Authorities want to close all of Zanzibar's churches.
Authorities want to close all of Zanzibar's churches.
Aug. 16, 2018 | Tanzania

Church Closed in Zanzibar

[220] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Pastor Daniel and Congregation.

In May, authorities in Zanzibar interrupted a church service before arresting the pastor and closing the church. Pastor Daniel Kwileba Kwiyeya was in mid-sermon when police officers entered the church and took him by the arm. After the pastor’s daughter protested his arrest, she also was arrested and taken to the police station with her father. The 160-member congregation then went back inside the church and began praying. Muslim leaders in the area had complained that the church services were too loud, even though the church does not use loudspeakers as do the mosques. On April 26, the regional district commissioner ordered the church to close, but the church refused to comply. Instead, they filed an objection. Church members say the closure was a calculated move to weaken and ultimately eradicate Christianity in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous island with heavy Islamist influence. Pray for Pastor Daniel and his congregation. Pray that the church will be allowed to stay open.

Write your own prayer for Pastor Daniel and Congregation

  • Father, all these months after this incident, I thank You for all that You have kept faithful through these difficulties and pressures. I ask for Your people in this country. Keep them to the name of Jesus and the truth of the Scripture. Provide their needs, Enable them to forgive their persecutors. Let Your will be fully accomplished in them.
    Karen K - USA
  • Our Father, thank You for leading Pastor Daniel and Your own's in Zanzibar. Thank You for showing for every person their tasks. You are our Master, our Teacher and a Love One. Thank You for Your presence in Tanzania and here. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
    Maria D - Finland
  • Help Pastor Daniel and his congregation remain faithful, Oh Lord.
    Mark M - USA
  • Lord, we pray for your Church in Zanzibar. Thank you that no authority on this earth can stand against your Church, whether they are allowed to meet in this building or not. Strengthen Pastor Daniel and each member of the congregation and help them to continue to grow strong in your Word. We praise you for your faithfulness.
    Jackie V - USA
  • Let the Lord bless Pastor Daniel and Congregation and watch guard and keep them. Let the Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten Pastor Daniel and Congregation and be gracious. Let the Lord lift up His countenance upon Pastor Daniel and Congregation and give them peace. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
    Maria D - Finland
  • ABBA the church is where your flock gathers. May children receive books from VOM to cause them to focus & enjoy stories about Jesus. Love of God penetrate their hearts and capture their attention to look to you for spiritual & moral support. Protect and comfort them & meet their needs God. You alone are their shield and provider
    Benedicta N - USA
  • Father, anoint Pastor Daniel and his congregation with your Holy Spirit and unusual patience and strength as they undergo this persecution. Intervene and allow them to stay open.
    Kathleen R - USA
  • Dear Lord, thank You for Pastor Daniel and his church in Zanzibar. We praise You for their faith in Christ. Glory to You for boldness shown by the members and the understanding You gave. We ask that You allow this church to remain open. We ask that Pastor Daniel and his congregation would not grow weary, but instead, cause this ministry to grow!
    Peg B - USA
  • Father honor your promise to these believers to never leave or forsake them. Fill them with a joy which causes them to leap for joy. Take away all despair and fear. Use them in a mighty way to lead others to you. Fill them with your peace. Free the imprisoned believers and let them feel joy and peace at being counted worthy to suffer for your name.
    Kendall P - USA
  • I pray this persecution will make the church grow in numbers and in spiritual resolve. I agree with my brothers and sisters in Christ for the release of the pastor and his daughter. In Jesus Name, amen.
    Debbie M - USA
  • We lift up this faithful church. May the closure not prevail. Use the church, the pastor and his daughter, faithful in prayer for your perfect glory. Remind them of their reward and encourage them to fight the good fight, not against flesh and blood, but powers and principalities. Protect them and be their refuge! Amen in Jesus' name
    Grace O - USA
  • Heavenly Father, I pray for Pastor Daniel and his congregation. I pray that the church be allowed to stay open. I also pray that Zanzibar be a country with religious freedom and tolerance. I also pray that the 160 member congregation not give up their faith and that you will help them daily. Amen.
    Brian E - USA
  • Father, move on the behalf of this pastor and his daughter and their church. I pray you guide them in knowing how to handle this situation. I pray for those who are opposing them. Lord, may your Spirit deal with their hearts, and they see their need for you, for the truth. Father, strengthen your children, direct their steps, put words in their mouths
    Polly C - USA
  • Thank you God for Pastor Daniel and the congregation, we pray for their unconditional release, pls Lord fight their battles, let not any obnoxious law against Christians and the freedom of worship stand, uphold Christians and let not the counsel of the evil ones stand. Through these Christians, let souls be won to your kingdom in Jesus name.
    funke a - Nigeria
  • Our Father, thank You for Your work in Zanzsibar. Thank You for remember Pastor Daniel's case. Thank You for taking care of him and his daughter. Please help that the chuch could stay open. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
    Maria D - Finland
  • Lord we pray for this church and their stance against evil. May they prevail in victory, Amen
    jeff h - USA
  • Father thank You for the believers in Zanzibar. Please keep them safe and strong. I pray that they would be a light in the midst of darkness. I pray for Pastor Daniel and his congregation. Strengthen them with power by Your Holy Spirit and please keep the doors of that church open. Bless them all. In the Name of Yeshua, Amen.
    Kia W - USA
  • Dear Father, I pray for Pastor Daniel and his congregation. I pray that You will use this persecution for Your glory - that many thousands more will come to a faith in Jesus Christ because of the witness of these congregants. Bring peace to Zanzibar through a great awakening, please Lord! All for Your glory. In the mighty Name of Jesus, amen.
    Tricia G - USA
  • Father, thank You for Pastor Daniel and his church. Comfort them. Strengthen their faith. Provide for their needs. Protect them. Allow them to see Your power and glory at work. Enable them to continue to gather for worship and encourage each other in the faith. Use them to win many to Christ.
    Janet A - USA
  • I pray that Pastor Daniel and his congregation would continue to walk boldly for You, believing the truth and power of Your gospel and proclaiming it to those around them. Demolish the arguments that oppose them and may this church continue to operate as a proclaimer of Your goodness and glory. May many hear and respond.
    Danielle H - USA
  • Holy Father, be with Pastor Daniel and his congregation as they face hardships for You. May the Spirit convict those around them to receive Jesus as their savior. May lives be transformed and may there be a harvest of souls coming to salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen
    Eli S - USA
  • Blessed Father of Heavens Army, protect your Church. May your glory shine to bring you honor in this time of trouble. I pray for Pastor Daniel and his congregation , may a loud voice from heaven minister to them. May this congregation grow to brind hope and the gift of salvation to the community.
    In Jesus name, Amen.
    Randy S - USA
  • Lord in the name of Jesus cause a major expansion of Christianity. May churches open all over Zanzibar. Send a revival and outpouring of your Holy Spirit upon the nation. May the Gospel spread rapidly. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Keep them safe. Thank you for doing it. Amen.
    Samimah S - USA
  • Father, please place your hedge of protection around Pastor Daniel and his church. Keep the doors open that allow your word for freely move throughout the country. Bless this body of believers who love and stand for you and bring others to your love. Let them be assured that there is no greater love for them than yours. Lord, keep them safe from harm.
    Joyce A - USA
  • Dear Father, thank You for Your faithful children in Zanzibar! "How beautiful are the feet of those who bting good news!". Thank You that You have already won the battle! Please give Pastor Daniel, his family, and all the congregation contentment and joy whatever their circumstances. Thank You for the tremendous growth of faith
    Linda H - USA
  • Father, please allow the church to remain open. Give the pastor and believers wisdom to know what to do in this and similar situations. May the church and believers have favor in the eyes of the authorities. May the believers let Jesus live through them so many others, including the Muslim leaders, be drawn in to a saving relationship with Jesus. Amen.
    Vicki Y - USA
  • I pray for Pastor Daniel and his congregation to stand strong in the face of such persecution. I pray that the Church will stay open and that a wonderful revival will burn across that land.
    Paul H - USA
  • Dear Father,

    Please help these harassed Christians and their pastor as they seek to peacefully worship You in spirit and in truth. Amen.
    Nancy P - USA
  • Father we pray strongly that this church can remain open and we pray for the pastor and all the congregants if they can be bold in our witness and lead many to faith in Jesus Christ woodwork in the hearts of the authorities to allow them to continue to worship freely provide and protect it for your people in Jesus name amen
    Julie R - USA
  • Dear Lord
    I pray for Pastor Daniel, his daughter, his congregation and all the Christian believers in Zanzibar. Strengthen them and give them grace. May Pastor Daniel and his daughter be released. May they Christians remain in You and continue to be a light in darkness. Calm their fears and embolden their hearts. May Your name be praised!
    Amen
    Madison F - USA
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