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As we begin a new year, praise our Lord that some things never change, such as His love, mercy and faithfulness. Be grateful also that God does bring about change through His people and that His kingdom is advancing. Pray that Barnabas Aid and our many project partners will know His guidance and discernment throughout 2026 in supporting suffering Christians worldwide and extending the reach of His grace. Pray that every project and initiative will honour Him, build His Church and enable His kingdom to grow. (Lamentations 3:22-23; Mark 4:26-29)
Praise the Lord that a Barnabas Aid project partner is providing skills training for 150 young believers displaced by Islamist violence in central Nigeria. These brothers and sisters in Christ fled to the city to escape the cycle of violence that affects rural communities, but found themselves without work. Now they have received knitting and corn-grinding machines, along with training in how to use them. Alongside these young Christians were 57 new believers – converts from Islam who had lost everything when they turned to Christ. “We are happy to help those who have come to know and accept Jesus as their Lord to start their new life,” reported our partner. Pray that this training will give each of the recipients a means of earning a living.
You could only have been sent by God at a time like this.” These were the words of a believer in Plateau State, Nigeria, who was among hundreds who received hygiene items, mosquito nets, blankets and medical treatment funded by Barnabas Aid supporters. The Christians of Plateau State have suffered greatly at the hands of Islamists – dozens were killed and more than 1,000 displaced in a single wave of violence. Praise God for the provision that leads His faithful people to sing for joy (Psalm 132:15-16).
O God, You are our God; we seek You earnestly. In a dry and weary land, we thirst for Your presence and long to behold Your power and glory. Your steadfast love is better than life, and our lips will praise You for Your faithfulness. Strengthen all who hunger for Your Word and uphold those who worship amid trials and uncertainty. May they find joy beneath the shadow of Your wings and courage in Your care. Satisfy us, Lord, as with the richest of feasts, and let our lives overflow with worship, trust and gratitude. May we shine as witnesses to Your enduring love and mercy in all the world, in Jesus’ Name. (Psalm 63)
Lift before the Lord the people of the Middle East, especially following the recent ceasefire. Thank Him for this pause in the conflict and pray that it will hold, giving space for healing and reconciliation. Ask the Lord to comfort those who have suffered loss, to restore hope to the weary, and to protect the vulnerable. Pray for leaders to act wisely and courageously, and for peacemakers to be strengthened in their work. Ask the Lord to be, through the Holy Spirit, especially close to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lift before the Lord the Christians of Palestine (less than 0.7% of the population), asking that He will protect and strengthen them in their daily lives (Psalm 46:1). Intercede on their behalf for courage and hope as they live amid political tension and uncertainty. Ask God to sustain their faith, deepen their love for Him, and guide them as they serve their communities with grace and wisdom (Philippians 1:9–11). Pray for safety, provision and peace in their homes and churches. Pray also that they will be witnesses of Christ’s light and love, bringing hope to those around them (Matthew 5:14–16), and that God’s Spirit will uphold them through every challenge they face. May they feel His presence and comfort each day as they live in an increasingly restricted context (Isaiah 41:10).
“Thank you for standing with those who are struggling, and those who need help,” expressed a Lebanese sister in Christ. Barnabas Aid reached out to believers in Lebanon with the distribution of food.gives boxes to 153 families (536 individuals in total). This area of Lebanon, south of Beirut, is home to many Christian families who suffered greatly during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) and more recent conflicts. Praise the Lord for the safe delivery of aid and pray that the Church throughout Lebanon will be greatly encouraged by Barnabas Aid’s support.
Please pray for Christians in Syria, who face continual harassment and violence at the hands of extremists. Church buildings have been daubed with graffiti; in one case, the words painted on the church wall threatened to carry out an attack like the one that left 25 dead at Mar Elias Church near Damascus in June 2025. Two other believers, cousins Wissam and Shafiq Mansour, both aged 39, were shot dead by a masked gunman on a motorbike while sitting outside in their home village of Anaz, in the Valley of the Christians (Wadi al-Nasara) in rural Homs in early October. Ask the Lord to strengthen our brothers and sisters as they endure these severe trials.
Ask the Lord to continue to sustain the faith of His people in Syria as they face violence and uncertainty. Pray for church leaders as they bring healing and hope through education, healthcare and compassion. Intercede for the new government, that it will act with wisdom and integrity, upholding justice, protecting the vulnerable, and safeguarding all communities regardless of faith (1 Timothy 2:1–2). Pray that its leaders will seek peace over power, unity over division, and righteousness over corruption. Pray for an end to extremist violence and for reconciliation among Syria’s divided peoples. Ask God to restore peace across the country, and to shine His light upon this ancient land (Isaiah 9:2).
Two of the oldest church buildings in Mosul, Iraq – Saint Thomas and Al-Tahira – have reopened years after they were destroyed by Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh). Thank God for the restoration of these historic churches, a powerful symbol of hope and faith. Pray for the continued protection and strengthening of believers in Mosul, that they may worship freely and rebuild their communities in peace. Ask God to grant wisdom and courage to church leaders and members as they restore both their places of worship and their witness in the city. May the light of Christ shine brightly once again in Mosul, bringing healing, reconciliation and transformation to this land that has endured so much.
Thank You, Jesus, for the Christian schools where Christian children can get an education in a loving environment surrounded by other believers. Thank You for enabling us to support these little children in their education, when without these schools they would otherwise be forced to learn in an oppressive environment where they may be persecuted for their faith. We pray that these schools will enable the children to grow strong in faith as they also grow their knowledge, so that by the time they finish their studies they will be well-informed, faithful Christians set up for a life that will help them escape the poverty cycle in which so many persecuted believers are trapped.
Kevin, a 12-year-old Pakistani Christian, used to be afraid to go to school because he was bullied for his faith in Christ. Thanks to Barnabas Aid’s Living Streams sponsorship initiative, Kevin has been given a place at a Christian school funded by our supporters’ gifts. Today Kevin looks forward to going into class, where, he says, his voice now matters. “This place has given him courage and a future,” says Kevin’s thankful mother. Praise God that Kevin is now free from fear. Pray for an end to the bullying that Christian children suffer in some mainstream schools in Pakistan and ask that we can help many more youngsters, like Kevin, through Living Streams.
Praise God for the successful distribution of food.gives boxes to 70 impoverished Christian families in Sindh, Pakistan. Heavy rains and flooding in the province had increased the vulnerability of such families who are already marginalised through poverty, social exclusion and displacement. Many of the families are converts from Hinduism and face discrimination and a daily struggle to establish secure livelihoods. Ask the Lord to continue to provide for His people in Pakistan and guide them as they seek a route out of poverty.
Pray for the bereaved family of Pakistani Christian Afzal Masih, 46 years old, who was shot dead while on his way to attend an annual Christian festival. He was among a group of Christians waiting outside their hired van as tyres were filled at a tyre repair shop between Lahore and Mariamabad when the shooter opened fire. Afzal was targeted because he had protested at harassment by motorcyclists blocking the road. Pray that Afzal’s widow and four sons will receive God’s comfort and practical support as they grieve. Ask that the perpetrator, identified as Muhammad Waqas, will be brought to justice, but also ultimately to repentance and trust in Jesus.
Please pray for the recovery of Pastor Kamran Naz, who survived a murder attempt in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, but was left with a wounded leg. Two gunmen attacked Pastor Kamran while on his way to lead a Sunday morning service. He had previously relocated to Gujranwala from Islamabad after receiving several death threats, but continued to travel on Sundays between the two cities to minister at the church. Give thanks that Pastor Kamran survived this attack and pray for his recovery. Ask for protection for the pastor, his family and the church in Islamabad, that their faith will grow stronger despite the opposition. Pray that the perpetrators will be identified and called to account.
Thirty Chinese Christians, including their founding pastor, were arrested in October in a crackdown on one of China’s major unofficial churches. Pastor Jin Mingri was arrested at his home in the southern region of Guangxi on “suspicion of the illegal use of information networks”. Jin founded the Zion Church in 2007, and it has since developed a large following both online and in-person. Unofficial churches such as Zion are illegal in China. Pray for the release of the detained Christians. Ask God to stay with them in their imprisonment, granting them the courage to remain strong in their faith. Ask the Lord Jesus to comfort the families of those arrested.
“North Korea faces unprecedented threats in terms of information inflow,” says Sohn Kwang-joo, who chaired the 2025 Seoul World Convention on North Korean Human Rights. Among the information breaching the borders of this repressive, totalitarian state is the Word of God, as digital copies of the Scriptures are smuggled across the border. Pray earnestly for the safety of those risking their lives to bring God’s Word to North Korea. Ask that the underground churches of North Korea will be strengthened, and more people come to know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.
Heavenly Father, we pray for millions of people around the world who go hungry each day, many of them facing acute famine. We cry out to You to overturn factors that prevent, restrict or slow down relief. We pray that the need to feed the hungry will be an increasing priority for governments to serve those afflicted through grinding poverty, conflict and natural disasters. Please raise up godly individuals to facilitate the distribution of aid to where it is most needed. Help us to play our part, knowing that in caring practically for malnourished believers we are serving the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose wonderful Name we pray. (Matthew 25:35-40)
Aid groups in Myanmar’s Kayah State have warned of worsening food shortages as the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) continues its campaign against civilians. Kayah (also known as Karenni) State is home to a large Christian community. In the weeks before this warning, a church building in the state was heavily damaged in what a local community leader described as “a deliberate attack on a civilian location”. Pray for all the victims of brutality in Kayah. Intercede especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ, asking that their faith will be strengthened even as they experience hardship.
Fifteen people were left injured after the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) bombed a group of displaced Christians in Myanmar’s northern Shan State. A Barnabas Aid contact reported that most of the victims were women and children. According to local media, more than 10,000 people have been displaced by fighting in the state. Ask the Lord, who declares Himself a refuge for the oppressed (Psalm 9:9), to protect our brothers and sisters, and bring peace for all those affected by the ongoing violence.
Please pray for the 170 children attending a Barnabas-funded Christian school in Myanmar. These children have spent much of their young lives in a land of war and violent persecution. Pray for their safety, health and emotional wellbeing. Ask that they grow in faith, joy and confidence as they learn in a loving Christian environment. Pray also for the teachers and staff, that God will give them wisdom, patience and encouragement, as well as for the families, that they will experience hope and peace despite the hardships of war. Give thanks to God for the donors who make this school possible and pray that it continues to be a place of blessing.
The Malaysian High Court has ruled that the government is responsible for the enforced disappearance of Christian pastor Raymond Koh in February 2017, when Pastor Koh was abducted in broad daylight in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The court found that serving and former police personnel were involved. CCTV footage showed multiple vehicles and men in tactical gear surrounding his car. His wife, Susanna Liew, has led a sustained effort for truth and accountability. The court ordered more than RM37 million (£6.3 million; $7.5 million; €6.9 million) in compensation to Koh’s family, payable when his fate is confirmed. Pray that Malaysian authorities act transparently in establishing the truth, and for justice for his family. Ask for the protection and freedom of the Christian community in Malaysia, especially its leaders.
The people of Laos are some of the poorest in the world, with one in five citizens living in poverty. Christians of Laos are often among the poorest, and many experience persecution and harassment by local officials. Both poverty and persecution are more pronounced in rural areas, where communities rely on subsistence farming. Barnabas is helping our persecuted and impoverished brothers and sisters by providing pigs and chickens to more than 1,500 Christians living in the country’s north. The gift of these animals will empower beneficiaries by providing them with a sustainable, long-term source of income and nutrition. Praise the Lord that we are able to help our brothers and sisters gain sustainable income for themselves and their future generations. Pray that this project will be successful and as many Christians as possible, both current and future, will benefit from it.
“Thank God my children and I are safe. I just hope the children recover soon, and that we can raise some fish and chickens to survive…” These were the words of Nguyen, a Christian woman in northern Vietnam. Nguyen and her family are among the victims of typhoons and floods that struck South-East Asia late last year. They are farmers who raise and sell chickens and fish, and lost their means of income when the floods hit. As well as this, three of Nguyen’s children were hospitalised after accidentally drinking contaminated water. Barnabas Aid’s project partner – a network of Vietnamese churches – is providing food, medical supplies and home repairs. Pray that as many Christians as possible will get the help they need to start rebuilding their lives. Ask for comfort for those who have lost their homes, family members or means of income to this disaster.
Lord Jesus, we cry out on behalf of our brothers and sisters who face natural disasters – those whose homes have been destroyed, whose family members are injured or killed, who have lost their possessions and livelihood. Whether they are homeless, grieving, without their daily necessities, or otherwise traumatised, we pray that You will bring them comfort. Help them remember, O Lord, that even if they have lost everything else, they will never lose You. Give them the strength to move forward and rebuild their lives. Even though some things can never be replaced, let them be comforted in the knowledge that all things are according to Your plan.
Please continue to pray for Christians in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as Islamist violence continues. Around 30 believers were slaughtered in a single attack in the village of Mukundo, Lubero District, North Kivu Province. According to a statement from Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), the “caliphate soldiers” also burned 27 homes and several shops. Pray earnestly that the Lord will bring an end to the Islamist violence that has claimed the lives of so many of our brothers and sisters in DRC. Ask Him to comfort the bereaved and the traumatised, granting them a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) has reiterated its pledge of allegiance (bay’a) to the central Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) in a new propaganda film published online. In the film, ISCAP boasts of having “ignited wars on the Christians and their armies in the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and Uganda over the past decade, killing them, expelling them, setting fire to their churches and barracks, and cutting off their means of trade”. More than 650 Christians were killed in north-eastern DRC in the first ten months of 2025. Pray that the Lord will rise up against the enemies of His people and decree justice (Psalm 7:6).
Terror has gripped Goma city, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, since it was seized by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in early 2025. Conditions inside the city were described as inhumane by Barnabas Aid’s project partners, especially because rebel fighters have forbidden any distribution of food relief and closed camps for displaced people. Praise God that our partners were able to deliver Barnabas funding that provided food for 150 displaced Christian families sheltering with fellow Christians in the city. Pray for an end to violence and fear in Goma. Ask that the needs of all civilians are met, especially those of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thanks to our generous supporters, Barnabas Aid is funding the training of 13,000 pastors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Rwanda and South Sudan. The aim, says our project partner, is to equip church leaders with “robust theological lessons, practical skills and a supportive network”. These faithful under-shepherds of Christ’s flock serve in contexts of poverty and hardship. Believers in parts of DRC live with the deadly threat of Islamist terrorism. Increasingly, pastors in Rwanda are barred from their ministry by the government if they do not have this kind of training. Please pray for the success of this project and for the strengthening of the Church.
Please pray that the Lord will enable Christians around this world to be faithful peacemakers in their homes, communities and nations (Matthew 5:9). Pray that they will reflect Christ’s love, wisdom and humility, bringing reconciliation where there is conflict (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). Ask God to give them courage to speak truth gently (Ephesians 4:15), patience to listen (James 1:19), and hearts ready to forgive (Colossians 3:13). Pray for strength to stand for justice and compassion in the face of hostility (Micah 6:8; Romans 12:21). May their words and actions point others to God’s peace, healing divisions and encouraging understanding (Romans 14:19).
Lift before the Lord displaced Christian families, particularly the Sudanese refugees in Egypt. Pray for their physical needs – clean water, food, clothing, housing and healthcare, as well as education and vocational opportunities. Pray also for their emotional and spiritual well-being, that trauma, grief and isolation will be met with God’s comfort, healing and hope. Pray that these refugees will experience a renewed sense of belonging, courage and purpose, and that their faith will remain steadfast. Praise God for His provision to our brothers and sisters through Barnabas Aid and our supporters.
