Masked gunmen connected to ISIS entered a Turkish church and killed a man inside.
Masked gunmen connected to ISIS entered a Turkish church and killed a man inside.
Apr. 11, 2024 | Turkey

Pastor's Name on ISIS Hit List

[201] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Turkish believers.

On Sunday, January 28, two masked gunmen entered a Catholic church in Istanbul during a service and randomly shot and killed a 52-year-old man. The self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility. Turkish police quickly arrested two suspects with ties to ISIS and later arrested 25 more after raiding numerous locations. Afterwards, police contacted a pastor of a rapidly growing church in another part of Turkiye and told him that his name was on an ISIS hit list. “This pastor has been threatened by ultra-nationalist Turks many times, but this was the first time that he sounded worried,” said a front-line worker. Turkish police offered to protect the pastor and encouraged him to set up security cameras. “We can’t pray for the elimination of persecution,” said the front-worker, “but we can pray that believers will be strengthened and recognize these things are happening because of the growth of the church.”

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

Write your own prayer for Turkish believers

  • Father please grow your church in Turkiye through this persecution. Help your people to love and forgive their persecutors.
    Rebecca H - New Zealand
  • Dear Jesus, come to the defense of your precious Christians in Turkey. Make haste to help them. Comfort each Christian in Turkey and convict the ISIS gun men that they might repent and turn to You, Jesus, Whom to know is life eternal.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Lord protect Turkey brothers and sisters in Christ especially Pastor. Keep him safe I pray PSALM 91 and claim for total protection of him and family and his Church
    Lord Jesus draw blood line of your Precious Blood around them and specially pastor and keep him safe, Above all remove all fear and anxiety. Let his mind BE STILL and KNOW EL SHADDAI
    max d - India
  • Father, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give courage, wisdom, and protection to your people in Turkey. May the church grow in numbers, faith and truth. May the believers learn to let Jesus live through them and trust him fully at all times. Thank you for how you are working! Amen.
    Vicki Y - USA
  • I thank you Lord that the pastor himself was not killed in the attack. I pray your comfort for the family of the man who was killed. I thank you that many terrorist were caught and brought to justice. I pray safety protection and emboldeness for the pastor and his church. May many come to Christ through their witness. I pray this in Jesus name amen
    Eric D - USA
  • Dear family in Christ- never stop believing what the one true God can do! Stand fast! He's alive and moving as we get closer to His return! Don't stop believing He cares for you. Your reward is great in Heaven. May He bless you and keep you in His hand.
    Susan R - USA
  • In the ever present name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Yahweh Shammah, God Who is there, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for Your presence with Turkish Christians. We praise You for answered prayer. We ask for hedge of protection, angels direct from heaven to encamp around and minister to and through them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Father I pray for Turkish believers and ask for Angelic Protection daily for your people and that you bound the enemies to hold their peace, direct their step dear Father and shield them daily, thou art. Able to do much more than man can do cover them under your wings, I ask tor protection for the Turkish Pastor, grant Angelic protection,
    Joyce D - United Kingdom
  • In the eternal name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, El Olam, God eternal, as brothers and sisters in Christ we praise You for faithfulness of Turkish Christians. We intercede for redemption and restoration, for blessing, a hedge of protection, angels direct from heaven to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Father, keep these believers as the apple of thy eye and let many be saved.
    Margaret D - USA
  • Merciful Father,
    We pray ask for protection for this Turkish pastor who has been threatened numerous times & who is on the "Hit List" of ISIS extremists. Please Lord place a hedge of protection around him & his parishioners. Continue to bless those who preach the gospel to keep the increase happening & deliver the workers from harm In Jesus name Amen
    Robert C - Canada
  • Lord Jesus, please grant wisdom to this pastor under threat from ISIS and others in ministry in Türkey in similar situations to take precautions as much as possible to avoid being taken hostage andor killed. Lord, provide protection to those ministering to the growing body of believers in Turkey, especially for those ministering to new MBB"s, amen.
    Forrest B - USA
  • Lord I ask for protection and safety for the Turkish believers and this pastor. I pray for wisdom and safety as they go about their daily lives. I pray for them to be encouraging one another and holding fast together. I pray for Your peace to wipe away their fears and hold them steady in the midst of toil. I pray for police to have eyes to see and save
    Joy H - USA
  • Father, grant believers in Turkiye special favor with the police to catch all ISIS terrorists and punish them. By Holy Spirit, set hedges of protection around all pastors and believers. Deliver them from all that is evil and conceal your people under the Shadow of your Wings. Cause evil doers to fight with each other and never recognize your people. Am
    Danae V - USA
  • Father, please protect this pastor and give him peace as he trusts in you. Please thwart the violence of ISIS and turn the hearts of terrorists to you. Give them eyes to see that Jesus is the Way, the truth and the life. Please encourage and strengthen believers in Turkey to remain faithful to you and to boldly share their faith. Bless them.
    Laurie P - USA
  • Thank You, Holy Father, for these Turkish believers. May the word of the Lord run swiftly and be glorified in Turkey through them. Please deliver them from unreasonable and wicked men. Thank You for Your faithfulness to establish and guard them from the evil one. May the Lord direct their hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ
    Julie C - USA
  • Father God, I ask that you will protect this pastor in Turkye and other Christian leaders like him who are in danger. I pray that you will comfort those mourning the killing of their brother in Christ. Please strengthen your church and help them stand strong for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank you that Turkish police are doing justice. In Jesus' na
    Julia F - USA
  • In the precious name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Jehovah El Roi, God Who sees, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for faithfulness of Turkish believers. We praise You that You see. We ask for a hedge of protection and angels direct from heaven to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Dear LORD we pray for the church in Istanbul and the family that mourns the death of their loved one, protect the Pastor encourage and sustain him LORD with endurance that many ISIS will be saved . Amen.
    Nancy W - USA
  • Lord protect and defend my Turkish brothers and sisters for not all have faith. Guard their ways and keep them in perfect peace as their minds are steadfast upon You. Bring glory to Your Name, Jesus as they walk humbly but with the Holy Spirits power. Bear much fruit through their witness. Keep them steadfast in faith & love. Bind their wounds.
    Atacy U - USA
  • Almighty God, I pray you will increase the faith of believers in Turkey in You. Help them to be confident of your provisions even tho evils will rage around them. Fill them with Your peace and assurance that your eyes are upon them. Grant them grace to be bold in proclaiming the name of Jesus. In His precious name I pray. PS US
    Patricia S - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Turkey: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. I praise You for their faith! Bring many around them, including ISIS adherents, to repentance. And so may all Turkey be saved. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

    Lisa D - USA
  • Father, I ask YOU to protect YOUR children, my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who are in Turkey. YOU are their shield and strong tower, hide them beneath YOUR wing. Shine YOUR favor upon them and prosper them as they serve you faithfully. Thank YOU Father for answering the prayers of YOUR children. Amen
    Julie S - USA
  • Dear Heavenly Father I amen these previous prayers. Thank you that Turkish police officers wish to do righteously. I pray Your protection over the pastor; Your gates & Your angels posted at the four corners of his church. If persecution comes, may the power of God be evident here. Reveal Yourself; dreams & visions to IS agents to save them. IJ Holy NA.
    Johnathan K - USA
  • Father, help this pastor and his church as they continue to be a light despite the persecution. Help them to have boldness in their witness and to recognize your loving guidance even as they suffer.
    Ross J - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Turkey: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. I praise You for their faith! Bring many around them, including ISIS adherents, to repentance. And so may all Turkey be saved. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

    Lisa D - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Turkey: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. I praise You for their faith! Bring more around them, including ISIS adherents, to repentance. And so may all Turkey be saved. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

    Lisa D - USA
  • Abba Father please weaken the ISISsoften their hearts, may they see visions of You God and look ito Your eyes to know who You are & the unconditional love you offer.Revel to them Your death on the cross. Unless they understand your unconditional love it is difficult for them to yield to your loving grace. Forgive them God.Provide ways to find you
    BENEDICTA N - USA
  • Thank You for the Turkish police's concern. I pray for Your protection upon this pastor and for You to use this recent tragedy to lead others to Yourself. In Jesus Name, amen
    Debbie M - USA
  • Thank you Lord for the growth of the church in Turkey. Please protect this pastor from harm. Strengthen him and his family and all the church members as they continue to serve you. I pray angels around them and a bold witness for the Lord Jesus. Add numbers to their church in Jesus name I pray amen
    Nancy G - USA
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