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**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Columbia, Latin/South America Many Christians in Colombia are taking great risks to share the gospel in some of the most dangerous places for Christians on earth. Working in these hostile areas often results in persecution from armed guerrillas and paramilitary forces. After voters rejected a 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a Marxist rebel group, the government approved an agreement with the insurgents without public approval in 2017. Since the agreement, various paramilitary groups in rural areas of the north and west have grown more active and violent. Pastors in Colombia’s “red zones” (areas controlled by militant groups rather than the government) have not benefited significantly from the government’s 2017 peace treaty with the Marxist guerrillas. While the guerrillas no longer officially affiliate with the FARC, they continue to oppress Christians and remain involved in the drug trade. Christians are targeted because their obedience to God’s Word prevents them from supporting or joining the violent factions (guerrillas or paramilitary groups) funded through narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities. Worship, evangelism and travel are dangerous in these areas, as the guerrillas seek to control all aspects of villagers’ lives. The Scripture for today is: But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (MATTHEW 5:44) Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 PETER 4:16-19) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Columbian brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in Latin America. We pray for a decrease in violence, and Your hand to move to stop the narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities that are funding the violent guerilla militants. We pray that the Columbian families of those loved ones already martyred will remain faithful and continue to heal emotionally and spiritually. We pray for widows and orphans in Columbia who are rebuilding their lives, for a touch of Your overflowing love in Christ to fill the emptiness. We pray for the scattered Columbian churches in the “red zones” to stay faithful to testifying of the gospel, even as violence comes to their doorsteps. We pray for the front-line missionaries, to encourage them to press on in this eternal work for You and the salvation of the Columbian people. In the risen Savior of Columbia, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Algeria, north Africa Before the founding of Islam in the seventh century and the subsequent invasion by Arab Muslims, Algeria was inhabited by the Berber people. Today, they live mainly in Algeria’s mountainous Kabylie area in the north, while Arabs inhabit the rest of the country. The Christian faith has a long history in North Africa, especially among ethnic Berbers. The early church father Augustine of Hippo is thought to have been a Berber from Algeria. After centuries of oppressive Muslim occupation, public Christian worship and witness have largely disappeared, but many Berbers are now rediscovering their Christian heritage. Churches have seen rapid growth, and Algeria has experienced one of the world’s largest movements of Muslims coming to faith in Christ. Algerian Christians are reaching out boldly to their Muslim countrymen, causing increased persecution in an uncertain political climate. 97 percent of Algerians are Sunni Muslims. Christian converts from Islam are persecuted by the government and their own family members. They also face a variety of hardships from the local community. Algeria is a shining example of church growth in North Africa and is also a leader for theological training and church development in the region. Nearly all of the church growth has occurred within the Berber community. Although churches are allowed to meet openly, in 2018 the government temporarily closed many church buildings and harassed congregations. Berber Christians, who are watched carefully, have gained a collective voice through an association of churches. Sharing the gospel with Arabs can cause serious problems, but Berber Christians continue to share the gospel boldly in and around al-Qaida terrorist camps. Secret communities of Arab Christians exist throughout the country. While it is not common for Christians to be imprisoned, one believer was imprisoned for nearly a year in connection with a social media post. The Scripture for today is: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Algerian brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in northern Africa, specifically among the ethic Berber community. We pray for the Algerian church leaders to be strong and wise while they endure hardship. Although the government seeks to close down their church doors, we ask for their safety and new worshipping communities to form throughout the land of Algeria, for Your gospel cannot be stopped! We pray for our Algerian brothers and sisters who suffer at the hands of their unbelieving family members, that they remain steadfast in Your love for them and fervent in their testimony of new life in Your Son. We pray that Your salvation by grace through Christ alone may spread through Bible distribution and media. Help us remember Algeria prayerfully, and not take for granted the freedom we have to gather and worship Christ freely today. In the risen Savior of Algeria, Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.
**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Afghanistan The Good News of Christ reached Afghanistan by the second century, but today there are no church buildings. Cultural and religious opposition to the gospel as well as significant security issues remain great challenges for all missions efforts in this Central Asian nation. And sadly, most Afghans have never heard the gospel, do not know a Christian and have been indoctrinated to follow Muhammad’s teachings without question. Radical Islam and violent tribal political activity make the nation a difficult and dangerous place for Christians to practice their faith. There is, nevertheless, a special unity among Christians laboring for the gospel in Afghanistan. Indigenous, near-culture and expatriate believers are boldly taking risks and using every possible opportunity to help believers grow in faith and connect with local house churches. While church growth has been slow among the more than 40 unique people groups, significant Christian growth has occurred among the Hazara people, and members of other people groups are also coming to know Christ. Afghan Christians cannot worship openly. They must worship in homes or other small venues, and evangelism is forbidden. Christians and seekers are highly secretive about their faith or interest in Christianity, especially since the resurgence of the Taliban. Beatings, torture and kidnappings are routine for Christians in Afghanistan. Although waves of Christians have fled the country to worship openly, some Afghan Christians have stayed to maintain a witness for Christ. A small number of Christians are martyred every year in Afghanistan, but their deaths generally occur without public knowledge. A few are also in prison, but imprisonment is not common. Christian converts from Islam are often killed by family members or other radicalized Muslims before any legal proceedings can begin. The Scripture for today is: Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12-14) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Afghan brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for their peace, protection and provision for them and their families. We pray for their small gatherings in prayer will uplift their souls with encouragement, training, and true worship to keep following after Your Son in the power of Your Spirit. We pray for front-line workers involved in evangelism, discipleship, and house churches throughout Afghanistan – strengthen them and make their work fruitful through Bible translation, radio, TV, and social media ministries. May it bear much fruit to reach more of the Afghan people. We pray our brothers and sisters will persevere through opposition, even at great sacrifice to their families and safety. We pray for greater access to Afghanistan, that Your Word may go forth to every language, tribe, tongue. Through the Savior whom You sent for Afghanistan and the Afghan people, their Deliverer Jesus Christ we pray, Amen. |
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