches and for so many families who today have nothing to put on the table.”
Please pray for the success of a Barnabas-funded project providing theological training to nearly 900 pastors and church leaders in Mexico. Mexican believers often face opposition and hostility, as well as desperate poverty. Rural congregations can rarely afford to send church leaders to theological institutions for formal study. Thank the Lord for calling pastors, ministers and church leaders to shepherd His people. Pray that the Holy Spirit will use this training programme to strengthen the Church, to the glory of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our Father, please help us to take seriously the Biblical call to examine our hearts for sins, doubts or unbelief. We pray that the Holy Spirit will direct us in faith, joy, reverence and obedience, keeping us from any hardness of heart that would prevent us from entering into Your rest. Thank You in the Name of our Saviour for the promise of Scripture, that none shall snatch us out of the hands of God. (Hebrews 3:12; Psalm 95:11; John 10:28-30)
“It’s as though someone has tried to erase every visible sign of Christianity from this land.” These were the words of David Patrikarakos, a UK-based journalist following a visit to Plateau State in central Nigeria. Patrikarakos described a landscape of burned-out church buildings and “broken crosses”. Christian communities in Middle Belt states such as Plateau have long suffered targeted violence at the hands of Fulani Islamists, resulting in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands being left injured, displaced and traumatised. Please pray that the Lord will sustain His people, making their faith resilient even as they suffer for His sake.
More than 30 people were killed by Islamist terrorists during three days of violence in Benue State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Most of the deaths took place at Abande market where 16 civilians and a police officer were gunned down in early February. These are among the latest killings in a sustained campaign of violence against Christians in northern and Middle Belt Nigeria, which church leaders have likened to genocide. Ask the Lord to comfort those bereaved in these attacks. Pray for protection for Christian communities and an end to the daily threat of Islamist violence (Psalm 121:7).
Give thanks for the release of more than 80 Christians held by Fulani Islamists for nearly three weeks following a mass abduction in Kaduna State, Nigeria. They were among at least 177 Christians kidnapped from three churches and homes in Kurmin Wali village in mid-January. Around half managed to escape. The remaining captives were forced to trek for six days to the terrorists’ hideout. Men were beaten and even the children were flogged if they cried. Ask the Lord to draw close to the freed captives, particularly the children, and help them to recover swiftly from the trauma of their ordeal (Psalm 9:9).
Three people were killed and 11 abducted by gunmen in Kaduna State, Nigeria, in early February. Nathaniel Asuwaye, minister of Holy Trinity Church, Karku, was among those taken in the attack targeted at his residence. The abductions of church leaders and other Christians by both Islamist terrorists and criminal gangs are common in northern and Middle Belt Nigeria. Pray that Nathaniel and the other captives will be released swiftly and safely. Ask the Lord to wipe the tears from the bereaved (Revelation 21:4), and that there will be no more killings or kidnappings.
Concerns have been raised that by mid-2026 the number of people facing “acute food insecurity” could rise to 52.8 million. The figures are drawn from analysis carried out using the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. Extreme weather, food inflation and armed conflict – including Islamist terrorism – are among the causes for the increased risk of hunger. The countries most severely affected include Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, with Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria at risk of falling into the category of “Catastrophe/Famine”. Pray that our Lord, the provider of food (Psalm 145:15-16), will meet the needs of the hungry in West Africa, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,” said the psalmist (Psalm 119:105). Pray for the success of a Barnabas project that will provide that lamp, that light, for young believers in Ghana, where there is a serious shortage of Bibles. Our partners are aiming to supply thousands of young Ghanaian believers with either a book of illustrated Bible stories, a youth Bible or a full-text Bible with study guide. Pray that this initiative will enable these children and young people to grow in faith and knowledge. Ask that, in turn, they will become a light to guide others towards the love of Christ (Matthew 5:16).
Sovereign Lord, we thank You for the empowering of Your Church through the outpouring of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the Spirit’s power to counsel, comfort, teach and guide Your people. We praise You for His witness around the world, especially in contexts where those who love You are a persecuted and despised minority. We pray that by the Holy Spirit’s power You will fill your Church with abundant hope as we trust in You and make us channels of Your grace to spread Your good news of salvation, for we ask in the Name of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8; Romans 15:13)
The Church continues to grow in South-East Asia, despite the widespread perception of Christianity as a foreign, “Western” faith. This mistrust is manifest in countries with a strong Buddhist heritage such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, but also in Muslim-majority Indonesia. Pray for faithful pastors and church leaders who continue to uphold the universal truths of the Gospel amid opposition, whether local or from national governments. Ask that the vision of an international Christian community from every people, nation and tongue will inspire and encourage believers in the region to reach out to their neighbours and see God’s kingdom continue to expand.
Thanks to the donations of Barnabas Aid supporters, impoverished and persecuted believers in Laos have received help to set up sustainable farming ventures (including mushroom cultivation, fish hatcheries, and livestock such as pigs and chickens) and vocational training opportunities (equipping believers with skills in sewing, weaving, motorbike repair, beauty, hairdressing and coffee roasting). Give thanks that these practical tools are opening doors for self-sufficiency and lasting change. Praise God for the encouragement and hope these gifts bring, lifting up hearts and transforming lives, empowering believers to thrive even amid poverty and persecution (Proverbs 22:9).
Praise the Lord for His faithful provision for displaced children from Myanmar, now living in a church boarding home in Thailand. Praise Him that, through your generous support, 77 students received school fees, uniforms, pocket money and essential living needs, enabling them to continue their education despite the upheaval they have endured. Thank the Lord for every sign of His faithfulness, a child learning to read, and a struggling family receiving help. Rejoice that even in displacement and hardship, these children are not forgotten, and that God continues to work through His people to restore hope and open doors for their future. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow (Psalm 146:9).
Thanks to Barnabas Aid supporters, the Word of God is reaching believers in Thailand and Myanmar who struggle to access Scripture. Praise Him that 175,000 Bibles and devotional books have been distributed in local languages, strengthening pastors, students and families, and nurturing faith, evangelism and discipleship in resource-poor communities. Give thanks that each copy of Scripture brings hope, encouragement, and the living presence of God’s Word to those who receive it. Pray that the believers who have received Scripture will experience the truth of God’s Word in their daily lives. Pray that His Word will continually illuminate their path, shaping their decisions and sustaining them with courage and perseverance (Psalm 119:105).
Celebrate God’s transforming work among prisoners in Cambodia. Praise Him that, through faithful local pastors and volunteers, vibrant Christian communities have formed within correctional centres, where more than 100 inmates now gather regularly for worship, discipleship and pastoral care. These services offer not only teaching but also hope, belonging, and personal renewal to those who once felt forgotten. Praise God for educational programmes, including language and computer training, equipping prisoners with practical skills and renewed purpose. Rejoice in testimonies of changed lives, and thank Him that even behind bars, His light continues to shine and transform hearts.
Rejoice in God’s provision and care for vulnerable families and church leaders in Indonesia. A three-year poultry farming project in Central Java, funded by Barnabas Aid supporters, has provided 25 Christian families with training, starter coops and chicks, enabling sustainable livelihoods and economic stability. Thank the Lord for the provision made for 40 pastors across seven locations, including salaries, allowances and training, ensuring they are equipped and encouraged to shepherd their congregations effectively. Give thanks that these empowerment-focused initiatives are creating lasting impact, strengthening families, communities, and the wider church network.
Glorious triune God, we celebrate Your perfect unity that has drawn millions to repentance, faith and baptism in Your Name. We pray that You will perfect Your Church in unity and direct Your people to work together for the furtherance of Your kingdom. We ask that Your presence will strengthen those living in parts of the world where they are not free to speak Your truth openly. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all who trust in You, for we ask in the precious Name of Jesus. (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14)