Ask the Lord of all comfort to draw close to Christians in north-eastern Burkina Faso after at least 15 worshippers were killed during an attack on a church on Sunday 26 February.
Pray for the bereaved and ask for healing for two others injured when suspected Islamists militants opened fire during a service in Essakane village in Oudalan province, close to the border with Mali and Niger.
A statement from church leaders said 12 people were killed instantly while three others died in hospital.
“In this painful circumstance, we invite you to pray for those who died in faith, for the healing of the wounded, and for the consolidation of grieving hearts,” the statement added.
It is the latest slaughter attributed to Islamists waging a nine-year campaign of violence in Burkina Faso, much of it targeted against Christians and churches.
More than two million people have been driven from their homes and thousands have been killed during the insurgency, which began when Muslim extremists in neighbouring Mali and Niger began moving into the north of Burkina Faso in 2015.
Jihadists now control more than 40% of the nation.
Pray for peace and security to return to this beleaguered land. Ask for the Lord’s protection over all its citizens, particularly our brothers and sisters in Christ.
