PRAYER DIARY | July/August 2019 - Open Doors
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
PRAYER DIARY | July/August 2019
“Surely God is my
salvation; I will trust
and not be afraid.”
Isaiah 12:2
risks to help those who have some churches to reopen face strong opposition from
JULY suffered violent attacks (see officially after they had been non-believers, including
Magazine p8). Ask God to closed down due to false verbal harassment, social
protect Abishek and use him charges by Hindu extremists. intimidation and even death
India to bring hope and healing to Ask God to bless and protect threats. Pray for the believers
vulnerable believers when these churches and pray that to be strong and very
Monday 1 July they need it most. more churches can be reached courageous.
The rise of Hindu extremism with this kind of support.
threatens the very survival Friday 5 July
of the church in India (see Jenita*’s husband was Bangladesh
Magazine p7). Pray that the murdered for his faith leaving Sri Lanka
BJP, a Hindu nationalist party her with three children to raise Saturday 13 July
that was returned to power in (aged 5, 3 and 18 months). Tuesday 9 July The Bangladeshi government
May’s elections, will resist the Pray for wisdom for Open Pray for God’s comfort for is increasingly giving in to
influence of extremist groups Doors partners supporting the the many believers bereaved the demands of local Islamic
who want to wipe out non- family. Abishek says, “I went in the Easter bomb attacks groups, which monitor
Hindu groups from India. Pray to that family and I cried with which killed over 250 people minorities, especially
that they will govern wisely them, I encouraged them, I (see Magazine p14). Pastor converts to Christianity. Ask
and ensure justice for all comforted them from the Word Kumaran, whose 12-year-old the Lord to give believers
Indians, including Christians of God. [Jenita] was telling son Malkiya was killed, says: courage and boldness to tell
and other minorities. me, ‘Thank you so much. “I’m not asking God why, I’m others about His love.
Nobody has come like that and only asking how I can pass
Tuesday 2 July comforted us.’” through this, and how long.” Sunday 14 July
Following the re-election Pray for a Youth Camp being
of the BJP, many fear that Saturday 6 July Wednesday 10 July held in July which will bring
anti-conversion laws will be Pray for Naveen*, whose Pray for those suffering from together young people from
put in place in more states neighbour falsely accused physical injuries or trauma in different backgrounds and
– eight states already have him of conversion and the wake of the attacks. Ask denominations. Pray for unity,
anti-conversion laws and insulting Hindu deities after God to heal them physically for openness to learn from
they are frequently abused to he held a prayer meeting in and spiritually and pray each other, and for Christ-
target Christians and other his house. There is an ongoing for Open Doors workers centred lives that will impact
minorities. Ask the Lord to court case against him. Pray providing trauma care and their communities.
prevent the spread of these for Naveen’s encouragement, practical support for around
laws in other states. and ask God to change his 250 affected families. Monday 15 July
neighbour’s heart and draw Pray for Open Doors workers
Wednesday 3 July him to Himself. Thursday 11 July visiting discipleship and adult
In response to the increase Give thanks that many literacy projects to assess
in persecution, Open Doors is Sunday 7 July believers are holding fast how these activities are going,
stepping up its efforts through Open Doors local partners are to Jesus, despite their grief. how they can be improved
local partners to strengthen providing basic legal training Verl, whose 13-year-old son and what the challenges are.
the most vulnerable believers this month to help believers Jackson was killed, says: Pray for safe travel, good
with practical support, biblical to know how to exercise their “God is good, God is great. My interactions with the believers
training and legal aid. Ask legal rights. Pray that this foundation is Jesus Christ. I’m and wisdom to know how best
God to encourage His people training will equip Christians zero. Jesus is everything. My to strengthen the church.
in India to stand firm through with a greater knowledge of son was mine for 13 years,
the prayers and support of the how to defend themselves but he is His forever.”
church worldwide. against false accusations and
imprisonment. Friday 12 July
Thursday 4 July Ask the Lord to unite and
Give thanks for the courage Monday 8 July strengthen the churches in
of Open Doors local partners Praise God that Open Doors Sri Lanka. Christians living
like Abishek, who take great partners were able to help in majority Buddhist areas
2 3
Give thanks for For one participant, who lost was lost, but their hope was
ANSWERED PRAYER
his daughter in an attack, rekindled at the programme.”
it was a sad, but powerful
moment: “I have been feeling PRAY
numb since then. I have
not been able to grieve and • Thank the Lord for the
process my pains. During the generous support that
Thank you to everyone who and I’m willing more than ever programme I broke down and has enabled the centre to
has been praying for our to be made whole.” cried for the first time. That open, and for the impact
trauma work in Nigeria. We night I slept well without any that it is already having on
are very happy to announce The centre is intended as a bad dreams for the first time.” peoples’ lives
that the Open Doors’ trauma place where trauma victims
centre in Nigeria has can come for extended care The trauma centre has also • For wisdom and patience
welcomed its first visitors. to find peace and to start out held its first women’s clinic, for the centre workers as
on the road to healing. But the welcoming 15 women who had they bring God’s love to the
The launch had been delayed centre also trains Christian experienced terrorist attacks. wounded and the broken
for a year because of the leaders and teachers in trauma
deteriorating security situation care and response. Already, “Prior to the programme, they • For protection for the
in northern Nigeria, but the 15 institutions have sent were quiet and reserved,” centre, staff, volunteers
doors have now finally opened, representatives for training. said a trauma care trainer. and visitors. The situation
and already the courses are These leaders are crucial, as “However, after going through in the area remains
transforming lives. they will refer survivors from the healing sessions and each volatile.
the field to the centre and will woman sharing her story,
Peter,* a pastor from northern also receive them back home there was tremendous change. You can watch a film from
Nigeria, attended one of for longterm care and support. They sang and danced every the trauma centre at
the first courses. He said, evening for about an hour www.opendoorsuk.org/nigeria
“Suddenly, I saw the Scripture One of the courses was a clinic before bedtime! Many of them
in new light, clearly indicating for survivors of attacks by said they thought all hope *names changed for security reasons
how God understands my pain Muslim Fulani herdsmen. These
and brokenness and how He victims were driven from their
has been in my situation. He communities and have been
understands it and offers hope living in camps for internally
and healing. displaced people, so this was
the first time for months that
He added, “[This training] they had had a good meal and a
led me and my brokenness bed to sleep in.
straight to the foot of the cross
4 5
Asia them to build a new house. community with the gospel. to force her to marry a Muslim
man. She escaped and is now
Tuesday 16 July – China Saturday 20 July – Laos Wednesday 24 July - Ethiopia in a safe house. Pray for her
Open Doors partners are Anya* pastors a congregation Berhane’s* family rejected her safety and protection from
working on audio versions of 580 believers. He is also a when she became a Christian, being forced into marriage.
of the New Testament for an health care volunteer, thanks but her faith continued to grow.
unreached Buddhist people to training funded by Open She became an evangelist Sunday 28 July – China
group. Many believers are Doors. This has helped him who works in dangerous Praise God for an Open Doors
illiterate. Pray for the spiritual share Christ with those who areas. “I go places (with the project caring for North
health of the translators, are sick. “Persecution is not as gospel) where almost no Korean women who have
publishers and their families, hard as it was before,” he says. one else dares to go. God is been trafficked to China. Pray
and for protection against “Before, the kids would run my shepherd. He is the one for a sister who recently came
security breaches. away whenever they saw me walking with me.” She has now to faith through this project.
holding my medicine kit. But planted nine churches! Pray Ask God to use Open Doors
Wednesday 17 July – China now they are no longer afraid. for more workers to join her in workers to help her grow
Ammar*, a believer from I thank God for making me this important work. in faith, and pray that many
a Muslim background in attend this training.” more women will discover
northwest China, was Thursday 25 July – CAR Jesus through this project.
arrested six months ago by Sunday 21 July – Laos Pray for widow Leonie (45),
the authorities. He is forced to Nathee* came to Christ after whose in-laws rejected her Monday 29 July – India
study atheism every day and being healed of an illness. after she refused to have Open Doors’ local partners
must pass exams if he is to He attended a persecution traditional Islamic mourning provide seminars for women
salvage any hope of release. survival course run by Open rites at her husband’s funeral. who face persecution. Ask
Ask God to protect his mind Doors and now wants to go She must now bring up her God to use this training to
and give him strength to to local villages to share the children alone. “I thank God for bring healing and strength to
persevere in his faith. gospel. Ask the Holy Spirit to using the church to support all who attend. One attendee
guide him and enable him to me,” she says. “If they hadn’t says, “This seminar has
Thursday 18 July speak the word of God boldly. been here, where would I be given me strength to carry on
– North Korea today? I will never leave this through my difficult days.”
Ask God to protect Open Doors Monday 22 July – Myanmar Jesus. Pray for me, please.”
secret workers smuggling Pray for children’s camps Tuesday 30 July – Yemen
food into the country. A taking place this summer. Friday 26 July – Vietnam The few Yemeni believers
North Korean believer told Pray that they will be places Anh* ministers to youth are often very isolated. Pray
us, “Recently, North Korean of fun where children meet in her community but is for three young women who
citizens were asked to donate Jesus, and that they will have facing opposition from the recently came to faith in Jesus.
money towards several courage to share what they’ve authorities. She recently Ask God to provide a safe way
construction projects. In the learned with their families. attended persecution survival for them to study His Word and
meantime, often we don’t get training run by Open Doors meet with other believers.
any food rations. The situation partners. “The course helped
of the powerless North Korean Persecuted me know about the reality Wednesday 31 July – UK&I
citizens is getting worse.”
women of persecution,” she says.
“That’s why we were able to
The findings of the Foreign
Office Review into UK support
Friday 19 July – Vietnam Tuesday 23 July – Ethiopia respond with kindness when for persecuted Christians
Tran* (18), his wife Chau* When Abeba* (20) left Isalm government officials came and are due for release in July.
(16) and their 7-month-old to follow Jesus, her father persecuted us. I was even able Open Doors has been able to
baby were thrown out of threatened her so severely to share the gospel to them.” provide detailed evidence and
their village when they chose that she fled home. Open challenging recommendations
to follow Jesus. They were Doors helped her with Saturday 27 July – to the review team. Pray
forced to live in a small tent livelihood training so she Kyrgyzstan that these recommendations
in a forest. Ask the Lord to could set up a cafe. Ask God to When Amira* chose to follow will be followed up by the
strengthen them in their faith bless the business and pray Jesus, her family put her government.
and pray for those helping that she will influence her under house arrest and tried *name changed for security reasons
6 7
INDIA
‘I am not well educated but now
I can be a professional tailor’
Indian Christians from rural child and my other family
areas are often poor and face members.”
discrimination because of
their faith, particularly in the Lalita’s voice softens as she
area of job opportunities. But explains how desperately
with your help, Open Doors she needed this training. “I
is working through our local have three children and our
partners to provide vocational livelihood depends solely
training so our brothers and on my husband, who is a
sisters can earn an income daily wages labour. After
and provide for their families. becoming Christians, we have
been socially boycotted and
Richa is a tailoring teacher discriminated against in our
who works in one of 15 small community. I am not well
training centres set up across educated and so I could only
India to teach persecuted work as a domestic helper,
women tailoring skills. “We which doesn’t pay well.
equip the women by training Now, thankfully, I can be a
them in skills like tailoring and professional tailor and earn to
embroidery,” she says. “After support my family.”
getting trained they can either
work professionally in shops Rita is another beneficiary so thankful to Open Doors I am also blessed spiritually.
or open their own boutique. of the tailoring course. partners for this opportunity. We pray, sing and learn
It’s a six-month course and She shares her challenges Tailoring classes are very from the Word. We feel so
by the time they finish, they sadly. “I come from a very expensive everywhere else strengthened.”
are trained enough to stitch a poor family. We are socially but here I am learning for
variety of Indian clothing.” boycotted in our community free.” PRAY
because of our Christian
faith. We are not given equal As well as teaching valuable • Ask God to bless each
“I am now opportunities to work even skills, the centres also have woman taking part in this
able to as daily wages workers in another purpose. “We also training so she can use
our village. Our ration card want to strengthen these her new skills to earn a
provide for (an official document by the women spiritually,” explains better income
government that enables Richa. “Before the classes
my family” the poorest families to begin we have a small • For wisdom for Open
purchase basic food items at fellowship where we share Doors partners running
Kavitha recently completed subsidised rates) was also from the Word and pray for these projects. Ask God
her training at the centre. Her dismissed after we became concerns.” to expand their reach so
eyes twinkling, she shares, Christians and we were very that more women can be
“When the teacher informed discouraged. “I have been learning tailoring strengthened through
us about starting a sewing and embroidery for the last projects like this.
centre I immediately joined. “I then came to know about four months in this centre,”
I am so grateful that today this tailoring centre. I says Devika, another trainee.
I am able to stitch not only attended the classes regularly “Apart from the practical
for myself but also for my and I have learnt a lot. I am skills I am acquiring here,
8 9
Sunday 4 August Hope for the together as one for the faith of
AUGUST In remote parts of central the gospel’ (Philippians 1:27)
India, Christians are isolated Middle East so that the light of Christ is
because pastors and clearly seen.
India Christians from other areas Thursday 8 August – Syria
are prohibited from entering Pray for Syria’s young people. Monday 12 August – Iraq
Thursday 1 August the villages; many villages “Most of them are lost in Pray for protection for
Open Doors supports local have hoardings saying that life and searching for their Christians in the Nineveh plain.
Rapid Response teams who Christians are not allowed. purpose,” says Riene, the wife Recently two elderly women
bring emergency aid, medical Pray for strength and comfort of a youth leader. “We pray for in Bartella, a mainly Christian
care and spiritual support to for isolated believers, and that our youth to be strengthened village, were attacked in their
victims of violence. Pray for Christians will soon be free to in faith and to have the house by armed men who beat
protection for those travelling enter these villages again. courage to go out in the world them up and stole money and
into dangerous situations, and and lead people to Jesus, to be jewellery. Ask God to heal and
pray that they would be the Monday 5 August a light in their homes, colleges, restore them physically and
loving hands of Jesus to those Pray for Open Doors jobs and among their friends.” spiritually.
who are hurting. local partners providing
persecution survival training Friday 9 August – Syria Tuesday 13 August – Iraq
Friday 2 August to help Christians to respond Poverty has forced many Many young people from the
Kirti* is a young widow whose biblically when they face Syrian children to leave Nineveh plain are unemployed
husband was killed for his persecution. One trainee school and become beggars and struggling to find jobs.
Christian faith. She was says, “I now encourage or criminals, living on the Pray that livelihood training
seriously injured in the attack, people because I know they streets. Thank God for the and income generating
making it difficult for her to are not alone. They are also centers of hope run by Open projects provided by Open
work. Pray for Open Doors supported by your prayers.” Doors partners all around Doors partners will motivate
partners providing her with Pray that those who attend Syria, where many children young people to stay in their
medical care and livelihood will be filled with courage find love and care. Pray that towns and villages.
support, and pray that her and boldness. these street children will also
children will do well in their be reached with food, clothes Wednesday 14 August – Iraq
education. Tuesday 6 August and education. The increase in the number
Ranjit* and Ranveer* are under of militias supported by Iran
police surveillance because of Saturday 10 August – Syria on the streets of Baghdad is
their outreach activities. They Pray for Manal, whose causing fear and panic among
have been called by the police daughter Elena (14) is autistic. civilians, especially because
for questioning many times. “I had to take her out of the they are ready and willing
Pray for their protection, and caring institution for autistic to fight with Iran against US
for courage and wisdom as kids because they raised the forces. Pray for peace for
Kirti they share the love of Jesus fee to take care of her. I take Iraq, and pray that God’s
with others. care of her at home now.” Pray people will know that God is
Saturday 3 August for Elena and her family, and their salvation and will trust
Please pray for Kiran*. The Wednesday 7 August for local churches and Open and not be afraid (Isaiah 12:2).
village chief is trying to take Open Doors’ local partners Doors partners helping to
his land by force because he provide biblical training support vulnerable believers Thursday 15 August – Iraq
has converted to Christianity. for church leaders who in need of health care. Pray for the church in Iraq to
His son was arrested under are facing opposition. “We stand strong in the midst of
false allegations of conversion need to give training to the Sunday 11 August – Syria persecution. Pray that they
and brutally beaten by the church leaders,” explains Pray for increasing unity will play a positive role in their
police. Pray for protection for one partner. “It will boost and collaboration between communities and will be a
Kiran, for healing for his son their faith to be persistent.” Syria’s churches. Pray that light in the darkness that has
and for a change of heart for Pray that the church leaders different denominations and spread across the country.
the village chief. who attend will leave feeling congregations will ‘stand
equipped and encouraged. firm in the one Spirit, striving *name changed for security reasons.
10 11
Leaving idols for the
God who speaks
In the remote rainforest of idol and they would receive
the Central African Republic, healing. Why then, when I fell
Pierre was born as the son sick, they were praying for
of the village high priest. me, but it wasn’t working?”
He was expected to follow
in his father’s footsteps, After three years ill at home,
performing rituals in worship Pierre heard a voice that he
of the local god Dakwe. But will never forget…
one day, a deacon visiting
from a neighbouring village “I heard a voice that said,
offered to pray with Pierre. ‘Pierre, you shall be healed.’
We had a god, Dakwe, who
“When he was praying, it was healed us, who did everything
as if my heart was vibrating,” for us, but he did not speak.
Pierre says. “So, when he I had never heard that voice
finished praying, I asked him: before. But here was God
‘Can I go and try your God?’ telling me, ‘Pierre, you shall
be healed.’ So I decided that I
Pierre attended church for would follow only Him.
a month before deciding to
give his life to Christ. But at As a sign that he had left Pierre talks to Open Doors partners in CAR
first, like many converts from ancestral worship behind,
traditional religions, Pierre Pierre decided to burn the
tried to mix his new faith in container in which the idol Pierre’s decision came at a PRAY:
Christ with his old beliefs. Dakwe dwelt. cost; the villagers reacted
angrily and threatened him. • Thank the Lord for
“One day, I fell sick with a “I decided to pull out all the He survived several attempts Pierre’s courageous faith
swollen stomach. First of gods that were in our house on his life – proof to him that and ask Him to continue
all, we started with that and I burned them all… I Jesus was more powerful to protect Pierre from
idol, Dakwe. Every time that gathered them all up and I than Dakwe. After he received those who oppose him
sick people came to us, we burnt everything. But it was training from Open Doors
would place them before that not easy.” partners, Pierre became a • Ask God to use Pierre’s
pastor. Now he preaches the testimony to help many
gospel to those who fear the others in his community
magic of the idols. to discover the freedom
that Jesus brings
“I am a great witness to my
brothers in this district… Pray • For Open Doors partners
that those idols would have supporting Christians
no impact but would lose their in this region with
grip in our district.” discipleship and biblical
training to equip them to
You can watch Pierre tell his stand firm in the face of
story on our Prayer News persecution.
page: www.opendoorsuk.
Pierre burns an object of pagan worship
org/prayernews
12 13Nepal Doors local partners in Saturday 24 August – Ethiopia of Christian schoolgirl Leah
different parts of Nepal. Pray Pray for Open Doors partners Sharibu (15), abducted by
Friday 16 August for protection for all who providing medical assistance Boko Haram in February
Seema* and her daughter are travelling to conduct and to 26 believers injured when 2018. Ask God to protect and
suffer from leprosy, but attend the programmes and their church was attacked sustain Leah, and strengthen
because they are Christians, pray that the participants by a Muslim mob. “We all and encourage her parents.
their family members don’t will be inspired to apply the have been experiencing fear
support them. Ask God to heal teaching in their daily lives. and discouragement,” said Thursday 29 August – Nigeria
Seema and her daughter and the church leaders. “Your Give thanks that the Open
provide for their needs. Pray Wednesday 21 August presence here, more than Doors Trauma Centre has
that the hearts of her family Ask God to bless three any other support, is helping finally opened its doors after
will be softened by God’s love. persecution survival seminars us to overcome fear.” a year-long delay due to
being run by Open Doors this security challenges. A pastor
Saturday 17 August month. One believer who Sunday 25 August - Eritrea who attended one of the
Arun* is a retired army official attended a seminar earlier Over 140 believers were first trauma courses says,
who accepted Christ while in the year told us, “When my arrested in the capital, “[The training] led me and
serving in the military, but family came to know about Asmara, in May, including 104 my brokenness straight to
experienced persecution in my faith, I was beaten and women and 14 children. Pray the foot of the cross and I’m
the military forces. He has expelled from my family. I for their physical and spiritual willing more than ever to be
a vision to create a forum to have often been discouraged, protection and ask the Lord to made whole.”
encourage Christians in the but I feel so blessed that I protect and sustain them.
military. Ask God to help him could come to this seminar Friday 30 August - Ivory
turn his vision into a reality. today. I learnt here that we Monday 26 August – Guinea Coast
need to cling onto Jesus in all Give thanks that Open Doors When Tiekoma (33) left his
Sunday 18 August circumstances.” has been able to dig a well for traditional religion to follow
The speaker of the Nepal a small Christian community Jesus, his family was furious
Communist Party has said Thursday 22 August in the remote village of and threatened him. They
that international NGOs The UN General Assembly Bélékpala. “This well has confiscated his farmland,
should be closed down. Most has designated today as the made all the difference,” making it very hard for him
development work in Nepal first ever International Day says Pastor Pierre. “Our to survive. Pray for God’s
is carried out by NGOs, so Commemorating Victims of fellow villagers saw that we protection and provision for
this would devastate those Acts of Violence based on were recognised by other Tiekoma and for the salvation
who depend on them for their Religion or Belief. Pray that Christians. On top of that we, of his family.
livelihoods. Ask God to change the day will spur those in the hated and ostracised
the hearts of those who are positions of influence to move Christians, have invited Saturday 31 August – DRC
trying to close down NGOs. from awareness of the issues all our fellow villagers to Over 20 attacks on Christian
to impactful change for those freely use ‘our’ well.” communities were recorded
Monday 19 August facing violence for their faith. in the first five months of
Pray for a church that has Tuesday 27 August – CAR 2019, in which 90 people
been told to leave the building Pray for Pastor Franco, who died, 131 were kidnapped
where it meets after police Africa is determined to share the and over 12,000 displaced.
interrogated its members. So gospel with members of the “The situation is drastically
far no one is willing to provide Friday 23 August – Sudan rebel anti-Balaka group. “We declining,” says Open Doors’
space for the church to hold Pray for peace in Sudan, as want people to put their trust team leader for the country.
services. Ask God to provide political unrest continues. Ask in our Almighty God who gives “Pray for God to relieve the
a new meeting place and pray the Lord to strengthen and everlasting life,” says Pastor suffering of the people in this
that the believers will stand protect His people in this time Franco. “So, we just keep part of the country.”
strong in their faith. of instability, and pray for sharing the gospel with them.”
wisdom for church leaders For the latest news and to
Tuesday 20 August as they guide church Wednesday 28 August – sign up for weekly email
Pray for several women’s members through these Nigeria prayer alerts, go to
seminars being run by Open tumultuous times. Keep praying for the release www.opendoorsuk.org
14 15WORLD WATCH LIST
#32 Nepal
Hoping in the Lord
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His
word I put my hope…” – Psalm 130:5
When trials come and One pastor shared openly, “I
circumstances change for the realise that Christian leaders
worse, who do we turn to for are monitored and our lives
stability? Where do we put and ministries are always at
our hope? a risk. I am sometimes very
disturbed – but I hope in the
Open Doors partners recently Lord.”
met with Christians in Nepal
who run Christian NGOs. They Everything around us can shift
are coming under increasing in the blink of an eye – but our
pressure to shut down after God is a solid Rock upon whom
being falsely accused of we can stand. Establishing God
using their operations to as our firm foundation when
coerce people to convert to things are going well means
Christianity (which is now that, when tests and trials do
legally punishable in Nepal). come, we can declare that our
hope is in the Lord and His
Last year at least 13 Christians Word, ‘for no word from the
were arrested and more than Lord will ever fail’ (Luke 1:37).
22 false accusations of forced
conversion were made against Lord Jesus, thank You that
Christians in mainstream You never change – You are
newspapers. the same yesterday, today and
forever. Help me to rely on
Threats to Christian leaders You when everything around
and churches have become me seems to shift and change.
very common and many are When circumstances threaten
anxious about what might to overwhelm me, lead me to
happen next. the rock that is higher than I.
Open Doors, PO Box 6, Witney, FIND US ON:
OX29 6WG www.opendoorsuk.org
T 01993 460015
E inspire@opendoorsuk.org
Open Doors UK & I is a registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1125684,
Scotland No. SC043710, Republic of Ireland No. 20140984 © Open Doors 2019You can also read
