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Give thanks for the initiative of project partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who have restored agricultural land to provide for the Christian community. After a once-productive farming area was devastated by Islamist violence in North Kivu province, Barnabas provided 870 families with seeds, tools and food to sustain them until harvest time. Each household has since planted 1,000 square metres of maize and/or beans. Sixteen leaders have been trained in good agricultural practices, and training of households is ongoing. Praise God that early results showed good germination and strong plant growth. Pray for strong harvests and provision and protection for our brothers and sisters in North Kivu.
Islamist violence against Christian communities in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo shows no sign of coming to an end. An online poster released by an Islamic State-supporting source in early 2026 stated that the massacre of Christians took place “after they refused to embrace faith [or] pay their jizya”. Fighters from Islamic State Central Africa Province regularly demanded that Christians convert to Islam, pay the jizya tax as dhimmi (subjugated people), or face death. In just one incident in February, 21 believers were killed in the Lubero District of North Kivu. Ask the Lord to deliver His people from their enemies, from those who rise up against them (Psalm 59:1).
At the time of writing, half a million people are displaced in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Over the last 18 months displacements have been driven largely by the armed rebel group known as the M23 Movement, as well as other armed groups such as Islamic State Central Africa Province. The civilian population of this Christian-majority region is close to reaching “utter desperation”, according to experts monitoring the unfolding humanitarian crisis. Please pray for the success of Barnabas Aid’s efforts to provide our brothers and sisters with urgent care, long-term support and spiritual encouragement.
Three Barnabas-funded two-day training sessions in Uganda for 87 Muslim-background believers, including some church leaders, aimed to build their faith in relation to their former religion. Informative and encouraging sessions enabled participants to understand challenges faced by those who convert from Islam and forms of persecution encountered. Identifying misconceptions and misunderstandings about Jesus, and other issues, was helpful in equipping attendees to relate effectively to Muslims. Give thanks for the vital opportunity these sessions provided for Muslim-background believers in Uganda to set down deeper roots in their Christian faith, especially those ministering in Muslim-majority areas. Pray that all attendees will grow spiritually in understanding and sharing their faith (Philemon v.6).
“Angeline”, a mother of three in Burundi, was abandoned by her husband after she left Islam to follow Christ. He “left her without hope”, according to a Barnabas Aid project partner. Yet, in Christ, Angeline now has an eternal hope that can never be taken away; she has been abandoned by the world, but not by the Lord. Angeline is just one of the planned beneficiaries of a sustainable pig-farming initiative, funded by Barnabas Aid supporters and linked to our Barnabas Brekkie campaign. Please pray that this project will help and sustain brothers and sisters in Burundi, including those who have been left destitute after converting to Christianity.
Increased regulation of churches in Rwanda represents “a strategy to isolate Rwandan churches from global evangelical influence, thereby consolidating state control over religious life in the country”, according to one pastor. Since March 2025 churches have been subject to enhanced infrastructure and health-and-safety rules, some of which have been welcomed by church leaders. However, legal requirements for churches to have a minimum of 1,000 members and for pastors to hold undergraduate degrees are viewed as needlessly repressive. “This act feels like a targeted restriction on religious freedom,” added the pastor. Intercede for our brothers and sisters in Rwanda, asking that the Lord will give them wisdom in responding to these regulations.
Lord Jesus, we ask You to guide those of Your people living in countries where there are severe legal restrictions on public expressions of worship, assembly and preaching. Please grant them wisdom to be faithful in communicating Your Word within the limitations they encounter, but also the discernment to realise when they must obey God rather than men. Empower them to demonstrate the freedom they have in representing You, for we ask in Your holy Name. (Acts 5:29)
In late 2025 the Maldivian parliament passed the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill, which strengthens restrictions on press freedom and freedom of speech. The law bars any content considered contrary to Islam, and permits a new commission to issue warnings or fines for non-compliance. The public practice of Christianity and the sharing of the Gospel are already illegal in the Maldives, which requires all citizens to be Muslim and enshrines Islam as the state religion. Because of this, Christians in the Maldives are predominantly secret believers. Please intercede for our Maldivian brothers and sisters as they live under repression and hostility.
Christians in Bangladesh cautiously welcomed the outcome of the first elections since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Despite initial concerns, Islamist political parties did not gain a majority. Undeterred, extremists within the country’s Muslim majority continue to harass believers, with Barnabas Aid contacts reporting that four evangelists in northern Bangladesh were captured by Muslim village leaders and held by police, before being released and threatened with death. Ask God to strengthen pastors and believers, granting them courage and wisdom. Pray that leaders and authorities in Bangladesh will uphold justice, restrain violence and protect all citizens equally. May Christ’s peace overcome fear and bring lasting stability to the nation (Matthew 5:9).
Our brothers and sisters in Nepal face extreme poverty, social stigma, exclusion and disadvantage because of both their “low-caste” status and their faith in Christ. Thanks to you, Barnabas Aid project partners are providing schooling and vocational training, as well as shelter for at-risk girls and women who have suffered abuse. Pray that this work will continue to be a blessing to marginalised Nepali Christians, lifting believers out of poverty and strengthening the Church.
Give thanks to God for His provision and protection for displaced Christian families in Myanmar. Barnabas supporters have provided particularly in Sagaing, where 254 households have been affected by conflict and persecution. Praise Him for the network of local churches and volunteers delivering food, blankets and mats, bringing immediate relief and hope to those in desperate need. Thank the Lord for the provision of high-quality rice and essential supplies, sustaining children, the elderly, and pregnant mothers, and helping to stabilise communities while long-term solutions are developed. Give thanks that, even amid violence and loss, God remains the source of hope and the miracle that sustains His people (Psalm 34:18).
Three-day training sessions for 315 Christian primary school teachers have been delivered at five separate locations in conflict-afflicted areas of Myanmar. The sessions, funded by Barnabas, focused on increasing participants’ knowledge of child psychology, teaching methodology and classroom management. For some of the teachers, this was their first proper training received because of the disruption caused by the conflict. Pray for strong encouragement for the teachers who attended to put principles learned into practice that benefit the children in their care. Pray that the training will bear much fruit as the teachers relate with increased understanding to 6,000 students in church-based schools in impoverished rural areas of Myanmar.
Thank the Lord for His faithfulness in strengthening Christian education in Malaysia. Praise Him for the more than 110 teachers who received training in child-centred literacy, hands-on learning and spiritual development, equipping them to nurture both the minds and hearts of their students. Praise Him too for the provision of model classrooms, teaching resources, partial-salary support for 29 teachers, as well as scholarships for 275 indigenous students that enable access to quality education and developing a Christ-centred learning environment. Pray that the Christian education received by these children will be a blessing to them throughout their lives (Proverbs 22:6).
Heavenly Father, we bring before You believers in Eritrea who follow Christ amid hardship and persecution. Strengthen our brothers and sisters with Your Holy Spirit as they worship You in secret. Give courage and hope to all Christians who are imprisoned in desperate and inhuman conditions, never knowing when, or if, they will be freed. We pray that the light of your Word will overcome the darkness in Eritrea, so that all who believe in You can worship without fear, for we ask it in our Saviour’s glorious name. (John 8:12)
“The joy of receiving a Bible is lasting and unforgettable, for it will remain with me forever.” This declaration came from an Ethiopian boy as teenage students, released from their classes, were among those who received a copy of the Bible. Our partners in Ethiopia distributed 136 Bibles in the Oromo and Amharic languages to new disciples, and Christians who could not otherwise afford a Bible. Some rural believers without transport walked up to two hours because of their hunger to receive God’s Word. Praise God for the provision of His Holy Word and ask that the hunger of His people in Ethiopia will be satisfied as they earnestly seek Him through the Scriptures.
At the time of writing, there are concerns about the risk of a new war in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, involving Ethiopian government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front alongside forces from neighbouring Eritrea. Such a war would prove to be disastrous for Tigray and for the wider East African region; Tigray also borders Sudan, itself embroiled in civil war. Many Christians were among the victims of a massacre carried out when war flared up in Tigray five years ago. Pray urgently for a peaceful solution to the ongoing tensions in northern Ethiopia and across East Africa.
“No corner of Sudan is safe from attack,” says Rosemary DiCarlo, a former US diplomat and expert on conflict and peacebuilding. There is, she added, “total impunity for the perpetrators of a long list of atrocities and war crimes”. Both sides in the civil war that has raged across the Republic of Sudan since April 2023 are accused of crimes against the civilian population. This includes the slaughter of more than 6,000 people in the city of El Fasher in a three-day massacre in October 2025, and killings have continued in the opening months of 2026. Many Christians are among those who have fled the country for safety. Ask that efforts to bring a peaceful solution to this conflict and immense humanitarian disaster will bear fruit.
Give thanks for the establishment of a learning hub in South Sudan. Barnabas partners have set up a solar charging system and purchased laptops, a storage unit and study guides to facilitate instruction in Christian Education and Digital Literacy skills to 30 young Christian beneficiaries. Facilitators have begun training in basic computer operation, internet navigation, online safety, and office applications. They are also delivering teaching in structured Biblical literacy, core doctrine, and providing faith-based resilience sessions. Pray for the success of this programme and that all learners will grow in spiritual knowledge and wisdom, as well as developing practical skills to contribute significantly to South Sudan’s future for years to come.
Praise God for the recent Barnabas-funded feeding project in Egypt, which provided essential meals to vulnerable Christian families struggling with poverty and rising living costs. Many recipients live in remote or under-served areas, where access to basic food is limited. Give thanks that God’s provision met immediate needs and brought practical encouragement to these brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that such acts of love will strengthen faith, develop community, and shine as a witness of Christ’s compassion to their neighbours. Ask the Lord to continue sustaining the Church in Egypt, enabling believers to remain steadfast amid social and economic pressures.
Pray for the Church in Algeria, now estimated at just 120,000 believers living as a tiny minority (0.1% of the population) under increasing persecution. Ask God to grant courage and boldness, that His people may witness faithfully despite risks. Pray for the Word of God to bear fruit among Algerians, opening hearts to hear and receive the Gospel. Ask for justice and legal protection for believers, asking God to restrain oppression and end official persecution. Intercede for church leaders, that they may endure challenges, display the fruits of the Spirit, and model Christlikeness in their communities. May God’s grace sustain His Church in this overwhelmingly unreached nation.
Sovereign Lord, we lift up to You all our brothers and sisters in North Korea who must follow You in secret, knowing that discovery will lead to imprisonment, torture or death. We do not know their names, but You do. We give thanks for their courage and ask that You will comfort those held in prison or labour camps, sustain families torn apart and remind them that they are never alone (Deuteronomy 31:6). We pray that all those in authority will have a life-changing encounter with You, and that their hearts will be transformed from stone to flesh, for we ask in the precious Name of Jesus. (Ezekiel 36:26)
Over the past several years the Chinese Church has become subject to increased restriction and regulation, including the stipulation that church leaders must be those who “love the motherland, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, [and] practise the core values of socialism”. The result is that the official Three-Self Protestant Church enjoys less freedom, while unofficial “house churches” are more likely to be targeted by the authorities. Continue to pray for wisdom and clarity for Christians in China, that they will be able to navigate legal restrictions as they seek to serve the Lord faithfully.
“God has been our strength and provider,” says Susanna Liew, describing how her faith has sustained her and her children during their nine-year campaign to discover the truth about the abduction of her husband, Pastor Raymond Koh. The Malaysian High Court recently held the government and the police responsible for kidnapping the pastor close to their home in Kuala Lumpur on 13 February 2017. However, that judgement was immediately challenged by the government and Susanna’s quest for answers continues. Drawing strength from Romans 8:28, Susanna explains, “It is my faith in God that keeps me going.” Pray that the truth about Pastor Koh’s disappearance will be revealed and that justice will prevail. Ask for continued strength, courage and perseverance for Susanna and her children, and ask the Lord to surround them with His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Marqus Masih, a young Pakistani Christian labourer, was allegedly murdered by his Muslim employers, who then tried to make the death look like a suicide. Marqus had been employed by Muhammad Basharat and his son Muhammad Muhsin for four years. His body was found hanging from a noose, but there were visible signs of torture on the body and the postmortem confirmed that he was hanged after he had been killed. At the time of writing, the father and son have been arrested in connection with Marqus’ death. Pray that Marqus’ family (his widowed mother, three brothers and a sister) will be comforted as they grieve. Ask the Lord to guide our partners as they provide legal support and pursue their case in court. Pray for a just outcome and an end to exploitation of vulnerable Christian labourers in Pakistan.
A Christian family in Punjab, Pakistan, has been threatened with accusations of “blasphemy” if they try to reclaim their home, which was allegedly seized by a Muslim neighbour. Sarwar Masih says that the property in Gujranwala has been his family’s home for 70 years. Accusations of “blasphemy” frequently trigger mob violence and even killings. Pray for a just conclusion to this case, that the family will be restored to its home and the occupiers brought to sober reflection and repentance, as well as awe at how God defends and sustains His people.
Christians are a marginalised and persecuted group in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka. Local authorities and Buddhist extremists, including monks, perpetuate the false idea that Christian worship is forbidden without permission from the authorities and try to shut down services and prayer meetings in private homes. Converts to Christianity suffer harassment and hostility, whether they have converted from Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam. Pray for courage and perseverance for Sri Lankan Christians, especially converts. Call on the Lord to protect pastors and congregations, asking Him to strengthen those in rural areas where hostility is most intense.
The constitution of India enshrines religious freedom and requires the state to treat all religions impartially. In practice, however, Christians (and Muslims) often experience harassment from extremists within Indian society. Many believers also face marginalisation and discrimination as Dalits – that is, those of the lowest status according to the caste system. Ask the Lord to bless and help His people throughout India.
Father God, we pray for our Church family in Saudi Arabia, who dare not speak openly of their love for You. We give thanks for the small but growing number of converts, who live under the constant threat of discovery and imprisonment. Please protect them and strengthen them in the certain knowledge that the Lord God is with them wherever they go (Joshua 1:9). We ask that the Holy Spirit will open the hearts of the Saudi people to the Gospel, and they will find truth and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose mighty Name we pray.
In Morocco, approximately 20,000 believers (0.2% of the population) are steadily growing in faith. Pray for unity and fellowship among believers, that they will encourage one another under societal pressure. Lift up those seeking truth in this largely unreached Muslim-majority nation, asking God to reveal Himself and guide their steps to Christ. Pray for integrity and wisdom for government and religious leaders, that justice and righteousness will prevail. May the Church shine as a spiritual light, growing in maturity and influence despite challenges.
The Church in Tunisia counts about 15,000 believers from Muslim backgrounds (0.5% of the population) and continues to grow steadily. Pray that God strengthens this small minority with courage, wisdom and boldness to live faithfully and witness for Christ. Lift up the unreached majority (99.2%), praying that hearts are opened to the Gospel and seekers find salvation. Pray for unity, fellowship and perseverance among believers, and for protection from persecution. Ask God to guide leaders with integrity and let His Spirit bear enduring fruit throughout Tunisia.