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Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) has ordered that Christians in Africa convert to Islam, accept their status as a subjugated people and pay jizya (a tax paid to Islamic conquerors), or prepare to face death. The demand was published in an August edition of Al Naba, the online publication of IS, as well as by Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) a week earlier. “Let the Christians of Africa … know, that there will only be peace through Islam or jizya,” stated ISCAP on social media. Praise the Lord for our brothers and sisters throughout Africa and across the world, who know that true peace is found only in being justified with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Heavenly Father, we cry out like the psalmist, “O God, do not remain silent … See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads.” We pray that You will not remain silent as Islamists slaughter Christian communities across Africa, as oppressive governments seek to silence the Gospel in many parts of the world, as Your people bear shame and suffering for their faith. Thank You that You are the God who cares, the God who hears and the God who acts – we pray in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Psalm 83:1-2)
The Islamic State demand for Christians to convert or accept subjugation followed an appalling attack in Komanda, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in which ISCAP fighters slaughtered at least 34 people at a late-night church service. The terrorists set fire to the church building along with houses and shops in the village. Ask the Lord to comfort the bereaved following this act of hate-filled violence. Pray that the faith of our brothers and sisters will not fail despite the fierce trial that they face (Luke 22:32).
Up to 164 more Christians were killed in targeted attacks across Ituri and the neighbouring province of North Kivu in the six weeks following the Komanda church attack. This brought the number of believers reported to have been murdered by ISCAP since Christmas 2024 to around 550. In the worst single incident, as many as 102 died at the hands of the terrorists in North Kivu’s Lubero District. Afterwards, ISCAP claimed that the massacre was a consequence of the Christian community refusing the “options” of converting to Islam or paying jizya. Praise God for the faith of our brothers and sisters, who maintained their witness for Christ despite oppression and deadly threats.
Barnabas Aid is funding a new pig-farming initiative for a Christian community in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), still suffering the effects of the conflict between the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and the Congolese armed forces. “Pig farming is well suited to the region,” continues our partner. “It requires little land, the pigs reproduce quickly, and it offers high economic returns.” Our plan is to provide 55 female pigs and five male pigs, which will be owned collectively by 300 impoverished Christian households. Please pray for the success of this project in providing a sustainable livelihood for our suffering brothers and sisters.
Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M) has claimed the killing of 26 Christians in Cabo Delgado Province in less than two months. In the worst incident in late July, six believers from Ancuabe District were captured and beheaded by the terrorist group. IS-M has also set up roadblocks to prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region. Travellers are being intercepted and, if they are Christians, charged a tax of around £125-£385 ($150-$460; €138-€422) to be allowed to continue their journey unharmed. Another 60,000 people have fled from the region, adding to more than half a million displaced since 2017. Pray that the Lord will strengthen and comfort the bereaved in His grace. Ask Him to bring an end to this insurgency and the hateful ideology that fuels it.
Praise the Lord that Alphonsus Afina, a church minister in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno State, has been released after being held for two months by Boko Haram. Alphonsus was rescued by security forces two months after he was kidnapped on his way to a humanitarian and peacebuilding conference in Maiduguri in April. The militants who carried out the ambush fired shots and threw a grenade at the vehicles, killing one passenger and abducting the others. Give thanks for the rescue of Alphonsus and ten women who were also held. Pray that other kidnapped Nigerian Christians still in captivity will be released, and until they are, that the Lord will provide them with courage and comfort.
Pray for a Christian community in Plateau State in Nigeria’s Middle Belt after 12 residents were killed in an attack by suspected Fulani Islamists in mid-August. A four-month-old girl was among the victims as houses were set ablaze and livestock stolen in the assault. Pray that the regular appeals for greater security and protection for these vulnerable Christian communities will not go unheeded. Pray that the Lord will comfort those bereaved and show them that He has not abandoned them even as they grieve. Pray that the perpetrators of these horrendous attacks will be identified and brought to justice.
Lord God, thank You that there is a day of judgement for Your enemies and the persecutors of Your people. Thank You that one day justice will be done, and the blood of the martyrs avenged. Yet we also praise You that there is grace abounding for sinners of all kinds, even the persecutors of the Church – that the judgement for sin has fallen upon the Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of all who put their faith in Him. Thank You for the knowledge that those who attack and kill our brothers and sisters will one day be brought to judgement or repentance, to the glory of the Judge of all the world, who always does that which is right, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Psalm 83:9-16; Revelation 6:9-10; Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 18:25)
As Iraq prepares for parliamentary elections tomorrow (11 November), the country faces political instability, corruption, economic hardship and continuing security threats. Many citizens, especially young people and marginalised communities, feel disillusioned by unemployment, poor services, and mistrust of government, yet they long for leaders of integrity who will promote justice and peace across ethnic and religious divides. Please pray for wisdom and courage for voters, honesty and compassion among candidates, and transparency in the electoral process. Pray too for protection of all citizens, particularly Christians and other vulnerable communities, from violence and intimidation, for reconciliation between divided communities, and for a future marked by stability and hope.
Syria continues to bear the scars of prolonged conflict, with cities in ruins and communities deeply fractured. In September, Christians from six churches in Sweida, southern Syria, were forced to flee as violence and shortages grip the region. Minister Tony Boutros reported that his congregation is sheltering nearly 170 displaced people amid destroyed churches, power cuts, and daily struggle. Ask God to protect His scattered Church in Syria, providing for their daily needs. Pray for local Christians seeking to bring relief and hope at great personal cost, that they may be strengthened in faith. May God’s presence bring peace, healing and courage, renewing hope for a future free from fear.
Thank the Lord that a planned attack on a church in Tartus, western Syria, was foiled by a counter-terrorism operation. It remains unclear who was behind the plot in early August. The situation demonstrates again the difficult circumstances facing our brothers and sisters in Syria, who have suffered violence at the hands of Islamist terrorist groups, other extremists, and forces aligned with the government. Ask the Lord to protect His people throughout Syria at a time when they face many dangers and threats. Pray that there will be peace in this troubled land.
Lebanon continues to endure deep economic hardship, political instability and the lasting impact of recent crises, leaving many Christian families struggling to meet their daily needs. Churches work tirelessly to care for the vulnerable, yet poverty and uncertainty weigh heavily on believers. Please pray for strength, provision and hope for Lebanon’s Christians, that their faith will not falter. Ask God to give wisdom and integrity to leaders, and that His peace will overcome unrest. May Christ’s presence bring comfort, courage and restoration, sustaining His people in these difficult times.
Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid social and economic change, yet Christians continue to face severe restrictions. Public worship is forbidden, conversion from Islam is punishable, and sharing faith can result in detention or deportation. Most believers are foreign workers who gather in secret, while Saudi converts endure strong social pressure and serious legal risks. Still, small signs of openness appear, such as limited recognition of Christmas in some cities. Please pray for courage and protection for Christians, for wisdom and compassion to touch the hearts of leaders and communities, and for God’s presence to bring strength, hope and guidance.
More than 50 Christians were arrested by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence in the days following the conflict with Israel in June. They were accused of involvement in “anti-security” activities and possession of arms. Some of those arrested were detained on returning to Iran after attending a gathering organised in a neighbouring country by a church abroad. Farsi (Persian)-speaking converts from Islam are forbidden from attending Christian worship services in Iran. Pray that the authorities will recognise that Christians pose no threat to national security and that all believers will be released.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your faithful servants around the world who are suffering imprisonment for their faith in You. We ask You to reveal to them that they are following a tradition of saints who have gone before them in standing up for the truth, that You are with them in their trials and imprisonment and that their suffering is not in vain. We remember the unjust accusations You experienced and ultimate sacrifice You made. Guide us, Lord, to support those imprisoned for the Gospel in whatever way we can, for we ask in Your precious Name. (Matthew 25:36)
Please pray for our brother Maan Masih, a 21-year-old from Lahore, Pakistan, who was detained by police after a spurious allegation of “blasphemy” was made against him. In early September, Maan was accused of pulling down a banner containing the name of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, during a Muslim celebration. Maan was released on bail the day after his arrest. Ask the Lord, our protector (Psalm 91:2), to protect Maan, his family and the wider Christian community from mob reprisals. Pray for the legal representatives, partnered with Barnabas Aid, who are supporting Maan as the case continues.
Lift up in prayer the bereaved family and friends of our brother Nabeel Masih, who has died from liver failure at the age of 24. Nabeel became the youngest person in Pakistan’s history to be charged with “blasphemy” at the age of 16, and spent nearly five years in prison before being released on bail in March 2021. Because of continual delays, Nabeel’s appeal hearing never took place. It was reported that the prison authorities’ refusal to provide proper care worsened Nabeel’s health, which may have led ultimately to his death. Praise God that the Lord Jesus Christ “has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10). Pray also for others wrongly accused, asking that they will experience the justice that in this life Nabeel was denied.
Since late June, when Pakistan’s monsoon season began, the country has been beset by catastrophic floods caused by heavy rainfall. At the time of writing, four million people have been affected by the floods, with two million displaced and more than 900 dead. In one place a church building was left dangerously overcrowded as villagers who had lost their homes took shelter there. Barnabas Aid project partners are working to provide necessities such as food, water and medical supplies. Pray that our partners will be able to reach many flood-affected Christians who are sometimes overlooked when aid is distributed. Ask God to bring an end to the rains and resultant flooding, and that our brothers and sisters will be able to rebuild their lives in the wake of this disaster.
More than 2,000 people were killed and buildings flattened when a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan in late August. The earthquake struck some of the most remote and rural areas of the country. Approximately half a million were affected by this disaster – only the Lord knows if any Christians are among them. Pray that all those whose homes have been lost through this disaster will be able to rebuild their lives. Pray especially for any of our brothers and sisters among the survivors. Ask the Lord to comfort those who mourn loved ones, that the injured will be healed, and that survivors are kept strong and safe.
The existence of Christianity in Afghanistan has never been officially recognised, with the result that the Taliban government considers any Christian in Afghanistan a convert from Islam regardless of their background. This means that our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan face the death penalty as apostates if their faith is discovered. Ask the Lord to sustain the faith of these secret believers even amidst the most trying and difficult of circumstances.
Christians are a minority in all the former Soviet republics of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In these Muslim-majority countries, to varying degrees, restrictions are placed on Christians meeting for worship, including a minimum number of adult members for the church to be registered legally. Such constraints add to the hostility directed towards Christians who have converted from Islam, sometimes resulting in businesses being boycotted and believers facing severe economic difficulties. Pray that the authorities in all these countries will recognise Christians as a force for good and lift or ease such restrictions, and that the Church will continue to grow despite attempts to suppress it.
Our Father in heaven, we pray today for our new brothers and sisters, who have found Christ and converted to the true faith. We know that many of them risk persecution and ostracisation for their conversion, and in some places even risk their lives. We thank You for their courage and newfound faith, and ask that You watch over them, guiding them through the challenges they now face. Help them to find other believers, who can teach them the Scriptures and give them a community, so that they will not feel alone. We praise You for all who have sacrificed their earthly safety for the sake of Christ, in whose Name we pray.
The government of Laos introduced the “Law on the Evangelical Church” in 2019, which gives Christians the right to conduct services and preach throughout the country. However, the law is not enforced effectively in rural areas. Instances of Christian families being evicted from their villages have been reported in different regions. Pray that the perception of Christianity as a “foreign” religion will diminish and that the evictions and constant disruptions of meetings will cease. Ask the Lord to strengthen believers who have suffered imprisonment for their faith and enable them to grow in steadfastness and strength as they seek to further His Kingdom in Laos (Isaiah 40:31).
Two children were injured after a group of Muslims attacked a building where a Sunday school class was being held in West Sumatra province, Indonesia, in late July. Video footage captured a group of men entering the building armed with knives and wooden sticks, shouting, “Destroy everything!” The two children, aged 11 and 9, were taken to hospital for treatment. Pray that all the children present, especially those hurt, will fully recover from the trauma of the incident. Pray that Christians in Padang Sarai will draw on the Lord’s strength at this unsettling time. Ask that those responsible will be held to account and led to repentance.
Christians make up around 7% of Vietnam’s population. Although religious freedom is protected in the constitution, recent laws have increased restrictions on places of worship. In some parts of the country, believers are summoned to “criticism sessions” that are aimed at making them publicly deny their faith. Thousands of believers from ethnic minorities have been denied household registration documents or identity cards, leaving them unable to access healthcare or schooling. Pray that the religious freedom of Vietnam’s Christians will be protected. Ask the Lord to watch over His people in Vietnam, and pray that those summoned to “criticism sessions” will let the Lord be their strength, never swaying in their faith.
More than four years on from the coup of 2021, the persecution of Christians by Myanmar’s military (Tatmadaw) shows no sign of relenting. Christian-majority Chin State has been especially severely hit by airstrikes. Even IDP (internally displaced persons) camps are targeted, forcing displaced believers to flee more than once. Pray for an end to the Tatmadaw’s violence towards Christians and Myanmar’s other minorities. Ask the Lord to protect those displaced and that vital supplies will reach those in need. Pray that they will soon be able to return to their communities.
Please pray for 22 Christian orphans from Myanmar being cared for by a Barnabas Aid project partner in Thailand. These children lost their parents in the many attacks on villages and camps for IDPs (internally displaced persons) in Christian-majority areas of Myanmar before seeking refuge across the border. “As these children grow, we are deeply committed to building a safe haven for them,” writes our partner, “a secure environment where they can grow, learn and serve God.” As part of this vision, pray for the success of a Barnabas-funded project to build a new home for the children, a replacement for their current shelter which is crumbling and dilapidated. Ask also that they will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
The Maldives claims to have a 100% Muslim population. The constitution states that “a non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives”. Because of this, Maldivian Christians are predominantly secret believers. If discovered, they may be stripped of their citizenship. All non-Muslim worship is forbidden, and owning a Bible is punishable by death. Apostasy is a criminal offence, and any criticism of Islam is illegal. Parliament is constitutionally banned from passing laws contrary to Islam, and foreign Christians are forbidden from sharing their faith with Maldivians. Pray for the secret believers of the Maldives. Ask the Lord to preserve their faith amidst many trials and strengthen them through the Holy Spirit even in their isolation from their brothers and sisters in Christ.
We humbly come before You, Lord Jesus, to thank You for Your saving grace. As we prepare over the coming weeks to mark the start of Your life here on Earth, we bow our heads in humility and gratitude for all that You have done for us. You came down to this world and walked amongst the people You have made, giving us the ultimate example of how to live. Your saving work on the cross redeemed us. Help us, Lord, to live in accordance with Your teachings and to love one another as You loved us. (John 1:10; 1 Peter 2:21; Galatians 3:13; John 13:34)
