Christians in Sri Lanka worship openly, but under pressure.
Christians in Sri Lanka worship openly, but under pressure.
Sep. 03, 2020 | Sri Lanka

Villagers Demand an End to Christian Worship

[202] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Church members told to stop worshipping.

On June 28, a group of about 30 individuals descended on the Jesus Witness Church house service in eastern Sri Lanka, demanding that the family stop the worship. From outside, a member of the group phoned the pastor and told him he was not allowed to hold worship in their village. When the pastor asked who they were, the speaker told him they were from the Rural Development Society. When the pastor lodged a formal complaint at the police station, a policeman told him that he could not accept a complaint based on a telephone call. Later, the Officer-in-Charge reprimanded the officer and accepted the pastor’s complaint. Harassment like this is common in Sri Lanka, and pastors must have perseverance as they minister. Pray for this pastor and many others like him serving throughout the country.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Sri Lanka and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for Church members told to stop worshipping

  • Jesus, give wisdom, courage and comfort to this pastor and his family and all Christians in Sri Lanka. May those who torment them be touched by their kindness and persistence.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Dear Lord, thank you for intervening on Jesus Witness House behalf. Praise Your power & might in Sri Lanka, now, make more workers for the harvest. Open hearts & minds to Your Truth. Strengthen this pastor & church for the mighty works you are preparing to do. May all Sri Lanka magnify Your Name, thru Jesus Christ, your Son! Salvation is at hand.Amen
    SM D - USA
  • Father God, thank you for the boldness of the pastor to "fight back" and may the deceitful be convicted by their own lies until they come to repentance. Please continue to protect the church in Sri Lanka and may they be a great light for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for VOM and may their blessed work in Jesus continue and increase.
    Kathy G - USA
  • Father God, I praise You and ask that You please put a hedge of protection around my brethren in Sri Lanka as they continue to worship You, the One True God. Give them strength to all the pastors there discipline in Your Name. Embolden them to continue serving You in spite of the threats. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.
    Mary I - USA
  • I pray for this pastor and all who listen to him, may they be protected from harm and violence. May their nerves and anxiety be settled from minor issues and annoyances. May this country learn to treat everyone civilly, and may many more come to the faith or for now at least some form of it in the name of Jesus Christ our most beautiful Lord, amen.
    Angela L - USA
  • Thank you, God, for the faith of these believers. Please continue to provide hope and help to them as they deal with persecutions and attacks. Remind them that they are ever alone and that your reward is great.
    emily g - USA
  • Help these church members to continue on despite threats.
    Debbie V - USA
  • Thank You for allowing this complaint to be received, and I pray that You would continue to give grace and wisdom to church leaders responding to harassment. May they act in a way that is worthy of the gospel, and may they live demonstrating that obedience to You matters most. Please give them the freedom to continue worshiping together.
    Danielle H - USA
  • You say Father to not get weary in doing good works, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. As persecution and harassments continue on throughout Sri Lanka, I pray that Holy Spirit You will strengthen them with this promise. May You give them eyes to see the seeds of faith being planted and growing for Your glory. In Jesus' Name.
    Miranda J - USA
  • Dear Father, I come to You to intercede on behalf of my brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. I pray the pastors will be allowed to preach the Word, and for my fellow believers to be able to attend and draw strength and encouragement. I pray for each of these believers to remain faithful, and grow in wisdom and strength despite the hardships.
    Curtis M - USA
  • Father be with these Christians and help them to be bold and have unity in their congregation. I pray they will seek your face and worship and sing praise to your holy name. In Jesus name I pray AMEN
    Wayne L - USA
  • Lord bless this Pastor for standing strong in his faith for you despite the hardship and cruel treatment he is receiving. Open the eyes of those around him to see Your truth as they watch his strength in faith for You and how you will provide for him despite all they try to do to stop him. Send your Holy Spirit to give him hope, wisdom, courage,
    Angie E - USA
  • Praying for the church in Sri Lanka as they are harassed and persecuted. Help Your church especially the pastors to persevere in the faith and lead their flocks in all truth. Praying for the lost to come and see how good the Lord Jesus is, how faithful and true He is
    margaret m - USA
  • Father, the enemy wants your Spirit stopped, but you can't hold back the wind. Your Word will go forth. I pray for those in Sri Lanka that they will not give in to the pressure but continue to stand for you. I pray you give them wisdom and boldness to share the gospel. Speak to the hearts of those who oppose them; open their eyes. Father, move here.
    Polly C - USA
  • For all those persecuted for the lords work and to all our brothers and sisters in the lord i pray when you all pass away you may R I P this to me dose not only mean rest in peace but intended to mean by prayer risen in peace at the time of the resurrection of the dead to live forever this time this is my prayer for all those in JESUS love your all
    Themis K - Australia
  • Lord God Our Creator, please continue to give believers in Sri Lanka a means to make grievances for the persecution they endure. Help them to persevere in the face of these trials and may their persecutors see the Almighty Powerful of Love of Christ in these churches and be saved. Amen.
    Joan B - USA
  • Dear Father, I thank you for the faithfulness of Your servant to preach and teach your word, despite harrassment. Please help this Pastor and others to persevere in Your call on their lives. Please strengthen the body of Christ in Sri Lanka. Help them to demonstrate the love of Christ to their neighbors and enemies. May the Spirit cause them to grow.
    Jane C - USA
  • Lord, thank You for being with this pastor. Continue to give him and all the other pastors continued courage and wisdom as they deal with continual harassment. Grow their faith. Help them lead their flocks and be encouraged as they encourage others. Grow their hearts and faith and knowledge in You, O God. Help the church to stay strong, O God!
    Amy G - USA
  • Lord I lift this pastor and other pastors in Sri Lanka up to you as they continue to minister to the people. In Jesus name I ask. Amen!!!
    Jackie S - USA
  • Dear Lord
    We pray for this church, & the many like them, as they face this pressure. Keep their faith strong, may they be unafaid. Confound those who wish them harm; may they instead be drawn to the Light of Your love. Let Your Spirit be at work! We pray especially for the pastors as they guide their flocks. Give them wisdom, joy & peace in all things
    Madison F - USA
  • Holy father, thank you for this church in Sri Lanka and for equipping them to preach the word, to be ready in season and out of season. Encourage them as they continue to convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Keep them watchful in all things, endurng afflictions, fulfilling their ministry. May they be an example to all churches
    Julie C - USA
  • LORD Almighty, thank you for the freedom to worship You I have in my country. I pray that the "freedom" given to these Sri Lanken believers will only grow, not diminish. May you provide a change in the government there that allows true freedom to worship you there. Although some of Your greatest work comes through hardest times...Praise be unto You.
    Eric A - USA
  • Father God bless the church for having the courage to stand against all adversity. Strengthen in their faith and allow their worship and praise to touch and condemn the hearts of those who come against them. May Your Holy Spirit reign forth over this land. And let not Your people grow weary in doing good for the harvest is near. In Jesus name Amen.
    Norma C - USA
  • Gracious Father of Heaven and Earth. I come boldly in might Name of Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit give wisdom and discernment when and where church members worship you. We pray for this opportunity for the gospel to be preached and many led to Christ. Thank you for these precious and wonderful saints. All Glory and Honor to you Father. In Jesus Name Amen
    Alvin A - USA
  • Holy Father, thank You for the pastor's persistence. Thank You that the Officer-in-Charge accepted the complaint. Give the Christians wisdom as they face ongoing harassments. May their faithfulness to You open the eyes of those who need You, and be a light that draws others out of darkness into Your saving Light. In Jesus' name, Amen
    Eli S - USA
  • Father God, I pray over all of Sri Lanka that your Spirit will draw many to faith in Jesus Christ. Protect your church there and work to spread the gospel message to every corner of the country. I pray that you would glorify your name and draw hearts and minds to Jesus. Thank you for protecting this pastor and his church. May their love for others draw
    Julia F - USA
  • Lord Jesus, we pray for Your continued work there in Sri Lanka. Protect the believers there and draw many more souls to saving faith in Christ Jesus. May your work flourish in and among the believers and may many more souls desire the abundant life in Christ Jesus. Amen.
    Shirley L - USA
  • Father I praise You for the slight window of justice and the moment to notice the good things. I praise You for the faith of the pastor and his perseverance to keep hoping. I pray Lord that You would be his rock and his refuge. Father God I ask for their church to flourish and come alive in the body of Christ.
    Joy H - USA
  • Dear lord bring justice and your aboundi g love to reside in theses people and let your will be done in nesus name amen
    Sherry S - USA
  • Dear Lord, we lift up the people of Sri Lanka.They are "allowed" to worship, but are only able to do so under pressure and considerable backlash from the authorities and others in the town. Lord help these people to have their hearts opened to the gospel. Help them to truly listen to what is being proclaimed by Your Word. We ask this in Your Name,Amen
    Donna H - USA
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