• Oct. 17, 2024 | Colombia

    Pastor and Family Flee for Lives from "Red Zone" Guerrillas

    [140] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Pastor Santiago and family.
    Pastors in Colombia's red zones live in constant danger of guerrilla reprisals because of their gospel work.

    After months of seeing villagers and friends extorted, abused and killed by violent guerrillas who control the dangerous "red zones" of Colombia, Pastor Santiago and his family have fled from their village to a safe location, leaving most of their personal belongings behind. According to a church member, Pastor Santiago is on the guerrillas' hit list for his refusal to support their illicit activities, prompting his decision to flee with his family. Pastor Santiago also shared with VOM staff that he had received death threats for preaching the gospel. His greatest concern is for his family and their provision if anything happens to him. Read More.

  • Oct. 17, 2024 | Vietnam

    Christian Man Dies After Street Attack

    [127] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Duyen and family.
    Duyen shared about her husband's joyful faith.

    Duyen, 33, and her husband, Hieu, were drawn to Christ both by the healing they received and the love and care they were shown by the body of Christ. They were mocked, threatened and even attacked several times because of their faith in Christ. Their land was taken on the grounds that land grants were only for those loyal to the government, but Christians were not loyal. After an appeal, their land was returned. Finally, when traveling with another man in 2022, Hieu was attacked by three men. His companion ran for help and provided first aid before carrying Hieu home. Read More.

  • Oct. 17, 2024 | Sierra Leone

    Mother Seeks Son Who Fled Human Sacrifice

    [108] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Brima.
    Brima hopes to reunite with her son who fled witchcraft and occult rituals.

    Brima's village had been steeped in occult practices for generations. It even had a tree where children were sacrificed to local gods. These deaths would go uninvestigated because villagers reported only that the missing children were "swallowed by the jungle." Brima's son learned of the wicked practice and fled before anything could happen to him. Later, a Christian evangelist came to the village, and most people in the village came to know Christ. Read More.

  • Oct. 10, 2024 | Somalia

    Christian Widows Displaced by Islamists

    [145] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Hawa.
    Most Somalis believe that to be Somali is to be Muslim, so those who come to faith in Christ are accused of rejecting not only their religion but also their nationality.

    Hawa is a Christian convert from Islam who maintains a farm in a rural area of Somalia. Though raised as a Muslim, Hawa became a follower of Christ through her son's witness. Hawa's Muslim husband divorced her and kicked her out of the house when he learned of her newfound faith. Through another Christian woman, Hawa came to help work and maintain the farm, which also houses 19 Christian widows whose husbands had been killed by al-Shabab, a terrorist group active in Somalia and Kenya. Hawa disciples the widows and actively shares her faith with other women who work on neighboring farms. Read More.

  • Oct. 10, 2024 | India

    Couple Resists Persecution, Shares Gospel in Village

    [115] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Pastor Prem and family.
    Hindu nationalists threaten Indian Christians in a variety of ways.

    Since 2011, Pastor Prem and his wife, Amala, have served in an area of India where pastors and Christian organizations serve for a short time but then leave because of persecution. The area is the central hub in the district for the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Prem and Amala now lead a church with about 35 believers. Prem has been beaten four times, faces constant pressure from the community and is continually watched. Read More.

  • Oct. 10, 2024 | Indonesia

    Attack Survivor Finds Faith Is Stronger

    [109] prayers in [4] nations have been posted for Kila.
    Kila survived both a kidnapping and a murderous attack by Islamic terrorists.

    Kila, who is in his late twenties, survived an East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) terrorist attack on a small group of Kalimago villagers in 2022. His friend, Marten Solon, was killed in the attack. Kila shared about the experience and how God used it to motivate him when he was a nominal Christian to live his life for God rather than himself. Kila is still experiencing some ongoing health complications due to the trauma of the attack. Read More.

  • Oct. 03, 2024 | Nepal

    Threatened Pastor Continues Ministry

    [162] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Pastor Yadav.
    Hindu extremists sometimes accuse Christians of slaughtering cows, which are sacred in Hindu culture.

    After a Christmas worship service in December 2023, Pastor Raj Kumar Yadav received a phone call from an unknown person. At first, the caller asked seemingly innocent questions about the celebratory service, and the pastor answered in general terms. Then the person asked how many people were fed cow meat during the meal. The question raised concerns in the pastor's mind, since Hindus consider cows sacred and have sometimes made trouble by claiming that Christians have slaughtered and eaten cows. Read More.

  • Oct. 03, 2024 | Central Asia

    Pastors Pay Huge Fines for Teaching Children about Christ

    [137] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for children's ministry.
    Christians in some parts of Central Asia are prohibited from ministering to children.

    Some governments in Central Asia have outlawed all ministry to children. Nevertheless, Christians in the region remain committed to teaching young people about the Bible and Jesus Christ. In recent years, numerous pastors have had to pay fines for their outreach efforts. "The bank accounts of one pastor were checked and analyzed. When his activities were found, he had to pay a huge fine," said a front-line worker. Read More.

  • Oct. 03, 2024 | Laos

    Leaders Command 100 Christians to Leave Village

    [118] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Somanid.
    Christians in Laos often face eviction and expulsion because of their faith in Christ.

    When Somanid came to faith in Christ in 2000 at age 17, he immediately faced persecution. He decided to move to a new province, where he built a home, started a family in his new village and became part of a fellowship of more than 100 Christians. Recently, village leaders demanded that all families, including Christians, must donate money for the traditional spirit ceremonies, but the Christians all refused. On May 15, 2024, the leaders announced over loudspeakers that all Christians were required to leave the village, on the grounds that they were disobedient to village authorities. Read More.

  • Sep. 26, 2024 | Sierra Leone

    Christian Woman Attacked by Family

    [179] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Georgieta.
    Georgieta now lives in a safe area where she is receiving Christian teaching and training to become a garment maker.

    Georgieta's family worshiped demonic spirits in an area where human sacrifice is said to still occur. When Georgieta became a Christian, she refused to participate in her family's occultic rituals, so her parents threw her out of the house. Homeless, Georgieta lived with a pastor and his family. Later, Georgieta's father became sick, and her family planned to ritually sacrifice her, hoping it would heal her father. Georgieta escaped, but when her father later died of the illness, Georgieta's mother blamed her for his death. Read More.

  • Sep. 26, 2024 | Iran

    Salvation and Ministry Behind Prison Bars

    [128] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Iranian Converts.
    Iranian Converts to Christianity face increased threats of imprisonment under new government restrictions, but even after being imprisoned some witness for Christ in their cells.

    Nasser, a political prisoner in Iran, tried to commit suicide while imprisoned. A Christian inmate witnessed the attempt and prevented Nasser's death. The Christian then shared the gospel with Nasser, and he came to faith in Christ. Nasser now meets with imprisoned Christians for times of secret prayer and worship. Another prisoner named Darius, a Muslim, reported a desire to know more about Christ after experiencing him in a dream. Read More.

  • Sep. 26, 2024 | Vietnam

    Former Witch Doctor Becomes Motorbike Evangelist

    [132] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Tuan.
    Tuan is an enthusiastic evangelist.

    Tuan has been a bold evangelist among the Hmong for more than two decades. Born into a family of fortune-tellers and witch doctors overseeing spirit worship in their village, Tuan began working among them at age 14. Living in that spiritual darkness, Tuan became addicted to drugs and alcohol until he came to faith in Christ. Soon after, he began to tell people about the Jesus who gave him not just physical life but also spiritual freedom. Pastor Tuan has been a prolific evangelist ever since, leading hundreds to Christ and praying to reach a growing number each year. Read More.

  • Sep. 19, 2024 | Tajikistan

    Christian Woman Beaten, Barely Escapes Forced Marriage

    [192] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Tajikistan Christians.
    Tajikistan is a restricted nation in Central Asia. The majority of Tajiks are Muslim.

    When Dinara came to faith in Christ, her Muslim family members beat her severely. Dinara fled from the abuse, but her family tricked her into returning by telling her that her grandfather was ill and urgently needed her attention. When she returned, she arrived to a room full of people waiting for her, including a Muslim man who was going to take her as his second wife. Dinara escaped and eventually fled to another nation, where she is working to start a new life. Read More.

  • Sep. 19, 2024 | Bhutan

    Family Separated Due to Government Restrictions

    [142] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Christians in Bhutan.
    Pray for Christians in Bhutan who lose their citizenship and official status.

    A family involved in gospel outreach in the isolated and restricted nation of Bhutan has been separated as the government has refused them proper documentation because of their faith. In addition, the government has not allowed any of the family members to leave lockdown since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2019. They request prayer that the Lord would intercede in their difficult situation. Read More.

  • Sep. 19, 2024 | Nigeria

    Kidnapped Pastor's Life in Danger

    [147] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Pastor Paul.

    Nigerian church leaders request urgent prayer for Pastor Paul Musa. In March 2023, Pastor Paul and his wife, Ruth, were abducted from their home in northern Nigeria's Borno State by militants belonging to Boko Haram, a radical Islamist group. The kidnappers posted video of Pastor Musa in late June 2024 and threatened to kill him if their demands were not met. Church leaders worry that the Islamists may have already killed Ruth. Read More.

  • Sep. 12, 2024 | Arabian Peninsula

    Christian Attacked on Street

    [203] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Bassam.
    Bassam was attacked while walking down the street.

    Bassam has been attacked by people angered that he left Islam, but their outrage doesn't deter him from sharing his faith. "He is not afraid to tell people that his life has been changed by Christ, and that has put a target on his back," said a front-line worker. Bassam was walking through a dim alley when he felt compelled to move toward a main street with more light. Just as he reached the main road, two men wearing black masks attacked him with a wooden rod, swinging it at his head. Bassam blocked the strike, but the rod broke his arm. "He believes the attack was a part of the cost of being a Christ follower," said the front-line worker. Read More.

  • Sep. 12, 2024 | Laos

    Meetings Encourage Khmu Christians

    [136] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Khmu Christians.
    Meetings like this encourage and equip persecuted Christians.

    In early 2024, 50 persecuted Khmu Christians from several villages participated in a gathering at a church where they could share their struggles and stories with other persecuted Christians; support and pray for one another; and receive encouragement from God's Word. Front-line workers chose the location used because Christians at the host church have faced intense persecution in recent years, including the destruction of crops and forced payments for spirit sacrifices in the village. Read More.

  • Sep. 12, 2024 | Uzbekistan

    Husband Abuses Wife, Daughters for Following Christ

    [186] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Omina.
    Women in an Uzbek marketplace.

    Omina was raised a Muslim, but when she started visiting a local church, she began to experience God's love and care in a way she had never known before. She and her two daughters eventually became followers of Christ. But when her Muslim husband learned of their newfound faith, he threatened them and tried to force them to return to Islam. After they refused, he mocked them, beat them and withheld food from them. Read More.

  • Sep. 05, 2024 | Nigeria

    Hope and Healing After Husband's Murder

    [176] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Gift.
    Nigerian Christian widows say the Lord has helped them heal after they received Christian counseling and biblical training with other widows.

    Gift is only 19 years old but has already endured more anguish than most people in a lifetime. The young bride from Jos, Nigeria, saw her husband shot to death by militant Fulani Muslims. The attackers then shot her in the hand. Pregnant at the time, she collapsed and was taken to a hospital, where her baby was delivered by cesarean session. After this distressing experience, caring Christians provided for her emotional and spiritual needs through six months of encouragement and biblical counseling. Read More.

  • Sep. 05, 2024 | Egypt

    Christian Woman Missing

    [139] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Egyptian Christian.
    Though Egypt is 13% Christian, Muslim women who convert to Christianity there can face severe persecution.

    An Egyptian Christian convert from Islam has faced intense family pressure since becoming a follower of Christ. The woman's father is an imam, an Islamic scholar, which made it difficult for her to be in public without scrutiny. In Egypt, Christian converts from Islam can experience harsh opposition from their families. Their Muslim families often feel an intense sense of shame or dishonor because they see their relatives' new Christian faith as an affront to Islam. Read More.

  • Sep. 05, 2024 | Nepal

    Pastor Protected from Anger of Hindu Monk

    [136] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Pastor Mukhiya.
    Pastor Mahesh Mukhiya boldly evangelizes, despite the risks.

    During the Christmas season of 2023, Pastor Mahesh Mukhiya encountered a Hindu monk on the street. He was unsure whether he should share the gospel with him, so he prayed in his heart and then finally approached the monk. After hearing about Jesus and Christianity, the monk immediately started shouting, calling others to punish Mahesh. Many people gathered, but most of the villagers recognized Mahesh and told the monk that he was a respected member of the village. Read More.

  • Aug. 29, 2024 | Jordan

    New Believer Threatened by Family

    [191] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Jordanian Christian.
    Jordan is a majority-Muslim nation where Christian converts are sometimes violently opposed.

    A Jordanian Christian has received death threats since coming to faith in Christ. While undergoing training to become an imam [an Islamic religious leader], the man placed his trust in Christ. His conversion angered members of his family, who have threatened his life if he doesn't successfully complete his training and move to a Gulf state to take up an Islamic post. "Your head will be on the street," one of his family members told him. Front-line workers have requested prayer for the new believer as they determine how to best serve him. Read More.

  • Aug. 29, 2024 | Vietnam

    Young Man Beaten for Sharing Gospel

    [143] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for young Christian man.
    Evangelism in Vietnam often elicits opposition or violence.

    On February 21, 2024, a 20-year-old Christian man was badly beaten for sharing the gospel. He was taken to the hospital with a severe head wound. All the medical personnel who saw him said he would not survive, but his surgery was successful, and he has returned home to recover. Read More.

  • Aug. 29, 2024 | Nepal

    Faith Comes by Hearing

    [136] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Gambir.
    A joyful Gambir Behadur Rai with his audio Bible.

    Gambir Bahadur Rai thought Jesus was just one of many gods until a pastor gave him an audio Bible. As Gambir listened to the Gospel of John, his heart was transformed, and he became a follower of Christ. He carries the audio Bible with him everywhere, often playing it aloud where others can hear it as well. Gambir is enthusiastic about sharing the message of Jesus Christ with others in his village. Read More.

  • Aug. 22, 2024 | Bangladesh

    Unrest Sparks New Violence Against Christians

    [178] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Bangladesh Christians.
    Christians in Bangladesh are facing increased attacks in the midst of political unrest that is sweeping the nation.

    Political violence has escalated in Bangladesh, resulting in the resignation and flight of Prime Minister Sheik Hasina and at least 95 deaths on a single day (Aug. 4) in the capital city, Dhaka. Front-line workers report increased targeted attacks against Christians as a result. In one case, a church was attacked by an armed crowd that damaged vehicles and tried to set fire to the building early one morning. Read More.

  • Aug. 22, 2024 | Burkina Faso

    Fulani Muslim Turns to Christ

    [133] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Sadou.
    Sadou has been pressured to return to Islam, but he remains firm in his faith in Christ.

    The Fulani are a nomadic Muslim tribe who live in a vast region where the Sahara Desert meets the African savanna, called the Sahel. The total number of Fulani is unknown but believed to be between 20 and 40 million people. Militant Fulani Muslims have been involved in vicious attacks on Christians in many nations, including Nigeria and Burkina Faso. But some Fulani are turning to Christ, like Sadou in Burkina Faso. Sadou was raised from childhood to make and sell Islamic charms. One day he read a Christian brochure in his native Fulani language and asked a Christian for a Bible. Read More.

  • Aug. 22, 2024 | Central Asia

    Mob Threatens Christians, Boycotts Their Businesses

    [135] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Central Asian believers.
    Christians in some parts of Central Asia meet in unregistered churches to study the Bible.

    In late 2023, unidentified citizens in a nation with a large Muslim population recorded a Christian worship gathering and then posted it online. Several women at the church service were converts to the faith and were worshiping without their Muslim husbands' knowledge. When news that the women were attending church spread in the community, a mob gathered and threatened the church's pastor and its members. Though no one was hurt, several families who attended the church are now harshly ostracized. Read More.

  • Aug. 15, 2024 | Turkmenistan

    House Church Leader Threatened

    [184] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Turkmenistan Christians.
    A Turkmen Christian receives baptism.

    Turkmenistan, a nation with a 94% Muslim population, is a profoundly restricted country in which Christian worship is limited to churches that are part of government-sanctioned denominations. Additionally, the Turkmen government exerts a high level of control on the entire population, especially upon Christians. Despite the governmental and societal restrictions, the gospel is proclaimed regularly in Turkmenistan through media and personal testimonies. Read More.

  • Aug. 15, 2024 | Vietnam

    Christian Father Faces Life in Prison on False Charges

    [150] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Christian Family.
    Pray for Christian prisoners in Vietnam.

    The father of a Christian family in Vietnam was given a life sentence for drug possession. The drugs were found in his home during a random police search that happened less than 24 hours after a specific threat was made to the father that something bad would happen if he and his family did not renounce their faith. Front-line workers request prayer for this man and his family as they face this separation and seek justice. Read More.

  • Aug. 15, 2024 | Sudan

    Christian Families Separated, Struggling

    [137] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Sudanese Christians.
    Christians in camps for displaced people often wait hours for water and worry about lack of food.

    Roughly 12 million Sudanese have fled as a result of the civil war between two Islamist generals that has engulfed the country since April 2023. The displaced people include around 750,000 from predominately Christian tribes who have made a harrowing journey to reach the Nuba Mountains, an autonomous region in the south of the country. But the travel and ongoing fighting have separated families. "When the war broke out, we have many people, even my own daughter, that have been caught on [the other] side of Khartoum," said Pastor Morris, a longtime church leader located in the Nuba Mountains. "We do not have any communication with her, and we don't know what she is doing. Read More.

  • Aug. 08, 2024 | Turkey

    Young Christians Rejected by Family

    [179] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Turkish believers.
    A busy Turkish marketplace.

    Christians make up less than 1% of the population of Turkiye, which is 96% Sunni Muslim. When a Turkish Muslim chooses to follow Christ, they are often rejected by their families, a reality experienced by Mustafa and Basak. Mustafa grew up in a radical Islamic family but became a Christian as a teenager. His decision shocked his family, who have been pressuring him to renounce his new faith. Mustafa currently has no place to live, so a local church is housing him in their church building while he looks for work and more permanent housing. Basak was also raised in a devout Islamic home, but after she was invited to a Christian activity at her university and given a Bible, she trusted in Christ. Read More.

  • Aug. 08, 2024 | Libya

    Future Uncertain for Christians Awaiting Trial

    [150] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Libyan Christian.

    Six Libyan Christians and two foreigners have been held in jail since an outbreak of religious persecution that occurred in 2022. The men have never been charged with a crime, but they are believed to be held for "being obedient to God's Word and sharing it with others in the country," a front-line worker said. Read More.

  • Aug. 08, 2024 | Nepal

    Guesthouse Owners Share Christ's Love

    [139] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Mamata and Krishna.
    Being welcomed with Christ's love changed Krishna's heart.

    20-year-old Mamata was the only Christian in her remote rural village. Her husband, Krishna, and other family members were strong Hindus, and they pressured her incessantly to leave the Christian faith. When she became pregnant, her pastor arranged for Mamata and Krishna to stay in a Christian guesthouse near the main district hospital when it came time for her to deliver the baby. During their two-week stay, the proprietors cared for Mamata and showed the love of God to her husband. Read More.

  • Aug. 01, 2024 | Laos

    Unknown Assailants Kill Beloved Pastor

    [206] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Pastor Philavanh's family.
    Pastor Thongkham Philavanh was killed on July 23.

    On the evening of July 23, 2024, Pastor Thongkham Philavanh, 40, died after an attack at his home in northwestern Laos. Two masked men approached him in his yard and spoke to him before shooting him several times. Thongkham's wife rushed him to the hospital, but he died on arrival. Thongkham was a tribal Khmu leader and provincial head of the Lao Evangelical Church. He actively shared the gospel and trained other pastors throughout the province while leading a growing church. According to friends, Thongkham was closely monitored by authorities and had been warned to stop his Christian activities. Read More.

  • Aug. 01, 2024 | Kazakhstan

    Government Closes Church, Fines Pastor

    [135] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Pastor Zanzhar.
    52 percent of Kazakhstan's citizens are Sunni Muslim, 15 percent are Christian, and most of the rest are non-religious.

    Pastor Zanzhar has led a Kazakh church for more than 20 years, but the government "de-registered' it nine years ago. When a church is de-registered, front-line workers report that it is impossible for that church to re-register, which forces congregations to either disband or operate in secret. Pastor Zanzhar's church kept meeting even after being de-registered, but police raided one of their services last year and fined him. He appealed but lost the appeal and had to pay a large fee. Read More.

  • Aug. 01, 2024 | Arabian Peninsula

    One Christian Fired, Two Arrested

    [138] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Christians in the Arab Peninsula.
    Millions of foreign workers are employed in Arab Gulf states, including some Christians willing to share their faith even if it puts their jobs or even their lives in peril.

    Most countries in the Arabian Peninsula are majority-Muslim with severe restrictions for those who follow Christ, a reality experienced by three Christian men. Born into a Muslim family, Haroun moved to the Arabian Peninsula for employment and came to know Christ. After his conversion, Haroun would regularly read the Bible on his phone during work breaks. One day his Muslim boss saw what he was reading and fired him. He was later fired from another job for attending a church service instead of going to mosque. Haroun is struggling to find another job. Read More.

  • Jul. 25, 2024 | Nepal

    Convict-Turned-Evangelist Evicted, Beaten

    [193] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Paiswan.
    Hindus in Nepal often oppose the witness of Christians.

    Bhaluwan Kumar Paiswan was serving a 20-year prison sentence for gang-related crimes when he ended up in a cell with a Christian evangelist. Annoyed at first, he eventually placed his faith in Christ and experienced new joy and peace. When he was released early, he met another evangelist who discipled him, and they began to work together. The church in that village grew to 25 people in a few years with many more showing interest. Read More.

  • Jul. 25, 2024 | Laos

    Two Families Lose Crops, Livestock

    [129] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Christians in Laos.
    Xing shared his testimony at a seminar for persecuted Christians.

    Two families in one Bru tribal village in Laos became Christians in February 2023. One of the families was driven out after enduring the threats and pressure of the community, which included the destruction of crops and livestock. The other family, Xing, Nang and their three children, were then alone, facing the same daily persecution as the family who had been driven out. Read More.

  • Jul. 18, 2024 | Benin

    Christians Persecuted by Voodoo Priests

    [183] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Christians in Benin.
    Christians in Benin are regularly persecuted by voodooists.

    In Benin, local politicians are often strongly influenced by voodoo priests. In one part of the country, voodoo practitioners have convinced police to arrest four pastors because of songs they heard Christians singing during worship services. The complaints about the Christians' songs have interrupted the services and activities of roughly a dozen churches in that area. Read More.

  • Jul. 18, 2024 | India

    Christian Wins Fellow Inmates for Christ

    [142] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Poonam.
    In Poonam's state, even carrying a Bible can lead to conversion charges.

    While meeting for prayer on June 28, 2023, Poonam Bind, her parents and another sister in Christ were arrested on charges of converting Hindus. They spent the next two months in jail. Poonam and the other Christian women with her used the time to minister to the other 150 female inmates in the jail and led many of the women to place their faith in Christ. "I realized God had a wonderful plan for those people to be saved, and so I was there," Poonam said. "I saw how people were treated and troubled and how badly they needed Jesus in their lives." She continues to disciple many of the women who came to Christ in the jail. Read More.

  • Jul. 18, 2024 | Tunisia

    Churches Face New Restrictions

    [131] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Christians in Tunisia.
    Christian activities like baptisms are coming under increasing scrutiny in Tunisia.

    Christians in Tunisia are finding it harder to gather and worship the Lord together. Front-line workers say the Tunisian government has banned Christians from meeting in hotels or other public gathering places without official pre-approval. "Only foreigners and officially registered NGOs [non-governmental organizations] are allowed to meet in those facilities," said a front-line worker. The worker added that one church leader has been harassed and "can no longer lead weekly services on Wednesdays and Saturdays." Read More.

  • Jul. 11, 2024 | Laos

    Christian Widow Abandoned by Family

    [180] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Mrs. Thai's family and village.
    In Laos, many villages will not permit Christians to bury their dead in local cemeteries.

    Mrs. Thai, a Christian widow in a Khmu tribal village in Laos, was persecuted by her own family and kicked out of her house because of her faith. She lived alone, and none of her family cared for her. She passed away on December 27, 2023. Her family did not want to take responsibility for her funeral. Members of the local body of Christ came to bury her, but the village headman would not permit them to bring it into the village cemetery, concerned that it would displease the ancestor spirits. Read More.

  • Jul. 11, 2024 | Kenya

    Bibles "Food of Life" in Northern Kenya

    [140] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Bible distribution.
    Audio Bibles are a strategic resource reach people with the gospel in parts of Kenya.

    Christians in remote parts of northern Kenya cannot easily access or afford Bibles that are often available for purchase only in far-away cities like Nairobi. Some churches in this part of Kenya have only one Bible to share among their congregations. A local pastor said that one young man refused to do his schoolwork so he could focus on studying the Bible when it was his family's turn with their church's Bible. Without knowledge of God's Word, many Christians in that region have been vulnerable to the influence of Islam. VOM worked with a local group of pastors and lay ministers to distribute more than 14,000 Bibles, including illustrated and audio Bibles, in this remote region of Kenya. Read More.

  • Jul. 11, 2024 | Colombia

    "Red Zone" Pastor Requests Prayer for Sick Daughter

    [159] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for pastor and his family.
    Teoboldo and Denise's daughter is battling a heart condition. Pray for healing.

    Teoboldo and Denise minister in one of Colombia's "red zones," areas dominated by guerrilla violence and illicit activity associated with illegal drug trade. They have been threatened and confined to their house; at other times, they have been forced to cancel worship services because of threats. They've had friends killed for refusing to comply with the warnings from guerrillas, yet they remain faithful amid the risk. "This is the area where God has placed us. That is where we are going to stay until God tells us otherwise," Teoboldo said. The couple has three children, but their middle child died two years ago from complications during heart surgery. Read More.

  • Jul. 04, 2024 | Nepal

    Family Evicted, Beaten for Faithful Witness

    [220] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Blawan Kumar.
    Pray for Blawan Kumar and his family.

    Jailed as a murderer, Blawan Kumar Paswan had no hope. Then, a Christian in his prison shared the gospel with him. Blawan placed his trust in Jesus Christ and was baptized. A jailer observed the changes in Blawan's life and recommended early release after he had served 10 years. Blawan returned to his village and dedicated his life to sharing the gospel, but persecution followed. His uncle evicted his family and took their possessions. On December 1, 2023, a group of drunken men beat Blawan and his wife, Bina. They accused the couple of spoiling their culture by preaching about Jesus. Read More.

  • Jul. 04, 2024 | Nigeria

    Jihadists Refuse to Release Abducted Woman

    [168] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Mrs. Baraka.
    Islamic militants have been destroying homes and killing or kidnapping Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria for years.

    Church leaders request prayer for a woman abducted in early March of 2024 in Kaduna State, Nigeria, from an area with a majority-Christian population. "Fulani jihadis opened sporadic gunfire on the entire area," said a front-line worker. "And while Mrs. Musa Baraka was running to safety, in the confusion, the militants picked her up and shot her 32-year-old son." The son survived and underwent surgery for his wounds in early May. Read More.

  • Jul. 04, 2024 | Iran

    Woman Led to Christ Through Film's Example

    [153] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for a new believer.
    God is using Christian publications and transform lives in Iran.

    A popular film in Iran has sparked conversations about Christianity among Muslims in the country, and one woman's life was changed. The movie is not a Christian film, but it portrays a Christian character who acts in a kind-hearted, forgiving way. A woman watched some of the film and decided to pray to Jesus, saying, "Jesus, if you are real, show yourself to me!" The next day, a Christian woman visited her shop and felt compelled to give her a magazine: "Please accept this magazine as a gift from God." Read More.

  • Jun. 27, 2024 | Israel

    Christians Help the Hungry in Gaza

    [187] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Christian ministry in Gaza.
    A Christian ministry in Gaza feeds people trying to survive the war.

    A pastor in Gaza and his team are regularly providing hot meals to hundreds of people sheltering and trying to survive the current conflict. "We have been able to distribute meals to the people in Rafah and the middle of the Gaza Strip," the pastor said. "The situation is very dire, and people are desperate for food." Read More.

  • Jun. 27, 2024 | Tanzania

    "Pastor's Libraries" Equip Tanzanian Pastors

    [132] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Tanzanian pastors.
    Study Bibles and other resource materials help Tanzanian pastors lead their congregations.

    Many Tanzanian pastors lack access to biblical training and in-depth study resources needed to help their congregations stand firm in their faith. Front-line workers in central Tanzania recently handed out 706 boxes of "Pastor's Libraries" containing study Bibles and other Christian educational aids designed to help pastors train themselves. "Even before we can attend a Bible college, it feels now like we have a Bible college at home through these materials," said one church leader upon receiving the boxed study kit. The kits were distributed to pastors from several denominational groups. Read More.

  • Jun. 27, 2024 | Colombia

    Young People Vulnerable to Guerrilla Recruitment

    [134] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Rodrigo and Astrid.
    Rodrigo and Astrid are concerned about their grandchildren, who have been targeted by Colombia's violent Marxist guerrillas.

    Rodrigo and Astrid have planted eight churches in the region of Sucre, one of Colombia's "red zones," or dangerous areas controlled by guerrilla activity. The guerrillas have extorted them, prohibited them from having services, issued curfews and threatened them. Their oldest grandson has a child with a guerrilla officer, and they fear for his life and the life of their 4-year-old great-granddaughter. Their 14-year-old grandson, who lives with them, has also shared his desire to join a guerrilla group, enticed through the promise of material gifts and financial incentives. Read More.

  • Jun. 20, 2024 | Nepal

    Pastor Faces Year in Prison

    [193] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Pastor Keshab.
    In Nepal, baptisms are seen as violations of anti-conversion laws.

    After someone posted a video online of Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya praying against the spread of coronavirus in 2020, police arrested him for spreading misinformation about the virus, claiming that he told people they would be immune to it if they converted to Christianity. Investigations revealed other videos recording baptisms of new Christian converts, which further riled authorities. Eventually, the charges included "outraging religious sentiment," proselytizing and other violations of anti-conversion laws. Read More.

  • Jun. 20, 2024 | Laos

    Sons Abandon Christian Father

    [77] prayers in [4] nations have been posted for Dong.
    Dong's sons stole his land and livelihood.

    When Dong became a believer in Jesus Christ, his adult sons became angry that he followed what they saw as a foreign religion. They moved out of his house and took all his farmland and supplies for themselves, leaving him no way to grow food or earn income. Dong appealed to the village chief, who said he would only intervene with the sons if Dong agreed to give up his Christian faith. Read More.

  • Jun. 20, 2024 | Sierra Leone

    Transformed by the Word of God

    [147] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Pastor Osman.
    Pastor Osman now uses audio Bibles to spread the gospel.

    Pastor Osman was once a practitioner of witchcraft. "I have killed many people," he said. One day, a pastor visited his village and shared the gospel with Osman, and the message of Christ's forgiveness changed Osman's heart. "It was very difficult for me to leave my practice of witchcraft," he said. "This message sounded good to me to be free from the evil that I was in. The pastor said that whatever you have done, God will forgive you." After receiving an audio Bible, Osman continued to be changed by God's Word. "I would listen to it secretly," he said. Read More.

  • Jun. 13, 2024 | Cuba

    Pastor Under House Arrest on False Pretenses

    [206] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Pastor Ramos.
    Pastor Dizzis Ramos with his wife, Nidia. Pastor Dizzis has been targeted by Cuban officials because of his Christian witness.

    Pastor Dizzis Ramos' public ministry has made him a target of government officials in his atheistic Communist country. He serves his local community through construction projects for elderly people in need. Earlier this month, he and another pastor were charged for allegedly falsifying receipts after they legally purchased cement for a construction project. Pastor Ramos was placed under house arrest and the other pastor taken into custody. They are also unable to reach the lawyer who has been handling their case. Read More.

  • Jun. 13, 2024 | West Africa

    Former Imam Threatened for Following Christ

    [157] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Ahmed.
    In West Africa, converts from Islam often face severe persecution.

    Ahmed was training to become an imam when he heard someone calling his name, seemingly from above. When he looked up, he saw a man on a cross staring down at him. "When I saw that, I was not able to go to the mosque," he said. "I returned home and didn't attend mosque that day because I was really afraid." Jesus appeared to Ahmed several more times over a period of years, even after he did become an imam. Ahmed described those appearances to the Muslims who attended his mosque, and they thought he was seeing demons. Read More.

  • Jun. 13, 2024 | Bhutan

    Gospel Workers Persevere Despite Pressures

    [151] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Christians in Bhutan.
    Bhutan is an isolated, majority Buddhist country.

    Because of geographical isolation and the hostility of the government toward Christianity, Christians in Bhutan face pressure from many directions. However, front-line workers in Bhutan continue to live out their faith in Christ and reach out with the gospel. One gospel worker asked for prayer that their youth and women's programs and training programs for Sunday school teachers will be adequately resourced. Read More.

  • Jun. 06, 2024 | Laos

    Christian Wife, Young Son Cast Off

    [205] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Kaew.
    Kaew and her son

    Kaew placed her trust in Christ through the prayers of her parents, who became Christians after her marriage. Her husband and his parents, as well as their village, opposed her decision to follow Christ and tried repeatedly to make her recant. On December 30, 2023, Kaew's husband and other villagers berated and beat her until she passed out. When she regained consciousness, she was given one more chance to recant, but she insisted on following Christ. In anger, her husband threw her out of the house. Read More.

  • Jun. 06, 2024 | India

    Pastor Perseveres After 44 Days in Jail

    [158] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Akhilesh.
    Police took family Bibles as "evidence" when they arrested Akhilesh.

    Akhilesh led his family to faith in Christ after being physically healed through prayer. As others joined in their family worship and placed their faith in Christ, a church grew. Eventually, 2,000 people were meeting for worship during the week. A radical Hindu leader warned Akhilesh that he would face serious consequences if he did not close down the church, but they continued to meet. Then, in September 2022, police arrested Pastor Akhilesh for his gospel work and confiscated the family's Bibles. Read More.

  • Jun. 06, 2024 | Cote d'Ivoire

    Audio Bibles Help Disciple New Converts

    [135] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Bible distribution.
    Audio Bibles are a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship in the Ivory Coast.

    Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) has a population of nearly 30 million people. Muslims are its largest religious group, representing around 40% of the population. Around 37% of the population identifies as Christian. The remaining 33% of the country are mostly followers of local ethnic religions, found mainly in the north of the country. While the Christian population is significant, Bibles are hard to access or afford for many people, and roughly 30% of the population is illiterate. Front-line workers recently delivered 500 solar-powered audio Bibles to northern parts of the country. Read More.

  • May. 30, 2024 | Nepal

    Church Landlord Evicts Christians

    [175] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Pastor Mukhiya.
    Building owners in Nepal are often unwilling to rent space to Christians.

    For 15 years, Pastor Mahesh Mukhiya has led a congregation of 70 Christians for worship and fellowship in a rented house in their village. In September 2023, Hindu extremists threatened the owner of the rented house, demanding he cancel the rental agreement. After a second threat, the landlord agreed to evict the congregation. Pastor Mahesh searched for a new building in which the Christians could meet, but the extremists had issued warnings throughout the village. Read More.

  • May. 30, 2024 | Jordan

    Christian Convert Harassed, Fired

    [149] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Muhammad.
    Employers, family and friends regularly persecute Jordanian Christian converts who leave Islam to follow Christ.

    Muhammad placed his trust in Christ two years ago. When his employer recently learned of Muhammad's decision to follow Christ, he began to harass him. After Muhammad asked his employer to stop the harassment, Muhammad's boss forced him to work 14-hour shifts and ultimately fired him. Muhammad is now looking for a new job. Read More.

  • May. 30, 2024 | Mozambique

    Islamists Attack Churches, Abduct Children

    [152] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Christians in Mozambique.
    Islamic fighters are burning churches in northern Mozambique.

    In February 2024, Islamic insurgents with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) in Mozambique destroyed 18 churches and killed many people in a sustained attack against Christians in the northern part of the country. The Islamists recorded videos of themselves destroying Christian symbols, including crosses. More than 700,000 people, most of them Christians, have been displaced by radical Islamic militants in the Cabo Delgado province of northern Mozambique. One Christian leader said that the church is currently experiencing "a moment of tribulation." Read More.

  • May. 23, 2024 | Ethiopia

    Church Destroyed by Fire

    [147] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Ethiopian churches.
    Many Ethiopian churches have been destroyed in recent years.

    While Ethiopia is a majority-Christian nation, Islam is a growing force. Muslims now compose nearly 40 percent of the population, and Islamic extremists actively persecute Christians, sometimes violently, especially in areas close to the Somali and Sudanese borders. Sometimes the extremists destroy churches, and they recently set fire to one in Homosha, located in the far western part of the country near the border with Sudan. "Now the Christians in that area don't have a place to meet for worship," said a front-line worker. Read More.

  • May. 23, 2024 | Iran

    Kolbars Imprisoned, Killed for Converting

    [155] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Kolbars.

    Kolbars are Kurds who live mostly along the Iranian border with Iraq. For generations, they have carried items over high mountain passes between the two nations. Their name means "those who carry loads on their back." It is extremely dangerous work - every year, kolbars are killed by freezing temperatures, from falling off precipitous heights or after being shot by Iranian border guards. Desperation and a lack of job opportunities drive many Iranian Kurds into the life-threatening career: "They are a neglected people group," said a front-line worker. Read More.

  • May. 16, 2024 | Nigeria

    Hundreds Abducted by Islamists

    [198] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Christians in Nigeria.
    Islamic terrorist groups regularly target Chistian children for abduction in Nigeria.

    In early March 2024, Islamic militants raided several boarding schools in northern Nigeria and abducted more than 300 people. "I spoke to a pastor who personally knows an elderly Christian woman who was among those abducted," a front-line worker shared. "Her son was shot in the arm when trying to protect her and is currently hospitalized." Officials do not know if the attackers were members of Boko Haram or ISWAP, two Islamist groups active in the area. Read More.

  • May. 16, 2024 | Lebanon

    Abusive Husband Trusts in Christ on Christmas Day

    [146] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Yasmin and family.
    Druze men often wear traditional clothing.

    Yasmin, who grew up as a member of the Druze community, became a follower of Christ in 2020. When her family learned of her new faith, they immediately rejected her. Her husband attacked her and attempted to stab her. But the couple eventually reconciled, and Yasmin's husband, Amir, allowed her to live in their home. Amir gradually became curious about Yasmin's new faith and would stay up late at night to watch Christian TV channels after others had fallen asleep. Read More.

  • May. 16, 2024 | Sri Lanka

    Church Awaiting Justice Remains Under Attack

    [142] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Anura and Ayesha.
    Ayesha (right) helps lead a Sri Lankan church that is under fire.

    Anura and Ayesha lead a church in western Sri Lanka that has been repeatedly attacked in recent years. Some of the perpetrators of these attacks are facing charges in court. However, Ayesha reported, every time the court dates near, groups in the village try to stir up trouble by breaking Buddha statues or throwing human feces on them and then blaming the church for dishonoring Buddhism. So far, no progress has been made in these cases. In 2023, attackers threatened new converts from the villages and pelted stones at their houses. Read More.

  • May. 09, 2024 | Middle East

    Iranian Refugees Bear Witness in Hospital

    [189] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Monir and family.
    Monir in a coma.

    Monir and her Iranian Christian family were living in a neighboring country when she suddenly fell into a coma. An ER doctor said she had died from a massive stroke, so her family rushed her to a second hospital where a doctor said she was "as good as dead." He gave her only a 3% chance of survival even with surgery. The family convinced him to try, but before he began, Monir's family gathered around her to pray. A Muslim woman nearby asked what they were doing and then requested prayer for her mother who was about to undergo dangerous surgery. Read More.

  • May. 09, 2024 | Nepal

    Elder Arrested After Hindu Mob Disruption

    [138] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Brother Omkar.
    Police held elder Omkar Lohoni for six hours without any criminal charges.

    During a worship service on Sept. 9, 2023, members of Hindu radical groups and Hindu media outlets aggressively disrupted the service and blamed elder Omkar Lohoni for promoting Christianity in the area. Police arrested Omkar and held him in custody for six hours. Brother Omkar leads three fellowships with about 250 believers, and he thinks Hindu radicals targeted him because he is a well-recognized person among the Christians in this area. Read More.

  • May. 09, 2024 | Niger

    Pastor Wrongfully Imprisoned

    [148] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Pastor Moussa Bagwari.
    Nigeriens who convert to Christianity regularly face persecution from family members.

    Front-line workers report that Pastor Moussa Bagwari was "falsely accused and imprisoned in what seems to be an effort to destroy his reputation and Christian influence." Due to his imprisonment, his wife, Lariya, and their four children were left without any financial support and were forced to return to Pastor Moussa's home village. His extended family should have cared for them, according to cultural norms. But Pastor Moussa's family are all Muslims and would not allow Lariya or her children to live with them. Read More.

  • May. 02, 2024 | Bhutan

    Pastor's Children Left Stateless

    [220] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Pastor Abhaya and family.
    Bhutanese Christians meet in secret because of government persecution.

    Christians in Bhutan often risk losing their citizenship or other rights because of their faith in Christ. Pastor Abhaya and his wife have been denied a marriage certificate by the government, which jeopardizes their whole family, especially their children, who have been denied citizenship. The family may have to relocate to another country for the sake of their children. Read More.

  • May. 02, 2024 | Arabian Peninsula

    Radical Muslim Infiltrates Secret House Church

    [148] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for pastor and underground church.
    Converts to Christianity in some nations in the Arab Peninsula face potential death sentences.

    The pastor of a small underground church for Christian converts on the Arabian Peninsula suspected that one member of the group wasn't a genuine follower of Christ. Though the man had attended meetings for several months, the pastor felt unsettled toward him. When the pastor confronted the man, he admitted to being part of a group working to stop Muslims from placing their trust in Christ. Surprisingly, the infiltrator still wanted to participate in the meetings even after he admitted to spying on the group. Read More.

  • May. 02, 2024 | Chad

    Learning to Let Go of Vengeance

    [157] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Akua Kwame.
    Christians in southern Chad are regularly attacked by marauding Fulani militants.

    Church deacon Akua Kwame was attending a morning prayer meeting in May 2023 when radical Fulani tribesmen attacked his village. When the militants shot bullets and arrows through church windows and tried to break into the building, the pastor yelled for everyone to get out. As they fled, the pastor and the church administrator were shot and killed. Akua said several arrows pierced his clothes, but none hit him. Later that day, he was tasked with the painful job of identifying the bodies of 12 people killed in the attack, including a two-year-old child. Read More.

  • Apr. 25, 2024 | Nepal

    Pastors in Danger After Church Foundation Destroyed

    [202] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Pastor Pramod and Pastor Dilip.
    Hindu radicals demolished the foundation of this church building.

    Two brothers, Pastor Pramod and Pastor Dilip, lead a group of 17 growing churches, and the members of one of these churches began constructing a new church building. Suddenly, a group of Hindu radicals swept into the location and completely destroyed the newly laid foundation. Read More.

  • Apr. 25, 2024 | Central African Republic

    Survivor of Attack Needs Healing

    [183] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Xavia.
    Women in the CAR lack access to trauma care.

    Xavia, 30, survived a brutal assault eight years ago. During a 2016 attack, rebels with a militant group set fire to numerous homes in her village. Her husband, mother, father and sisters were burned alive. Xavia was tied up and subjected to horrific torture, rendering her unable to have additional children. She doesn't know how she survived the assault but only remembers waking up in an evacuation truck. She was sent to another country for surgery, but her emotional wounds need additional healing. Read More.

  • Apr. 25, 2024 | Iran

    Imprisonment Leads to Salvations

    [147] prayers in [7] nations have been posted for Iranian Pastor.
    Distributing Bibles and Christian literature in Iran can lead to prison time.

    An Iranian pastor who was released from prison in 2023, after serving many years for leading a house church, reported that God enabled him to work as an evangelist behind bars despite constant surveillance. He said that when he started his sentence, "I began to think that this was a dangerous place and that it would not be possible to witness to anyone." But later he found ways to secretly witness to others and eventually led 13 prisoners to Christ. "During the recreation times, I would walk around in a spirit of friendship with these new believers and teach them how to grow in their faith and answer their questions," he said. Read More.

  • Apr. 18, 2024 | Laos

    Tribal Christians Imprisoned for Building Church

    [190] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Tribal Christians.
    Laotian authorities arrested these men for building a church.

    Late in 2023, police in Laos arrested three Christians from the Akha people group for building a church and held them without giving any information to family or friends for several months. On January 26, 2024, authorities demolished the building these brothers in Christ had constructed. Read More.

  • Apr. 18, 2024 | Lebanon

    God at Work Amid Hardship

    [143] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for believers in Lebanon.
    Local art at the site of the 2020 fertilizer explosion.

    Some local Christian leaders in Lebanon have reported an inspiring work of God even as many in the country are struggling amid economic hardship and political instability. "You're aware of the many crises Lebanon is facing," said one pastor. "In the past year alone, we have endured unemployment and underemployment, a dysfunctional government, hyperinflation, and war along our southern border." Then he added, "And yet we are seeing one of the greatest gospel movements in the country's history. Read More.

  • Apr. 18, 2024 | Mauritania

    Christians Arrested, Threatened

    [145] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Mauritanian Christians.
    Christians have very limited access to Christian material in Mauritania.

    In December 2023, Mauritanian authorities arrested a group of around 15 Christians after a video of them participating in a baptism was posted online. All of the arrested Christians were former Muslims. Mauritania is dominated by Islamist leadership, and conversion from Islam is illegal. "At first, no lawyer would defend them," said a front-line worker. "The officials tried to get them to apologize on social media for spreading the gospel, to agree to never promote Christianity, and to return to Islam," he added. Read More.

  • Apr. 11, 2024 | Turkey

    Pastor's Name on ISIS Hit List

    [202] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Turkish believers.
    Masked gunmen connected to ISIS entered a Turkish church and killed a man inside.

    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. Read More.

  • Apr. 11, 2024 | Iran

    Magazine in Elevator Restores Man's Faith

    [151] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Farid.
    Chrisitan literature is a powerful witnessing tool in Iran.

    Farid placed his trust in Christ six years ago, but with no church to attend, he had not been growing in his faith. While riding in an elevator, a Christian woman gave him a magazine and said, "This is a gift for you." Farid was startled and wondered if it was a special kind of advertising campaign. But after the woman left, he read it. "I came upon a page that really touched my heart," he said. "On that page, they interviewed believers who shared their stories of faith. Read More.

  • Apr. 11, 2024 | Malawi

    Yao Christians Under Severe Pressure

    [157] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Yao Christians.
    If Malawian children convert from the traditional religion of their tribe they can face extreme persecution.

    Roughly 2.5 million Malawians are part of the Muslim Yao people group. According to front-line workers, God has been moving significantly among the Yao people in the last two decades. But in recent years, Yao Christians have experienced severe pressure. "They are beaten and cast out of their communities," said a front-line worker. "When others find out they are Christian, they have 24 hours to leave the village, and then they will put a fatwa on their life," he added. Read More.

  • Apr. 04, 2024 | Nepal

    Children's Bibles Lead to Salvation

    [178] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Bishwas and new believers.
    Bishwas and his mother, Kamala, learned about Christ in the children's Bible he received last year.

    Bishwas Thapa, a 10-year-old boy who has been regularly attending a children's fellowship for the last year, received a children's Bible during a distribution event. His mother, Kamala, was attracted by the colorful pictures and began to read the Bible herself. Through this Bible, both Bishwas and Kamala came to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Read More.

  • Apr. 04, 2024 | Benin

    President of Benin Seeks Voodoo Priest's Blessing

    [150] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Benin Christians.
    Audio Bibles are popular in Benin because of its high illiteracy rate.

    The West African nation of Benin is the birthplace of voodoo. Every year on January 10, the country celebrates National Voodoo Day, which includes occultic ceremonies attended by political leaders seeking favor from voodoo shamans. "Voodoo is its name in Benin, but these types of demonic groups can be found throughout West Africa," a front-line worker said. These groups are sometimes called "secret societies" and have names like the Poro and Bundu in Sierra Leone and the Ogboni in Togo. Members of these groups regularly attack and persecute Christians whom they see as a threat to their dominance. Read More.

  • Apr. 04, 2024 | Laos

    Four Families Under Threat from Village

    [146] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for KhamKeo.
    KhamKeo has brought three other families in his village to Christ.

    KhamKeo placed his trust in Christ after he was healed from gallbladder disease. Eventually, the change in his life caused his wife and children to place their trust in Christ as well. The family began to experience opposition from neighbors and coworkers who noticed that they did not participate in the worship of local spirits. KhamKeo bought land some distance from the village and built a hut there, but the villagers were still unhappy with his family, so they moved again. Read More.

  • Mar. 28, 2024 | India

    Pastor, Son Brutally Beaten for Christian Worship

    [193] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Pastor Zahir and Ashok.
    Hindu extremists attacked Pastor Zahir and his son during a worship service like this one.

    While 80 Christians gathered on Feb. 19, 2023, to worship, a mob of Hindu extremists broke into the church and demanded proof that they had permission to be there. When the mob began to attack Pastor Zahir, his son, Ashok, defended him and also became a target. The two men were kicked, punched and beaten with a microphone stand until they were both bleeding and unconscious. Other members of the congregation were also injured as the mob ransacked the church while shouting Hindu slogans. When the police arrived, they took Zahir into custody and questioned him but refused to accept his criminal complaint against the attackers. Read More.

  • Mar. 28, 2024 | Mali

    Bibles in Minority Languages Bring Joy

    [143] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Mali Christians.
    Bibles are hard to obtain in Mali, so Christians rejoice when they receive their own copy.

    In Mali, Bibles are scarce and difficult to obtain outside of the capital, especially in minority languages. Front-line workers have been partnering with VOM for several years to get Bibles of various languages and types, including children's illustrated Bibles and audio Bibles, into the hands of Christians scattered across the vast nation. During one recent distribution, 50 full Bambara-language Bibles and 50 Boomu Bibles were distributed along with 250 New Testaments. A brother named Matthew received his with joy, saying, "I am glad to have the Bible in my mother tongue. It will do good for my family." Read More.

  • Mar. 28, 2024 | Middle East

    Parents of Convert Shoot Relative in Leg

    [154] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Amir and his family.
    Iraqis who convert to Christianity can face violent reactions from their Muslim family members.

    "Please pray that my parents will calm down and surrender to the Lord," requested Amir, an Iraqi convert to Christianity. He recently learned that his enraged parents had shot his brother-in-law in the leg in retaliation for Amir and his family converting to Christianity and fleeing the country. Other members of Amir's family have had to flee for their lives after converting from Islam. Despite the pressure and danger, Amir prays that more family and friends will come to know Christ as their savior. Read More.

  • Mar. 21, 2024 | Iran

    Christian Arrests Increase

    [224] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Iranian Christians.
    Iranian house church leaders know they face possible arrest.

    Front-line workers in Iran report an increase in the number of Christians being arrested, partly due to regional tensions and conflicts. "Persecution against Iranian Christians is rising," a front-line worker said. "Every Christmas and Easter, officials usually arrest some Christians, but this year the number went way up, and we're concerned about what might occur around Easter." The worker mentioned that in the past, Iranian officials would occasionally arrest church leaders and later release them with a strong suggestion that the Christians leave the country. Read More.

  • Mar. 21, 2024 | Kyrgyzstan

    Repressive New Religion Laws Considered

    [155] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Christians in Krygyzstan.
    Locations for worship in Kyrgyzstan would be severely limited under proposed religion laws.

    The State Commission of Religious Affairs (SCRA) in Kyrgyzstan has proposed new religion laws. The laws currently in effect in this Central Asian country already require registration of churches and limit how churches can form, but the proposed laws are even more stringent. The laws require registration and regular re-registration as well as intrusive reporting procedures. They also set the minimum size for an organization restrictively high and require "founding members" to provide signatures and identifying information, opening individual Christians up to surveillance and harassment. Read More.

  • Mar. 21, 2024 | Nepal

    Young Bride's Refusal to Renounce Faith Brings Husband to Christ

    [166] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Anisha and Ashish.
    Anisha rented a small, unfurnished room alone after her eviction.

    Anisha and Ashish, who married early in 2023, went to a local church in search of healing from demonic spirits that harassed Ashish. Church members prayed for them, and Ashish was healed. The newlyweds began to read the Bible they had received at the church and soon wanted to place their trust in Jesus Christ. When Ashish's parents found the Bible, they insisted that the young couple renounce Christ and stop going to church. Ashish agreed, but Anisha did not. Read More.

  • Mar. 14, 2024 | Burkina Faso

    Church Elder Murdered

    [272] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Esther and her family.
    Pray for Burkina Faso

    On June 12, 2023, Ibrahim Saidou was traveling to buy farm supplies when he decided to visit the church where he served as an elder. Ibrahim lived in an area of Burkina Faso where Islamic terrorist groups associated with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) actively work to establish purely Muslim territory ruled by Islamic law. These groups regularly attack churches and Christian leaders. On his way to the church, Ibrahim was attacked and murdered by a group of Islamic militants. Read More.

  • Mar. 14, 2024 | Laos

    First Believers in Village Threatened with Expulsion

    [172] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Oudong and Lae.
    Oudong and Lae

    Oudong and his wife, Lae, placed their trust in Christ in May 2023, becoming the first Christians in their village. Two weeks after their conversion, the village head came to their home and told them to stop worshiping Jesus Christ because Buddhism and animism were the only religions permitted in the village. The couple, along with their four children, began to travel two hours each way to gather in worship and fellowship with believers in another city, but this did not satisfy the authorities. Read More.

  • Mar. 14, 2024 | India

    Pastor Dies After Third Attack on Church

    [179] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for pastor's family and church.
    Hindu radicals continued to harass the church after the pastor's death.

    Pastor Gangireddy died July 14, 2023, from burns he suffered during an attack on July 8. The church continues to face pressure from Hindu radicals, who have planted signs in front of the church with slogans like "Born a Hindu, Die a Hindu." This attack was the third against the church, which Pastor Gangireddy planted 20 years ago. Amid much opposition, Pastor Gangireddy stayed in the village and faithfully shared the gospel until his death. Read More.

  • Mar. 07, 2024 | Pakistan

    Cousins Appeal Death Sentence in Blasphemy Case

    [229] prayers in [16] nations have been posted for Young Christian Men.
    Having a Bible in prison has been a comfort to this young Christian on death row.

    In spring of 2023, two young men from a Christian family were convicted under Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws of blaspheming the Islamic prophet Mohammed. Conviction under these laws brings a mandatory death sentence. These laws are applied disproportionately against the small Christian minority in Pakistan. While these men appeal their cases, they remain on death row. Their families struggle to pay legal fees and provide for the young men's needs in prison. Read More.

  • Mar. 07, 2024 | Korea, North

    Gospel Message Reaches Hermit Kingdom via Airwaves

    [143] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Radio Broadcasting.
    Radio broadcasts are recorded almost daily at the VOMK radio studio.

    For years, front-line workers have been broadcasting the gospel message into North Korea using shortwave radio. Their broadcasts include Bible readings, sermons by early Korean Christians, hymns and common North Korean songs that have been rewritten with Christian lyrics. Official and unofficial surveys, as well as an increase in jamming efforts by the North Korean government, continue to show that these broadcasts are effectively reaching listeners in North Korea. A North Korean defector reported that he enjoyed listening to the rewritten songs, and he mentioned one that he especially enjoyed, originally titled "Our Party Is the Best" but changed to "Our God Is the Best." Read More.

  • Mar. 07, 2024 | Benin

    Christian Convert Flees Forced Marriage

    [161] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Aisosa.
    Women who convert to Christianity in Benin are often forced to marry older Muslim men.

    Aisosa's father is a traditional tribal sorcerer in Benin. When he started performing ceremonies for a certain local god, his family members began to die. Eventually, all of Aisosa's siblings and her mother died. Then Aisosa became sick, and her father wanted her to sacrifice a chicken to his god, but Aisosa did not want to worship her father's god any longer. A Christian woman in her village reached out to the 23-year-old and invited her to church. Read More.

  • Feb. 29, 2024 | Niger

    Pray for Christians Following Coup

    [204] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Nigerien Christians.
    The Christian community in Niger faces increased pressure since the government was overthrown in July, 2023.

    Armed terrorists, often connected to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS), have ravaged parts of Niger, particularly in the west near its borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. Much of the country's small Christian population has been displaced in the violence: "Many have seen their parents or family members shot and killed," a front-line worker said. Additionally, after Niger's president was overthrown by military officers in a July 2023 coup, the Islamic Council of Niger has been pushing to change the country from a secular democracy into an Islamic republic governed by sharia law. Read More.

  • Feb. 29, 2024 | Iran

    Illustrated Bible Changes Woman's Life

    [165] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Darya.
    The illustrated Action Bible is popular with children and adults in Iran.

    Darya was depressed and scared. Her much older husband had suddenly died of a stroke, and her 8-year-old son had become angry and violent. "I consulted with different psychologists about my son's behavior, but nothing improved," Darya said. "Once in the middle of the night my son came into my room with a knife in his hand. I was so afraid that I didn't sleep at all that night, and I just kept trying to calm my son down." The next day she told a friend what had happened. That friend was a Christian who prayed for her and gave her an illustrated Action Bible to give to her son. When Darya went home, she started to read the Gospels. Read More.

  • Feb. 29, 2024 | Bhutan

    Young Evangelist Undaunted by Barriers

    [160] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Narmith.
    Bhutan's king identifies himself as the defender of the Buddhist faith, and government policies are designed to discourage and silence Christian witness.

    Narmith, a new Christian in a discipleship program in Bhutan, has been growing in her faith and has had many opportunities to practice sharing her testimony and the gospel with others. Recently, she met two women with severe hearing impairments. She spent the entire afternoon with them, explaining through improvised hand signs how much Jesus loves them before praying for them. One woman was moved to tears after the prayer and conversation. Read More.

  • Feb. 22, 2024 | Laos

    Officials Summon Christians to Hear Police Ultimatum

    [219] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Houy Khoun Christians.
    Police and village officials summoned local Christians to threaten them.

    In August 2023, district police officials summoned the Houy Khoun village chief and all local Christians to a meeting where they outlined steps that would be taken against Christians to halt the spread of their faith. Authorities threatened to demolish the pastor's home (which also serves as a house church), enforced restrictions that do not allow new members to join the church, and warned them against evangelizing in the village or elsewhere in the district. The Christians boldly challenged the right of the police to close or damage the church. Read More.

  • Feb. 22, 2024 | Middle East

    Muslims Attack after Family Converts

    [175] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Khalida and family.
    Converts to Christianity in Egypt are often forced to flee.

    Khalida, her two sons and a daughter placed their trust in Christ years ago after having dreams about him. When Muslim extremists in their community heard about their conversion, they attacked the family and tried to kill them. The family barely survived. The enraged Muslims then formed a mob that attacked and burned several churches that were helping Khalida's family. Read More.

  • Feb. 22, 2024 | Mexico

    Martyr's Widow Perseveres with Help from Body of Christ

    [171] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Feliciana.
    Feliciana and her children stand firm in their faith after her husband was martyred.

    Feliciana's husband pastored a church in a town in Oaxaca, Mexico, until he was killed in 2014 for his bold witness for Christ. After her husband's murder, Feliciana struggled to provide for her family, and her two children became seriously ill. With VOM's help, she has been able to continue the work of leading the church in her town, and her children are healthy and thriving. Read More.

  • Feb. 15, 2024 | India

    Martyr's Family Finds Help, Healing

    [227] prayers in [16] nations have been posted for Sunita and Stuti.
    Like other Christian widows in India, Sunita has been neglected by her non-Christian in-laws.

    Pastor Vinod was killed in 2021, leaving behind his wife, Sunita, and 13-year-old daughter, Stuti. They have struggled emotionally and financially with their loss while living with Hindu family members who refuse to help them. Front-line workers have helped them get counseling, which has given them tools to express and process their emotions and begin to regain some joy. Read More.

  • Feb. 15, 2024 | Benin

    Destroyed Church Rebuilt, Reopened

    [168] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Benin Christians.
    Voodooists destroyed this church building on National Voodoo Day in 2023. It has now been rebuilt with help from the global body of Christ.

    On January 10, 2023, in a small town in central Benin, a group of voodooists burned down a church when Christians refused to honor local idols. Benin is considered the birthplace of voodoo, and the country celebrates National Voodoo Day on January 10 each year. Occult practices, which include worshiping idols, sacrificing animals and wearing special talismans to ward off evil, are widespread. With VOM's help, the church has been rebuilt and reopened. Read More.

  • Feb. 15, 2024 | Lebanon

    Christian Convert Escapes from Locked Room

    [163] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Khaled.
    Most Lebanese are Muslims, but around 30% of the country is Christian.

    Khaled's Lebanese Muslim family was displeased when he decided to become a follower of Christ. After learning about his newfound faith, they attacked him and locked him in a room away from his wife, attempting to force him to return to Islam. But Khaled escaped and eventually reunited with his wife. She was also not supportive of his conversion and only allowed him to return if he paid the full cost of their housing and living expenses without any financial assistance from her. He found a new job, is paying the expenses, and is trying to demonstrate God's love to his wife. Read More.

  • Feb. 08, 2024 | Cuba

    Wisdom Needed in Online Communications

    [196] prayers in [15] nations have been posted for Cuban Christians.
    Christians in Cuba ask for prayer for wisdom as they face increasing restrictions from their atheistic Communist government.

    The atheistic Communist government in Cuba has enacted a new law intended to control the online spread of misinformation, especially that which is related to the country's reputation, national security, revolution, government leaders and ideology. Christians in Cuba have reported concerns about the law's enforcement as the government has defined "misinformation" broadly and indicated that it will prosecute violators with heavy scrutiny. Some have reported instances of government prosecution simply for sharing Bible verses in social media posts, which the government then interpreted as a threat to the regime. Read More.

  • Feb. 08, 2024 | Middle East

    Abused Teenager and Her Family Flee

    [174] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Zara.
    Converts in Iraq face extreme pressure.

    In 2015, Zara, then 19, was abducted and horribly abused for several days by her kidnappers. Her entire Muslim family had become followers of Christ, and some Muslim extremists wanted to punish them. "They told her what they were doing was not a sin," said a front-line worker, "but that it was their religious obligation because of her conversion to Christianity." After her kidnappers released her, Zara and her family eventually fled to another country, but they continue to struggle. Read More.

  • Feb. 08, 2024 | Laos

    Former Soldier Sacrifices Pension, Remains Faithful

    [164] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Phet and his family.
    Confiscation of family registration books is a common tactic used against Christians.

    Phet, 71, and his wife placed their trust in Christ in 2005. As a veteran of the Laotian army with more than 30 years of service, Phet is entitled to a government pension but was denied it. The commander said he would approve the pension if Phet would recant his faith. Phet answered, "My family and I, we already accepted Christ, and we could not turn back to worship the ghost spirits any longer." His wife and children agreed, saying, "God, our Father, will take care of us." Phet's family experienced increasing persecution in their village, and the police took their family registration book, which holds important records such as birth and marriage certificates, educational records, and work permits. Read More.

  • Feb. 01, 2024 | Iran

    Pastor Faces 20-Year Sentence

    [250] prayers in [17] nations have been posted for Pastor Avedian.
    Pastor Anooshavan Avedian

    On Sept. 18, 2023, Pastor Anooshavan Avedian, who is 61 years old with a wife and two children, was summoned by police to Evin prison to begin a 10-year prison sentence. Pastor Avedian was arrested on Aug. 21, 2020, when approximately 30 security agents raided his home while family and friends gathered to pray and worship. The group met in his home because the government closed their church several years earlier. Government agents confiscated Bibles and mobile phones, taking Pastor Avedian and two Christian converts to Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Read More.

  • Feb. 01, 2024 | Nepal

    SD Cards, Daughter's Healing Bring Family to Faith

    [162] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for Manju and family.
    In August, front-line workers gave Manju and each of her children their first Bibles.

    When Manju's husband became a follower of Christ, Manju and their children were very opposed to his faith and berated him to abandon it. But in May 2023, a pastor asked her to watch a film about Jesus. He installed a memory card with several videos on her phone. The family began to watch these films, calling the pastor to explain parts they did not understand. Manju invited the pastor to her house one day. While he was there, 14-year-old Sharda was watching one of the videos by herself when she experienced a demonic attack. Read More.

  • Feb. 01, 2024 | Nigeria

    Teens Traumatized by Islamist Violence Attend Camp

    [168] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Nigeria Teens.
    Camps provide a safe place for young Nigerian persecution victims to receive inner healing.

    Front-line workers recently held a camp for teenagers from several different areas across Nigeria where militant Fulani Muslims and Boko Haram militants have slaughtered thousands of Christians. Each teen in attendance during the camp had lost one or both parents in Islamist attacks. Some of the young people continue to live in areas where militant attacks are common. Read More.

  • Jan. 25, 2024 | Mexico

    Bold Witness Beaten 40 Times

    [254] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Gabriela.
    Gabriela continues to advance the gospel in rural Mexico amid ongoing opposition.

    Gabriela lives in a rural village in Oaxaca, Mexico, where members of her Mixteca community adhere to Christo-paganism, a syncretistic blend of pagan practices and Roman Catholicism that is opposed to the gospel. Because of her boldness in sharing her faith, she has been attacked by her neighbors as well as her husband, who is embarrassed by her commitment to Christ. She has been beaten an estimated 40 times and hospitalized on several occasions. Read More.

  • Jan. 25, 2024 | Middle East

    Family Forced to Flee

    [165] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Pastor Maged.
    The Great Pyramid of Giza, near Cairo

    Pastor Maged was planting a church in a rural part of Egypt when his family came under severe persecution. Repeatedly they fled, and repeatedly they were pressured. Eventually, they were forced to live underground where raw sewage seeped into their basement living quarters. After some time, they relocated to another Arab nation where Pastor Maged is active in church leadership. Read More.

  • Jan. 25, 2024 | Laos

    Brother Risks Eviction by Choosing to Honor God

    [163] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Mr. Wru.
    Villagers have threatened to evict Wru for his faith.

    While Wru was making funeral arrangements for his mother in July 2023, the village headman asked permission to play a game that involved gambling during the funeral observances. Funeral observances in Laotian villages are often considered community affairs and include a variety of activities. Wru told the headman no, stating, "I am a Christian, and I want to give honor to my God. I do not support the idea of gambling, especially in my mother's funeral." The village headman, feeling that he had "lost face" in the interaction, was angry and threatened to kick Wru and any other Christians out of the village. Read More.

  • Jan. 18, 2024 | Algeria

    Christians Struggle Amid Government Crackdown on Churches

    [216] prayers in [17] nations have been posted for Algerian Christians.
    Algerian Officers Close a Church in 2019

    In 2019, the Algerian government permanently closed many churches, and several others that closed temporarily during the pandemic have not been allowed to re-open. "Many believers have gone for months or even years without gathering with their brothers and sisters in Christ," a front-line worker said. While Christians in Algeria are receiving biblical training via the internet and Arabic Christian satellite TV channels, relying on the internet and other media sources can leave them vulnerable to false teaching and manipulation. Read More.

  • Jan. 18, 2024 | India

    Digital Resources Transform Hearts

    [163] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Angira.
    SD cards are small, making them easy to carry and distribute.

    Bibles and SD cards that contain Bibles as well as other Christian materials are having a profound impact in India. One recipient, Angira, said, "I received an SD card that would change our lives. As we began listening to its contents, we discovered the teachings of Jesus Christ, which resonated deeply within us. Eventually, we made the decision to embrace our faith and received baptism. Today, we are proud members of the local church, actively engaging with our community by sharing the gospel with others." Read More.

  • Jan. 18, 2024 | Korea, North

    Convicted Murderer Growing in Faith

    [172] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Mr. K.
    Mr. K read Tortured for Christ in prison.

    Mr. K, a student in a discipleship program for North Korean defectors, is currently serving time in prison for a murder he committed in South Korea. Mr. K had thought that he could never be forgiven for what he had done, but he was deeply encouraged when Christian friends told him the Lord had forgiven his sin and that he could still be used by the Lord. He began studying the Bible and reading inspiring books like Tortured for Christ in prison. Read More.

  • Jan. 11, 2024 | Laos

    Christian Loses Position on Village Council

    [202] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Siporn.
    Siporn and his wife

    Siporn is a faithful Christian and a member of the village council in his community. In August, the president of the council confronted Siporn about his faith, promising that Siporn would succeed him as council president if Siporn would recant. Siporn answered, "I will not stop believing in my God, because I have found the truth and chosen the right path for my life." The council then met without Siporn and voted to remove him from his position. Read More.

  • Jan. 11, 2024 | Nepal

    Hindu Mobs Vandalize Three Churches

    [162] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for churches in Nepal.
    A cow-slaughtering incident has led to an upsurge in anti-Christian violence in Nepal.

    On Aug. 30, 2023, three churches in one district were attacked in the daytime by groups of 20-25 people each. One Christian leader reported that the groups pelted the buildings with stones and bricks, causing damage to windows, doors and gates. The groups chanted Hindu religious slogans during the attacks. Read More.

  • Jan. 11, 2024 | Benin

    Sisters Beaten, Nearly Killed by Father

    [187] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Renee and Rebecca.
    Two young women in Benin.

    Renee (22) and Rebecca (19) are half-sisters. Their father has four wives and practices animistic sorcery. Years ago, Renee's mother was unable to conceive, so she went to a Christian outreach hoping for a miracle. There she placed her faith in Christ and received prayer; later she became pregnant and gave birth to Renee. Renee's father was not pleased when his wife took Renee to church. Renee's half-sister, Rebecca, became a Christian while training at a hair salon with someone who sang worship songs. Read More.

  • Jan. 04, 2024 | Nigeria

    Family Escapes Attackers, Fire

    [235] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Sade.
    Sade and her daughters.

    Sade, who has been nearly blind most of her life, heard screams as attackers raided her village, so she ran with her three daughters in search of safety. Radical Muslim Fulani men had attacked her village before, so Sade knew their lives were in danger. She, her children and several others took shelter in her brother's apartment. When militants found them and couldn't break in, they set the building on fire. The apartment filled with smoke, but the group feared leaving. Read More.

  • Jan. 04, 2024 | Pakistan

    Muslim Girl Requests Bible, Chooses to Follow Christ

    [176] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Rabyia.
    The Lord is calling Muslims to himself through his Word.

    Rabyia, a young Muslim, asked a Christian evangelist to give her a Bible. She later called him back with a story. She had started reading the Bible in Genesis and then skipped ahead to the Gospels. At first, she thought that Christians had taken the story of Jesus as a prophet of Islam and twisted it to come up with the story she read in the Bible, as she had been taught in school. Then, she had a dream in which she saw a bright light and heard a voice say, "This is my word. Read it." She began reading the Bible intently and found that it brought her peace. Read More.

  • Jan. 04, 2024 | Korea, North

    Wisdom for Outreach to North Korean Defectors

    [157] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for defectors.
    As a mobile ministry, classes are held in homes, coffeeshops, campsites and other locations.

    Front-line workers serving North Korean defectors in South Korea have seen an increase in the number of North Koreans expressing interest in joining their basic Christian discipleship classes. These classes use a mobile format to reach students in various parts of the country. Read More.

  • Dec. 28, 2023 | Laos

    Village Headman Becomes Christian, Loses Status

    [230] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Sed.
    Sed and his wife joyfully received new Bibles from a front-line worker.

    Sed, the headman of his village and a faithful Christian, hosted a worship service in his home. District officials reprimanded him and gave him an ultimatum: stop believing in Christ or lose his position in the village. Sed chose to follow Christ, telling the authorities, "I will not recant my faith. I love God because he brings peace to my family. I rejoice in my God." He was immediately forced to sign a resignation letter, losing the post he had held for 18 years and the income he received from that position. Read More.

  • Dec. 28, 2023 | Nepal

    Believer Seeks Reconciliation with Parents

    [178] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Jitendra.
    Jitendra must earn his living as a driver-for-hire.

    Jitendra is the only Christian in his family, and he earns daily wages as a driver. When his parents, who are wealthy, divided their property among their children, they did not give him anything because of his decision to follow Christ. Read More.

  • Dec. 28, 2023 | Benin

    Christian Broadcaster's Life Threatened

    [182] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Amadi.
    A village in Benin.

    Amadi was a Muslim who enjoyed arguing with Christians. But he often wrestled with questions that caused him to doubt his beliefs. One night he had a dream in which a fearsome creature was attacking him and wouldn't stop, even though he cried out for Allah. But when he used the name of Jesus Christ, the creature vanished. Read More.

  • Dec. 21, 2023 | Sri Lanka

    Bold Witness Draws Opposition

    [202] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Anuradha.
    Anuradha is a bold witness for Christ in her community.

    In July, Anuradha shared the gospel with three families in her Sri Lankan village and invited the pastor of her church to pray for them. When word of this reached the local temple, the monk and 50 other people came to Anuradha's house and threatened her to stop these Christian activities. She boldly answered them that she would not stop. A few days later, nearly 80 people came to her home and demanded that she be investigated by the police. Read More.

  • Dec. 21, 2023 | Azerbaijan

    Gospel Reaches Beyond Capital City

    [146] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Azerbaijan.
    People walk along the Caspian Sea in Baku.

    Azerbaijan is a small nation of 10 million people tucked among the Caspian Sea, Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Russia. Its population is 85% Shia Muslim and 2% Christian. Christian ministry efforts have historically focused on the country's capital city, Baku, where 25% of the population lives. But local Christians have increased their efforts to reach beyond the capital. "Christians are using media to connect with Azerbaijanis outside of Baku," said a front-line worker. Read More.

  • Dec. 21, 2023 | Mozambique

    Christians Remain at Risk

    [143] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for the Cabo Delgado region.
    Muslim extremists in Mozambique

    Since 2019, the Cabo Delgado region of Northern Mozambique has been the site of extremist Muslim attacks in which thousands have been killed and at least 100,000 displaced. The attackers are part of a group connected to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) that seeks to establish a region ruled by sharia law. Some of the deadliest attacks came in 2021 near a massive oil processing installation under construction, garnering worldwide media coverage. Since then, the region remains extremely dangerous for Christians. Read More.

  • Dec. 14, 2023 | Nepal

    Pastor Attacked by Hindu Radicals

    [213] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Pastor Tamang.
    Hindu radicals attacked Pastor Bhim with black paint.

    Pastor Bhim Tamang, 63, was visiting a new believer in Christ and sharing the Word of God with him on Sept. 4 when a group of Hindu radicals burst into the home. They hit Bhim, broke his hearing aid, burned his Bible and warned him to stop preaching. Police officers arrived to protect Bhim and his colleagues, but the radicals pushed through and smeared black paint on Bhim's face. The police believed that, due to the aggressiveness of the radicals, Bhim and his colleagues would not be safe at the local station, so they took the Christians to district headquarters. Read More.

  • Dec. 14, 2023 | Korea, North

    North Korean Christians Receive Bibles

    [163] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for underground Christians.
    Bibles are getting into the hands of Christians in North Korea.

    Front-line workers are making new connections with Christians in the underground church and distributing Bibles into North Korea through many methods, new and old. Owning a Bible or even portions of Scripture is extremely risky in North Korea. After a recent meeting with front-line workers and North Korean Christians, VOM President Cole Richards shared, "Few North Koreans have ever had access to Scripture - or even to the core gospel message - because of the Communist-inspired regime's unceasing efforts to restrict access. Read More.

  • Dec. 14, 2023 | Afghanistan

    Christian Afghan Refugees Fear Forced Return

    [163] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Afghan Christians.
    Two Afghan men chat

    Afghan Christians struggling to survive as refugees in neighboring countries ask for prayer. According to international relief agencies, Afghans constitute the third-largest displaced population in the world after Syrian and Ukrainian refugees. Those groups report at least 1.2 million Afghans fled when the Taliban seized control in August 2021, joining many who had previously evacuated. In total, around 8 million Afghan refugees are believed to live in neighboring countries, including some Christians, says a front-line worker: "Pray for God's peace, protection and provision for them and that they will not be deported back to Afghanistan." Read More.

  • Dec. 07, 2023 | Sri Lanka

    Christmas Care Distribution Makes Way for New Church

    [186] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for churches in Sri Lanka.
    Children at a Christmas Care pack distribution in Sri Lanka.

    A church in the Batticaloa area of Sri Lanka conducted their first Christmas Care Pack distribution early in the summer. One of the distribution points was in a hunters' village deep in the jungle. The children in this village were overjoyed to receive their packs. No church was in this village prior to the distribution, but this event gave front-line workers the opportunity to negotiate with the village leader to allocate land to build a church. Read More.

  • Dec. 07, 2023 | Laos

    Mother and Children Rejected for Faith

    [165] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Phin and her family.
    Phin with one of her daughters.

    When Inn's uncle shared the gospel with his family in February 2022, Inn was the only one who accepted Christ. The village leaders threatened Inn and his parents, saying he would be kicked out of school and jailed and the whole family would be evicted. Inn sought refuge with front-line workers so that he could finish high school and grow in his faith. Inn stayed in touch with his family, sharing about Christ whenever he could. Those gospel seeds took root. In January 2023, Inn's mother, Phin, and his two sisters accepted Christ. Village officials made daily threats, and Inn's father persecuted them as well. Read More.

  • Dec. 07, 2023 | Arabian Peninsula

    Local Churches Minister to Stateless New Believers

    [161] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for New Believers.
    A family gathering in a Gulf nation.

    The nations of the Arab Peninsula attract people from around the world. Some come to participate in a religious pilgrimage while others arrive seeking job opportunities. Very few who decide to settle are ever given the opportunity to become citizens. "I know of one family where a grandfather came for a visit and stayed. Some of the family members have since become Christians," said a front-line worker. "And if they, or other second- or third-generation people living in the country, experience persecution … the church becomes their only refuge." Read More.

  • Nov. 30, 2023 | Israel

    God at Work Amid the Horror of War

    [219] prayers in [15] nations have been posted for Israel.

    Front-line workers shared how God is moving in Israel, including Gaza and the West Bank, amid the conflict raging throughout the region. One Christian leader said, "Please pray for believers inside of Gaza. As the conflict intensifies, and the possibilities of death increase, there is a growing intentionality to share the gospel with friends and families. We have heard testimonies of those living in shelters because their homes have been damaged and are sharing boldly - and there seems to be an openness." Read More.

  • Nov. 30, 2023 | Brunei

    Decree Requires Islamic Indoctrination of All Children

    [176] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for children in Brunei.
    The Islamic government of Brunei requires Islamic education for all children.

    In October 2023, the government of the Islamic sultanate of Brunei announced a radical change in education policy to be implemented from Nov. 1. All 2nd to 5th grade students, including Christian children, are required to attend one hour per day of Islamic instruction. This includes practicing Islamic prayers and studying the Quran. This decree from the sultan applies to public and private schools. Read More.

  • Nov. 30, 2023 | India

    Pastor Harassed, Imprisoned over Conversion Claims

    [167] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Pastor Santosh.
    Hindu radicals in India routinely damage or destroy churches to hinder Christian worship.

    Since 2020, Pastor Santosh has been harassed and pressured by members of the Hindu nationalist group RSS. His church has been vandalized, he has been threatened and struck, and the group has repeatedly pressured the police to file charges against him for conversion of Hindus. In October 2022, he was jailed for a month without bail. "When a person goes to jail, he breaks," Santosh said. "I felt broken, too. After coming out of the jail, I was petrified. I did not go any place for months. Read More.

  • Nov. 23, 2023 | Malaysia

    Court Investigates Disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh

    [201] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Koh family.
    Susanna and her daughters hold photos of Raymond.

    On Feb. 13, 2017, a group of men on motorbikes and in SUVs abducted Pastor Raymond Koh. His wife, Susanna, and their children have not heard from him since, though Susanna has continued to seek information from the police and Malaysia's justice system. Susanna filed a legal case requesting new inquiries into her husband's disappearance, which she believes was connected to a 2011 confrontation with the Islamic religious police. The judge hearing the case visited the scene of the abduction on Nov. 6 and 7 to learn more about the situation. Read More.

  • Nov. 23, 2023 | Nepal

    Husband Abandons Christian Wife, Children

    [164] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Bindu.
    Bindu (left) with her children

    Five years ago, Bindu and her three children put their faith in Christ, becoming the first Christians in their village. Bindu's husband, Hari, is strongly Hindu and actively tried to stop them from going to church. On Christmas day 2021, while Bindu and the children were preparing to attend a Christmas celebration, he began to beat them, knocking one of his daughters unconscious and chasing them out of the home. Bindu and her daughters decided to return home, and the persecution and abuse continued. Hari tried many times to open a case for divorce and finally left the village. Read More.

  • Nov. 23, 2023 | Kenya

    Islamists Burn Widow's Home a Second Time

    [168] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Grace.
    Smoke fills the street of a Kenyan town.

    Radical Islamic groups based in Somalia regularly attack Christians in Kenya who live near the border. Late in the evening of January 2, 2022, al-Shabab terrorists from Somalia broke into a house, pulled out a Kenyan father of four named Joseph and questioned him about his religion. When Joseph boldly declared that he was a Christian, they beheaded him. They then threatened his wife, Grace, and set the home ablaze. On September 26, 2023, terrorists returned to the village and destroyed Grace's rebuilt home. Read More.

  • Nov. 16, 2023 | Egypt

    Sudanese Refugees Flee to Egypt

    [208] prayers in [13] nations have been posted for Sudanese Refugees.
    Sudanese fleeing an earlier conflict.

    More than a million Sudanese refugees have fled to neighboring countries since fighting erupted in Khartoum on April 15, 2023. Egyptian authorities report that nearly 300,000 Sudanese have arrived in Egypt since the fighting began, significantly adding to the more than 4 million Sudanese who had fled there during previous wars seeking safety and improved economic opportunity. Read More.

  • Nov. 16, 2023 | Arabian Peninsula

    Pressure Increases on Christians in Small Gulf State

    [165] prayers in [9] nations have been posted for Young Followers of Christ.
    People shopping in an Arab Gulf nation.

    Front-line workers report that new believers in a small Gulf nation are under increasing pressure after one of their leaders was deported for his faith. "Most of the local Christians are young in faith and also young in age," a front-line worker explained. "The community [members] had grown a bit relaxed and weren't expecting anything like this to happen, so it caught them by surprise." Read More.

  • Nov. 16, 2023 | Sri Lanka

    Evangelist Proclaims Christ in Hindu Stronghold

    [170] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Sam.
    Hindu opposition to Christianity makes evangelism risky in Sri Lanka.

    Sam, a pastor in the majority-Hindu northern part of Sri Lanka, was sharing the gospel with a friend who seemed open to learning about Jesus. Without warning, the friend became aggressive and struck Sam in the face. Another time, villagers accosted him and berated him with profanity for his evangelism efforts. Sam remains faithful to his calling and is committed to his goal of sharing the gospel with 200 people this year. Read More.

  • Nov. 09, 2023 | Laos

    Christian Brother Insulted for Choosing Christ

    [173] prayers in [8] nations have been posted for BoonTaWong.
    BoonTaWong

    BoonTaWong came to Christ because he wanted a changed life like he saw in other Christians. That decision brought the attention of the main religious leader of his community, who began to threaten and harass BoonTaWong. He demanded that BoonTaWong recant his faith in Christ, blamed his Christian faith for causing BoonTaWong's wife to die, and mocked the impoverishment of most Lao Christians. Read More.

  • Nov. 09, 2023 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the

    Bombed Church Blamed for Explosion

    [180] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Christians in DRC.
    Christians gather inside a large church in the DRC.

    On Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, hundreds of Christians gathered at a church in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to end a weeklong series of prayer meetings. The gathering was so large that chairs and tarps were placed outside to provide overflow seating. Those in attendance did not know that radical Islamic group ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) had buried a bomb in the outdoor seating area. Just after a children's choir finished performing, the bomb exploded, killing 15 people and seriously injuring roughly 70 more. "Now some people are saying that we planted the bomb!" said one assistant pastor, explaining, "Those people think we are trying to gain sympathy and funding." Read More.

  • Nov. 02, 2023 | Cuba

    Churches Share Hand-Copied Bibles

    [212] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Bibles for Cuba.
    Printing Bibles is illegal in Cuba.

    In Cuba, Bibles are precious and sometimes scarce. Even when Bibles are available, they can cost a third of a worker's monthly income. But Christians in Cuba are hungry for God's Word and are finding creative solutions to the limited access. Read More.

  • Nov. 02, 2023 | Morocco

    Hope after the Earthquake

    [165] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Morocco.
    Moroccan homes destroyed by the September 8 earthquake.

    On September 8, 2023, a massive 6.8 earthquake rattled parts of Morocco, killing nearly 3,000 and affecting roughly 300,000. One Christian family lives near the epicenter of the quake and shared their experience. They were awoken around 11 p.m. and rushed outside as buildings around them shook and collapsed. "It was a dramatic experience," said the front-line worker. "We were on the street all night long as the village we had lived in for 20 years was destroyed." The worker reported that 1,000 people died in that village alone. Read More.

  • Nov. 02, 2023 | Korea, North

    Discipleship Program Encourages Outreach

    [152] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Discipleship Program.
    Christian defectors take mission trips to meet other North Korean defectors in various parts of South Korea.

    Students in a discipleship training program for North Korean defectors spend a large portion of the training doing hands-on ministry in areas known to have large communities of other North Korean defectors. Pray for these students as they focus their strategy on Christian discipleship, evangelism, Bible study and helping students engage in life-changing connection with the church. Due to various factors, some of these students are not always able to finish the program, but several former students have shown interest in returning. Read More.

  • Oct. 26, 2023 | Laos

    Widowed Christian Threatened with Loss of Home

    [227] prayers in [15] nations have been posted for La.
    Sister La's home is at risk.

    La and her husband became Christians while seeking a cure for his illness. Though he died three months later, they remained faithful due to the love and care they received from their brothers and sisters in Christ. In 2020, her daughter married a non-believer, and her son-in-law moved into her house. He practices animism, making offerings to spirits and trying to force his mother-in-law to do the same. He threw away La's Bible and tries to keep her from practicing her Christian faith. Read More.

  • Oct. 26, 2023 | Benin

    Christian Teenager Attacked by Father

    [172] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Urbi.
    Some young women in Benin

    During a fall 2022 revival meeting in her village, 19-year-old Urbi Izegbe committed her life to Christ. Her family was not happy with her decision and responded by insulting her, threatening her and even withholding food from her. Her father also forbade her from attending church. But Urbi decided that her relationship with Christ was the most important thing in her life, so she continued participating in church services and activities. On August 11, 2023, when she returned home from a church meeting, her father attacked her and tried to kill her using a broken bottle as a weapon. Read More.

  • Oct. 26, 2023 | Iraq

    Christian Student Murdered by Former Friends

    [164] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Christians in Iraq.
    A mosque in Iraq

    One day in May 2023, an Iraqi pastor answered his phone, not knowing it would be the last call he would receive from a young Christian friend. On the line was a university student who had recently converted from Islam. Some of the student's former friends had arrived at his home, saying, "We know about your new faith. We are going to give you a chance to come back." The group told him he could claim not to believe in any god, but he could not remain a Christian. The assailants gave him 24 hours to recant, or they would kill him. Read More.