A village in Sierra Leone
A village in Sierra Leone
Feb. 09, 2023 | Sierra Leone

Local Officials Destroy Large Church

[186] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for church members without a building.

On January 11, 2023, local officials notified the pastor of a 400-member congregation to vacate their building immediately. The worship center had stood for more than 15 years on land legally purchased in a Muslim-majority region. But five years ago, Muslims who were unhappy that a large Christian church stood in their community filed a legal case against the church. Church members were never allowed to respond to the court case and were upset when they received the notice. Many wanted to stand on the church ground and defend it. Church leaders, however, realized that the police intended to enforce the order, so church members could do nothing but watch as government workers destroyed the building on January 15. Front-line workers request prayer that this church community will be encouraged and find a way to continue worshiping together.

Write your own prayer for church members without a building

  • government and lead many to search thy word in the A1611 Bible. May thy word not return void but may it fall on broken spirits and contrite hearts ready to receive it. I pray many would believe on thy word after repenting of their sins unto salvation by thy increase. I pray this to thy glory in the name of the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, amen.
    Devin C - USA
  • Dear LORD, I pray thy body here in Sierra Leone has since found worship of thee through their personal bodily temples being in thy word daily in the A1611 Bible. Whoa unto the government for forsaking the meeting of the brethren but born again believers know we are still to worship thee in spirit and in truth. May their witness be strong toward the
    Devin C - USA
  • I hope and pray in Christ Jesus' name for a daily abundance of blessings, especially your Holy Spirit, wisdom, healing, restoration, love, grace, compassion, mercy, protection, deliverance, resiliance, and so much more. I hope and pray that things are going well and improving everyday. These snakes and scorpions are crushed in Jesus' name, amen.
    Gabriel S - USA
  • ABBA FATHER, I pray that YOUR peace reigns inside the pastor and his congregation, that is beyond all man's understanding, that only comes from knowing YOU, JESUS, and that we, as YOUR born again, HOLY SPIRIT filled children, that when we die, we will be with YOU in heaven, for all eternity! YOU are the PRINCE OF PEACE, JESUS! Bathe them in YOUR Love!
    Michael V - USA
  • Jesus, give wisdom and discernment to the Christians whose church building was destroyed. Encourage them with Your Holy Spirit. May many people come to know You by their example.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Jesus, encourage each Christian in this area. Help them go forward to worship in small and large gatherings. May their enemies see their joy and compassion. Bring many more people to know You by seeing their witness.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Lord,
    Thank You for this church in Sierra Leone and their willingness to meet together despite persecution from the government and their Muslim neighbors. Please give them a sense of peace, and strengthen them as they navigate continuing their fellowship. Please provide for all their needs. May You be glorified through this trial.
    Lysander S - USA
  • Father God, let this word see that NOTHING can destroy YOUR church that is built upon the blood of JESUS. Your church will live on forever while everything else will be burned up (2 Peter 3). Let the wicked who are afraid of the TRUTH to be amazed that they can do nothing to destroy the church that belongs to the eternal one. Bless Your people.
    Kathy G - USA
  • Lord Jesus, comfort the 400 Christians who lost their church home so tragically. Recreate the amazing spirit of the early church as they gather in homes to worship and take communion together. Pour out your Holy Spirit on each of them and let each become an evangelist to their neighbors. May home churches grow a thousand-fold. Keep them united. Amen.
    Danae V - USA
  • Father please make a way for this church. Please change the hearts of the officials and allow them to rebuild. Do a miracle for them.
    Rebecca H - New Zealand
  • In the mighty name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, El Shaddai, God Almighty as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for faithfulness of these church members. We praise You that they believe You are great. We ask for a hedge of protection and angels direct from heaven to surround and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • I have added the 400 member church to my prayer list.
    Clint D - USA
  • Father God, thank you for these precious believers. Comfort them at their loss, but may they be encouraged in Your Word, strengthening them for the battle. Please help them to forgive and love their enemy. Help them be victorious in the battle, shining like stars as they hold out the word of life.
    In Jesus,
    Amen
    Lis S - USA
  • Holy Father, be with this church that still exists despite the destruction of the building. Encourage and support this congregation. Show them what to do next. Provide something better for them. Work for your glory in this community. Show your glory and strength. Show that you answer prayer.
    Rachel Albro H - USA
  • In the loving name of Shepherd Jesus, our heavenly Father, Jehovah Raah, our Shepherd, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for faithfulness of these church members without a building, that they honor Your name. We ask for a hedge of protection, angels direct from heaven to surround and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Father, we know the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Your Word is truth and Your Word says You will continue to build Your church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Father, we pray you would grant a way that our brothers and sisters will continue to not forsake the assembling of themselves. Amen
    Cheryl C - USA
  • In the omnipresence of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for faithfulness of Sierra Leone church without a building. We praise You that You stand along side. We ask for Your presence, for a hedge of protection and angels from heaven to surround and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Father thank You for the Church in Sierra Leone. Please protect the church community in that region and give them the encouragement and strength to continue serving You despite persecution. In the Name of Yeshua, Amen.
    Kia W - USA
  • Lord, we are saddened by this terrible act of violence against a legally sanctioned placed of worship and ask that somehow You would make a way for an even larger place of worship to be erected and in the meantime, solidify and unite believers to stand for the gospel and to declare their allegiance to Jesus and their hope in Him, in Jesus' name, amen.
    Forrest B - USA
  • I pray that God shows the way for His people to worship together again. May their faith increase even the more, in spite of the enemy's attack. May peace, love and joy abound even the more in spite of the circumstances. May God guard their hearts and may they feel the encouragement sent their way from many miles away. In Jesus' name. Amen.
    AMY T - USA
  • Father, bring truth and justice to this region, and grant this church perseverance, hope, wisdom, guidance and peace. May their response to this wrong bring the guilty to repent. Guide this church as they seek to follow and worship You corporately, and may they be unmolested. Guide them in paths of righteousness for Your Name and Your glory.
    Beth P - USA
  • God, the church is not a building, but even in Israel, You had them make a tent, and then later blessed the temple. Give this church a place to meet. Give them love for their enemies, and protection from evil. Please lead them to places to worship, and let their faith be strengthened through this trial. Encourage them, bring them to worship each week.
    Kesse R - USA
  • Holy Father, thank You that notice was given and the building not destroyed while they were worshipping. I ask that through this difficult time, as Paul did, that they will learn to be content in any and every circumstances and that their responses will be a witness to Your love and grace to local people. Please provide a new meeting place.
    Karen K - USA
  • Father God I commit these church members to your intervention, thou art a helper and a provider do come to their aid and make a way, I ask that you will keep them togather and grant the courage that they will not lost courage. Do provider for them and Sheil Them grant. Boldness to persevere despite the enemy provocation, Lord you will make a way.
    Joyce D - United Kingdom
  • Dear Lord Jesus, please help our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone to hold fast to their faith in You as they advance Your kingdom. Help them to continue to meet together and demonstrate that You are a God of love, grace, and mercy. Soften the hearts of their persecutors that they may also come to know Your heart!
    David B - USA
  • Father, i lift up my dear sisters & brothers & would YOu speak courage & hope to them right now. May they know that You have good plans for them & may they never stop worshiping You. TY for providing that place & may they know Your hand is moving in each of their lives. May they be reminded You are sovereign. May the persecutors hear You IJN!
    Lisa T - USA
  • Father, we know that the world can take us out of the church, but they can't take the church (the truth) out of us. I pray that you strengthen your children in this region. I pray that this would push them even more to stand for the truth and share your love to others. I pray they see that you are with me, and you see what is happening. Speak to hearts
    Polly C - USA
  • Father, thank you for the grace that has kept this congregation in the midst of persecution. I pray that they will continue in this grace and trust you, taking one day at a time. Let them take courage in the understanding that each one of them is the temple of God and that where any two or three of them gather in your name, you will be in their midst.
    Lydia F - Kenya
  • Father God I pray for this church family. They are loved by you - you know them full well. Surround them with your presence, Lord, let them know you are near. Grant them courage & give them favor - change the hearts of all those who oppose them & provide a new place to worship. Holy Spirit, move thru Sierra Leone, help people to see the truth.
    Mike M - USA
  • Father, What a horrific scene that must have been as this faithful Christians saw their place of worship destroyed. But their faith and trust in you was NOT destroyed and I pray that you will raise up a place for this church community to meet and worship together. May their testimony be strong and may You use this terrible event to bring many to You.
    Betty D - USA
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