In Sri Lanka, the construction of church buildings is often met with local opposition.
In Sri Lanka, the construction of church buildings is often met with local opposition.
Nov. 28, 2024 | Sri Lanka

Building Restriction Threatens Sri Lankan Church

[102] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Pastor Benedict.

Pastor Benedict purchased land and in March 2023 began constructing a building for the church he had planted in the area. However, the chief monk of the local Buddhist temple opposed this work, which halted for a few months. When Benedict resumed construction in May 2023, the monk again opposed the work and informed the police, leading to the arrest of Benedict and six other Christians. They spent four days in jail, where they began a prison ministry. Christians are currently not allowed to enter the property, the church is having trouble gathering for worship and the pastor and his family are facing extreme financial hardship. During one incident, some who stood with Pastor Benedict, including his son, were assaulted by Buddhist monks, villagers and the police.

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Write your own prayer for Pastor Benedict

  • Almighty God, Your church is under spiritual attack in Sri Lanka. I pray You would intervene, that they might gain some relief. I pray the pastor & his family would be rescued from their financial problems. I pray You would heal all those who were injured. I pray the gospel message would spread, & for many to repent & come to saving faith in the Lord.
    Curtis M - USA
  • Heavenly Father, Bless Pastor Benedict as he faithfully answers your call upon his life. Give him the emotional, physical and spiritual strength he needs to cope with the adversity he encounters. Clear the way for the church to be built. Let it provide a place where Christians can gather and know Christian fellowship and community. In Jesus name.
    Robyn P - USA
  • Dear Lord, I praise you for the courage and fortitude of Pastor Benedict and his flock. May they remain firm and faithful in their witness in the face of persecution, and may their Buddhist oppressors heed the compassionate tenets of their own faith see how much they have in common with the loving message of Christ. Amen.
    Tom H - USA
  • Lord let your Holy Spirit show Pastor Benedict how to resolve this issue. Give him favor from officials who can give them permission to meet on this property.
    michele r - USA
  • In the powerful name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Omnipotent, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for faith that overcomes fear for Pastor Benedict and family. We ask for provision, a hedge of protection, angels directly from heaven to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Dear Heavenly Father I amen these previous prayers. I pray Your protection over the pastor & his family. They suffer for Your cause. Your fruit abounds to their account. Give them the faith & the strength to continue in obedience to Your call. Provide all they need. Let the church come together however You make possible. In Jesus' Gracious Name amen.
    Johnathan K - USA
  • Father, Pastor Benedict is attempting to live out his faith and share Your truths with others but his attempts have met with opposition in many forms even by those who should be protecting him and other believers. Your command is clear. Believers are to meet together and share the Gospel. May You make a way for those things to happen. Amen.
    Bruce B - USA
  • Lord, I lift up to you Pastor Benedict and all the Christian churches in Sri Lanka. Fill them with your Holy Spirit to boldly share the gospel of Jesus Christ even in the face of severe persecution, death and chaos. Fill them with Your Peace in the face of fear and remind them that they are not alone (Isaiah 41:10) In Jesus name Amen
    Connie W - USA
  • Praying for you today May God bless you today. Have faith in Jesus Christ the Lord
    Roshenna M - USA
  • Lord I lift up these monks and I pray for Your help and Your intervening. I pray Lord for You to provide for their needs and to so to give Your name glory and honor. I pray Lord for Pastor Benedict to have strength and peace that is supernatural and the aroma of life. I pray for the church members to be encouraged by fellowship with each other.
    Joy H - USA
  • Abba, I thank You for the faith of our brother Pastor Benedict and the believers there who continue to declare the gospel despite all opposition. I pray a hedge of protection around them and pray You would bless them indeed and enlarge there territory and use them to lead many more to You. We trust You will provide their every need in Yahusha's Name.
    Yahleah M - USA
  • God, thank You for this faithful group who is suffering many hardships. Please help this monk to turn to You and stop opposing the Christians. Thank You for the prison ministry that was started inspite of the wrongful jailing. Help allow the Christians back onto their property so they can worship and please provide for the pastor and his family.
    Cynthia H - USA
  • LORD please intercede for Pastor Benedict and his church. They need you to come through like in Nehemiah when they rebuilt the temple in Jesus name. Amen
    Robert H - USA
  • Lord, It is wrong that the authorities won't let Pastor Benedict build on land he has purchased. Intervene, dear Lord! Let this church be built and serve for your glory. Thank you for the jail ministry! Thank you for the souls you are bringing in during this ordeal. I pray for more souls! Do an amazing work through Pastor Benedict and your people.
    Vi P - USA
  • I praise You Father God that there is no force on this earth or the whole universe that can stand against You. To hear that our siblings face persecutions from their countrymen, government, & police...it all sounds so daunting, hopeless. But You ARE hope. Jesus, You are the light in the dark, the resurrection of the dead. Protect Your children. Amen.
    Jason R - USA
  • Keep up the good work that Pastor Benedict is performing in Your Name. Thank You for his faithful service with his brethren in prison and without. Relieve any financial burden upon them and all other impediments to their ministry. Silence and restrict the opposition.
    Pam M - USA
  • I have added Pastor Benedict and his church members to my prayer list.
    Clint D - USA
  • Father, please make a way for our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka to meet together. We pray for your protection for Pastor Benedict and those who stand with him. Please give them wisdom and open a pathway for their church to be built. And please meet each one of their physical needs with abundance.
    Brenda M - USA
  • Lord of Providence, I pray that you financially provide for Pastor Benedict and his family. I also pray that the Buddhist monks, villagers and police come to know you as their personal Lord and Savior for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. May they realize that Christians are not a threat and are full love. In your Holy name I pray, Amen!
    Chaplain Dale I - USA
  • Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for giving boldness and a passion to evangelize to Pastor Benedict. Give him wisdom now from your Spirit how to proceed and how to support his family. Help the church to remain faithful and persevere in whatever way you lead. Give Pastor Benedict the confidence that you will be present with him and show him what to do.
    Margaret H - USA
  • Father God, I lift up Pastor Benedict, his family and his church family and ask for Your divine protection over them and that they can complete the building of their church without further incident. Please give Pastor Benedict favor with the locals so that they will stop persecuting him and please bring many to faith in Jesus through his example! Amen
    Sarah H - USA
  • Lord, cause these righteous ones to flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. May they bear fruit and continue to declare your Gospel of Grace. Lord, stop your enemies. Let them be scattered or bow their knee to Jesus. Pour fresh oil over your people and strengthen them. Let them see the downfall or repentance of their enemies.
    Tania E - USA
  • My good and gracious God, I pray for the protection of Pastor Benedict & the Sri Lankan Christians. I pray that all who oppose & persecute them will see your Light & want to be a part of the Christian family. I pray your love & peace prevails, especially with the monks. I ask this in Jesus's name, Amen.
    Janice H - USA
  • Dear Lord, we thank you for Pastor Benedict, his family and his congregation for continuing to spread the gospel in Sri Lanka. We thank You for them taking even their jail time to spread the Gospel of Jesus to their fellow inmates. Please help the government to intervene & arrest the monks for their assaults and help them accept Jesus as Lord & Savior!
    Donna H - USA
  • Dear Lord, I pray You will make all provisions for Pastor Benedict and his church so they can continue their ministry. Strengthen their faith through the hardships that they are facing. Protect him and his family from harm and convict those who oppose them of their evil deeds so they will turn to Christ.
    Dara W - USA
  • Heavenly Father,
    I thank you for the faith of these believers. I thank you for the companionship you have granted them amongst one another. I pray that you would protect them from further persecution, and help their ministry to continue to be fruitful. I pray that you would help them to establish a place of worship. Soften the heart of this monk.
    Amen
    Sophia H - USA
  • Father I pray for these dear people who are just trying to establish a church building to meet for worship. Please work so that they will be able to get the building completed. I also pray that the testimony of those involved would be evident to their persecutors, and that they may come to know Jesus as well.
    Cheryl B - USA
  • Avi Ad! I thank You that You are leading Pastor Benedict and his church into the full knowledge and working of the love of God and the patience endurance which comes from Christ Jesus. May all of their needs be met as You will supply so they may do Your will. In Yeshua's name
    Randal A - USA
  • Gracious Lord God, thank You for Pastor Benedict's desire to serve the believers in the area by providing a church for them. Please give him extraordinary wisdom as he faces this opposition. May he find a way to win favor with those opposing the work so it may continue. Do not let him lose heart. Provide for all his needs. Let good come from all this.
    Jean S - Canada
  • Father, strengthen the faith and courage of Pastor Benedict and the brothers and sisters in this place. May your faithfulness and the steadfastness of your children be a light to the Buddhist monks and the authorities. Please provide for the needs of Pastor Benedict's family and the church as well as provide a place to worship. In Jesus' name, Amen!
    Linda T - USA
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